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. 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 -
4. 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. -
5. 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 -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. 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 -
7. 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 -
8. 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 -
9. 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 -
10. 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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