Discover Paros: Parikia, culture and trails

In Parikia, the harbour, an ancient cemetery and the Church of Ekatontapiliani come together. A hiking trail also starts here, leading through several villages to Piso Livadi. On Paros, museums, a wetland and the Environmental and Cultural Park add to the range of cultural and natural attractions. These differences can help you decide which places and experiences you want to focus on before looking for a holiday apartment.

Parikia: harbour, cemetery and Ekatontapiliani

Parikia’s KTEL bus station is next to the harbour. This provides a clear point of reference if you are planning your trip around Parikia. If you intend to travel by bus, check the current timetable. The ancient cemetery was the official cemetery of the ancient city of Parikia, giving the site an additional historical dimension.

The Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani is in the northeastern part of Parikia, near the harbour. It is considered one of Greece’s most important early Christian monuments. In the southern part of the church is a baptistery dating from the 4th century, considered the oldest and best-preserved baptistery in the Orthodox East.

Parikia’s Byzantine Museum is also housed in Ekatontapiliani. Its collection includes rare icons, wood carvings and other religious relics from the Byzantine period and the era of Ottoman rule. On Paros, the ruins of the Kastro also preserve the remains of a Venetian castle built from columns from ancient temples and other architectural elements. Together, these sites reveal different layers of the island’s history without focusing on just one period.

A festival and a hiking trail: two different reasons to visit

The Alyki Cultural Festival on Paros is a different kind of event: it takes place every June, lasts three days and features events in Alyki.

If you would rather include a route in your travel plans, it starts at Livadia Beach in Parikia. The trail passes through Marathi, Lefkes, Prodromos, Marpissa and Agios Antonios before reaching Piso Livadi. So while its starting point is in Parikia, the route’s stages extend beyond the town. When planning, it is therefore important to consider the route as a whole, not just its starting point at the beach.

On Paros: cultural sites and nature experiences

In Lefkes stands the listed Church of Agia Triada, built from Parian marble in 1835. The three-aisled basilica has a raised central nave and two bell towers. In Marpissa, the sculpture museum of sculptor and engraver N. Peratinos displays 192 of his works. The B. Skiadas Museum of Cycladic Folklore presents the history and traditions of Paros and the Aegean. In Naoussa, the Folklore Museum houses the collection of Dr Othon Kaparis, a library, an extensive photo archive and several archaeological finds.

Nature and events offer different experiences, too. The Butterfly Valley is a rare habitat for Jersey tiger moths, which can be seen there in large numbers on tree trunks. The Environmental and Cultural Park of Paros has both organised and unspoilt beaches, as well as a seven-kilometre network of trails. Its 700-seat amphitheatre hosts concerts and performances. Since 2009, the park has held the “Festival at the Park”, a summer programme of cultural, sporting and environmental events.

Alyki offers another way to connect with nature: it is the island’s most important wetland. Walking tours, nature walks and cycling tours are organised there for international visitors. By contrast, the Environmental and Cultural Park brings trails, beaches and an amphitheatre together in one place. This lets you compare Paros’s nature and culture attractions according to your interests, without treating them as the same kind of outing.

Which base suits your travel plans?

If you want to focus on Parikia, the harbour, Ekatontapiliani, the ancient cemetery and the hiking trail’s starting point give you specific places to plan around. If you would rather explore different places and themes across Paros, Lefkes, Marpissa, Naoussa and Alyki can broaden your options. When looking for a holiday apartment, consider which of these priorities matter for your trip and choose your location accordingly. For families, it may help to decide together whether history, a festival, or nature and outdoor activities should take centre stage.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kolimpithres, Aliki, Lefkes, Piso Livadi, Paros, Marpissa, Santa Maria, Drios

Back to the main travel guide: Paros.