Luxury Villas in Paros

Paros is the stuff of travel posters – whitewashed houses, narrow winding village streets, brilliant sun, wide shallow sandy beaches and deep blue sea. Low hills roll down to the sea, enclosing three plains with waving yellow August harvests, two deeply-cut bays providing sheltered harbours. Hills with layers of marble and fertile valleys supporting agriculture, vineyards and olive trees. Its long, wide sandy beaches are family heaven and there is a huge variety of activities and entertainment. Chic Athenians have houses here and come for weekends, raising the quality of restaurants and bars.

The Literature Mansion in Lefkes gathers sophisticated writers and poets. Pottery and crafts studios still line the way to the ancient quarries where the most translucent marble in the world was brought up by lamplight. If you find a sliver on the hillside and hold it up to the light it will be apparent that this wonderful lychnites has an incomparable radiant lightness, inspiring such creations as the Venus de Milo and the Hermes of Praxiteles. Paros is also home to Naoussa, one of the most photographed villages in Greece with its narrow maze of lanes, little bridges and flower-filled balconies. It is also one of the coolest – with its tiny, hip bars and tavernas.

Parikia, the main port has the wonderful old Kastro fort, an Archaeological Museum, and the 6th-century Church of the 100 Doors.

BEST FOR

Organised water and wind sports, easy access to many other islands, a wide choice of sandy beaches and villages. Ever growing art scene.

WORST FOR

Last-minute travel, summer wind and crowds in August.

WOULD SUIT

People who can’t sit still, those who want a lower-key Mykonos, wind-surfers and scuba divers, families with children from sandcastle to clubbing ages, those needing a higher level of infrastructure than the more remote islands.

WOULD NOT SUIT

Those looking for deserted beaches (unless you are ‘in’ with the locals to share these secret spots) and dramatic mountainous landscape.

DON’T MISS

A Naoussa waterfront dusk experience, sunset from the Sanctuary of Delian Apollo, the fishing villages of Piso Livadi and Aliki, the local ‘kafenia’ in Kostos & Lefkes. And the pottery studio of Yria up in the mountains and in Parikia main town.

ACTIVITIES

A favourite island for the sporty – kite surfing (Pounta port), windsurfing (Santa Maria or Golden Beach – a world-cup location), scuba, supping, canoeing, horseback riding, bicycling and hiking.

There are two tennis clubs on either side of the island and a brand-new paddle court. Authentically trained yoga and pilates teachers offer group or private practices, and the summer has a full program of wellness and self-improvement workshops. Paros boasts a gym designed for professional athletes led by a world champion kickboxer and ex-Olympic athletes/coaches, offering personal training at the comfort of your villa.

Boat hire for day trips around Paros or to neighboring islands is a must- on a small fast RIB, luxury yacht, catamaran or traditional wooden caique.

HIGH SEASON

Naoussa means nightlife noise for wealthy Greeks and foreign youth from midnight onwards. Last-minute travel can be difficult and the meltemi wind gusts across Paros often during the summer. August 23 is the Corsairs festival, where the battles between the pirates and Parian fisherman are reenacted- culminating in an all-night party. In September, the ‘Kapetanaika’ is a site to behold, with antique refurbished sail crafts gracing the Naoussa marina.

Paros has a full calendar of local ‘panigyria’ in the main – but especially the smaller villages. And some wonderful concerts at the amphitheater of Monastiri.

LOW SEASON

Calm seas, sunny autumns and springs, and weekend visitors that come from Athens till the onset of winter, give Paros a longer season than other islands. It’s the best time for lazy lunches and quiter dinner – at all the glorious dining options.