Paros: Discover Parikia, culture and nature

Churches, museums, nature areas and events in other places round out what Paros has to offer.

Parikia: Harbor, history and hiking route

Parikia’s KTEL bus station is next to the harbor. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current timetable for your trip: routes and journey times may change. The ancient cemetery was the official cemetery of the ancient city of Parikia and offers a distinct historical connection to the area.

A hiking trail begins at Livadia Beach in Parikia and passes through Marathi, Lefkes, Prodromos, Marpissa and Agios Antonios before reaching Piso Livadi. The sequence of places makes clear that the route goes beyond Parikia and ends in Piso Livadi. This makes the trail a longer route through several named places, rather than simply a path starting in Parikia.

Churches and architecture on Paros

On Paros, Panagia Ekatontapiliani is one of Greece’s most significant early Christian monuments. The church is in the northeastern part of Parikia, near the harbor. The ancient baptistery is in the southern part of the church. It dates from the 4th century and is described as the oldest and best-preserved baptistery in the Orthodox East.

Ekatontapiliani also houses the Byzantine Museum of Parikia. Its collections include rare icons, wood carvings and other religious relics from the Byzantine era and the period of Ottoman rule. Another historical landmark in Parikia is the Kastro, where the ruins of a Venetian castle built from columns from ancient temples and other architectural elements have been preserved.

In Lefkes, Agia Triada is a listed church building made of Parian marble, built in 1835. Its architectural features include a three-aisled basilica, a raised central nave and two bell towers. The details about Ekatontapiliani and Agia Triada illustrate the different types of church architecture and historical connections found on Paros.

Museums: collections in different places

In Marpissa, the Sculpture Museum of sculptor and engraver N. Peratinos displays 192 of his works. The B. Skiadas Museum of Cycladic Folklore introduces visitors to the history and traditions of Paros and the Aegean. In Naoussa, the Folklore Museum presents the collection of Doctor Othon Kaparis. The museum also has a library, an extensive photographic archive and some archaeological finds.

The museums have different focuses: in Marpissa, the work of a single sculptor takes center stage, while the B. Skiadas Museum presents the history and traditions of the island and the Aegean. Naoussa’s Folklore Museum combines a collection with a library, photographic archive and archaeological finds.

Nature and activities on Paros

The Paros Environmental and Cultural Park has a seven-kilometer network of hiking trails, as well as organized and natural beaches. It also has a 700-seat amphitheater for concerts and performances. Nature trails, beaches and events are among the different features of the park.

The Butterfly Valley on Paros is a rare habitat for Jersey tiger moths, which can be seen there in large numbers on tree trunks. Aliki, the island’s most important wetland, offers a different connection with nature: hiking tours, nature walks and cycling tours are organized there for foreign visitors.

Events and travel planning

The Alyki Cultural Festival on Paros takes place every year in June, lasts three days and includes events in Alyki. Since 2009, the Municipality of Paros Environmental and Cultural Park has hosted “Festival at the Park,” a summer program of cultural, sporting and environmental events in the park. The two festivals offer different scheduling details to consider when planning a trip.

If bus travel or a festival is important to your stay, check timetables or event dates in advance. When choosing a hotel, you can first decide whether Parikia, with its local and historical connections, or the wider cultural and natural attractions of Paros should be your main focus.

Discover more destinations: Kolimpithres, Ampelas, Antiparos, Marpissa, Paros, Sarakiniko, Naoussa, Santa Maria

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