The 10+ Best Beaches on Paros Island, & How to Visit Them
From secluded hideaways to the most popular swimming spots; our guide to the best beaches in Paros island has you covered.
UPDATED MAY 2026
As Australians with, what we believe to be, some of the greatest beaches in the world, it’s hard to impress us. Nothing quite stacks up against the pristine white sands of Whitehaven beach, the glorious colours of southern Western Australia, or even the rugged, and often frigid beaches in our home state of Victoria. Even our city beaches are famous worldwide.
We’ve often been left completely uninspired by European beaches, save for our trip to the glorious shores of Menorca.
But Paros changed our perception.
Fringed with some of the best slices of sand and clearest waters in all of the Mediterranean, Paros over-delivers when it comes to beaches.
On Paros, there’s a beach for everyone. In the north, secluded bays offer some of the most pristine beaches on the island, including sculpture-like coves of Kolymbithres, and our favourite little beach on the Island, mini Santa Maria.
To the south, the rugged shores boast rustic, hidden coves, perfect for a relaxing day by the water with kids.
The east is home to many of the large, Mykonos-like beach clubs, which serve the party crowd well, while the east is wonderfully authentic, if not windy at times.
That makes Paros an excellent choice for a relaxing beach holiday, although we’d argue you should do more than just lay on a beach here (it’s got a lot of incredible things to see and do).
This post summarises the best beaches on Paros while giving you the necessary information to find and explore these beaches yourself, including where to go, when to visit, how to get around, the infamous summer winds, and whether beach clubs are worth it or not.
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WHICH PAROS BEACH IS BEST FOR YOU?
Short on time? Below are our recommended Paros beachesBEST BEACH OVERALL | Kolymbithres
BEST FOR FAMILIES || Kolymbithres or Krios
BBEST BEACH CLUB | Faragas or Mini Santa Maria
BEST FOR SWIMMING | Mini Santa Maria
BEST FOR WINDSURFING | Golden Beach
BEST NEAR NAOUSSA | Kolymbithres, Monastiri, Santa Maria
BEST NEAR PARIKIA | Krios / Marcello
BEST QUIET BEACH | Lageri or Piso Aliki
MOST UNIQUE BEACH | Kalogeros
BEST IF IT'S WINDY | Kolymbithres, Krios, sheltered coves around Naoussa Bay
Our advice? Don’t try to tick off every beach on Paros.
Choose based on the kind of day you want: Kolymbithres for an easy first swim, Faragas or Mini Santa Maria for a slow beach-bar day, Golden Beach for watersports, and Lageri or Piso Aliki if you want somewhere quieter.
In July and August, check the wind before deciding where to swim.
PAROS ISLAND BEACH ESSENTIALS & FAQS
WHERE TO FIND THE BEST BEACHES ON PAROS
As we mentioned above, the beauty of Paros is that there really is a beach for everyone on the Island.
The beauty of Paros is that there really is a beach for every travel style; the challenge isn't finding a good one, it's knowing which is right for you.
A quick cheat sheet before we dive in:
Want a full beach club day? Head to Monastiri or Golden Beach
After seclusion? Lageri or the southern coves are your answer
Something completely different? Kalogeros and its famous clay mud
Close to town and easy? Krios, just minutes from Parikia
NORTH (NEAR PARIKIA & NAOUSSA) | Our favourite corner of the island for beaches. A mix of rocky coves and sandy bays, close to town, well-serviced and the easiest starting point for first-timers. Kolymbithres and Mini Santa Maria are both here.
SOUTH | Rugged, quiet and largely undeveloped. The southern beaches require a rental car and a packed bag (most have zero amenities), but reward you with genuine seclusion and some of the clearest water on the island.
EAST (OVERLOOKING NAXOS) | The most built-up stretch, home to Paros's larger beach clubs, including Golden Beach and Punda. Golden sands, turquoise water and a livelier atmosphere. Also, the island's windsurfing heartland — conditions here in summer are world-class.
WEST | Quiet, local and largely off the tourist radar. Undeveloped beaches, excellent tavernas and the kind of afternoons that stretch on indefinitely.
