Most Beautiful Beaches in Paros, Greece
From postcard scenes of whitewashed architecture sprinkled with bougainvillaea to whispers of ancient artists sculpting marble masterpieces, Paros breathes enchantment. The best beaches in Paros are nature’s contribution to artistic inspiration, thrilling sun worshippers with crystalline coves and soft sand dotted with sunbeds.
For a long time, Paros was thought of as the best-kept secret in the Greek Islands. Though it’s firmly on the tourist radar now, you’ll find plenty of ways to get off the beaten path. If you prefer fun nightlife with your shots of ouzo, settle in for the evening at a trendy Paros beach club. The mix of laid-back traditions and cosmopolitan vibes ensures beach-hopping is an exciting adventure every time.
Quick Tips for Visiting the Beaches of Paros
Unlike some other Mediterranean holiday hot spots, the Greek island of Paros is relatively undeveloped in many parts, so you won’t find some of the conveniences you may expect, such as showers, toilets and changing rooms at the beaches you visit. Even rubbish bins can be hard to come by at the more remote beaches, so be sure to take any waste back home with you.
If you wish to visit the wild/more remote beaches on this list, I highly recommend hiring a car to get around. Below, I’ve given notes on how to get to the best Paros beaches, and where to park – so all you have to remember is to pack your swimsuit!
Read also: Best Things to do in Paros / Best Day Trips from Paros / Best Places to Stay in Paros
North Paros Beaches
Home to the chic harbour town of Naoussa, with whitewashed backdrops, cobbled lanes and designer boutiques, the northern end of Paros is an idyllic base. And you’re never far from the best beaches on Paros.
Kolymbithres Beach
Decorating the bay of Naoussa is a beach quite unlike any other, and one you’ll want plenty of selfies with. Kolymbithres is a marvel of smooth granite rock formations along the shore with sandy patches in between. Climb over the rocks and dip in and out of the azure water.
Two main beach sections offer water sports facilities so you can paddle around on kayaks or SUPs. Otherwise, you’ll likely want to snorkel around the rocks. Choose a spot at beach bars nestled among the rocks or hire a sunbed – you’ll need to arrive early to nab one in high season.
Practical info:
There isn’t a lot of parking available at Kolymbithres Beach. I found a spot in front of a closed Taverna as the main parking area was very busy. This is one of the most famous beaches in Paros after all. So, if you’re staying in/near Naoussa, it may be easier to catch the water taxi.
Monastiri Beach
One of the top beaches in Paros, Monastiri is a sheltered beauty of shallow seas and water sports. The lagoon-like bay sparkles on a backdrop of towering rocky hills, with a sandy strip lined with sunbeds. You’ll get your blue-domed, whitewashed church photo here at the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Detis overlooking the bay.
Plus, the beach is part of Paros Park, a nature reserve with hiking trails to a lighthouse and several small coves. If you’re visiting during summer, expect free concerts or parties, and get your snacks and drinks at the beach cafe.
Practical info:
Monastiri is fairly easy to reach, especially if you’re staying in the north. Water taxis will whisk you here from Naoussa, and parking is plentiful (though I’d still caution to arrive early) in a dedicated lot behind the beach.
Piperi Beach
Within a leisurely stroll of Naoussa’s fishing port, Piperi Beach is your go-to for refreshing dips between shopping and dining. A small arc of pebbles and sand is backed by palm trees providing shade, while rocks at either end provide underwater worlds for snorkelling.
Watch boats floating by in the distance as you dream about your next Greek feast, and wander to nearby Naoussa restaurants when hunger strikes.
Practical info:
There are several parking lots in Naoussa, including a large one that is free. Combine a wander around the charming fishing town with a dip at this unostentatious beach. Or simply wander down from your nearby accommodation.
Xifara Beach
Drive about four kilometres from Naoussa to find a slice of serenity at Xifara Beach on the way to popular Santa Maria. It’s popular among the locals to cool down on balmy days and it’s rare that you’ll find many tourists in the absence of anything other than a handful of sunbeds.
