Paros
In the pulsating heart of the Cycladic archipelago, Paros emerges from the Aegean waters like a fragment of purest marble sculpted...
Updated 7 July 2026
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The story
The story of Paros
A history sculpted in white marble
The history of Paros is inextricably linked to its most precious resource: Parian marble. As early as the 3rd millennium BC, the island was a nerve center of Cycladic civilization, as evidenced by the stylized idols found at the Despotiko site. Over the centuries, Paros became a maritime and commercial power, founding colonies even in the Adriatic. Its marble, known as 'lychnites' for its ability to reflect light, was chosen by the greatest sculptors of antiquity for masterpieces such as the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. After the Classical and Roman eras, the island experienced a period of Byzantine splendor, followed by Venetian domination which fortified its ports. Under the Duchy of Naxos and subsequently under the Ottoman Empire, Paros maintained its own cultural identity, until its liberation during the Greek War of Independence, in which it played a fundamental strategic role.
The Basilica of Panagia Ekatontapiliani
Located a short walk from Parikia harbor, Panagia Ekatontapiliani, or 'Church of 100 Doors', is one of the most significant Byzantine monuments in all of Greece. Legend has it that it was founded by Saint Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, during her journey to the Holy Land. The current building is a monumental complex comprising the main church dedicated to the Virgin, two side chapels, and an ancient baptistery dating back to the 4th century, the best preserved in the Christian East. The interior impresses with the solemnity of its exposed stones and the grandeur of its marble columns, many of which were reused from ancient temples. The name derives from the popular belief that the building has ninety-nine visible doors, while the hundredth will only appear when Constantinople becomes Christian again. It is a place of deep spirituality that enchants with its layered architecture and precious frescoes.
The Venetian Kastro of Parikia
In the heart of Parikia's old quarter stands the Kastro, a fortress built in the 13th century by the Venetian Duke Marco Sanudo. What makes this place extraordinary is not so much its defensive grandeur, but its material composition: the walls were built entirely using architectural elements from ancient Greek temples. Walking along the perimeter, one can spot sections of Doric columns, friezes, and marble blocks embedded in the walls of the houses, creating a historical collage unique in the world. This creative reuse, born out of defensive needs, has transformed the Kastro into an open-air museum where the classical past merges with medieval urban planning. From the top of the tower, the gaze sweeps over the white roofs of the town and the infinite blue of the Aegean, offering one of the island's most evocative sunsets.
The Ancient Marble Quarries of Marathi
To understand the soul of Paros, one must descend into the earth's depths at Marathi. Here lie the ancient marble quarries from which the legendary Parian marble was extracted, mined in underground galleries by the light of oil lamps (hence the name 'lychnites'). Although mining activity ceased long ago, the site retains an aura of majestic desolation. It is possible to explore the entrance of some caves and admire the walls cut with millennia-old precision, testament to unparalleled technical mastery. Nearby are the remains of 19th-century industrial buildings, when a French company attempted to reactivate extraction. Visiting Marathi is a sensory experience: the silence is broken only by the wind, and the whiteness of the marble emerging from the ground constantly reminds why this island was considered the 'pearl' of the Cyclades in antiquity.
Naoussa and its enchanted harbor
Once a humble fishing village, Naoussa is now one of the most chic and elegant resorts in the Aegean, while still retaining an authentic heart. Its Venetian harbor, protected by the remains of a semi-submerged fortress, is a maze of colorful boats (the typical 'kaiki') and tables that touch the water's edge. Here, octopuses are hung out to dry in the sun like laundry, creating a postcard-perfect scene. The narrow streets of the village are a triumph of Cycladic architecture, with design shops, art galleries, and tavernas serving the freshest fish. Despite its sophistication, Naoussa maintains a magical atmosphere, especially early in the morning when fishermen return with full nets or late at night, when the harbor lights reflect on the calm sea, transforming the village into an open-air stage.
