Ampelas: Coast, Paths and Fishing Village History

Ampelas combines a history as a small fishing village with beaches and coastal paths. In the past, the village was known among the fishermen of the Cyclades; its waters were famous for their abundant catches. This historical character gives the coastal village its own distinctive setting. Today, it is above all the bay, the small sandy beaches and the opportunities to explore the coast on foot that play a role when choosing a holiday destination.

Coast between the bay and sandy beaches

A natural breakwater protects Ampelas Bay from northerly winds. There are three small sandy beaches in the village. One of them is Aspros Gremos: its water is shallow, sheltered from the wind and crystal clear. This gives you a specific description of a stretch of beach, as well as a general picture of the coast. If beach days are important to you, you can take these features into account when choosing your holiday apartment in Ampelas.

Coastal paths and travel-planning guidance

Two coastal walking routes differ in their destinations: one leads from Ampelas to Santa Maria, while the other goes via Molos to Marmara. When planning your day, you can choose based on whether Santa Maria or the route via Molos and on to Marmara better suits your interests. The beaches of Ampelas can be reached from Naousa by bus, as well as by private or rental transport. If you plan to take the bus, check the current timetable before you leave.

The festival in honour of Aghios Fanourios in Ampelas includes dancing and music on 27 August. If you would like to plan your trip around this occasion, confirm the date for your travel year in advance. This keeps the festival as a specific cultural reference point when planning, without requiring you to base your choice solely on a beach or walking route.

Culture and nature on Paros

On Paros, the Panagia Ekatontapiliani in Parikia offers an insight into early Christian architecture. The church is in the northeast of Parikia, near the port, and is among the most important early Christian monuments in Greece. In the southern part of the church is the ancient baptistery from the 4th century, considered the oldest and best-preserved baptistery in the Orthodox East. Ekatontapiliani also houses the Byzantine Museum of Parikia, with rare images, wood carvings and other religious relics from the Byzantine period and the period of Ottoman rule.

The Kastro of Parikia also tells of different eras: the ruins of a Venetian castle remain there, built from columns from ancient temples and other architectural elements. In Lefkes stands Agia Triada, a listed church building made of Parian marble and built in 1835. The three-aisled basilica has a raised central nave and two bell towers. The contrast between the reused ancient architectural elements in Parikia and the church made of Parian marble in Lefkes illustrates the diversity of Paros’s architectural history.

For a different focus, visit the Paros Environmental and Cultural Park. It includes seven kilometres of walking trails, organised and unspoilt beaches, and an amphitheatre with 700 seats for concerts and performances. Since 2009, the “Festival at the Park” has been organised there as a summer programme of cultural, sporting and environmental events. Nature offers its own attractions, too: the Butterfly Valley on Paros is a rare habitat for Jersey tiger moths, which can be seen there in large numbers on tree trunks.

Discover more destinations: Lefkes, Drios, Piso Livadi, Andiparos, Paros, Santa Maria, Kolimpithres, Molos.

Go to the main travel overview: Paros.