WHEN TO GO
We always suggest visiting during the shoulder seasons (either side of the peak seasons).
May and September into early October are the best times to visit Paros for beaches.
In May, the island is still green, the sea is swimmable, crowds are thin, and prices are noticeably lower. By late June, the meltemi winds start asserting themselves, and July and August bring both peak crowds and peak prices, fun if that's your vibe, but a different experience entirely.
September is the other sweet spot. The tourists thin out, the sea reaches its warmest temperatures of the year, beach clubs are still operating, and the island exhales into something closer to its natural rhythm.
A few practical notes for planning:
Many beach clubs and seasonal tavernas close from October onwards, so if a full beach club experience is on your list, aim for mid-June through September. Outside those months, the beaches are still beautiful — just quieter and more self-sufficient.
The meltemi winds (strong northerly winds common across the Cyclades) are worth factoring in for July and August specifically.
On bad wind days, south-facing beaches are your best bet - they're naturally more sheltered than north-facing ones.
We cover this in more detail in the section below.
THE MELTEMI WINDS: WHAT TO EXPECT
The meltemi is one of those things worth knowing about before you arrive - not to stress about, but to plan around.
A strong, dry northerly wind that sweeps across the Aegean from roughly late June through August, the meltemi is a defining feature of a Cycladic summer. It funnels between the islands, which amplifies its intensity, and on peak days, it's genuinely forceful, occasionally strong enough to delay or cancel ferry services around the islands or from Athens.
We were on Paros in June and early July, catching the winds as they were just beginning to build.
Most days were fine, and the breeze was actually a welcome relief from the heat. But on the stronger days, north-facing beaches took the full force: sand in your food, parasols threatening to take flight, and the sea noticeably choppier.
The practical rule of thumb: when the meltemi is up, move to south-facing beaches. They're naturally sheltered from the northerly wind and will almost always offer calmer conditions.
Faragas and the southern coves are your best bets on a strong wind day.
On the flip side, if you're a windsurfer or sailor, the meltemi is a gift.
Golden Beach on the east coast is one of the best windsurfing spots in the Mediterranean, precisely because of these conditions - world-class wind, reliably.
TIP | Locals and your accommodation host will always know which way the wind is blowing and which coast is best on any given day. Ask before you commit to a beach.
BEACH CLUBS VS PUBLIC BEACHES: WHAT TO KNOW
As Australians, the concept of paying to access a beach is genuinely baffling to us.
Back home, every stretch of sand is free, full stop. Europe works differently, and Paros is no exception: the island's most popular beaches are dominated by beach clubs, where you pay for a sunbed, umbrella and access to facilities for the day.
The good news: Paros beach clubs are nothing like Mykonos or Santorini. No thumping DJs, no bottle service theatrics, no €25 cocktails served by someone who's too cool to make eye contact.
Here it's genuinely relaxed - sunbeds, cold drinks, good food and the Aegean lapping at your feet.
WHAT TO BUDGET | Expect to pay €30–50 per person per day at the more popular clubs (Monastiri, Santa Maria, Faragas, Golden Beach, Punda, Kolymbithres), which typically includes sunbed and umbrella hire plus a food and drinks minimum.
Shoulder season prices - May, early June and September - are noticeably lower. Book ahead regardless of when you visit; the best spots fill up fast.
OUR PICKS | Mini Santa Maria and Faragas were our favourites - chilled vibe, manageable prices and genuinely beautiful water. One honest note: service at Paros beach clubs is rarely quick or attentive.
Don't take it personally, and don't expect otherwise.
PREFER TO GO FREE | Most beaches retain some public space alongside the paid sections - smaller, busier, but free. Arrive before 11 am, and you'll often find a good spot before the crowds descend.
For genuinely crowd-free beach days, head south or west: smaller coves with no clubs, no amenities and no noise. Bring your own umbrella, pack a cooler, and enjoy.
HOW TO GET TO THE BEST BEACHES ON PAROS
The short version: bus for the northern beaches, car for everything else.
