Beaches
Antiparos and Paros have some of the best beaches in Greece. Here’s your guide to the best of the best
Apantima Beach, Antiparos
A pocket-sized beach on Travel & Leisure ‘s list of world’s best, “what Apantima Beach lacks in size, it more than makes up for in charm.” This quaint beach is just to the north of Soros beach, and like Soros is adjacent to a fancy beach resort and restaurant (Beach House).
Golden Beach, Paros
Although you are more likely to go to the closest great beach, Parasporos, on the east side of Paros is Golden Beach (a.k.a. Paralia Chrisi Akti) has been named one of the best beaches in the world by Travel & Leisure magazine. The gold sand stretches for about half a mile, so you can walk until you find your perfect spot. This beach is also famous among windsurfers, thanks to its breezes.
Antiparos Beaches
The beaches in Antiparos can be more pebbly than you’d think, but there are plenty of great spots to relax. Picture the beaches in three zones: The North (close to the largest village), the East (flat, sandy & on the bus route), and the South/West (isolated and dramatic, with cliffs, crags and caves chiseled by the sea).
Tip: In Greece, “organized” beaches have catering from local resorts and tavernas, with amenities like beach chairs, umbrellas and drink service. “Non-organized” beaches are more natural but you’ll need to bring your own supplies. For rocky places or beaches with no shade, you may need a folding chair and umbrella.
And always, always bring water.
Vathis Volos
Vathis Volos is on the South coast just to the west of Agios Georgios, a five-minute walk from Zumbos. Facing Despotikos, Vathis Volos is a great place to watch the sunset (if the wind isn’t blowing). Five minutes to the east of town there is a similar, but more secluded beach called Almira.
Faneromeni
Faneromeni is TripAdvisor’s #1 beach in Antiparos. It is about 4.2 miles east of Agios Georgios on the Southern tip of the island. The challenge: the public bus doesn’t go near there. Also, many people stop short at Sostis, a nice sandy beach on same road, or choose Ubini another standout beach, which shares a dirt parking lot with Faneromeni.
Livadia & Monastria
On the undeveloped west side of the island, there are two almost inaccessible beaches: Livadia and Monastria. These beaches are hard to reach without a car and are often affected by high winds. If you can make it there, you might have either beach to yourself.
Soros
Like most of the East-side beaches, Soros is an organized beach with a fancy resort on the north end and a more laid-back area to the south. This is the largest beach on Antiparos and is very popular especially during high season. That said, It is the closest of the Eastern beaches to Agios Georgios, only 2.5 miles away, and is on the public bus route.
Apantima
A pocket-sized beach on Travel & Leisure ‘s list of world’s best, “what Apantima Beach lacks in size, it more than makes up for in charm.” Apantima is about a mile north of Soros, near the turnoff for the famous Antiparos Cave. It is tiny (and may be crowded during the high season), but is set in a charming cove fully protected from the summer winds.
Glyfa
Going north from Apantima, Glyfa beach is halfway between Agios Georgios in the south and Antiparos town in the north. It is less organized than many of the East-side beaches, but is very convenient—close to the road, on the bus route and is shaded by small trees during the hottest part of the day.
Psaraliki
Psaraliki, Antiparos’ most popular beach, is a short stroll from Antiparos town. Visitors can rent umbrellas and lounges, plus there are many small trees that offer shade from the sun. The gradual descent into the crystal clear sea is perfect for non-swimmers. The south end of Psaraliki gracefully turns into another stunner, Fanari beach.
Panagia
Driving north from Agios Georgios, Panagia is either the last of the East-side beaches or the first of the town’s. It is about 2/3 a mile from village and near the very popular Psaraliki/Fenari shoreline. It’s on the bus route and features numerous tamarisk trees that provide refreshing shade.
Sifneiko & Campers
Sifneiko is a five-minute walk from Antiparos town. It is popular with locals and visitors who want to enjoy an organized beach while watching the sunset. Campers, also called Campsite beach is the most popular of the several nudist beaches in Antiparos. That’s all I have to say about it.
Paros Beaches
Unlike your stay in Antiparos, you won’t have any full free days in Paros. You will have afternoons free. (It looks like you wrap up at 15:00 (3pm) and have a nightly lecture at 19:00 (7pm)). This means late afternoons for siestas, and, if your lectures end on time, sunsets.
Parikia is the main bus hub for the island with routes to Naoussa, Paroasporos, Aliki, Piso Livadi, Chrissi Akti, and Drios. At Naoussa’s Old Port there is a water taxi to 3 of the most popular beaches: Kolymbithres, Monastiri, and Laggeri. For the best rates, purchase bus tickets in advance at the bus terminals in Parikia or from one of the mini-marts in the beach towns. Tickets range from €1.80 to €4.00 depending on the distance. Tickets can also be bought on the bus from the driver for an additional fee.
Parasporos
Parasporos Beach is the best, though not the closest, beach to Parikia. This small beach is a hub of activity all summer long with two beach clubs featuring good simple food, all-day music, and beach parties running late into the night. Parasporos Beach is mostly sandy with some pebbles near the water’s edge and sand again as you wade into the sea. The water is incredibly calm and ideal for swimming. Visitors to Parasporos tend to be younger than at other nearby beaches, mostly in their 20s and early 30s.
Livadia
The main beach in Parikia, Livadia offers a sandy, semi-circular beach with calm water as flat as a swimming pool. Lined with beach clubs, tavernas, lively bars, and hotels, this means that sunbeds and umbrellas are available to rent, though they are often free or incredibly cheap (between €3 to €5) if you order food or drinks from one of the beach clubs. There is also a beachfront campground, which makes this a popular spot for younger travelers.
Kolymbithres & Golden
Beloved for its lunar-like granite rock formations that line the shore, Kolymbithres lies in a bay creates a natural division into two main beach areas, each served by its own beach club, with several, smaller patches of sandy beach in between the rocks. Also called Chrissi Akti, Golden is one of the most beautiful beaches in Paros – a long expanse of fine sand that sparkles in the sun due to its glass-like makeup.
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