The 8 Best Beaches in Paros

So, you have done your homework on the islands in Greece, chosen a villa on Paros, you have sussed out the prettiest villages,  the coolest bars, where to eat, the cutest boutiques and where your friends are staying, you have even got the day trips by boat arranged. That just leaves the beaches. 

On Paros, you are spoiled for choice – the coastline is long and fertile land slopes gently down to the sea, creating plenty of easily accessible sandy beaches – some fringed with tamarisk trees, others with kite-surfing and wind-surfing,  yet others with umbrellas and cantinas offering snacks and cold drinks.

It takes less than an hour to drive across the full length of the island, which means that there’s nothing stopping you from exploring as much of the coast as possible.

Paros has plenty of variety, and in this article, we share our recommendations for the best beaches in Paros to enjoy when you’re on the island. The guiding factor is wind – the prevailing wind is a northerly, so seek out the sheltered ones for windy days if you want calm seas, or head for the adrenaline surges of the exposed beaches for exhilarating sports and excitement.

Kolybithres Beach

The most famous beach on the whole island is  Kolybithres Beach,  located in the bay of Naoussa on the northeastern coast of Paros, and with lovely views of the water, picturesque rock formations and soft, pale gold sand, the bay is relatively sheltered and it’s easy to see why so many people favour this spot on the coast.

Rent a sunlounger on the sand, spread your towel out on the rocks, or pay a visit to one of the handful of beach bars and cafes right on the edge of the sand. SUP paddle-boards and kayaks are also available to rent if you want to get out on the water, or, of course, you can make the most of the beautifully clear conditions and swim or snorkel.

Kolymbithres beach in Paros does see a lot of tourist traffic over the summer, so be aware that it’s likely to be incredibly busy between June and August. If you don’t fancy arriving very early in the morning to secure a place, this is a beach that is best enjoyed in the shoulder season so that you’re not fighting for space and can enjoy the scenery that makes it so popular.

Santa Maria Beach

Another of the most popular beaches in Paros is Santa Maria, which is also on the northern coast of the island close to Kolybithres Beach. Five minutes north, you’ll also find Mini Santa Maria beach which is just as lovely, although as the name would suggest, it’s also a lot smaller! 

Easy to reach from Naoussa, it’s a great place to spend a sunny day if nearby Kolybithres is too busy to find a space, even during the high season. Santa Maria beach doesn’t have a lot of options when it comes to places to get food and drink, but if you’re looking for things to do alongside swimming and sunbathing, Filizi Island is only  a fifteen-minute walk away and offers a totally wild and unspoiled experience of a tiny circle of land surrounded by the sea.

Santa Maria beach in Paros isn’t particularly protected from the wind, which can mean that the waves get rough and swimming is exciting rather than zen-floating. The good news is that Mini Santa Maria is much more sheltered, so if you do want to take a dip then you just need to walk to the edge of the bay.

Monastiri Beach

If you’re looking for a  large and sheltered part of the coast, then Monastri is certainly one of Paros’ best beaches. Tucked into a small bay in the north of the island with tall, rocky cliffs rising on either side, it’s a wonderful place for swimming and sunbathing.

Monastriri Beach in Paphos gets its name from the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Detis, which overlooks the beach from one of the hills that protect it from the wind. The calm and shallow water, which is great for snorkelling and swimming, as well as the good selection of nearby amenities, means this is a really popular spot for families with young children.

It can get quite busy on Monastiri Beach over the summer, so be aware that this isn’t one of the best beaches in Paros to enjoy peace, quiet and uninterrupted space on the sand! However, in the evenings over the summer, there is often live music at one of the beach bars, making it a fabulous spot for a sunset cocktail and night of dancing.

Golden Beach

Golden Beach unsurprisingly gets its name from the colour of the 700 metres of smooth, golden sand that lines the edge of the bay. Located on the southeastern coast of the island, it’s another of the most popular beaches in Paros, particularly amongst watersports lovers. 

Windsurfing and kitesurfing are high on the list of the best things to do at Gold Beach, or Chrissi Akti as it’s known to the locals. But you can also enjoy swimming and snorkelling or enjoying the relatively quiet and relaxed atmosphere created by the beach’s size.

As one of the biggest Paros beaches, Golden Beach is a great choice if you don’t want to have to fight for space on the sand over the summer and are looking for somewhere that won’t get too noisy or cramped. There are several bars and beach clubs spread around the beach, and the western edge is particularly popular with families because of the shallow and safe water.

Kalogeros Beach

One of the best beaches in Paros that still has something of an ‘undiscovered’ quality is Kalogeros on the southwest coast. If you’re seeking a beach experience with scenery unlike anything else you’ll find on the island, this is the place to visit.

The cliffs that flank Kalogeros Beach on either side are of red and yellow rock, providing a striking contrast to the bright blue water. But what makes this beach really different is that the sand is actually a type of mud that has excellent properties for skin. Many visitors cover themselves in the mud for an hour and then wash it off in the sea, which apparently leaves you feeling brighter and softer!

This is quite a rugged beach in comparison to many of the others around Paros, so be aware that there isn’t the usual collection of beach clubs, bars and cafes nearby. However, the scenery and unique properties of the mud make it an excellent addition to your holiday itinerary.

Faragas Beach

Another of the wilder beaches in Paros is Faragas Beach, also located on the south of the island. There are actually three beaches in this area; one main and then two smaller stretches of sand, making this a great place to visit if you want to avoid any overcrowding over the summer.

This is one of the harder Paros beaches to reach, as you need a car to get there, so it tends to be less busy than other beaches. Once you arrive ,you’ll be treated to golden sand, calm water, green pine trees and protection from the wind.

The main Faragas beach is nicely developed with a beach club and places to rent stand-up paddleboards or sea kayaks. The two nearby coves are much quieter and feel a bit more remote, which is ideal if you just want to relax whilst you’re there.

Punda Beach

Punda, or Pounda, Beach is the place to go in Paros if you’re looking for the liveliest atmosphere on the whole island. A favourite spot among younger travellers, it’s a beach destination on the east coast of the island.

There are two main beach clubs on Punda beach, Punda Coast and Viva Punda, which offer the chance to party on the sand from daytime well into the night. With a pool, several bars, and live music and DJs until the clubs close, this Paros beach is undoubtedly the place to come if you’re looking for a fun experience of the coast on the island.

You don’t have to drink and dance to enjoy Pounda Beach in Paros beach however. There are lovely views of nearby Naxos from the shore, the sand is lovely and soft, it’s sheltered from the wind and there are plenty of loungers on which to relax. 

Lageri Beach

Our final recommendation for the best beach in Paros is Lageri Beach, which is on the northern tip of the island. You’ll have to follow a dusty road through a nature reserve to get here, but once you arrive you’ll fall in love with the beautiful and off-the-beaten-track scenery and atmosphere.

This isn’t a spot that’s on the typical tourist trail, which means that you won’t have to worry about overcrowding or disturbances even if you visit in the summer. It is one of the unofficial naturist beaches in Paros, but it’s a very respectful and relaxed place that can be a good choice if you’d rather not share the beach with families.

Whether you’re looking for somewhere peaceful for the peak season or would rather enjoy a beach without any tourist developments around to interrupt the view, Lageri Beach is a top recommendation for enjoying the coast of Paros in an authentic way.

If you’re thinking about booking a trip to Paros to explore the beaches on the island, Five Star Greece can help you craft the perfect bespoke experience. Find out more about our services or get in touch to start speaking to our team and planning a five-star experience.

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