The Cyclades
We’ve compiled the best of the best in The Cyclades - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Panagia Ekatontapyliani
Religious Building/Site/ShrineThe square above the port, to the northwest, was built to celebrate the church's 1,700th anniversary. From there note a white wall with two belfries, the front of the former monastic quarters that surround the magnificent Panagia Ekatontapyliani, the earliest remaining proto-Byzantine church in Greece and one of the oldest unaltered churches in the world. As such, it is a renowned pilgrimage church of the Aegean, second only to Megalochari on nearby Tinos. The story began in 326, when St. Helen—the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great—set out on a ship for the Holy Land to find the True Cross. Stopping on Paros, she had a vision of success and vowed to build a church there. Though she died before it was built, her son built the church in 328 as a wooden-roof basilica. Two centuries later, Justinian the Great (who ruled the Byzantine Empire in 527–65) commissioned the splendid dome. According to legend, 99 doors have been found in the church and the 100th will be discovered only after Constantinople is Greek again—but the name is actually older than the legend. Inside, the subdued light mixes with the dun, reddish, and green tufa (porous volcanic rock). The columns are classical and their capitals Byzantine. At the corners of the dome are two fading Byzantine frescoes depicting six-winged seraphim. The 4th-century iconostasis (with ornate later additions) is divided into five frames by marble columns. One panel contains the 14th-century icon of the Virgin, with a silver covering from 1777. The Virgin is carried in procession on the church's crowded feast day, August 15, the Dormition. During Easter services, thousands of rose petals are dropped from the dome upon the singing celebrant. The adjacent Baptistery, nearly unique in Greece, also built from the 4th to the 6th century, has a marble font and bits of mosaic floor. The church museum, at the right, contains post-Byzantine icons.
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2. Archaeological Museum of Paros
Museum/GalleryThe Archaeological Museum contains a large chunk of the famed Parian chronicle, which recorded cultural events in Greece from about 1500 BC until 260 BC (another chunk is in Oxford's Ashmolean Museum). It interests scholars that the historian inscribed detailed information about artists, poets, and playwrights, completely ignoring wars and shifts in government. Some primitive pieces from the Aegean's oldest settlement, Saliagos (an islet between Paros and Antiparos), are exhibited in the same room, on the left. A small room contains Archaic finds from the ongoing excavation at Despotiko—and they are finding a lot. In the large room to the right rests a marble slab depicting the poet Archilochus in a banquet scene, lying on a couch, his weapons nearby. The ancients ranked Archilochus, who invented iambic meter and wrote the first signed love lyric, second only to Homer. When he died in battle against the Naxians, his conqueror was cursed by the oracle of Apollo for putting to rest one of the faithful servants of the muse. Also there are a monumental Nike and three superb pieces found in the last decade: a waist-down kouros, a gorgon with intact wings, and a dancing-girl relief.
Paros Town, Paros, 84400, Greece22840-21231Sight Details
Rate Includes: €2, Closed Mon. -
3. Ayios Georgios Beach
BeachHead 11 km (7 miles) south of Antiparos Town to the calm, southeastern beaches of Ayios Georgios. This series of small, fine-sand coves has a view of the uninhabited island of Despotiko. Here, three small fish tavernas sit on the edge of the tiny village road, overlooking the sea. Otherwise, what you see is what you get—a serene untouched landscape. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.
Ayios Georgios, Antiparos, Greece -
4. Ayios Ioannis
BeachServed by the Kolymbithres boat, Ayios Ioannis's golden, sandy beach is peaceful, clean, and quiet. Also known by locals as Monastiri Beach, it is protected by a rocky cove and has a snack bar and numerous amenities. Nice, gently shelving waters are perfect for kids.The blue-domed, whitewashed Ayios Ioannis Monastery sits to the right side of the beach, a short walk away. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming.
Naousa, Paros, 84400, Greece -
5. Camping Beach
BeachThis long, quiet sandy stretch of beach is located off a small path leading from the Antiparos Camping campground and just north of Antiparos Town. The view is peaceful: just the neighboring inlet of Diplos and a turquoise sea. On one section of the beach, umbrellas and lounge chairs can be rented and another area is frequented by nudists—it's one of Greece's recognized naturist beaches. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: nudists; solitude; walking.
Antiparos Town, Antiparos, 84007, Greece -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Cave of Antiparos
CaveIn the 19th century the most famous sight in the Aegean was the cave of Antiparos, and it still draws many visitors every year. Greece's oldest known cave sits on the southeastern part of Antiparos. It's filled with shapely stalactites and stalagmites of which the oldest is said to be 45 million years old. The natural wonder was first discovered by a French ambassador in the 16th century and myths, legends, and stories have been associated with it along the way. You'll need to take exactly 411 steps down into the cave's 100-meter-deep core to explore. Look for Lord Byron's autograph. Outside is the church of Agios Ioánnis Spiliótis, built in 1774. Audio tours are available.
Agios Ioannis, Antiparos, 84007, GreeceSight Details
Rate Includes: €5, Closed Nov.–Mar. -
7. Christos sto Dasos
Religious Building/Site/ShrineA 15-minute walk or 2-minute drive back toward Paros Town from the Valley of Butterflies leads to the convent known as Christos sto Dasos, from where there's a marvelous view of the Aegean. The convent contains the tomb of St. Arsenios (1800–77), who was a schoolteacher, an abbot, and a prophet. He was also a reputed rainmaker, whose prayers were believed to have ended a long drought, saving Paros from starvation. The nuns are a bit leery of tourists. If you want to go in, be sure to wear long pants or skirt and a shirt that covers your shoulders or the sisters will turn you away.
