Paros island
Paros: One island, Many faces
Paros shines bright with its azure waters and mountains, with its white painted villages and smiling locals.
Its restless nature with singing cicadas, birds and dancing butterflies whispers a welcome to every visitor.
Paros is one of the few destinations in the Med that can satisfy every taste!
It is ideal for nature lovers, swimmers, watersports fans, climbers, ramblers and exploring the natural landscape.
It is perfect for socializing, having fun, great cuisine and beach bars with the latest cocktails and happenings.
A peaceful and secure destination for families with young children.
A destination steeped in history and culture: great civilizations have flourished here since the Neolithic Era.
Paros is an island for lovers, an island for loners, an island for artists and an island for faithful Christians.
Paros is more than just a Greek holiday, it’s a deep dive into the magic of the Aegean!
Paros is not only for summer though, but also a destination for unforgettable experiences all year round.
Discover more about Paros
Paros is the third largest island of the Cyclades with an area of 193,308 square kilometers and a population of approximately 14,000 people.
The islands climate is pleasant with mild winters and little rainfall. The average yearly temperature is about 18 degrees Celsius and from May to September, the temperature rises quite a bit.
During August, the summer’s heat is moderated by the prevailing winds called “meltemia”- or “etisia” by the ancient Greeks. The winds blow at a speed of 5 to 7 Bf or more in daytime, dying down at night.
The island has rich flora, producing native herbs, olive oil, potatoes, wines, vegetables, fruits and cereals. Caper plants are especially prevalent, as in all the Cyclades.
The wetlands of Paros are a vital space for migratory birds and its geographical position makes it a very important habitat for a rich birdlife.
Paros is also famous for its quarries, known for their top-quality white marble, the “Parialithos”, meaning Parian stone, mined there since the 7th century BC. This was a source of great prosperity for Paros and many famous sculptures such as the Venus of Milos, Hermes by Praxiteles and Nike (Victory) of Samothrace were sculpted from this marble.
Nowadays, residents are mainly engaged in fishing, agriculture, livestock farming and tourism. Paros manufactures a variety of high-quality produce.
The vines of Paros produce two local wine varieties with designation of origin (PDO), Mandilaria (red) and Monemvasia (white). Large quantities of wine and spirits are produced every year and there are small wineries and distilleries that produce ouzo and the local “souma”. The island also produces graviera cheese, olive oil, figs, and honey mainly for local consumption.
Paros National Airport connects the island with several Greek cities such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion in Crete, Santorini and Mykonos. There are also international flights during the summer season.
The main port of the island is located in Parikia connecting Paros with the ports of Piraeus, Lavrion, the Cyclades and Crete. Small ports in Naousa and Piso Livadi connect Paros with other Cycladic islands, mainly in the summer, via tourist passenger boats. The port in Pounta has a ferry connection with Antiparos all year round.
The Paros Bus Association (KTEL) provides local bus services for travel around the island. The KTEL buses offer a daily service connecting all the villages and beaches of the island and the bus stop is close to Villa Good Vibes. There Is also a taxi service covering the whole island. The road network of Paros is dense and, to a large extent, well maintained.
Paros Health Center operates 24 hours a day and is located in the center of Parikia, 100 meters from the port. There are other Regional Medical Centres across the island operating in morning hours.
History & Culture
Paros follows the course of Greek history from prehistoric times to the present day.
The Neolithic Age, the Archaic era, the Persian Wars, the Classical times are historical periods that Paros experienced, through the Roman and Byzantine periods, the Turkish occupation, the Venetian rule, and the Orlov revolt to the Greek War of Independence of 1821.
The rich, uninterrupted history of Paros has left an indelible imprint on its culture and is expressed in its events, gastronomy, customs, monuments, and museums.
The influence of these different civilizations is evident in the islanders temperament: they are welcoming, warm and smiling. They love nature, life, and their island. Despite the development of tourism, the Parians do their utmost to keep the islands character intact.
