Picture-perfect Paros
In Parikia, the capital of Paros, the streets tangle around whitewashed Greek cottages while a castle looms on the hillsides above, looking down over docks where yacht sails billow and fishing skiffs bob. The coast is a treasure trove, keeping secrets like the boulder-speckled lagoons of Kolymbithres and the glowing yellow-sand strip of Chrissi Akti _ nothing short of a windsurfing mecca. The promenades of historic Naousa village throb with life, too, where bar streets stippled with tavernas thrum into the warm Greek nights. Paros vacation rentals are your ticket to this all-rounder isle in the heart of the Cyclades.
Churches and ancient treasures in Paros
Book Paros vacation rentals in the island capital of Parikia to wake up with streams of ancient history and immersive Greek heritage right on the doorstep. The Byzantine Panagia Ekatontapiliani is a must _ it's said to have been founded by Saint Helen, the mother of Constantine the Great. A few steps around the winding alleys is the Paros Archaeological Museum, which comes replete with carved stele and statues, bursting with Mycenaean relics and Hellenistic treasures, and awash with enthralling stories about the history of Paros Island itself.
Plenty of sun in Paros
From May to October, Paros vacation rentals can offer that all-round bout of Cycladic sun, sand, and sea. That's because the weather this far south in Europe tends to warm up in the spring, and mercury doesn't really drop below the 70s until the late fall. Most visitors will come in the months of June, July, and August, though. The days are hot and sultry then and all the top tavernas and bars will be throbbing with life, from Parikia town to Naousa village.
Paros is a jewel of the Cyclades
Paros is actually just one mountain, rising straight out of the sky-blue waters of the Aegean Sea in the heart of the Cycladic chain. It hits its peak at 724 meters above sea level, before rolling down in ridges of schist rock and marble _ the brilliant-white Parian marble is some of the most famous in the world _ to a low plain of undulating hills and beaches. Talking of beaches, Chrissi Akti is the most photographed and has wind swells that make it a global surfing hotspot. Kolymbithres is also worth a visit for its natural lagoons and shallow splash pools.
Traveling to and around Paros
Fly into Parikia (PAS-Paros National), the closest airport, located 4.8 mi (7.7 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you could book a flight to Mykonos Island National Airport (JMK), which is 26.4 mi (42.5 km) away.