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Welcome to Paros!
Sitting between Mykonos and Ios/Santorini
is the island of Paros.
Large by Greek Isles standards, it is a quiet cousin to it's more raucous
Cyclades cousins but can offer quite a few charms on its own.
Most of Paros' action
is wrapped around the harbor.
A two-hour ferry ride from Mykonos, Paros lacks of the sophistication
of Mykonos, offers only a taste of the frenzy of Ios and has none of
the spectacle of Santorini. Still, it has a simplistic charm, a sort
of poor-man's Mykonos. Shopping in the old town behind the harbor is
among the best in the Cyclades, the harborside restaurants offer great
candlelight dining at night and there's adequate nightlife to fill the
evening.
As far as being a good party destination, Paros is hit-or-miss. Those
fresh off Paradise Beach in Mykonos will be longing for some daytime
activity. In late June and early July, Paros is popular among Scandinavians;
after that, it's a mix-match of invaders from other parts of the world.
The world windsurfing championships are in August and on the
15th of that month is the island's Dormition of our Lady celebration
that includes a fireworks show.
The crowds are among the youngest in the Greece, primarily early college
years. It's also a bit hard to predict. One moment, it can be filled
with more Swedish people than Sweden and another, it can be hosting
a high school field trip from Germany.
This is one of the few island where the main town isn't an intricate
maze. In fact, the port town is little more than a main strip of restaurants
along the bay and a series of bars down a street at the end of the bay.
That makes it much easier to stagger back to your room after a night
at the bars.
Rooms to Let
The ferry arrives and departs from the harbor town of Paroikia,
distinguishable by a prominent windmill. Most of the rooms are located
on one side of the harbor, while the bars are on the other side. The
tourist office is next to the windmill.
Rooms are rented at a couple of the small towns dotting Paros, but
all the nightlife is contained at the port. One convenient Captain
Manolis Hotel. Located behind the National Bank, it has clean rooms
with a refrigerator for as little as 10,000dr. a night. It's location
is also one of the best in town, about as close a stumble to the bars
as there is in Paros. For more hotels and to book on-line, click on
the "hotels link" at the top of this page.
Antiparos
If Paros isn't to your liking, just a 10-minute boat ride across the
harbor sits Antiparos. A tiny island within site of the dock, Antiparos
has a nightlife scene all its own, albeit on a much smaller scale.
Unfortunately, the boats don't run at night, so it's impossible to
bar-hop between islands. If you party on Antiparos, you must stay there
overnight.
PUB CLUBBING
Paros By Day
The island has a pair of mediocre beaches, neither of which has anything
approaching the frenzy of Mykonos. Christi Akti, which goes by
the more popular moniker Golden Beach, is the nicest, especially
for wind surfers. Windsurfing equipment can be rented and lessons are
offered. There's a wimpy little beach volleyball court and a couple
of quiet tavernas, but that's pretty much it for activity on this beach.
The world windsurfing championships are held on adjacent Tserdakia,
or the New Golden Beach. These are outposts, though, a good hour
bus ride from town.
Most people board a bus for the 45-minutes ride to Pounda Beach.
It has an uninteresting snack bar (be sure and eat in town first) with
a bar providing music and a bit of social activity. In short, it's a
poor imitation of Paradise Beach. Closer to town, just jump on a water
taxi to the beach across the harbor. It's relaxing, that's certain.
Paros By Night
There's one-stop
bar hopping at Paros Rock.
A good night out in Paros starts at the Slammer Bar. It's the
last place on the waterway, just around the corner from the other nightspots.
As its name implies, it specializes in tequiila slammers. It has a dance
floor and a small outdoor patio.
When dance fever hits, Paros Rock is just a block away. Whatever
is lacking in Paros' nightlife is made up for here. More than two blocks
long, it contains several bars under one roof. The disco at the far
end of the bar is the liveliest place on the island.
Looking for sex on Paros? It's easy to find here. The Sex Club is
the island's high-rock dance club. It is locataed right across the street
from Paros Rock.
POST-PARTY – SIGHTSEEING AND THE BEACHES
In addition to the mild activity at Pounda Beach and windsurfing
at Golden Beach is the rocky and secluded Drios Beach.
Very modest accomodations are available at Drios and its visitors are
largely laid-back backpackers
Closer to town is the 6th Century Panagia Ekatontapiliani (Church
of Our Lady of 100 Gates), an imposing structure with churches and a
courtyard. Paros also possesses one of the most bizarre "attractions"
in all of Greece. The Valley of the Butterflies is a massive
meadows that is home to brown-and-white-striped butterflies. Tours are
offered (250 dr.) for anyone wishing to know more about these creatures.
For those who want to walk around a vast landscape on their own with
no hope of ever seeing a butterfly, bus service is available.
The best sunny attraction of Paros is a boat ride away at Antiparos.
Historic caves sit at the south end of the island. Boats leave from
the main harbor (about every hour with a 45-minute trip, 500dr. ) or
Pounda Beach (every half-hour with a 10 minute trip, 200dr.). Buses
go from the Antiparos port for 1000dr.; the caves cost 400dr.
 Next
stop on the Party Bus: Ios
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