Even if it’s windy, this little bay remains relatively calm, so pack a picnic to stay for a while. Or, take a stroll along to the Siparos Seaside Restaurant where you can feast on fresh food overlooking the bay.
Practical info:
There aren’t any parking lots near this beach, so you’ll have to park road-side, or at the aforementioned Siparos restaurant. If you fancy taking a stroll, wander along to the sandy promenade that separates Paros from Nisida Oikonomou – chances are you’ll have it all to yourself.
Lageri Beach
It’s fun to catch the water taxi from Naoussa to Lageri Beach, a secluded haven that’s popular with those who like to bathe au naturale. Find a spot among rocky outcrops or shady shrubs lining the sand, then wade into the azure water.
There’s nothing else to do here but read your book and soak up the serenity, so bring some treats and anything else you need for a day in the sun. If boredom strikes, there’s always the more lively Santa Maria beach just a short stroll away.
Practical info:
There is a car park at Lageri Beach, but it’s at the end of a very bumpy, dirt road. If you’re in a rental car or may be wise to park around here (there’s space for cars on the side of the road) and wander down the sandy path instead.
Little Santa Maria & Santa Anna Beach
While most are on the white sands of Santa Maria Beach listening to DJ tunes at a Paros beach club, head to Santa Anna to choose a sunbed with a little more space to yourself. The sheltered cove provides the magazine-cover water Paros is adored for, with a couple of authentic taverns and sunbeds to hire.
Next door, Mikri (Little) Santa Maria offers a calm and freestyle beach experience. Stroll along the powdery sand and rent a kayak to paddle around the coast. This is a great choice when it’s windy, compared with the more open Santa Maria Beach.
Practical info:
The streetside parking for these two beaches is very limited, so get there early to guarantee your spot. There’s a marked path that will lead you to the beach from the nearest road.
Heading to Naxos too? Be sure to read our guide to the Best Beaches in Naxos.
West Paros Beaches
The west coast of Paros boasts the capital, Parikia, with quintessential Greek architecture and quaint streets lined with all the shops, cafes and cute-as-a-button, crumbling churches you could ask for. The west-facing harbour is one of the most beautiful sunset spots, as are western Paros beaches.
Krios Beach & Marcello Beach
Sitting pretty in the Bay of Parikia are two beaches on Paros you might not want to leave. Marcello features a quiet side to enjoy peaceful swimming in the crystal clear waters of this natural swimming pool. The other side delivers a beach bar for lazy cocktail sipping with tunes ringing out across the sand, which is dotted with sunbeds.
Marcello is a continuation of long Krios Beach, a sandy stretch peppered with small tavernas and umbrellas. There’s a campsite in the area, so the beaches often attract a younger crowd. It’s easy to hop on the water taxi from Parikia to get there.
Practical info:
These beaches are popular with the locals, and they have fairly easy access. There’s a large enough parking area at the bottom of the road – just make sure you take the road that goes to the western end of the beach (and don’t necessarily follow your GPS).
Agia Irini Beach
Find a shady patch beneath a tall palm tree on Agia Irini, just a few kilometres south of Parikia. This tropical stretch showcases a quaint blue and white church steps from the sand, along with a chilled-out taverna with tables just a stone’s throw from the water.
Tuck into cheese, olives and cocktails and let the breeze lull you into bliss. Boats are usually moored in the sheltered enclave, however, it’s likely you’ll find a peaceful scene outside of prime summer holidays.
Practical info:
This was one of my favourite beaches in Paros, and I couldn’t understand why it wasn’t busier! The road to get there is dirt, some of the way. And there’s a parking area next to the beach that can fit a dozen cars or so. The handy thing is that you can see your car from the beach, so if you had to kill a few hours before a ferry or flight, this could be a good place to do it (without having to worry about your bags in the car).
Pounta Kite Beach
Pounta (or Pounda) Kite Beach is the best beach in Paros to, you guessed it, kitesurf. As it’s located opposite Antiparos Island, you’ll find a small ferry port to zip you over for island-hopping. Otherwise, steady wind conditions say it’s almost always a good day for lessons to get you up and flying on a kiteboard.
