Paros, the third-largest of the Cyclades after Naxos and Andros, has developed into an important centre of tourism in recent years.
Gently rolling hills surround the centre and south-east of the island, which is predominantly agricultural and is occupied by endless vineyards, and lock within themselves the famous Parian marble.
The coastline is indented, with numerous small inlets and two large bays, those of Naoussa in the north and Parikia in the west. Paros has been inhabited since very ancient times , and was one of the centres of the Cycladic civilisation.
Parikia (or Paros), the island's capital and port, stands on the site of an ancient city. There is a picturesque and ruinous Venetian castle, and the courtyards of the ho uses of the town - all of them painted white - are full of pots of basil and hung with jasmine and honeysuckle.
A broad paved avenue leads to the church of Ekatondapiliani or Katapoliani, one of the most important Byzantine monuments in the whole of Greece and a place that figures largely in legend.
It is dedicated to the Dormition of Our Lady, and on her feast day (l5 August) there is a great celebration on the sea-front with fireworks and songs of the sea.
Other interesting local events take place on the island during the summer. Statues found at various sites on Paros are on display in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens.
Naoussa, one of the prettiest villages in the Cyclades, with whitewashed houses, narrow paved alleys, arches and tiny chapels, can also offer a range of excellent beaches and attracts many visitors each summer.
Among the beaches near Naoussa, special mention should be made of Kolimbithres, where huge rocks eroded into strange shapes remind the visitor of sculptures embedded in the sand.
The chapels and monasteries of Paros are famed for their picturesqueness; among the most characteristic are the monastery of Zoodohos Pigi "Longovarda" and that of Christ of the F orest (Hristos tou Dassous).
Marpissa is an attractive large village with a Venetian castle and beautiful churches..
During the 10th century B.C. came to Paros the Arkades. The leader of the Arkades was Paros, who nammed the island. Before Arkades, the Cretes had settled and used Paros as a harbor.
The golden age of the island, though, was the 8th century. It was then when the island begun to gain money from the white marble and became one of the greatest nautical forces.
The most beautiful beach of Paros is Kolimpithres. Piso Livadi, Logaras, Pounta, Chrisi Akti, Drio, Ambela, Glifada and Kefalo are some of the wonderful beaches that can be found on the island.
You can rent surfboard on the island for windsurfing. You can also play tennis on the island.
In most of the holiday resorts you can find disco's, pubs and bars. In Paroikia you can find buzukia and in Ambela there are taverns with traditional music.
There are small planes flights from Athens to Paros every day. For more information contact Olympic Airways in Athens tel. (01) 9666666, Olympic Airways in Paros tel. (0284) 21.900. Ferries run daily from Piraeus to Paros (distance:95 nautical miles, duration:5-7h).You can also reach Paros by ferry from Rafina, where there are at least 3 ferry runs a week. For more information contact the Coastguard of Pireus tel . (01) 4226000. From Paros you can reach many islands of Cyclades by ferry.For more information contact the Coastguard of Paros tel. (0284) 21.240.