Wooden sailing boat moored in Naoussa harbour as the sun sets behind the town and hills

Island · Naoussa and Parikia, Paros (South Aegean)

Paros – Naoussa & Parikia

Fishing harbour of Naoussa and the Byzantine church town of Parikia on central Paros

Ambient sound · similar settingSmall harbour atmosphere with boats and shorebirds

Photo: Jesse Paul (@jesseapaul) / Unsplash

Discover Paros – Naoussa & Parikia

Paros sits at the heart of the Cyclades and is one of the easiest islands to reach and explore. Its two main towns have very different moods. Parikia, the port and capital, greets ferries with a windmill and hides a tangle of whitewashed lanes, a medieval castle and Panagia Ekatontapiliani, one of the most important Byzantine churches in Greece.

On the north coast, Naoussa wraps around a small harbour where fishing boats bob below the remains of a Venetian fortress, and tables spill out onto the quays. Between and around them lie marble villages such as Lefkes, an old stone-paved path through the hills, and sandy beaches, while the quieter island of Antiparos is just a short ferry ride away. Paros suits travellers who want classic Cycladic scenery with a relaxed, lived-in feel.

Don’t miss

01Panagia Ekatontapiliani, the 'church of a hundred doors', in Parikia
02Parikia's Kastro, built in 1260 on an ancient acropolis
03Naoussa's fishing harbour and the remains of its Venetian fortress
04Archaeological Museum of Paros, with Cycladic figurines and marble sculpture
05Byzantine Trail, a 3.5 km stone path from Lefkes to Prodromos
06Day trip to neighbouring Antiparos, about 10 minutes by ferry

History & culture

The story of Paros – Naoussa & Parikia

Paros was famous in antiquity for its fine white marble, used for celebrated sculptures. In Parikia, Panagia Ekatontapiliani, whose name means the church of a hundred doors, dates back to the 4th century AD; tradition credits its founding to Saint Helen or her son Constantine the Great, and the emperor Justinian later rebuilt it. Mosaic fragments from the church and finds from Neolithic to early Christian times are shown in the town's Archaeological Museum.

The Kastro of Parikia was built in 1260, when Paros belonged to the Venetian Duchy of Naxos, on the site of an ancient acropolis. Naoussa was founded by the Venetians in the late 14th century, who built a fortress to guard its port, part of which survives. From 1770 to 1775, during the Russo-Turkish war, Naoussa served as a Russian naval base for Count Alexey Orlov's expedition.

Local life & traditions

Paros is home to a year-round community, and its towns remain busy outside the peak season. Naoussa still has an active fishing fleet, and the island's main religious festival, the feast of the Virgin Mary on 15 August, centres on Ekatontapiliani with a procession of the icon, a night-time celebration and fireworks. Pottery workshops and small shops line Parikia's main street, and village squares fill with families on summer evenings.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

In Parikia, start at Ekatontapiliani near the port, then wander the market street to the Kastro and watch the sunset from the waterfront. The Archaeological Museum is a short walk away. In Naoussa, stroll the harbour and the lanes behind it, and take a boat to nearby beaches such as Kolymbithres with its rounded granite rocks.

Inland, walk the Byzantine Trail from Lefkes to Prodromos through olive groves and past chapels, ideally in the morning. Water-sports centres on the island's beaches offer windsurfing and kitesurfing when the summer wind blows, and the short ferry hop to Antiparos makes an easy half-day trip.

When to go

May, June, September and October bring warm weather, pleasant sea temperatures and lower prices. July and August are the liveliest and hottest months, with crowds especially around 15 August, when hotels fill for the Virgin Mary festival. Spring is ideal for walking the Byzantine Trail; in winter many businesses close, though Parikia stays active.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Getting there by air: Direct flights to Athens run year-round, taking around 40 minutes; there are no international flights. Source: discovergreece.com ↗
Getting there by sea: Ferries from Piraeus and Rafina; high-speed ferries take about 3 hours, conventional ferries up to 5 hours. Source: discovergreece.com ↗
Archaeological Museum of Paros (as published 2026): Mon and Wed–Sun 08:30–15:30, closed Tuesday, summer and winter; admission €5, reduced €3. Source: cyclades.culture.gov.gr ↗
Byzantine Trail: A 3.5 km stone-paved path from Lefkes to Prodromos. Source: discovergreece.com ↗
Antiparos: The neighbouring island is about 10 minutes away by ferry. Source: discovergreece.com ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Dress modestly for Ekatontapiliani, covering shoulders and knees, and avoid visiting during services unless attending.
Book accommodation early if travelling around 15 August.
Walk the Byzantine Trail in the morning and carry water.
Use local buses linking Parikia, Naoussa and Lefkes, or rent a car for the villages.
Halal food is limited; fresh fish, vegetables and pulses are easy to find, but ask about ingredients.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Paros – Naoussa & Parikia: food, markets & places to stay

Parikia is the main ferry port, with the bus station on the waterfront and Ekatontapiliani a short walk away. Naoussa lies about 10 km to the north-east and is linked by regular buses. Boats for Antiparos leave from Pounta on the west coast, with summer services from Parikia. Accommodation is concentrated in Parikia, Naoussa and the beach areas nearby.