Paros, located in the central Aegean Sea, is one of the most popular Greek Islands to visit in the summer. With its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters, it’s easy to see why. Plus, you can expect far fewer crowds here than in Santorini and Mykonos.
However, you may feel a bit overwhelmed if it’s your first time traveling to Paros. After all, this Cycladic island has dozens of beaches to choose from! With this in mind, we’ll review the fifteen best beaches in Paros, Greece, that you won’t want to miss during your trip.
From family-friendly spots like Kolymbithres Beach to secluded coves like Kalogeros Beach, there’s definitely something for everyone on this list. So what are you waiting for? Pack your swimsuit and sunscreen, and get ready to explore all that Paros has to offer!
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Monastiri Beach
Monastiri Beach is the best beach in Paros (in our opinion), offering an upscale beach bar, lounge, and restaurant. The sea here is also ideal for swimming with younger children since it’s shallow and calm. Additionally, guests can participate in various water activities here if they want to take a break from sunbathing.
For example, some of the top things to do are paddle boarding, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and sailing. The beach itself is named after the nearby Agios Ioannis Detis Monastery.
Moreover, it’s the main beach inside Paros Park, an Environmental and Cultural Park that spans over 800 acres. If you have extra time, it’s well worth exploring the other attractions in the park, including a lighthouse, an open-air cinema (Cine Enastron), an amphitheater, and walking trails.
Monastiri Beach is just over 4 miles (7 km) from Naoussa and 8 miles (13 km) from Parikia. With this in mind, there are two ways to reach this sandy beach: drive or take a water taxi.
Water taxis, also called “caïques,” frequently travel from Naoussa to Monastiri Beach and are very cost-friendly (about 3€ per person easy way). Since this beach is situated inside a park, the closest hotels are in Livadia, which is actually closer to Kolymbithres Beach.
Where to stay near Monastiri Beach:
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Kolymbithres Beach (Kolympethres Beach)
Kolymbithres Beach is one of the most famous beaches on Paros island, thanks to its natural granite rock formations. It’s also conveniently located less than three miles (4.7km) from Naoussa!
The beach itself is split into multiple swimming pools with warm and calm waters, making Kolymbithres Beach a popular destination for families with little ones. It’s well organized, featuring various beach clubs with sunbeds, food, and drinks available for purchase.
However, you can also choose to lay your towel and belongings along the rocks if you don’t want to rent a chair. Moreover, for those interested in water sports, you can find all sorts of equipment at WaterSkiZone, including canoes, kayaks, and sea bikes. This business also conducts waterskiing and wakeboarding lessons!
You can reach Kolymbithres Beach by taking the public bus from Naoussa or Parikia or a water taxi from Naoussa. On the other hand, if you have a rental car, there is a parking lot next to the beach. Just remember to get there early if you’re visiting during the summertime! Note that the closest hotels to this beach are in the small town of Livadia.
Pro tip: A few beaches are closer to Naoussa Town, like Piperi Beach and Agioi Anargyroi Beach. However, we think Kolymbithres Beach is a much better beach.
Where to stay near Kolymbithres Beach:
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Santa Maria Beach
Santa Maria Beach is one of the best beaches on Paros, located a short distance from Naoussa (3 mi or 5.1 km). You can expect soft golden sand and crystal clear water, ideal for swimming. Plus, you won’t want to miss the scenic views of the neighboring island of Naxos to the east.
Since it’s also one of the longest beaches on Paros, it never feels too crowded. You can also find all sorts of water sports here, like snorkeling, windsurfing, and paddle boarding. There’s even a diving school here (Prodivers)!
If you’d prefer to relax and sunbathe, Santa Maria Beach Bar and Nava Lounge both have cozy sunbeds for rent. However, you may want to note that this beach can get more boisterous during the high season.
Therefore, for a quieter experience, we suggest visiting Mikri Santa Maria (Little Santa Maria), a smaller sister beach just down the road. You can travel to Santa Maria Beach from Naoussa or Parikia via the public bus system.
Additionally, if you’re staying in Naoussa, you also have the option to take a water taxi. For those with a rental car, Santa Maria is a quick 10-minute drive from Naoussa or 25 minutes from Parikia.
Where to stay near Santa Maria Beach:
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Golden Beach (Chrissi Akti Beach)
Golden Beach, also known as Chrissi Akti Beach, is one of the most beautiful Paros beaches, with crystal clear waters and amazing views of the Aegean Sea. This blue flag-certified beach stretches for 0.4 miles (700 m) along the southeast coast of Naxos and is a popular destination on the island for families.
