Paros villages

Paros villages, Greece: Information and forecasts about the villages in Paros island

PARIKIA
Parikia, also called Paros town or Hora, is the capital of the island. This town has a population of 3.000 inhabitants. It has been built on the same area than an ancient city.
Parikia is the commercial and cultural centre of Paros. It is also the main port with the most connections to the other islands and therefore welcomes thousands of visitors every summer.
The town surrounds the port. At the port’s entrance the trademark of Paros, a huge windmill, welcomes the visitor. The bus station to all directions and the taxi station are also located in this area.
All along the coast road, which is forbidden to cars during the evening, one can see on one side, many restaurants, tavernas, bars and night clubs and on the other, the town’s beach.
Behind the port, at a few minutes walk, lies the old traditional Cycladic settlement clustered around the hill of “Kastro”. It is a typical Cycladic quarter with white painted two-storey houses and old mansions with blue wooden doors, windows and balconies, along paved narrow labyrinth streets.

The Kastro or castle is standing on the highest point of the town. It was built in the 13th century with the pieces and columns of an Ancient Acropolis (temple) that was standing at the same place. Today, the only things remaining from the castle are parts of a wall and a tower.

There are, around the Kastro, many churches: the church of Panagia Septembriani, the Church of Agia Eleni… but the most important of them is the Church of Panagia Ekatondapyliani, the Church of the Hundred Gates. It is considered as one of the most important Byzantine monuments of Greece and it is said that it was built by St. Helena, mother of the first Christian Emperor, Constantine.

The Church also houses an interesting museum. Another museum worth seeing is the Archaeological Museum, situated behind the Church of Ekatondapyliani. It houses objects (sculptures, vases…) from the Neolithic and Roman era.

There are many more things to visit near Hora: the ruins of Asclepieio, the temple of Aphrodite, the temple of Eileithyia, the temple of Zeus Ypatos…

LEFKES
Lefkes is the loveliest village of Paros, located in the middle of the island, at 11km from Parikia. The village is situated on a hill plenty of olive and pine trees, at an altitude of 300m. It offers a fantastic view on the island of Naxos. This village has a population of 500 inhabitants.

Lefkes is a traditional village of little houses combining the Cycladic and Venetian architecture, beautiful 15th’s century churches, windmills and pigeon-lofts. This village used to be the capital of the island during the Middle Ages.
It is a quiet village not yet overcrowded by the mass tourism.
The main church of the village is the Church of Aghia Triada (Holy Trinity), made of fine white marble. It is housing rare Byzantine icons. There is also a Folk Art Museum that displays tools and clothing, and the Museum of Aegean Folk.
Visitors can also follow the “Byzantine Road”, a paved path that leads you after an hour walk to the village of Prodromos and further down to the sea.

MARPISSA
Marpissa is a picturesque village situated 18km far from Parikia, on the hill of Kefalos, just above Piso Livadi. It is the most important village of the south of the island. As most of the villages in the Cyclade, Marpissa is built amphitheatrically around the hill.

Marpissa is a traditional village of white painted houses in narrow alleys, with some churches, windmills but not too many accommodations. It is one of the last authentic villages in Paros.

On the top of the hill Kefalos, there are ruins of an old Castle and the 16th century Moni of Agios Antonios(Monastery of St. Antonios).
The village is situated a couple of kilometres from the waterfront and the beaches of Piso Livadi, Logaras, Punda, Golden Beach and Drios are also part of it.

PISO LIVADI
Piso Livadi can be found a couple of kilometres from Marpissa. It is a little fishing port situated 19 km away from Parikia.
It was once a quiet village by has been transformed and extendedly developed in order to welcome the tourists.
It is an important holiday resort that offers rentals, restaurants and cafés situated on the waterfront. The village is famous for its Greek cuisine.
Daily trip boats to Naxos, Ios, Santorini and Amorgos leave the little port.
Many beautiful beaches are located in the south of the village, like the Golden Beach, considered by many as one of the Mediterranean perfect spot for slalom windsurfing.
The Feast of Ascension Day is celebrated in the village with many happenings, sea food and wine.

PRODROMOS - AMPELAS
Prodromos is situated 7 km far from Naoussa. It is a picturesque little village built in the Cycladic traditional way with white houses and lovely chapels and churches.

Prodromos and Marmara form together the community of “Archilogos”, which is the name of an ancient Parian poet. The village Prodromos took it name from the 17th century temple of St.Ioannis the Prodromos.

Ambelas is a small fishing village situated a few kilometres outside Naoussa, with some traditional tavernas serving fresh fish and tasty traditional plates.