The Island of Paros
Paros is the second largest island of the Cyclades. It has an area of 186 square kilometres and a coastline 120km long. The island has the advantage of being located centrally in the Cyclades near Naxos, Ios, Sifnos and Syros. Most of the ferries to Naxos and Santorini make a stop first at Paros.
Parikia (the main town) is the commercial and cultural centre of Paros. It is also the main port with the most connections to other islands. 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. 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.
Naoussa is a traditional picturesque fishing village. The village is characterized by its Venetian port and its many fish restaurants. Don't forget to seat in one of the many "Ouzeri" and taste Gouna fish and octopus in vinegar.
Lefkes is located in the middle of the island and it offers a fantastic view on the island of Naxos. Challenge the heat and 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.
Nightlife
Paros has one of the liveliest night scenes in the Cyclades - not quite as mad as Mykonos or as outlandish as Ios but you're guaranteed a good night's entertainment here whether you're into all night discos and bar top dancing, Greek folk music or classical concerts.
The hottest night spot is the port of Parikia where the waterfront is awash with cafes and music bars which disgorge their customers into the big night clubs at the edge of town after midnight
Food
Parikia offers some of the best restaurants in the Cyclades with a wide choice of Greek and international fare. If you're a seafood fan head for Porphyra just back from the waterfront behind the pier and post office. The owner farms his own shellfish in the translucent waters of Lesbos and produces exotic creations such as sea urchin salad (ouch!) and marinated ray. The restaurant is named after a shellfish renowned for its purple dye and its awesome ability to subdue its prey by drilling a hole in it. Try Levantis for top notch, creative international cuisine (the owner grows his own herbs) or Happy Green Cows for innovative vegetarian dishes. For fresh fish and Greek traditional tastes don't forget to go to Apostolis, Cohili and Albatros which are located at main street of Parikia near the beach. Also Ealea for Greek traditional dishes.
Antiparos Island
Literally named “opposite Paros”, the island of Antiparos is located 4 nautical miles away from the main port of Paros and only 1 mile from the beach of Pounda. The island has a surface area of 35 square km and a population of 800 inhabitants. The capital of Antiparos Island is called Kastro and gathers around the castle built by Leonardo Loredano in 1440 to protect the town from the pirates’ raids. Small boats sailing often from Parikia and can transfer you in Antiparos. You can find very nice restaurants to taste Greek food and fresh fish.
For more info
www.paros-island.biz
www.paros.gr
www.visitgreece.gr
Parikia (the main town) is the commercial and cultural centre of Paros. It is also the main port with the most connections to other islands. 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. 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.
Naoussa is a traditional picturesque fishing village. The village is characterized by its Venetian port and its many fish restaurants. Don't forget to seat in one of the many "Ouzeri" and taste Gouna fish and octopus in vinegar.
Lefkes is located in the middle of the island and it offers a fantastic view on the island of Naxos. Challenge the heat and 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.
Nightlife
Paros has one of the liveliest night scenes in the Cyclades - not quite as mad as Mykonos or as outlandish as Ios but you're guaranteed a good night's entertainment here whether you're into all night discos and bar top dancing, Greek folk music or classical concerts.
The hottest night spot is the port of Parikia where the waterfront is awash with cafes and music bars which disgorge their customers into the big night clubs at the edge of town after midnight
Food
Parikia offers some of the best restaurants in the Cyclades with a wide choice of Greek and international fare. If you're a seafood fan head for Porphyra just back from the waterfront behind the pier and post office. The owner farms his own shellfish in the translucent waters of Lesbos and produces exotic creations such as sea urchin salad (ouch!) and marinated ray. The restaurant is named after a shellfish renowned for its purple dye and its awesome ability to subdue its prey by drilling a hole in it. Try Levantis for top notch, creative international cuisine (the owner grows his own herbs) or Happy Green Cows for innovative vegetarian dishes. For fresh fish and Greek traditional tastes don't forget to go to Apostolis, Cohili and Albatros which are located at main street of Parikia near the beach. Also Ealea for Greek traditional dishes.
Antiparos Island
Literally named “opposite Paros”, the island of Antiparos is located 4 nautical miles away from the main port of Paros and only 1 mile from the beach of Pounda. The island has a surface area of 35 square km and a population of 800 inhabitants. The capital of Antiparos Island is called Kastro and gathers around the castle built by Leonardo Loredano in 1440 to protect the town from the pirates’ raids. Small boats sailing often from Parikia and can transfer you in Antiparos. You can find very nice restaurants to taste Greek food and fresh fish.