BY BUS
The good news for non-drivers is that Paros has a genuinely reliable bus network — and most of the northern beaches are well served by it. Kolymbithres, Santa Maria and Monastiri are all reachable from Naoussa or Parikia without a car, which makes the bus a perfectly viable option if you're planning to stay in that corner of the island.
Tickets cost between €2.00 and € 3.50, depending on the route, and can be purchased before boarding at kiosks, mini-markets, or bus terminals in Parikia and Naoussa.
In peak summer, the buses fill up fast — get there early, be prepared to queue, and don't be surprised if it gets a little pushy at the Parikia stop after a ferry arrives.
Check the live KTEL Paros timetable before you go — schedules change seasonally, and timings can be limited if you're trying to pack a lot into your trip.
READ MORE | Parikia to Naoussa transport guide
BY CAR
For the southern and western beaches - Faragas, Aliki, the quieter coves - you'll need your own wheels.
A rental car is the most comfortable option and more affordable than you'd expect compared to other Cycladic islands. Budget around €25–35 per day in shoulder season; peak summer rates climb higher, so book well in advance.
BOOK | Search car rental on Paros via Discover Cars
BY SCOOTER OR ATV
A solid middle ground if you're staying close to Naoussa and targeting the northern beaches. Cheaper than a car, easier to park in peak season (a genuinely underrated advantage), and perfectly adequate for shorter hops to Kolymbithres or Santa Maria.
For anything further south, the comfort trade-off on Paros's undulating roads adds up quickly; a car is worth it.
Note, you'll need a motorbike licence to rent a scooter in Greece.
THE BEST BEACHES ON PAROS ISLAND
KOLYMBITHRES BEACH
There's nowhere quite like Kolymbithres.
The beach's signature granite rock formations, smoothed by millennia of wind and sea into surreal, sculptural shapes, divide the coastline into a series of small sandy inlets and natural swimming pools, each one calm, sheltered and achingly photogenic.
We spent many an afternoon here, dozing on warm sloped rocks, slipping into the water to cool off, then doing it all over again. It's that kind of place.
The calm, clear water makes it excellent for swimming and snorkelling, and kayak rentals are available if you want to explore the rock formations or paddle further into Naoussa Bay.
Families do particularly well here; the shallow, protected inlets are ideal for young swimmers.
THE DETAILS
Where |Kolymbithres Beach
Type | Rocky coves with sandy pockets; calm and sheltered - one of the best spots on the island when the meltemi is blowing
Getting There | Bus Route 4 from Parikia or Naoussa (€2.00); water taxi from Naoussa port (€3 one way, a lovely way to arrive); or by car
Parking | Free car park close to the beach — arrives early in peak season as it fills quickly
Facilities | Two beach clubs in the main inlets (sunbed hire from €25pp - reviews are mixed, but the locations are prime); several free public coves to the east; tavernas nearby for food and drinks; showers and changing rooms available via beach club facilities
Best for | Families, snorkellers, couples, meltemi wind refuge, sunset drinks
Tip | The free coves to the east of the main beach are just as beautiful as the paid sections — arrive before 10 am or after 4pm to claim a spot without paying for a sunbed. The water taxi from Naoussa port is worth taking at least one way for the approach alone.
MINI SANTA MARIA BEACH
We'll go on record: Mini Santa Maria is one of the most beautiful beaches we've found in the entire Cyclades. That's a big call, and we stand by it.
Tucked into a series of calm, sheltered coves about 10 minutes northeast of Naoussa, it has the kind of water that stops you mid-sentence - clear, turquoise and impossibly still, even when the meltemi is making life difficult elsewhere on the island.
The sand is soft and golden, the vibe is unhurried, and we returned here more than anywhere else on Paros. If you only have one proper beach day, make it here.
The beach is also home to Paros Diving, which runs scuba courses and advanced dives from the shore; the underwater visibility here makes it a genuinely excellent spot for it.
A practical note on Katsunas: the taverna just up from the beach is our single favourite place to eat on Paros. Simple, generous, cooked with obvious care. Arrive early as the midday rush is real, and tables go fast.
