Paros and Antiparos
Parikia, Livadia and Agia Irini
Parikia
Windmill in parikia
Agia Irini beach
Livadia beach
Parikia, Livadia and Agia Irini
The small beach and village of Agia Irini is located around 5km south of Parikia. The beach is lined with beautiful palm trees giving a wonderful tropical atmosphere. There is a lovely church of the same name standing at the waters edge at the end of the beach. There is a large taverna serving the adjoining beachside campsite which serves a variety of traditional local dishes. Road access to the beach is not the easiest – and the dirt track stops some distance from the beach with the final approach having to be made on foot. The village itself contains just a few houses – although there is a mini market selling essentials on the campsite. The closest alternative facilities are in Parikia.
Parikia – also known as Paros Town or Chora is the capital of the island with around 3000 inhabitants. The small town is the commercial and cultural centre on the island – with its thriving port with ferries and hydrofoils coming and going throughout the day. Built in the style of a large amphitheatre, the town is a jumble of whitewashed cubic and flat roofed houses with coloured wooden doors, window shutters and balconies. A superb whitewashed windmill welcomes visitors to the port and is the trademark image of the island. Numerous tavernas, bars and restaurants line the harbourside which is pedestrianised during the evening.
A few minutes walk from the port area is the traditional Cycladic settlement of Parikia clustered around the Kastro (castle) hill. Typically Cycladic, the area is a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and streets lined by whitewashed buildings with brightly coloured windows, doors and balconies. The last remaining parts of the original 13th Century Kastro are part of one of the walls and a tower. There are many churches in this quarter including the Panagia Septemvriani (The Virgin of September), the Church of Agia Eleni (Saint Helen) and the most important and old of all, the beautiful Byzantine church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani (Our Lady of the Hundred Gates), which is considered as one of the most important Byzantine monument still standing in Greece.
Interesting sites to visit close to Parikia are the ruins of Asclepieio, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Temple of Eileithyia (Truth), the Temple of Zeus Ypatos and more.
Less than a mile to the north of Parikia is the sandy beach of Livadia. There are plenty of sunbeds and beachside tavernas making it a popular escape from Parikia and one of the busier beaches on Paros.
Our accommodation in Parikia and Agia Irini is highlighted on the lefthand side. To view, click the accommodation of your choice displayed in the dropdown, or view alternative resorts and Greek Islands.
Alternatively call us now on 0845 675 2600 and speak to one of our team about available hotels and villas in Parikia and Agia Irini or email: enquiries@islands-of-greece.co.uk.