South from
Parikia, along the west coast, which faces the island of Antiparos, are
several fine beaches. Just 3kms from the port is Agia Irini.
This sandy beach is visible from the elevated main road just before the
turnoff for Petaloudes. About 20kms south of Parikia is Aliki,
a charming, fishing village.
The north coast beaches are
the best on the island. To the west of Naoussa, is the picturesque Kolymbithres
Beach. Small sandy coves are punctuated by smooth, giant rocks,
which must be scaled or swum around to reach the next cove or the open
sea. North of Kolymbithres, is Monastery Beach, the north
coast's nudist beach.
The east coast beaches, equidistant from Parikia and Noussa, can be
reached by private transport or public bus. The beautiful beach at
Ormos Molos, on a small peninsula near the village of Marpissa,
is the closest and therefore the most crowded. Pisso Livadi,
9kms from either Parikia or Naoussa, is a small sandy beach. The next cove
south, Logaras, has started to feel Piso Livadi's crowds.
There is a universal consensus on the best beach: Chryssi Akti (Golden
Beach) on Paro's east coast, is 22kms south of Naoussa. Parikia features
excellent shopping, particularly in the agora. The wide range of
galleries, handcrafts, boutiques, clothing shops and food markets make
Paros one of the best spots in all Greece for folk-art shopping. Just off
the market street, almost at its end, you will find the Aegean
Center for the Fine Arts.
The site that draws thousands
of pilgrims annually in Paros is its famous church, the Panagia
Ekatontapylliani. Located just off the private boat harbour, it's
a large, graceful example of Byzantine church architecture. The name means
"100 doors", but those who try to count will find only 99. There
is a legend that if the 100th door is found; the Constantinople (the
holiest Greek Orthodox city, known now as Istanbul) will be returned to
the Greek nation.
Paros
is also famous for its white marble, from which works of art of rare
beauty and plasticity were carved in the classical era. The island
produces wine, oil, potatoes and cereals.