Lefkes: the island's mountain heart
Far from the clamor of the coasts, Lefkes rises on a hill surrounded by pine forests and olive groves. It was the island's first capital in the Middle Ages, chosen for its position protected from pirate raids. The village is a jewel of peace, characterized by marble-paved streets and houses adorned with geranium pots. The cathedral of Agia Triada, with its twin white marble bell towers, dominates the settlement and serves as a constant visual landmark. From Lefkes starts the famous 'Byzantine Road', an ancient paved path leading to the village of Prodromos through a rural landscape of rare beauty. Walking through these valleys means immersing oneself in the scents of the Mediterranean scrub and rediscovering the slow rhythm of rural life, interrupted only by the sound of bells and the bleating of goats in the distance.
The coastal landscape: between natural sculptures and golden sand
The coast of Paros offers a surprising variety of landscapes. To the north, Kolymbithres beach is famous for its granite rock formations, smoothed by the sea and wind into bizarre shapes resembling abstract sculptures. These rocks create small coves of crystal-clear water, ideal for those seeking a quiet spot by the sea. Moving east, the coast becomes the realm of winds: Golden Beach (Chrissi Akti) and New Golden Beach are world-renowned destinations for windsurfing and kitesurfing, thanks to the constant Meltemi winds during the summer. Further south, Farangas beach offers calm waters and fine sand, while the Aliki area enchants with its seaside tavernas and family-friendly atmosphere. Each beach in Paros has a distinct character, capable of satisfying both those seeking absolute relaxation and water sports enthusiasts.
Antiparos: the younger sister
Just a ten-minute ferry ride from Pounta lies Antiparos, a satellite island that has managed to maintain a more reserved and bohemian profile. Its main village is a delight of white houses and blue doors, with a lively but never chaotic main street. The island's main attraction is its spectacular cave, located on the hill of Agios Ioannis: a deep chasm that holds millennia-old stalactites and stalagmites, some of which bear inscriptions from illustrious visitors of past centuries. Antiparos is loved for its wild beaches, like Agios Georgios, and for that feeling of golden isolation that also attracts international celebrities seeking privacy. It is the ideal place for a day trip or for a stay characterized by the most refined simplicity.
Gastronomic traditions and flavors of the Aegean
The cuisine of Paros is a hymn to simplicity and the quality of its raw ingredients. The island's signature dish is 'Revithada', a chickpea soup slow-cooked in wood-fired ovens inside terracotta pots, traditionally prepared for Sunday lunch. Another pillar of the local table is 'Gouna', sun-dried and then grilled mackerel, with an intense and savory flavor, perfect to accompany a glass of 'Souma', the local pomace brandy. Cheeses are also abundant, such as 'Ladotyri' preserved in oil, and local DOC wines, produced from indigenous grape varieties like Monemvasia and Mandilaria. Sitting in a Paros taverna means participating in a ritual of conviviality, where food is a deep connection to the land and sea that surround the island.
- Visit Panagia Ekatontapiliani at sunset to admire the light on the ancient stones.
- Get lost in the alleys of Parikia's Kastro in search of fragments of classical temples.
- Walk the Byzantine Road from Lefkes to Prodromos amidst the scents of thyme and sage.
- Dine at Naoussa harbor, savoring Gouna and watching the boats sway.
- Explore the rock formations of Kolymbithres and swim in its natural pools.
- Take the ferry to Antiparos and descend into the depths of its millennia-old cave.
- Attend a traditional festival (panigiri) in one of the inland villages during the summer.
FAQ
Qual è il periodo migliore per visitare Paros?
Come ci si sposta sull'isola?
È un'isola adatta alle famiglie?
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Getting there
- Aeroporto Nazionale di Paros (PAS) - 10 km da Parikia
- Non presenti ferrovie sull'isola
- Le strade principali collegano Parikia con Naoussa, Lefkes e le spiagge del sud. La rete è ben asfaltata.
- I traghetti veloci dal Pireo (Atene) impiegano circa 3 ore; quelli convenzionali circa 4-5 ore. Prenotate in anticipo in alta stagione.
Perfect for
Dalle calette rocciose di Kolymbithres alle distese dorate per surfisti, il mare è il protagonista assoluto.
Un viaggio tra cave di marmo millenarie, basiliche bizantine e fortezze veneziane costruite con templi antichi.
Naoussa offre un divertimento sofisticato tra cocktail bar eleganti e club affacciati sul porto veneziano.
L'entroterra è attraversato da antichi sentieri bizantini che collegano villaggi bianchi tra ulivi e mulini a vento.
To see
