Would you visit the Greek coast, but not sure which town is the most ideal for you? Are you interested in mythology and culture? Besides that, relaxation by the sea is also a priority? If that’s the case, don’t look any further! The island of Paros offers a real Mediterranean vacation. Thanks to its rich history, the island doesn’t lack spectacles either.
Location of Paros
The island of Paros lies in the center of the Aegean Sea in Greece. It’s a member of the Cyclades. It’s also the third most popular island in its group after Santorini and Marina Mykonos. Only a 5 km long canal divides the 165 km2 big island from Naxos. 1 km southwest from the island, there’s a smaller one called Antiparos, which is very famous for its marble host rock. The highest point of the island is the 770 m high mountain of Prophet Elias.
History of Paros
According to evidence from different parts of the island, Paros was already inhabited in Paleolithic times. Due to its strategic position in the center of the Cyclades, it was an ideal starting point. It became an outstanding power on the sea, it even colonized other islands. There’s no marble in the world that would be as high in quality as the marble here. Sculptors like Agoracritos, Scopas, and Thrasymedes worked with it. They used it in such famous creations as the temple of Apollo Delos, Hermes Praxiteles, and probably the most known Greek sculpture, the Venus de Milo, which is in the Louvre’s exhibition now in Paris.
You can still view ancient marble mines on the hills above Marathiban and Parikia. In 1537 the pirate Hayreddin Barbarossa conquered the island, and then it became a part of the Ottoman Empire. After a long time, it eventually grew independent and joined the new Greek state. From the 1960s the island evolved into a major tourist destination, famous for its cultural sited, gorgeous sandy beaches, and milling nightlife.
Beaches in Paros
Paros involves the most beautiful and popular beaches of the Greek islands. Their common traits are crystal clear water and a relaxing atmosphere. Thus, they attract many visitors every summer. Some local beaches have seaside hotels, restaurants, and beach bars. Others welcome you with the pure image of gold sand and shadows cast by the palm trees around them.
Kolimbithres Paros beach:
Kolimbithres is the most famous beach. It lies in the Gulf of Plastira. Around here small sandy gulfs follow each other. If you’re lucky enough and arrive at the right time, you can even have your own tiny gulf for a whole day or afternoon. On some of the beaches deck chairs and sun umbrellas are available as well as some water sports. Along the way to the shore, there are bars on the seaside and tavernas. The beaches are accessible from the water through small boats, which depart regularly from the port of Naoussa. Individual travellers also like discovering this section of the shore with their own or rented boats.
Monastiri Paros beach:
Monastiri is only a few kilometers from Kolimbithres is a small gulf surrounded by huge, rocky hills. This beach lies in the Gulf of Agios Ioannis. You can see the monastery on the right. Some spectacular rocks emerge on the left. This section of the coast is calm and has clean water. It’s most popular for its beauty mostly in July and August. People love coming here by yachts as well. Deck chairs, beach umbrellas, and watersports opportunities are all available. The Monastiri beach is full of events in summer: concerts, beach parties, and different competitions.
Main sights in Paros
In addition to its beautiful Mediterranean beaches, the town has several museums and cultural treasures. The pride of place is the huge Byzantine temple of Ekatondapyliani which also contains a small Byzantine museum. The archaeological museum behind the Ekatondapyliani shows the artworks of different ancient Parian settlements. And last, but not least you should view the art from different marble mines too. Going east from the town, there’s the amazing monastery of Ágii Anárgyri, which they established in 1660. The Paros Park, as a natural, untouched rock formation, is a perfect representation of the Cycladic beauty. In summer they hold numerous events in the park and its open-air theatre.
Weather in Paros
The Greek coast has a Mediterranean climate. The air of the country is very clean and dry from spring to early autumn. There’s a lot of sunshine, while the amount of rain usually decreases from the west to the east. In summer, we almost never see any clouds in the sky. Rain is practically an unknown guest in the summer months. The sea can heat up to 23-25 °C from June to August. Even in October, it’s still 23 °C. The area of Greece is constantly windy, these winds, however, are always changing. The wind that dominates the summer months is called Meltemi. From June, it blows from the northwest and the northeast. It reaches its full strength, from 5 to 8 on the Beaufort scale, in July and August.
The sea-wind comes in late September or early October, which blows from the southeast and the southwest. It’s a specifically southern wind, that dominates mostly in spring and fall with a strength of 2 to 4. Due to Greece’s typical winds, it’s most rewarding to plan a sailing route from the south to the north in spring and autumn, and from the north to the south in summer. The waving is preferable compared to the Croatian archipelago since there’s a greater distance between the Greek islands. The current flows counterclockwise in the Eastern Mediterranean Basin, and northward along the Turkish coast. The water flows southward on the Eastern Greek coasts, but from the west side of the Peloponnese Peninsula northern current dominates..
Paros rent a boat
The main port of the island is on the west side of the capital, Parikia. Here, you’ll mostly find ferryboats going between the Parikia Piraeus, Attika or other islands of the Cyclades. The port of Paros connects to the most popular sites of the island by bus lanes. The bus stop is right in the port. The city center with its shops and restaurants is easily accessible from the moorage. Either if you’re a lover of history, or a young traveller thirsty for milling nightlife and parties, Paros is an ideal choice. Besides seaside relaxation, a lot of culture and fun are waiting for you. Visit local clubs or dine at a taverna by the sea while the rays of setting sun engild the waves and the coast. Find yacht routes in Cyclades or choose another yacht charter in Cyclades.
More information about Paros
The climate diagrams are based on 30 years of hourly weather model simulations. They give good indications of typical climate patterns and expected conditions (temperature, precipitation, sunshine, and wind). The “mean daily maximum” (solid red line) shows the maximum temperature of an average day for every month for Paros. Likewise, the “mean daily minimum” (solid blue line) shows the average minimum temperature.
The wind rose for Paros shows how many hours per year the wind blows from the indicated direction. The diagram for Paros shows the days per month, during which the wind reaches a certain speed.
Rent a boat in Paros, and cruise around Paros
Day 1. Paros (Parikia) – Kolymbithres 18.50 km (11.49 mi), Day 2. Kolymbithres – Santa Maria Beach 13.78 km (8.56 mi), Day 3. Santa Maria Beach – Naxos 8.70 km (5.40 mi), Day 4. Naxos – Aliki 28.94 km (17.98 mi), Day 5. Aliki – Kamares (Sifnos Island) 57.83 km (35.93 mi), Day 6. Kamares – Livadi (Serifos island) 22.85 km (14.20 mi), Day 7. Livadi – Serifopoula – Parikia 70.02 km (43.51 mi). 
Day 1. Paros – Kamares (Sifnos island) 54.85 km (34.08 mi), Day 2. Kamares – Livadi (Serifos island) 22.85 km (14.20 mi), Day 3. Livadi – Merihas (Kithnos island) 45.85 km (28.49 mi), Day 4. Merihas – Ermoupoli (Siros island)69.19 km (43.00 mi), Day 5. Ermoupoli – Tinos (Tinos island) 22.15 km (13.76 mi), Day 6.Tinos – Agios Stefanos(Mykonos)17.17 km (10.67 mi), Day 7. Mykonos – Stefano beach – Paros 55.48 km (34.47 mi)
Read more about Paros sailing or choose from another Cyclades sailing routes