THE DETAILS
Where |Mini Santa Maria/ Paralia Santa Anna
Type | Sandy, calm and sheltered; excellent swimming and snorkelling conditions
Getting There | Bus from Naoussa (ask for the Santa Maria stop); or by car - the drive from Naoussa takes around 10 minutes
Parking | Available near the beach but fills quickly in peak season - arrive early, or you'll be walking
Facilities | Beach club sunbeds from €20pp, serviced by surrounding tavernas; small free section to the right of the main beach and behind the sunbed rows; showers and changing rooms via beach club facilities
Best for | Couples, beach purists, divers, anyone who wants the best water on the island
Tip | The free section to the right of the beach is small but perfectly positioned - claim it before 10 am. And don't skip Katsunas for lunch, even if the queue looks long.
FARAGAS BEACH
Mark's favourite beach on Paros, and it's not hard to see why.
Faragas sits in the wild southern corner of the island, with three coves tucked into a rugged coastline, accessed via a winding road that keeps the casual visitor count lower than the northern beaches. The journey is part of the appeal.
When you arrive at crystal-clear azure water, soft golden sand and that particular quality of silence that only comes with mild isolation, the drive feels well worth it.
We first visited before the season had kicked in and had the beach almost entirely to ourselves, swimming for hours before watching the sun drop into the sea from the water. It's the kind of afternoon you talk about for years.
Our second visit, peak season, was a different experience: sun beds wall to wall, house music from the beach club, and the usual indifferent service. Still beautiful, but a different beast.
The two flanking coves on either side of the main beach are quieter and largely free of infrastructure - worth exploring if the main stretch feels too organised.
THE DETAILS
Where |Faragas Beach
Type | Sandy, mostly calm and sheltered; excellent for swimming and paddleboarding
Getting There | Car only - a paved road leads directly to the beach. No bus service
Parking | Ample free parking at the beach, one of the easier southern beaches to access by car
Facilities | Faragas Beach Club with sunbeds from €20pp, food and drinks, house music, adequate amenities; public showers available for €2; flanking coves are free with no facilities
Best for | Those willing to make the drive, sunset swimmers, anyone wanting southern seclusion without completely sacrificing amenities
Tip | Visit in May or early June before the beach club takes over, or arrive after 5 pm in peak season when the club crowd thins and the light turns golden. The flanking coves are always quieter and always free.
SANTA MARIA BEACH
Santa Maria is Paros's big, social, unapologetically lively beach, and if that's what you're after, it delivers well.
A long sweep of white sand and shallow turquoise water just 4.5km from Naoussa, it's one of the most popular beaches on the island for good reason: easy to get to, well-serviced, excellent for water sports and genuinely beautiful.
Paddleboarding, windsurfing, snorkelling and diving are all on offer, and the calm, shallow water makes it one of the better family beaches on the island too.
That said, we'll be straight with you: Santa Maria is not a quiet beach. The clubs play loud house music, the crowd skews younger, and the energy is closer to a beach party than a lazy afternoon doze.
We lasted about an hour before heading to Mini Santa Maria down the road. No regrets on either count.
If atmosphere is what you're after, this is your beach. If you want to read a book in peace, keep driving.
THE DETAILS
Where |Santa Maria Beach
Type | Long, sandy, shallow and calm - good for families and water sports; lively beach club atmosphere
Getting There | Bus from Naoussa or Parikia (ask for the Santa Maria stop); by car or ATV/scooter
Parking | Free parking available behind the beach - fills up in peak season
Facilities | Santa Maria Bar and Koom Bar both operate here; sunbeds from €50pp; free public section near the car park end of the beach; food, drinks, restrooms, water sports hire
Best for | Younger crowd, families with kids (shallow water), water sports enthusiasts, those who want atmosphere over seclusion
Tip | If the beach club prices or noise aren't for you, the free section near the car park is perfectly decent - same water, same sand, zero cost. Or combine with a quieter afternoon at Mini Santa Maria, just down the road.
KALOGEROS BEACH
Kalogeros is unlike any other beach on Paros, and unlike most beaches you'll find anywhere in Greece.
Flanked by dramatic ochre and red cliffs, raw and completely undeveloped, it's a striking spot. But the real draw isn't the sand or the swimming, it's the clay.