You’ll find plenty of restaurants and beach bars here, offering sunbeds and umbrellas to rent. It’s important to note that this beach can get very breezy thanks to the seasonal Meltemi winds.
In fact, Golden Beach is most famous as the go-to place on Paros for water sports and, in particular, windsurfing. The winds are the strongest here during July and August. So, if you’re not planning to go windsurfing, you may want to check the weather conditions before bringing the kids here during the summer months.
Golden Beach is located 9.3 miles (15km) from Naoussa and 12.4 miles (20km) from Parikia. If you aren’t planning to drive during your vacation, you can easily take the public bus from either town. For those with a rental car, plenty of free parking is available at Golden Beach.
Where to stay near Golden Beach:
New Golden Beach (Nea Chrissi Akti Beach)
You’ll find New Golden Beach or “Nea Chrissi Akti” just down the road from Golden Beach. Similar to its sister beach, New Golden Beach is also considered one of the best spots in the Mediterranean for windsurfing and other water sports.
It’s particularly well-known as the home to Paros Surf Club, which hosted World Cup slalom events for the PWA (Professional Windsurfers Association) in the 90s. Spend time relaxing in an affordable beach bed and watching the windsurfers and kitesurfers drift by.
Or, if you’re up for it, hop on the board and take a windsurfing lesson! Paros Surf Club offers dedicated instructors for beginners to advanced sailors. Plus, they replace their equipment every season, so you can always expect the latest Tabou boards and Gaastra rigs.
New Golden Beach is conveniently located in front of a small resort area. So, if you plan to visit the area multiple times, you may want to book a stay across the street! Additionally, this beach tends to be less crowded than Golden Beach.
Where to stay near New Golden Beach:
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Punda Beach
Punda Beach (also called Pounda Beach) is the best option for younger people and party-goers. If you’re looking for a Mykonos-type experience, Punda Coast is one of the top Paros beach bars and the closest thing on the island to Super Paradise.
In fact, this massive complex contains a vast pool, a lineup of rotating DJs, a cocktail bar, a restaurant, and a beach area with sunbeds. While we recommend this sandy beach for younger crowds, you’ll likely also find families with children here.
Nonetheless, they do tend to stay around the beach area. Although Punda Beach is more expensive, we think you get what you pay for. Namely, access to Punda Coast’s amenities makes it worth the cost.
Punda Beach is 8 miles (13km) from Naoussa and 11 miles (18km) from Parikia. Therefore, it’s easiest to reach by car. However, you can also take the public bus from either town to Punda Beach for around €2-4, depending on the distance covered.
Where to stay near Punda Beach:
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Marcello Beach
Marcello Beach (also sometimes called Marchello or Martselo Beach) is the best beach near Parikia. It’s a short 2.5 miles (4 km) from the capital, meaning you may encounter crowds here during the high season.
Although the prices for food from the beach bar and sun beds can also be high, many people rate Marcello as one of the island’s most beautiful beaches. If you’d like to visit Marcello Beach from Parikia, you can either take a water taxi or drive there.
Water taxis leave approximately every 30 minutes and only take about 15 minutes to reach the beach. Or, if you have a rental car, there’s usually plenty of street parking here. Nonetheless, it’s essential to remember that if you’re traveling during peak season, the earlier, the better!
Where to stay near Marcello Beach:
Faragas Beach
Faragas Beach sits on the island’s southern coast near the small town of Aliki. As we’ve previously mentioned, a large part of the coast of Paros experiences strong winds during the summer months.
However, Faragas is one of the few beaches sheltered from the “Meltemi” winds. Therefore, it’s a great place to take the kids swimming or snorkeling! Faragas Beach is technically made up of three cove areas.
Note that the main beach is split into two sections: the first is well organized with a popular beach bar. You can find sunbeds with umbrellas that are available for rent and a Mediterranean restaurant here.
Meanwhile, the other section is for visitors who prefer to bring their own towels and umbrellas. Faragas Beach also offers kayak and SUP rentals for those who enjoy water sports. If you’d like to stay near this particular beach, the closest hotels are in Aliki, where you can also visit Piso Aliki Beach.
Where to stay near Faragas Beach:
Kalogeros Beach
Kalogeros Beach is home to one of the most unique experiences on Paros: free spa treatments! Although this beach is also a great place to relax and enjoy the sand, it’s most famous due to its natural clay deposits.
Facing the water, you’ll walk to the far right end of the beach to find the rocks that hold the clay. If you’d like to participate in a “spa treatment,” you’ll first need to obtain clay from the rocks and mix it with ocean water.
