Drios: Coast, Hiking and Ancient History

Drios stretches along the southeast coast of Paros, between low-growing vegetation and cultivated land. The coast, beach and ancient history of the village offer different points of interest when you consider Drios as a destination. The beach in front of the village can be clearly distinguished from other beaches and landscape features in the surrounding area.

Coast, Beach and Surroundings

The beach at Drios is a narrow strip of sand, several hundred metres long, with small pebbles and clear water. Water conditions can vary. The beach lies directly in front of the village; there are also several small and larger sandy beaches nearby. The coastal description therefore covers both the beach at the village and other nearby beaches, without treating them as a single stretch of beach.

Other landscape features around Drios include the lakes of Drios and the Cave of the Demons. The cave contains stalactites and stalagmites. These named sites add lakes and a cave with striking rock formations to the coastal landscape.

Coastal Hike and Ancient Harbour

The Logara–Pounta–Mesada–Tserdakia–Chryssi Akti–Drios coastal hike leads to Drios. It is 7 kilometres long and takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. The combination of distance and duration provides a concrete timeframe for planning this hike.

The village’s historical role is also clearly defined: Drios was the ancient harbour of Paros. The ancient ship sheds are located around Drios and served as shelters for ships in antiquity. The harbour and the nearby ship sheds are therefore two distinct points of reference for the ancient history.

Cultural Sites on Paros

Those looking at Paros as a whole will find other cultural and historical sites in different parts of the island. Panagia Ekatontapiliani lies northeast of Parikia, near the harbour, and is 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. The church also houses the Byzantine Museum of Parikia, with rare icons, wood carvings and other religious relics from the Byzantine era and the period of Ottoman rule.

The Kastro of Parikia preserves the ruins of a Venetian castle built from columns of ancient temples and other architectural elements. In Lefkes, Agia Triada is a listed church building made of Parian marble, dating from 1835. The building is a three-aisled basilica with a raised central aisle 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. The Naoussa Folklore Museum includes the collection of Dr Othon Kaparis, a library, an extensive photo archive and several archaeological finds.

Nature and Events on Paros

Nature and cultural attractions are also spread across Paros. The Valley of the Butterflies is a rare habitat for Jersey tiger moths, which can be seen in large numbers on tree trunks there. Aliki, the island’s most important wetland, is associated with organised hiking tours, nature walks and cycling tours for international visitors.

Paros Environmental and Cultural Park has a 7-kilometre network of hiking trails, organised and unspoilt beaches, and a 700-seat amphitheatre for concerts and performances. Since 2009, Paros Municipality’s Environmental and Cultural Park has hosted the “Festival at the Park”, a summer programme of cultural, sporting and environmental events. A three-day cultural festival is also held every June in Alyki. If you plan to attend this festival, check the specific event dates.

Discover more destinations: Piso Livadi, Kolimpithres, Páros, Andiparos, Aliki, Paros, Molos, Parasporos.

Back to the main travel overview: Paros.