, Paros, Greece -
8. Delfini/Souvlia Beach
BeachThis small beach is known for its pretty water and relaxed atmosphere. It’s also known around the island for Magaya, a colorful beach bar set right in front of the beach. In the summer, beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent, so grab one and settle in to enjoy the view of Paroikía Bay. There’s a small rocky islet with an underwater cave in the near distance, popular for swimmers to head to, but it’s often full of sea urchins. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.
Paros Town, Paros, Greece -
9. Folklore Art Museum of Cycladic Civilization
Museum/GalleryThe Folklore Museum is set in a garden full of large models of traditional windmills, dovecotes, churches, and other such famous Cycladian monuments, making for an utterly charming setting. It also showcases the lifetime hobby of fisherman Benetos Skiadas, who loves to make detailed models of ships and his scrupulous craftsmanship is on view here.
On road to Aliki, Paros Town, Paros, 84400, Greece22840-91129Sight Details
Rate Includes: €3, Closed Oct.–Apr. -
10. Folklore Museum
Museum/GalleryNaousa's small Folklore Museum, about 500 feet from the main town square, is in a traditional house donated by Kanstantinos and Marouso Roussos. It's run by the Music, Dance and Theatre Group of Naousa and features folk costumes from Paros and the rest of Greece. The furniture and implements are also historic.
Naousa, Paros, 84401, Greece22840-52284Sight Details
Rate Includes: €1, Closed Oct.–May -
11. Golden Beach
BeachGolden Beach (or Chrysi Akti in Greek) is a series of tree-fringed sandy beaches that are well organized and in close proximity to an array of taverns, restaurants, and cafés. The area is famous for its water-sports activities and several centers are based here offering diving excursions and kitesurfing and windsurfing lessons. The Windsurfing World Cup has held events here. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming; water sports; windsurfing.
Golden Beach, Paros, Greece -
12. Kaminia Beach
BeachSandy, long, and unorganized, Kaminia sits to the north of Paroikía Bay. Beachgoers seeking more solitude can head here, even though it’s right next to the popular Krios Beach. See if you can find the cave of Archilochos, which is a small opening on the rock along the coast. The famous Ancient Greek poet was said to visit the cave for inspiration and wrote poetry there. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; swimming.
Paros Town, Paros, Greece -
13. Kolymbithres
BeachThe beach, which is noted for its anfractuous rock formations, is also considered to be one of Paros's best, attracting its share of crowds to the small, sandy cove. The granite formations create shallow pools of water popular with the kids. It's within walking distance of two tavernas that overlook the region. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available for rent from a seasonal café. Head to the top of nearby Koukounaries Hill to view the remains of an ancient site. You can get there by car, and there is designated parking for the beach. A water-taxi crosses the bay to Kolymbithres from Naousa. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free). Best for: swimming.
Naousa, Paros, 84400, Greece -
14. Krios Beach
BeachClose to Paroikía, this sandy beach is a popular summer destination. Cliffs jut into the sand line, parting the coastline and providing protection from the summer island winds. From under a rented umbrella you can watch the boats and ferries slowly sail into the harbor. If you need to take a break, there's a selection of nearby tavernas. To get here, you can hike the half-hour-long cliff-top trail, take a small boat from the harbor, or drive to the nearby parking area. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming; walking.
Paros Town, Paros, Greece -
15. Lageri
BeachA boat from Naousa regularly heads to Lageri, a long beach known for its fine sand, dunes, and calm, quiet atmosphere. These are just a few of the reasons it attracts its share of nudists, who prefer the less crowded Paros beaches. It's also accessible via a small footpath from the main road. Amenities: none. Best for: nudists; solitude; walking.
Naousa, Paros, 84400, Greece -
16. Livadia Beach
BeachConsidered the closest authentic Parian beach near Paroikía, Livadia is the first wide bay north of the harbor that's comprised of a series of smaller, white-sand beaches. Some areas are organized with beach chair and umbrella rentals while others are untouched by tourism, and only trees provide shade. Just a 10-minute walk from the town and harbor and near campgrounds, it can get crowded. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.
Paros Town, Paros, Greece -
17. Logaras Beach
BeachJust around the bend from Piso Livadi is the long stretch of yellow sand known as Logaras Beach. A few tavernas are nearby, and in the distance the little whitewashed church of Ayios Georgios Thalassites, or St. George of the Sea, stands where it has since the 13th century. This quiet beach has chairs and umbrellas available for rent in the summer season. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming; walking.
Logaras Beach, Paros, Greece -
18. Marcello Beach
BeachMarcello's famously cool waters attract Parians on the hottest summer days. You can spend the entire day eating, drinking, swimming, or watching the calm water lap against this long, sandy stretch of coastline, as the beach is well equipped with beach bars and cafés, tavernas, and umbrellaed lounge-chair rentals. Next to Krios Beach, it's accessible by car, boat, or a 40-minute hike from Paroikía. Amenities: food and drink, parking (free). Best for: swimming; walking.
Paros Town, Paros, Greece -
19. Monastery of Longovarda
Religious Building/Site/ShrineHalfway from Paros Town to Naousa, on the right, the 17th-century Monastery of Longovarda shines on its mountainside. The monastic community farms the local land and makes honey, wine, and olive oil. Only men, dressed in conservative clothing, are allowed inside, where there are post-Byzantine icons, 17th-century frescoes depicting the Twelve Feasts in the Life of Christ, and a library of rare books; it is usually open mornings.
, Paros, Greece22840-21202 -
20. Parasporos Beach
BeachThis large sandy beach is surrounded by a few shady trees, but umbrellas are available for rent in the summer season. The clear turquoise water gets deep fast, making it ideal for swimming. There are a few bars on-site that add a little beach-party fun. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: partiers; swimming; water sports.
Paros Town, Paros, Greece
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