Thick natural clay deposits sit to the right of the beach, and the ritual is simple: scoop some out, wet it, rub it over yourself, let the sun bake it dry, then wash it off in the crystal-clear water.
Equal parts spa treatment and chaos, depending on who you're travelling with. We went full mud-throwing competition.
Beyond the clay, the beach offers stunning views across to Naxos and the Aegean, and a genuine sense of being somewhere most tourists don't bother to find.
THE DETAILS
Where |Kalogeros Beach
Type | Pebbly and rocky, exposed; more of an experience beach than a lounging beach
Getting There | Car or scooter only, there’s limited public transport. The road in is narrow and worth taking slowly
Parking | Small parking area directly at the beach - arrives early in peak season
Facilities | None whatsoever. Bring everything you need, including water, food, and something to wash the clay off with
Best for | The curious and adventurous; those who want something completely different; couples, solo travellers
Tip | Kalogeros's position on the southern coast means it's exposed to wash from passing ferries - keep valuables up high and well back from the waterline, and stay alert when a ferry passes. The nearby villages of Prodromos and Marmara both have excellent tavernas for a post-clay lunch.
MONASTIRI BEACH
We'll be honest: Monastiri is a beach of two very distinct halves, and which one you get depends entirely on your budget.
The setting is genuinely stunning — a protected cove within Naoussa Bay, backed by rocky hills, with shallow golden sand and water so clear it looks photoshopped. On pure aesthetics, it's one of the finest beaches on Paros.
But the beach itself is almost entirely given over to an exclusive beach club that brings a distinctly Mykonos energy to an otherwise un-Mykonos island - bohemian décor, DJ sets, cocktails, jet-set crowd and prices to match.
If you can stretch to it, Monastiri Beach Bar is genuinely one of the better beach club experiences in the Cyclades; the food is excellent, the service unusually good, and the setting hard to beat. Go in knowing what it is, and you'll enjoy it.
If the beach club isn't for you, walk through the adjacent national park to Perikopetra Beach - same bay, same water, zero cost.
And don't leave without seeing the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Detis next door, which offers one of the best sunset views over Naoussa Bay on the island.
THE DETAILS
Where |Monastiri Beach, northern Paros Island
Type | Sandy, shallow, calm and sheltered - beautiful water in a protected bay
Getting There | By car, or water taxi from Naoussa port (€10 return - the scenic option)
Parking | Parking area available at the beach - fills up in peak season
Facilities | Monastiri Beach Bar with sunbeds, umbrellas, food, cocktails, DJs and water sports (snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, waterskiing); free alternative at nearby Perikopetra Beach
Best for | A splurge beach club day; sunset views; those who want an elevated experience; couples
Tip | The water taxi from Naoussa is worth taking at least one way - it's a lovely approach to the bay and saves the parking hassle. If the beach club prices give you pause, Perikopetra Beach, just through the national park, offers the same water for nothing.
Pack | Towel, sunscreen, cash or card for the club; bring your own supplies for Perikopetra
LAGERI BEACH
If Monastiri is Paros's most exclusive beach, Lageri is its antidote.
Reached via a dusty track winding through a natural reserve, Lageri is the kind of beach that rewards the effort to find it - wide, golden, unhurried and almost completely undeveloped.
No beach club, no sunbeds, no music. Just fine sand, crystal-clear shallow water and the kind of quiet that's increasingly hard to find on a Greek island in summer.
The water is excellent for swimming and snorkelling, and both ends of the beach are unofficially recognised as a naturist area.
It's not a beach for those who want amenities. It's a beach for those who want to disappear for a day.
THE DETAILS
Where | Lageri Beach, Paros
Type | Wide, sandy and shallow; calm and clear water; naturist-friendly at both ends
Getting There | By car, ATV or scooter to the Santa Maria Beach car park, then a short walk along the track through the reserve. Also reachable by bus to the Santa Maria stop - wear comfortable shoes for the final stretch
Parking | Park at Santa Maria Beach car park and walk in - no parking at the beach itself
Facilities | None. Bring absolutely everything you need for the day
Best for | Escapists, naturists, snorkellers, anyone who wants seclusion without driving to the far south
Pack | Towel, sunscreen, water, snacks, umbrella, and comfortable shoes for the walk in
Tip | Naoussa and Santa Maria Beach are both close by if you run out of supplies or want lunch - so pack light if needed and treat those as your backup. Comfortable footwear for the walk in makes a real difference on the dusty track.
