10 BEST THINGS TO SEE IN PARIKIA, PAROS [GREECE]
WHAT TO SEE IN PARIKIA, PAROS? BEST ACCOMMODATIONS IN PARIKIA? BEST BEACH NEAR PARIKIA?
Parikia is the capital of Paros in the Cyclades in Greece. This town is certainly one of the most beautiful towns in the entire archipelago together with Naousa.
We traveled to Paros in the summer of 2023 and completely fell in love with this island (see more here). In this post, we invite you to discover Parikia.
Highlights of a visit to Parikia in Paros
– Wander in Parikia’s old town
– Visit the charming port
– Explore the stunning Basilica of Panaghia Ékatontapyliani
– Learn more about Paros’ history in the Archaeological Museum
– You’ll need 1 day to visit the main things to do in Parikia
Get some impressions of Parikia with this drone video:
BEST THINGS TO DO IN PARIKIA, PAROS IN GREECE
1. The Basilica of Panaghia Ekatontapyliani
We started our visit to Parikia with one of the main highlights! The largest cultural and religious building in the city: Basilica of Panaghia Ekatontapyliani or Church of the Virgin Mary Ekatontapyliani
This ancient basilica is located inside a more modern enclosure. Entrance is free to the enclosure and the church but there is a paid area. Certain elements of the basilica date from the 4th century and are therefore part of the rare paleo-Christian remains.
ALSO READ: 6 MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN PAROS
2. Visit the picturesque streets of Parikia
In Parikia, each alley has its little character. If like us you like taking photos, it’s a real paradise! You should have fun there.
Parikia is certainly one of the most charming villages in the Cyclades. Get lost in the pretty little whitewashed streets, which you will see as soon as you arrive in the town.
Along the way, you will pass several small chapels with blue domes, typical of the Cyclades.
Lochagou Kourtinou is the main pedestrian street.
3. Check out The Frankish Castle of Parikia
Lost in the maze of alleys, you can see the meager remains of the Frankish castle of Parikia, which served as a fortification in the 13th-14th century. All that remains is a wall reconstructed from the old stones.
This is one of our favorite places to take photos in Paros!
4. Continue your visit to the village on the hill overlooking the sea
A few streets above the castle, directly overlooking the port and the sea, don’t miss the small Agios Konstantinos church (HERE). It has the particularity of being high up with a beautiful viewpoint over the entire coastline!
At the same place, you can also take great photos of the famous house with flowers (HERE) and the remains of the Archaic Temple Of Athena (HERE)
ALSO READ: 12 BEST HIKES IN PAROS
5. The beaches of Parikia
The beaches that border the city are not exceptional, but the advantage is that their proximity allows you to go for a swim after returning from an excursion, at any time!
Windmill Beach
To the south, in front of a very beautiful church, you already have Windmill Beach, quite small and without shade. This beach is 600 meters from the port. If you continue on foot for a distance of 1km, you can reach other pebble beaches that are much wilder and deserted.
Livadia Beach & Paralia Parikia
To the north there is a long sandbar, first Livadia Beach then Paralia Parikia; These last two beaches are bordered by numerous tourist restaurants, “feet in the sand”. They are accessible in 15 -20 minutes on foot from the port. We like those 2 more than Parikia Beach…
Overall, there are better beaches in Paros, but those are the closest to the Parikia…
READ ALSO: DISCOVER THE 10 BEST BEACHES IN PAROS
6. Stroll at the seafront
Over a distance of around 700 meters from the port, the seafront is an opportunity for a lovely evening stroll.
The street becomes pedestrianized at a certain time, and the numerous terraces on either side of the road welcome tourists and local families. It’s a great place to admire the sunset.
7. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Paros
The Archaeological Museum of Paros is one of the most important museums in all of Greece. It brings together a very large number of objects (some of which date back to the Neolithic period) that were found during excavations carried out in Paros and Antiparos.
Check out other activities in Paros:
BEST RESTAURANS AND BARS IN PARIKIA
Most restaurants and bars are located on Lachagoi Georgioi Gravari Street, Mados Mavrogenous Square, and on the seafront (opposite Parikia Beach). Thanks to local recommendations, we ate very well at all the restaurants we went to.
Go to the Yiannoulis Taverna for very good meze, to Levantis for its good Greek and contemporary cuisine, and to the Symposium which has an incredible terrace under an enormous bougainvillea, a magical place!
Don’t forget to take a trip to the Ragoussis bakery, which has a wide selection of traditional sandwiches and biscuits, perfect for the morning or a snack on the beach
For an evening drink, we particularly loved the intimate setting of Pirate Bar, and Zen Cafe for its incredible view of the bay. If you like live music, then head to Sativa.
ALSO READ: 15 BEST PLACES TO ENJOY PAROS NIGHTLIFE!
TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM PARIKIA
Parikia is located in west of Paros.
Here you will find the main port from which ferries depart and arrive.
It is also at the port that we find the bus terminal. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office on-site, and bus destinations are indicated on the front of the buses. It is the KTEL company, which operates buses in Paors (TIMETABLE).
Prices range from €1.80 to €3 depending on the destination.
If you stay in Parikia, then you can just walk from the ferry port to your accommodation… However, if you stay somewhere in Paros, like in Naousa, then we highly recommend to rent a car!
READ: FULL GUIDE FOR CAR RENTAL IN PAROS GREECE
BEST ACCOMMODATIONS IN PARIKIA
KOKOON
KOKOON is a charming hotel with traditional Cycladic architecture, offering comfortable rooms, a pool, and a relaxing ambiance. It’s a short distance from Parikia’s center.
Paros Palace
Paros Palace is a luxury hotel that overlooks the bay of Parikia, offering stunning views. It has elegant rooms, a swimming pool, and excellent dining options.
Parian Village Beach Hotel
Situated close to the beach and the town center, this hotel provides comfortable rooms with balconies, a pool, and a cozy atmosphere.
FINAL THOUGHTS – IS PARIKIA WORTH A VISIT IN PAROS, GREECE?
Nestled on the picturesque island of Paros in Greece, the town of Parikia is a hidden gem waiting to be explored.
Parikia, with its blend of history, natural beauty, and vibrant energy, invites visitors to create unforgettable memories on this idyllic Greek island. Whether you seek relaxation, cultural immersion, or thrilling adventures, Parikia has something special for every traveler.
EXPLORE OTHER PLACES IN GREECE
- ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR A VISIT TO PAROS IN GREECE
- 25 AWESOME THINGS TO SEE IN SANTORINI
- OUR BEST THINGS TO DO IN NAOUSSA
- DISCOVER THE 10 BEST BEACHES IN PAROS
- ANTIPAROS GUIDE: 8 BEST THINGS TO DO
- 6 MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN PAROS
- HOW TO GET TO PAROS, GREECE?
- TOP 10 REASONS TO VISIT SANTORINI
- THE PERFECT 3-DAY ITINERARY TO VISIT SANTORINI
- DISCOVER PYRGOS, ONE OF THE MOST TRADITIONAL VILLAGES IN SANTORINI
