Parikia

At a glance: West coast of Paros, the island’s main ferry port and capital. Home to around 4,500 people. Known for the Panagia Ekatontapiliani church, the ruins of a Frankish castle, and being the arrival point for almost every visitor to the island. Best suited to travellers who want to be central for ferries, buses and day trips to the rest of Paros.

Is Parikia worth visiting

Most people who visit Paros see Parikia whether they plan to or not, since it is where the ferry from Piraeus, Naxos or Santorini docks. That is not a reason to rush straight through it. The old town spreads back from the harbour in a maze of narrow, whitewashed lanes, quieter and less polished than Naoussa, with genuine Cycladic character and one of the most important early Christian churches in Greece at its centre. Parikia rewards an evening spent walking rather than a quick stop between the ferry and a bus.

Highlights

• Panagia Ekatontapiliani, the Church of 100 Doors, founded in the 4th century on the site of an ancient gymnasium and rebuilt in the mid 6th century under the Byzantine emperor Justinian the Great
• The Kastro, the ruined 13th century Frankish castle on the highest point of the old town, built partly from the stones and columns of an earlier ancient temple
• The windmill standing at the harbour entrance, the first landmark most visitors see as their ferry arrives
• The Archaeological Museum of Paros, close to the Ekatontapiliani church, with Parian sculpture and pottery spanning the Neolithic period to Roman times
• The old town’s narrow lanes and small shops, best explored on foot in the evening once the day trip crowds have thinned out

Where Parikia is

Getting to Parikia

By ferry: Parikia is the main port of Paros, with regular services from Piraeus and connections to Naxos, Santorini, Mykonos and other Cycladic islands. See the Paros ferry guide for routes and journey times.

By air: Paros National Airport is about 10 kilometres from Parikia, around 10 to 15 minutes by taxi.

Once you arrive: Parikia is the hub for buses to the rest of the island. See the Paros bus timetable, Paros taxi and getting around Paros for onward travel to Naoussa, Lefkes and the beaches.

Where to eat

The streets behind the harbour hold a wide mix of tavernas and cafes, generally better value than the restaurants directly on the waterfront, which cater heavily to passing ferry traffic. Walking a few streets back from the port into the old town usually finds quieter, more local options.

Where to stay

Parikia has the widest range of accommodation on the island, from simple rooms near the port to hotels a short walk from the centre, making it a practical base for visitors who want easy access to ferries and buses. For a private villa elsewhere on Paros, see Paros villas with a private pool.

Beaches near Parikia

Livadia Beach, about 1 kilometre north of the town, is within easy walking distance and is organised with sunbeds and shallow water. Parikia’s own town beach is roughly a 10 minute walk along the coast from the port. Krios Beach, around 4 kilometres north, can be reached on foot in about 30 minutes or by the small boat that runs across the bay in season. None of these currently has its own detailed guide on this site.

Best time to visit

Parikia is busiest in the hour or two around ferry arrivals and departures, so early morning or after dinner are the quietest times to walk the old town. July and August bring the warmest weather and the most through traffic from day trippers; late spring and September offer a calmer version of the same town.