PUNDA BEACH
Punda is Paros's party beach, and it owns that identity without apology.
A long sweep of soft golden sand on the sheltered eastern coast, overlooking the mountainous silhouette of Naxos, it's genuinely beautiful in its own right.
The meltemi barely touches this side of the island, which makes for reliably calm, swimmable conditions even when the north is getting battered. The free eastern section of the beach is perfectly decent for a quiet day.
But most people come for Punda Coast beach club: boho-Cycladic aesthetic, DJ sets, a pool, multiple bars and wood-fired pizza. It's lively, well-run and, if a party beach is what you're after, one of the better executions of it on the island.
A word on the neighbour: Viva Punda sits alongside it and is widely panned on Google reviews. We'd suggest skipping it unless everything else is full.
THE DETAILS
Where |Punda Beach, south-east Paros
Type | Long, sandy, calm and sheltered; east-facing and largely meltemi-protected
Getting There | Around 20 minutes from Naoussa by car; also accessible by public bus
Parking | Available at the beach
Facilities | Punda Coast beach club with sunbeds (up to €90pp in peak season), pool, bars, wood-fired pizza kitchen, showers and changing rooms; free public section on the eastern end of the beach
Best for | Young travellers, party atmosphere, reliable beach conditions on windy days, anyone wanting a full beach club experience
Tip | The free eastern section of the beach is genuinely worth using - it's the same beautiful stretch without the €90 sunbed bill. Punda Coast is worth it for a splurge day; just book ahead in peak season as the best beds go fast.
Where to Stay Nearby | Summer Senses Luxury Resort (5*), Cleopatra Seaside Home
GOLDEN BEACH PAROS
Golden Beach is the kind of place that earns its name without trying.
A wide, shimmering expanse of golden sand on the eastern coast, it's one of the longest and most beautiful beaches on Paros, and still relatively undeveloped compared to its size.
The beach clubs here are spread out along the shore rather than crammed together, which gives the whole place a more relaxed, less claustrophobic feel than some of the northern beaches. There's also a generous amount of free public sand, which we found highly appealing.
Our standout was The Beach Project, a genuinely lovely, laid-back spot hidden in the green fields behind the beach, serving locally sourced food and cold drinks with zero pretension. Honestly, the best beach club experience we had on the island.
For something more upmarket, Sal Y Mar Beach Lounge delivers a more polished beach club vibe. Both are worth knowing about.
The western end is excellent for families - shallow, calm and gently sloping, with the kind of water that small kids can mess around in safely for hours.
And then there's the wind. Golden Beach is one of the world's premier windsurfing and kitesurfing destinations — it hosts World Cup events, and when the meltemi is up in July and August, conditions here are extraordinary. Several centres offer board hire and lessons if you're tempted. Fair warning: windsurfing is genuinely hard. Fun, but hard.
THE DETAILS
Where | Golden Beach (Chrissi Akti), Southern Paros
Type | Long, sandy, east-facing; calm western end for families; exposed central section ideal for wind sports
Getting There | Around 20 minutes from Naoussa by car; also accessible by public bus
Parking | Available at the beach
Facilities | Multiple beach clubs, including The Beach Project and Sal Y Mar Beach Lounge; windsurfing and kitesurfing centres with board hire and lessons; generous free public beach areas
Best for | Windsurfers and kitesurfers, families (western end), beach club day-trippers, anyone who wants space without sacrificing amenities
Tip | The Beach Project is tucked into the fields behind the beach and easy to miss - look for the signs from the main beach road. Go for lunch even if you're not staying for the full beach day. And if you're thinking about trying windsurfing, Golden Beach is genuinely one of the best places in the world to learn - the conditions are consistent, and the instructors are experienced.