For more info
www.paros-island.biz
www.paros.gr
www.visitgreece.gr
Isla de Paros
Paros está considerada como una de las islas más bellas del archipiélago de las Cícladas. La isla de Paros tiene muchas cosas que ofrecer al visitante, hermosos paisajes, playas de arena dorada con aguas transparentes, pequeñas aldeas con su tradicionales casas cúbicas blancas, puertos pesqueros, iglesias, sitios arqueológicos… Pero también es conocida en todo el mundo por sus condiciones climáticas ideales para la práctica del windsurf. Es una isla polivalente que puede ofrecer todo tipo de divertimento y ocio.
Paros es la tercera en tamaño de las Cícladas. Apenas tiene vegetación, es montañosa y con grandes extensiones llanas aptas para el cultivo, de donde pueden degustarse sus deliciosos vinos y su aceite de oliva. Posee dos grandes golfos naturales, el de Naussa (en el norte, con un puerto repleto de restaurantes y un centro histórico que se descubre paseando por calles laberínticas) y el de Parikia.
Habitada desde la prehistoria, la historia de Paros es relevante a partir de la civilización micénica, posteriormente, en la civilización minoica o cretense y en las guerras médicas conoció su mayor apogeo.
En la isla han sido descubiertos restos de muros y un templo jónico del siglo VI a. C. sobre la acrópolis, ya habitada en época micénica.
Pocas son las piedras que permanecen en pie del recinto sagrado. Del templo sólo restan los cimientos y algunos elementos que, aunque pertenecientes al lugar sagrado, pueden verse reutilizados en otras construcciones mucho más tarde.
También sobre la colina de Castro existen restos arqueológicos. Corresponden al santuario de Apolo con un templo dórico (siglo VII-VI a. C.)
También se pueden visitar las iglesias y monasterios que se encuentran en todos los rincones de la isla. Cabe destacar la iglesia Panagia Ekatontopiliani(Virgen de las Cien Puertas), originaria del siglo VI . Es uno de los monumentos más antiguos y mejor conservados del mundo cristiano.
Paros fue la patria del poeta Arquíloco y sede del Arquiloqueo, templo dedicado al poeta. Además, tiene una larga historia de producción de mármol (del suyo está hecha la Venus de Milo.)
A pesar de ser isla una pequeña, Paros tiene muchos diferentes pueblos y localidades con distintos carácter, ambiente y atmósfera. Si busca un pueblo de montaña o un pequeño puerto pesquero, una agitada vida nocturna o una aldea costera y tranquila, lo encontrará aquí. Es el mejor lugar para disfrutar de las puestas de sol o para ver la salida de la luna.
Más Informacion
http://www.grecotour.com/islas-griegas/paros/
Paros es la tercera en tamaño de las Cícladas. Apenas tiene vegetación, es montañosa y con grandes extensiones llanas aptas para el cultivo, de donde pueden degustarse sus deliciosos vinos y su aceite de oliva. Posee dos grandes golfos naturales, el de Naussa (en el norte, con un puerto repleto de restaurantes y un centro histórico que se descubre paseando por calles laberínticas) y el de Parikia.
Habitada desde la prehistoria, la historia de Paros es relevante a partir de la civilización micénica, posteriormente, en la civilización minoica o cretense y en las guerras médicas conoció su mayor apogeo.
En la isla han sido descubiertos restos de muros y un templo jónico del siglo VI a. C. sobre la acrópolis, ya habitada en época micénica.
Pocas son las piedras que permanecen en pie del recinto sagrado. Del templo sólo restan los cimientos y algunos elementos que, aunque pertenecientes al lugar sagrado, pueden verse reutilizados en otras construcciones mucho más tarde.
También sobre la colina de Castro existen restos arqueológicos. Corresponden al santuario de Apolo con un templo dórico (siglo VII-VI a. C.)
También se pueden visitar las iglesias y monasterios que se encuentran en todos los rincones de la isla. Cabe destacar la iglesia Panagia Ekatontopiliani(Virgen de las Cien Puertas), originaria del siglo VI . Es uno de los monumentos más antiguos y mejor conservados del mundo cristiano.
Paros fue la patria del poeta Arquíloco y sede del Arquiloqueo, templo dedicado al poeta. Además, tiene una larga historia de producción de mármol (del suyo está hecha la Venus de Milo.)
A pesar de ser isla una pequeña, Paros tiene muchos diferentes pueblos y localidades con distintos carácter, ambiente y atmósfera. Si busca un pueblo de montaña o un pequeño puerto pesquero, una agitada vida nocturna o una aldea costera y tranquila, lo encontrará aquí. Es el mejor lugar para disfrutar de las puestas de sol o para ver la salida de la luna.
Más Informacion
http://www.grecotour.com/islas-griegas/paros/