Hire all the equipment you need to launch and land off the long, sandy beach. Kitesurfing not your thing? There’s plenty of space to spread out to watch the action, with cafes and hotels nearby.
Practical info:
If you’re planning to spend time at this beach, you can leave your car at the ferry car park in Pounta and walk down the dirt road to the beach, or you can proceed (carefully) with your car. I did see a couple of camper vans parked behind the beach, but no obvious car parking area as such.
South Paros Beaches
The southern end of Paros is characterised by a rocky coastline and beaches that are slightly more on the wild side the further south you go. Take a kayaking tour to make the most of soaring cliffs and hidden coves.
Piso Aliki Beach
Get set to be charmed by Aliki, an enchanting fishing village and the home of a few beaches to choose from. Piso Aliki Beach is a pebbly/sandy arc lapped by turquoise water and flanked by olive trees. There are no sunbeds, so if you don’t fancy setting up on the sand, head to the tables at the authentic Taverna at the far end.
The main Aliki Beach is busier, with sunbeds and many more people drinking and dining at beachside venues. Hop between these two and the sandy, quiet bay of Agios Nikolaos depending on your mood.
Practical info:
If you’re not staying in Aliki, you can either park in the town’s “free public parking” area, or proceed directly to Piso Aliki beach where you’ll find plenty of space to park just behind the olive trees. This is a family-friendly beach for that reason, and you can even get food delivered to your sunbathing spot from nearby eateries.
Faragas Beach
It’s too hard to choose the best beach club in Paros – but it’s worth getting around to all of them! Faragas Beach boasts one, where you’ll sip cocktails on your sunbed with music between swims in the calm bay. Hire a kayak or SUP to explore the bay and rocky coves nearby. Speaking of which, bring your mask and snorkel to explore underwater.
It’s not surprising that it gets crowded here during the summer months, so arrive early to claim your sunbed for the day. Or, if a quieter scene is more your thing, simply climb up and behind the rocks on your right and you’ll find a secluded bay to yourself.
Practical info:
There’s plenty of free parking at Faragas beach, from where you have just a short walk down a path to the sand. Half the beach is free, half is paid. And if the loud music gets too much, there are quieter coves just around the bend.
Tripiti Beach & Glyfa Beach
It’s easy to visit Tripiti Beach from idyllic bases at the tourist resorts of Drios and Aliki. You’ll beat the crowds here to bliss out on a pebble and sand stretch with plenty of rocks on either side of the cove for snorkelling.
Neighbouring Glyfa Beach is another serene spot for a retreat, with shady trees and not much else but the sound of gentle waves. Both beaches are separated by a rocky outcrop, so it’s easy to change scenery.
Practical info:
There’s only space for a few cars at either of these beaches, but that’s ok as it seems to be mostly locals who frequent them. There’s a short drive down a dirt road to get there. Glyfa beach has a cafe nearby for your convenience.
Lolantonis Beach
It’s possible to rent a handful of exquisite villas on the hill above lovely Lolantonis Beach, which is home to a beach bar for cocktails, music and seafood with beautiful views from the cliff. Otherwise, when you’re on the sand, life’s all about splashing in the calm cove and soaking up the sun framed by rocky cliffs.
This is a tiny slice of paradise not far from bigger resorts that lets you unwind like a local. Rent one of the discreetly placed sun loungers for the day, or freestyle it on the fine sand.
Practical info:
The road that leads to Lolantonis isn’t in the best condition, but that doesn’t seem to deter anyone. There’s a large car park at the end, owned by the beach club, that allows you to park all day so long as you buy something (min €4 purchase).
Chrisi Akti Beach & Nea Chrisi Akti
Also known as Golden Beach, Chrisi Akti is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in Paros and the wide expanse of powdery sand lives up to its name. There’s something to suit everyone at this coastal paradise, with sunbeds and parasols and water sports centres, including a dive centre.
Stroll from the sand straight into a restaurant or beach bar, and onward to a range of boutique hotels and villas. To the north, Nea Chrisi Akti is home to the annual Professional Windsurfing World Cup. If you’re a fan on and off the water, visit in July and August for ideal breezy conditions.
