Paros Beaches: A Guide to the Coast and Naturist Beaches
Paros has so many beaches they are hard to count, ringing the south and southeast coasts, tucked between the western cliffs and gathered around Naoussa in the north, plus several naturist beaches. This guide runs round the coast from the capital Parikia and the windsurf beaches of the east to the quiet south around Alyki; for the wider island see our Paros travel guide. Hire a car to explore Paros at your own pace, covered in our Paros car hire guide.
- Island
- Paros
- Best-known beach
- Golden Beach
- Most picturesque
- Kolybithres
- Naturist beaches
- Yes
Beaches around Parikia
The two large beaches of the capital Parikia are Livadia, just to the north, and the beach in the centre by the ferries. Livadia is a long, sandy beach in several parts, with and without sun beds and parasols, trees for shade and a line of tavernas and restaurants. Just south of Parikia lie the two sandy Parasporos beaches, one small and one large; the large one has a single taverna renting sun beds and parasols and is otherwise fairly unspoilt, favoured by some for its high waves, while the smaller beach over the hill also has tavernas and rented sun beds.
The east coast: Golden Beach and Chrissi Akti
The southeast coast around Chrissi Akti holds the beaches the guidebooks rate highest on Paros. Chrissi Akti, meaning Golden Beach, is a small coastal village with a big beach, a few hotels and restaurants, popular with windsurfers for its high waves and wind. The coastline between Piso Livadi and Chrissi Akti is very beautiful, lined with all kinds of beaches - some very quiet, some organised with beach chairs, such as the more commercial beach at Punta (not the ferry harbour of the same name in the southwest). Many are just as good and quieter than the busy main beach; in May the area is quiet and full of flowers.
Beaches in the north: Kolybithres, Naoussa, Santa Maria and Laggeri
The north and northeast of Paros hold several beaches around Naoussa, the most picturesque being Kolybithres with its rocks in the sea. Kolybithres is an organised beach with sun beds and parasols that can get crowded with visitors from nearby Naoussa, while Naoussa's own beach often stays empty because of the wind. Other northern beaches include popular Santa Maria and the naturist beach of Laggeri, a dune landscape with a beach at the end and two islands in front, usually quiet. Driving or walking around the area reveals more beaches, some used by naturists.
Beaches in the south: Alyki, Faranga and Makria Myti
The south of Paros, around the village of Alyki, has a cluster of nice beaches. Alyki has two good beaches within its boundaries and several more within walking distance, such as Makria Myti towards Pounta, with one sandy beach and small coves around it, and an unnamed sandy beach ten minutes further on. On the other side of Alyki lies the writer's favourite, Faranga, with a large beach and beach bar (closed in May) and three more beautiful, quiet sandy beaches over the hill, the farthest being the best, with a cave for shade. Neither Faranga nor Makria Myti has facilities, so bring your own water.
Naturist beaches on Paros
Paros has several naturist beaches, mostly quiet and unofficial. A naturist beach called Krios lies a little north of the capital Parikia, and another sits near Santa Maria in the north, reached by a path from the lighthouse or the neighbouring normal beach, with a view of Naoussa opposite. Between Aliki and Pounta in the south, many small beaches are so quiet that clothes come off freely, among them a larger beach at the end of an asphalt road and another called Makria Myti. The small ferry or kaiki to Antiparos reaches what the writer calls naturists' heaven; none of these spots has umbrellas or facilities, so bring your own water.