After applying it to your skin, you’ll want to sit in the sun and wait for it to dry. Finally, go swimming in the ocean to clean off the dry clay. Your skin should feel soft and exfoliated!
Remember that there are no beach bars or restaurants here, so it’s essential to come prepared. Moreover, make sure to leave your belongings far away from the shore. This beach faces east and sometimes experiences larger waves thanks to passing ferries!
It’s easiest to reach Kalogeros Beach by car or ATV since there are no direct bus routes. Moreover, the closest hotels are in the small village of Piso Livadi.
Where to stay near Kalogeros Beach:
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Molos Beach
Just a six-minute walk from Kalogeros Beach, you’ll find one of the best secluded beaches in Paros: Molos Beach. Since this beach sits a little further from the main towns on the island, it tends to be popular among locals.
You’ll need a car or ATV to get there, but it’s an easy way to escape the crowds. Molos Beach is an excellent choice for those seeking a relaxing and quiet experience. Although you won’t find any beach bars here, it means you also won’t find loud music or many other tourists!
However, you will need to make sure you bring your own snacks and towels. Luckily, there is a small water sports center here and a little taverna towards the beach’s southern side.
While you sunbathe on Molos Beach, take in the beautiful views of the east coast of Naxos and historic Kefalos Hill. You can find two Parian landmarks here: the ruins of a Venetian castle built in the 15th century and the Monastery of Agios Antonios (St. Anthony), one of the oldest monasteries on the island.
Where to stay near Molos Beach:
Lageri Beach
Lageri Beach is an excellent option if you’re looking to escape the crowds at a remote beach on Paros. Although it’s not officially a nude beach, it is nudist-friendly, with a clothing-optional section on the southern end. Moreover, you won’t find beach bars, restaurants, or other facilities here.
If you’re visiting for the first time, note that it’s a bit challenging to find this beach with Google Maps. We recommend keeping an eye out for other cars parked along the road.
You’ll then have to follow a small pathway through sand dunes to get to the beach from there. While the roads to reach Lageri Beach are poorly maintained, we think this remote beach is 100% worth the visit!
It’s sheltered from the wind and faces west, meaning it’s a great spot to watch the sunset. During the summertime, you can find water taxis that will take you to this beach from Naoussa.
Parasporos Beach
Parasporos Beach is a wide beach with golden sand on the island’s west coast. It tends to be particularly popular among tourists staying in Parikia thanks to its proximity (only two miles–3.4 km away).
Plus, this beach is well organized, featuring two beach clubs with sunbeds, food, and drinks. The water here is both calm and warm, making it an ideal spot to go swimming. However, there are some pebbles as you enter the ocean.
So, you may want to bring water shoes! Parasporos Beach is also well-known for its nightlife and music, with summertime parties lasting all night long.
Where to stay near Parasporos Beach:
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Ampelas Beach
Ampelas Beach sits in the small fishing village of Ampelas on the island’s east coast. It’s a quick and easy 7-minute drive from Naoussa or a slightly longer 20-minute drive from Parikia.
Moreover, there are a few options for hotels and villas in the actual town of Ampelas if you want to stay within walking distance. Although this beach is smaller, most people come here to check out the local tavernas.
These restaurants serve up freshly caught seafood with oceanfront views. In fact, many tourists rank the tavernas lining Ampelas Beach as some of the best on the island! We highly recommend checking out the Blue Oyster.
Where to stay near Ampelas Beach:
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Palm Beach (Agia Irini Beach)
Palm Beach, also called Agia Irini Beach, is a small golden sandy beach located 3.6 miles (5.8 km) from Parikia and 9.3 miles (16km) from Naoussa. Although the coastline here is a bit narrow, we still think it’s one of the best options for beaches near Parikia.
As you can guess by the name, Palm Beach is famous for its palm trees, making you feel like you’re in the Caribbean. This destination is trendy in summer as one of the few beaches protected from the wind.
You can find a beach club on the south end offering sunbeds at a higher price, or head to the small taverna on the north side for more affordable prices.
Where to stay near Palm Beach:
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Logaras Beach
Logaras Beach is in a central location near Piso Livadi Beach and Punda Beach on the east coast of Paros. It’s also surrounded by local hotels, restaurants, and beach bars, making it a convenient option for families. This small beach (only 0.2 miles long–350 m) holds a blue flag certificate and is a popular spot for swimming and snorkeling.
Where to stay near Logaras Beach:
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This article was first published in January 2023 and has since been updated.