Antiparos started life as a small island in the shadow of Paros, well known in earlier times as being a nest of pirates. In the 1990’s it was discovered by a small group of adventurous Athenians who built a handful of very pretty houses here. Ten years later, the first international visitors started coming, then the first pioneering Hollywood star was rather daringly brought over by Five Star Greece, and now it is home to some of Greece’s highest real estate prices and is a showcase for cutting-edge international design and architecture. Think Art Basel, Golden Globes and friends strolling around in flip-flops.
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Antiparos Portrait
Antiparos is the closest holiday paradise just across from Paros, from which it is divided by a shallow channel just a few metres deep. Guests here keep coming back as it is the closest thing to a private island – small, not much accommodation, low key. It’s the sort of thing children would come up with if asked to draw an imaginary Greek island. The island is only 35 square kilometres but, because of its length, has 57 kilometres of beautiful coastline where golden sandy beaches and pebbly coves give way to small remote bays with blue-green waters. The land to the north is flat and fertile while small hills rise from the centre to the west, with Profitis Ilias (300m) being the highest. Antiparos is surrounded by numerous smaller islands. To the north: Kavouras, Diplo and the rocks Kokkinos Tourlos and Mavros Tourlos. Also tiny private Rematonisi which is owned by the Goulandris family.
This is a great island to chill and enjoy an easy summer life. Arrival is by plane or Superfast ferry from Athens to Paros, and then a short hop over to Antiparos. The combination of being on a small and unsophisticated island, yet with the convenience of large and busy Paros next door, is very attractive.
BEST FOR
Everything that makes the Cyclades famous, but in a small, relaxed and easy form – yet with Paros nearby for transport possibilities and other activities. Sandy beaches, friendly locals, good fish tavernas, windmills, cute whitewashed town, toothless, smiley old men on donkeys, the tiny roll-on-roll-off ferry that takes six minutes to cross the shallow channel from Paros, and leaves every half hour. Accommodation is mainly in villas, so a house-party atmosphere prevails with a chic, international in-crowd, and the exclusivity that comes from there not being quite enough villas to go around!
Socialising- there is a very interesting, art-loving, design-conscious global clientele who have upped the game of the island. The Rooster Hotel, Beach House and Soros Beach are the social centres.
WORST FOR
Lack of excitement (though there was a murder here a few years ago – a crime passionelle…). It’s not the most interesting island scenically, with a lack of hotels and smart nightlife. Last-minute travel and accommodation in August is almost impossible. The beaches on the north coast are sand blasted by the wind all summer (this is a Cycladic island after all!) and the sheltered ones get crowded in summer.
WOULD SUIT
Families, young teenagers who need a safe and easy environment to be let loose in, those wanting to just pack a couple of bikinis and flip flops, though you can also dress up to match the chic international crowd. Lovers of cute boutiques- and ice cream! Tom Hanks so loved his first visit that he bought a house here for his young family to enjoy Greece in a quiet and natural way. Those wanting to chill and enjoy a laid-back summer life in a small, relatively-exclusive atmosphere, and still rub shoulders with the beautiful people.
WOULD NOT SUIT
Those wanting fancy clubs and a party atmosphere. Those wanting a varied and exciting island that they can spend days exploring.
DON’T MISS
A visit to the archeological site of Despotiko island- a short boat trip across the water, to see the Sanctuary of Apollo. Take a boat-ride to visit the coastline. The famous cave system and the ruined castle – great fun for children. Beach House – the idyllic taverna on a picture-perfect Apandima beach by the Rooster and Michelin Star Cookoovaya restaurant. Antiparos town with its cobbled, flower-hung lanes and blue shuttered white-washed houses is also a must. For eating out try Captain Pipinos tavern on Aghios Giorgos beach, while Soros beach is the cool place for lunch. In high season, reservations are a must!
ACTIVITIES
Kite Surfing is the thing to do here, and boat hire on a calm day. Some Parian activity providers are willing to pop over for a day, should it be worth their while.
HIGH SEASON
Not a bad place to try to escape the August hordes. There is limited accommodation and not too many daytrippers, so even when the island is full, it is never that busy. Tickets – either ferry or plane – via busy Paros have to be booked well in advance unless you are coming in by helicopter. Wind can disrupt travel. The island has responded well to its chic summer visitors by providing them with good tavernas and restaurants, clean beaches and cute bars and cafes.
LOW SEASON
There is some weekend life as Antiparos has a colony of Athenian summer visitors who have weekend and holiday houses here, but there will be little to do except chill … bliss!
We do not show villa details on our site to protect the exclusivity of our owners’ properties. We offer a unique personal service to locate the perfect villa or yacht for you – to see villa details and get our expert guidance and insight please get in touch.
Our Villas in Antiparos
Read about our villas
Cutting edge design from globally renowned architecture studios up in the hills with westerly views, and more traditional Cycladic rustic style villas down by the sea, mainly on the east coast.
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