Kolimpithres: Granite Coast and Ancient Traces

Kolimpithres combines a distinctive granite coastline with water sports and archaeological remains near the beach. If you are looking for a hotel, these highlights can help you match the character of the destination to your travel interests.

Granite Coast and Beaches

Kolibithres overlooks Naoussa Bay. Granite rocks, eroded by salt, water and wind, reach down to the sea and form a series of beaches. On Paros, Kolymbithres features natural granite formations that resemble a lunar landscape, with natural pools forming between the rocks.

Water Sports and Getting There

Water sports are available at the organized beach of Kolibithres. If you plan to include this activity in your trip, check current availability before you arrive. From Naoussa, the beach can be reached by boat, car or motorcycle.

Archaeology Around Kolimpithres

The ruins of the Mycenaean acropolis have been preserved near Kolymbithres beach. A significant settlement with a palace was built on Koukounaries Hill around 1200 BC and fortified with so-called Cyclopean walls. Alongside the coastal landscape, the ruins and fortified settlement provide a cultural and historical point of interest for trip planning.

Culture and History on Paros

On Paros, Panagia Ekatontapiliani is located in the northeastern part of Parikia, near the port. It is considered one of Greece’s most significant early Christian monuments. In the southern part of the church is the ancient baptistery, dating from the 4th century and regarded as the oldest and best-preserved baptistery in the Orthodox East. Ekatontapiliani also houses the Byzantine Museum of Parikia. Its collections include rare icons, woodcarvings and other religious relics from the Byzantine period and the era of Ottoman rule.

Also in Parikia, the Kastro preserves the ruins of a Venetian castle built from columns from ancient temples and other architectural elements. In Lefkes stands Agia Triada, a listed church building dating from 1835 and built from Parian marble. The church is a three-aisled basilica with a raised central nave and two bell towers.

Nature and Events on Paros

The Paros Environmental and Cultural Park has both organized and unspoiled beaches, as well as a seven-kilometer network of hiking trails. Its amphitheater has seating for 700 and hosts concerts and performances. Since 2009, the park has held the “Festival at the Park,” a summer program of cultural, sporting and environmental events.

The Alyki Cultural Festival is also part of Paros’s events calendar: held every June, it lasts three days and features events in Alyki. For nature watching, the Butterfly Valley on Paros offers another attraction. It is a rare habitat for Jersey tiger moths, which can be seen there in large numbers on tree trunks. In Aliki, the island’s most important wetland, hiking tours, nature walks and cycling tours are organized for international visitors.

Discover more destinations: Lefkes, Naoussa, Sarakiniko, Drios, Paros, Santa Maria, Paros, Ampelas.

Back to the main travel overview: Paros.