Where to Stay Nearby | Calme Boutique Hotel, Aspries Suites
PISO ALIKI BEACH
Piso Aliki is a locals' beach in the best possible sense - unhurried, unpretentious and quietly wonderful.
Unlike the golden sand stretches of the eastern coast, the shoreline here is limestone rock, which keeps the casual visitor numbers lower than they deserve.
Don't let that put you off: the rocks give way to sand at the water's edge, getting in is easy, and the water is some of the clearest and most inviting on the island.
We'd happily spend a full day here doing very little. But the real reason to make the trip is Thalassomou, sitting at Aliki harbour.
Fresh Greek seafood, exceptional cooking, and one of the best settings on the island. Order the squid ink risotto and cancel your afternoon plans. The restaurant alone justifies the drive.
THE DETAILS
Where |Piso Aliki Beach, Southern Paros
Type | Limestone rock shoreline with sand at the water's edge; calm, exceptionally clear water; quiet and unhurried
Getting There | By car or local bus; Aliki village is nearby
Parking | Ample free parking behind the beach
Facilities | No beach club or sunbeds — bring your own towel and something to sit on; restrooms, shops and dining in nearby Aliki Village; Thalassamou restaurant at the eastern end of the beach
Best for | Locals and repeat visitors, snorkellers, those who want quiet over convenience, serious food lovers
Tip | Book Thalassamou in advance - it fills up fast, especially at lunch, and the shaded terrace tables overlooking the water go first. The squid ink risotto is non-negotiable.
PARALIA KRIOS
Krios is Parikia's best-kept secret — and the best free beach on Paros, full stop.
Tucked across the bay from the capital, flanked by cypress trees and largely off the radar of first-time visitors, it has a quiet cult following among locals who make their way here in the afternoons to wind down, cool off and watch the golden hour light play across the water. We'd recommend doing the same.
It's not a party beach, but the vibe is relaxed, the crowd local, and the pace deliberately slow. The western section is entirely free, spacious enough to actually spread out, with shallow, clear water that's ideal for families.
For those who want a little more comfort, Marcello on the eastern end is excellent, with a boho aesthetic, good food and sunbeds from €35–50. One of the better beach club setups near Parikia.
One thing to note: Krios sits in the path of the Parikia ferry route, and when a boat goes by, the wash hits the shore with some force. Keep valuables back from the waterline.
THE DETAILS
Where | Paralia Krios
Type | Sandy, shallow and calm; excellent for families; relaxed local atmosphere
Getting There | Taxi boat from Parikia harbour (the nicest option), or a short walk from Parikia town centre
Parking | Limited - the taxi boat is the easier option if you're coming from Parikia
Facilities | Marcello beach club on the eastern end (sunbeds €35–50, food and drinks); free public section on the western end with plenty of space; water sports available
Best for | Families, locals, golden hour, anyone wanting a free beach close to Parikia without the crowds
Tip | Come in the late afternoon - the light is extraordinary and the crowds thin considerably after 4 pm. The taxi boat from Parikia harbour takes minutes and is far easier than driving. And keep an eye on the water when ferries pass — the wash is stronger than you'd expect.
PARIKIA BEACH
Not every beach day needs to be an expedition. Parikia Beach is right in town, and that's precisely its appeal.
A long stretch of white sand with clear, shallow water and a relaxed atmosphere, it's the obvious choice if you're based in Parikia and want a beach without the faff of hiring a car or catching a bus.
The proximity to the old town, the restaurants and the waterfront makes it easy to dip in and out of a beach day.
The water is calm and shallow, making it particularly good for families with young kids or anyone who'd rather wade than swim. It won't win any awards for seclusion, but it's genuinely pleasant and far less crowded than you might expect given its location.
For a sunbed and beach club setup, Tango Mar is the pick - well-positioned and the best option on this stretch.