Practical info:
There’s a large car park behind the dive school, at the western end. You can also walk here from nearby coastal town, Drios (this is where I chose to stay), for a change of scenery.
East Paros Beaches
Home to captivating, whitewashed cubic houses of Cycladic villages such as Piso Livadi and hilltop Marpissa, the eastern coast of Paros is a beach-hopping dream.
Logaras Beach
The fishing harbour and picturesque village of Piso Livadi neighbours Logaras Beach, a golden sandy beach that’s a delight for families. Fine sand drifts into calm water with rocks around the northern end for intriguing snorkelling. Play a game of beach volleyball or go water skiing before lunch with your feet in the sand at traditional tavernas.
If you prefer a picnic, choose a serene shady patch beneath the trees along the sand. Though it’s a popular stretch during high season, there’s plenty of space for the kids to run around. You’ll find plenty of hotels and villas nearby to settle in here.
Practical info:
There’s a free small car parking lot a few minutes walk from the beach, here, and another larger one here. There are several areas where you can hire loungers on this beach, but a large free area too.
Kalogeros Beach
Ready for a DIY facial? That’s the unique feature of Kalogeros Beach, with mineral-rich clay courtesy of the rocks at the northern end of the beach – you’ll see that they’re a different, greyish colour. Blend it with a little water and coat yourself before a swim in the transparent water.
This is a beach that’s beautifully left to nature, so you won’t find any tourist trappings. Bring what you need for a day here and head on over to neighbouring Molos, which is within walking distance.
Practical info:
Once you arrive at Molos beach, the turn-off to Kalogeros Beach is down a dirt road. It’s in fairly good condition, and there is parking at the end, closer to the beach. But if you don’t fancy it, just leave your car near the church at the southern end of Molos Beach and walk the remaining 200m to the beach.
Molos Beach
Spend lazy hours gazing across to Naxos from Molos Beach, spanning a sheltered bay that’s protected by Natura 2000 legislation. Meander along the golden sand for about a kilometre and spot Kefalos Hill with its photogenic whitewashed chapel. You’ll need to drive or walk uphill to the top to visit and for the reward of panoramic views.
Back on the beach, there’s a small water sports centre for windsurfing or kayaking, a tiny fishing boat harbour and a taverna, but nothing much else to spoil nature’s backdrop.
Practical info:
Parking is plentiful, but casual in this laid-back part of the cycladic island. Simply follow the sandy road behind the shoreline until you find a spot.
Tsoukalia Beach
Local buses don’t stop at Tsoukalia Beach, so it’s likely you’ll find space to yourself with a car or motorbike ride to get there. Beige sand dotted with shady trees is free of sunbeds, so bring towels or picnic blankets to swim for as long as you like.
On windy days, the waves pick up and the kite and windsurfers come out to play. Otherwise, it’s a tranquil spot for swimming with views across to Naxos and a hill to climb for panoramic views.
Practical information:
The road to get to this beach is a dirt one, and there’s no formal parking area, but chances are you’ll find a spot along the road, or behind the dunes.
Ambelas Beach
Pretty-as-a-picture Ambelas decorates the northeast coast. It’s adored for fish tavernas serving the catch of the day straight off the boats on the fishing pier. The tranquil village is a blissful base for families and couples, with a golden strip of sand dotted with just enough sunbeds for those staying in apartments within walking distance.
When hunger strikes, follow your nose through little alleys in Ambelas village or stay right by the Aegean Sea. This is a mini foodie haven that’ll have you thinking about dinner while you’re eating lunch.
Practical info:
This beach is small, and parking is very limited in the surrounding area, but if you’re looking for the ideal spot for your holidays, where you can have everything at your fingertips, this could well fit the bill!
Paros Island beaches are scattered around the whole island. Therefore, even when you’re inland exploring the churches and windmills of adorable hilltop villages such as Lefkes, you’re never far from the sea. While beach-hopping, look forward to a dash of Mykonos glamour and a splash of Naxos authenticity with a large dose of magic that’s unique to the island of Paros.
