The island of Paros

Crossing the crystal clear blue waters of the dazzling Cyclades, the distant horizon will gradually reveal an authentic miracle of nature, the island of Paros. The islands atmosphere in combination with the unique breathtaking scenery will seduce you as Paros is considered to be one of the most attractive nymphs of the Aegean sea.

Paros is full of natural beauty, endless beaches, crystal clear waters, green scenery and untouched corners being in the same time one of the most cosmopolitan summer resorts offering intense night life. The multifarious personality of Paros will satisfy even the most demanding visitor.

Because of its central location in the Cyclades, probably more than one out of three ferries that leave Piraeus harbor for the Greek Islands, makes a stop at Paros, the trip takes about 3 hours with the fast ferries. The boats also pause here on their way back from the southern islands. Air links exist only with Athens at the moment, all with the Olympic Airways DASH 8. The trip to/from Athens takes about 25 minutes. The neighboring islands of Mykonos and Santorini host international chartered flights.

Paros, one of the most cosmopolitan amongst Cyclades, every summer is full of life. The picturesque ports, the traditional villages, the beaches and the intense night life make this island one of the best choices for your vacation. Typical Cycladic island, Paros combines the white color of it's houses with the red of the hibiscus ,the green of it's grape vines with the golden of it's sandy beaches .All these come to a perfect harmony with the crystal clear waters of the Aegean.

The island has quarries of the most famous white marble in the world, the marvelous Parian marble.This marble is extremely fine - grained and almost transparent. It was used to build some of the most important monuments of the classic period such as, Ermis of Praxitelis, Niki of Samothrakis, and the forefront of the temple of Delphi. The quarries are located between Parikia, Agio Mina and Naoussa.

Paros has also given birth to many enlightened minds of the ancient times like the great poet Arhilohos who is considered to be of equal to Homer and the sculptors Skopas, Aristionas and Agorakritos.
It's an ideal vacation destination because the visitor can combine simple, calm and isolated time with cultural life, exceptional tourist services and cosmopolitan life.

Parikia, capital and main sea port of Paros is the center of all financial and tourist activity. It worth the while to visit one of the most important byzantine monuments in Greece, the church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani, which is connected directly to the name of Agia Eleni and Megalou Konstantinou. It's also interesting to see the ruins of the venetian castle, the Asklipieion, the Pythion, the Dylion with the temple of Artemis and the sanctum of Apollo, the archaeological museum and the cave of Arhilohos, and also the valley of the butterflies.

Worth mentioning monuments you can visit are also the Venetian castle of the 14 century, the akropoli of Koukounarion, the museum of Byzantine and Post Byzantine art, the Kimisi of Theotokou, Agios Nikolaos and the monastery of Loggovardas.