THE DETAILS
Where | Parikia Beach, Parikia
Type | Long, sandy, shallow and calm; town beach with easy access to everything
Getting There | Walking distance from Parikia town centre - no transport needed
Parking | Use town parking if arriving by car; the easiest beach on the island to access on foot
Facilities | Tango Mar beach club with sunbeds, food and drinks; town amenities (restaurants, shops, cafes) within easy walking distance
Best for | Those staying in Parikia, families with young kids, lazy half-day beach breaks between exploring the town
Tip | Pair a morning at the beach with an afternoon in Parikia's old town - the Frankish Castle and the Archaeological Museum are both within walking distance and worth the hour. For a deeper look at everything Parikia has to offer, our Parikia guide has you covered.
EXPLORE PAROS ISLAND FROM THE SEA
If there's one thing worth splurging on during your time on Paros, it's a day on the water.
The coastline of Paros and the Lesser Cyclades, Iraklia, Schinoussa, Koufonisia, Antiparos, Despotiko, is extraordinary from the sea: hidden coves, deserted beaches, hard-to-reach isles and water in shades of blue that don't look real.
Spending a day jumping off the back of a catamaran into the Aegean, surfacing, climbing back up and doing it again, stopping only for food and cold beer.
Option 1 | Full Day Sailing Tour (our recommendation)
This full-day catamaran tour departs from Piso Livadi port and spends the day exploring the Lesser Cyclades — typically heading toward Iraklia with multiple swimming and snorkelling stops along the way, including a WWII plane wreck. Lunch is served on the islands of Schinoussa or Koufonisia, followed by more swimming before heading to Antiparos and Despotiko on the return.
The catamaran is spacious and comfortable, with shaded lounges, large deck areas, and a genuinely good spread of local Parian food, beer, wine and raki included.
Book well in advance — these fill up fast and for good reason.
Option 2 | Self-Guided Motorboat
For those who'd rather set their own course, renting a small motorboat is a brilliant alternative. A short training session on arrival is all you need — after that, you go where you want, anchor where you like, and explore the coastline entirely on your own terms.
We've done this across the Mediterranean (the Pakleni Islands off Hvar being a particular highlight), and it never gets old.
Bring your passport or ID for hire, and pack plenty of water.
THE DETAILS
Where |Paros sailing tour, or Paros self-guided motorboat
Departs from |Piso Livadi, or Aliki Port
Cost | From €170 per person
BOOK |Paros Island Day tour
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN GREECE
If you can't afford travel insurance, you really can't afford to travel. As the current global situation has taught many people, things can go wrong anywhere in the world - and insurance is often the only way of mitigating any issues with minimal expense or stress for you.
Here are our recommendations, based on 8+ years of full-time travel:
FOR TRAVELLERS | HeyMondo - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel + medical insurance, an app with 24-hour medical support, and no out-of-pocket fees. *Get 5% off your policy by booking through our link here.
FOR DIGITAL NOMADS | SafetyWing - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel & medical, and policies can be purchased while already abroad.
CAR INSURANCE | Insurance4CarHire - a great annual car insurance policy
PLANNING A TRIP TO GREECE SOON?
Make the most of your island-hopping adventure with our essential Greece travel guides.
EXPLORE PAROS
Start with these guides to help plan your time on the island:
Paros Travel Guide - Things to know before visiting
MORE CYCLADIC ISLANDS
Planning to visit nearby islands too? These guides will help:
Naxos | Top things to do on Naxos, The best beaches on Naxos Island, Where to stay on Naxos Island, Things to do in Chora Town, A guide to the pretty town of Halki, A guide to Plaka Beach, Agios Prokopios, how to get from Athens to Naxos
Santorini | Our complete Santorini Guide, The best of Santorini, A complete guide to Oia, Santorini, Exploring the stunning Ammoudi Bay, Our guide to hiking Skaros Rock, How and where to find the best Santorini sunsets, where to stay in Santorini, How to get from Athens to Santorini
Mykonos | What to see and do on Mykonos, How to get from Athens to Mykonos
PLAN YOUR PAROS SUMMER WITH OUR USEFUL GUIDES
Some of the links in this guide to the best beaches in Paros Island are affiliate links.
If you choose to purchase using these links, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please know that by using these affiliate links, you're directly supporting The Common Wanderer to stay wandering, the running costs of the site, and our ability to provide you with free content to help you on your travels.
That, and you're officially a legend.
