Crystal clear turquoise water at a beach in Paros, Greece

8 Beaches Reviewed

Best Beaches in Paros, Greece

Paros has over 30 beaches. These are the 8 that cover the full range, from dramatic granite formations to quiet family coves, with honest advice on what each one is best for.

Last updated June 2026 · 8 min read

Most beaches in Paros face west or south, the Aegean sunset here is real, not a Santorini cliché. The north coast gets the Meltemi wind, which makes it perfect for kitesurfing but less ideal for relaxed swimming. The south coast has the calmest, clearest water. The east coast is sheltered and local.

Most organized beaches charge €8–€15 for a sunbed and umbrella set, but the beach itself is always free under Greek law. Remote beaches have no facilities at all. A rental car is almost essential for reaching the best ones, the bus network covers the main beaches but schedules are limited.

Kolympithres

placeNorth coast, 10 min west of NaoussawavesDramatic / RockygroupsBusy in July–August

The most photographed beach in Paros. Massive granite boulder formations create narrow channels and natural swimming pools between the rocks. The light in the afternoon turns the water amber. One of the most distinctive coastlines in the Cyclades, nothing else looks like this.

storeFacilities: Beach bar, sunbeds, kitesurfing school

scheduleBest time: Before 9:30am in summer; late afternoon for light

Tip: Arrive before 9:30am in July–August to get a good spot before tour buses arrive. Water shoes are useful on the rock formations. The beach bar at the eastern end opens at 9am.

Faraggas

placeSouth coast, near AlykiwavesSandy / LonggroupsModerate

A long sandy sweep with some of the clearest water on the island. Less organized than the north-coast beaches, fewer beach bars, more space. The taverna at the eastern end serves fresh fish caught the same morning. The beach narrows in peak summer due to low water.

storeFacilities: One taverna at eastern end

scheduleBest time: Morning before the Meltemi picks up

Tip: The clearest water is in the morning before the afternoon Meltemi wind stirs things up. Bring everything you need, no shops within walking distance.

Santa Maria

placeNorth coast, 5km north of ParikiawavesSandy / SurfgroupsModerate, active crowd

The north coast equivalent of Kolympithres, but more active and social. A surf school runs kitesurfing and windsurfing lessons (€40–€60 beginner course). The beach bar is one of the best on the island. The open sea creates bigger waves than the sheltered south coast.

storeFacilities: Surf school, beach bar, sunbeds

scheduleBest time: Morning for swimming; afternoon for wind sports

Tip: The coastal path from Parikia to Santa Maria is one of the most underrated walks on the island, 45 minutes each way, stunning sea views.

Pounda

placeWest coast, near Antiparos ferrywavesSandy / SocialgroupsBusy in summer

Where Paros meets Antiparos. Pounda has developed a social scene around its beach bars and kitesurfing school, DJs on weekend afternoons, a young crowd, spectacular blue water. The Antiparos ferry departs from here every 30 minutes, 8-minute crossing.

storeFacilities: Kitesurfing school, beach bars, DJ weekends

scheduleBest time: Afternoon for atmosphere; morning for quiet swimming

Tip: Beach bars charge €8–€12 for a sunbed set but the atmosphere is worth it. For quiet, arrive before noon. Combine with the Agios Ioannis Detis monastery on the cliff above for one of Paros's most dramatic short walks.

Agios Fokas

placeSoutheast coast, near MarpissawavesSandy / QuietgroupsLow, mostly locals

The best beach for families that most tourists never find. Shallow water extends 50 meters from shore, calm enough for toddlers. One excellent taverna right on the sand (open summer only) serves fresh fish at prices that haven't been adjusted for tourism. No sunbed infrastructure, bring your towel.

storeFacilities: One seasonal taverna, no sunbeds

scheduleBest time: Morning; family-friendly all day

Tip: Best in the morning before the afternoon Meltemi. The taverna opens around 11am and serves until the food runs out. Arrive early for the best fish.

Marchello (Marcelo)

placeWest coast, walking distance from ParikiawavesRocky covegroupsLow, mostly Greek families

A small rocky cove just 20 minutes on foot from the center of Parikia. Shaded by a cliff in the afternoon. Very popular with Greek families on summer weekends but largely unknown to foreign tourists despite being the closest beach to town.

storeFacilities: None

scheduleBest time: Afternoon (cliff shade)

Tip: The approach path is unmarked, walk west on the coastal road from Parikia past the small church of Panagia Tourliani, then follow the path down to the water.

Kalavros

placeSoutheast coastwavesSandy / WindygroupsLow to moderate

Long stretch of southeast coast popular with kitesurfers and windsurfers. Cheaper beach bars than the south coast. The offshore islet of Kalavros is a protected nature reserve with nesting seabirds visible from the shore.

storeFacilities: Beach bars, kitesurfing

scheduleBest time: Afternoon for wind sports; morning for swimming

Tip: Wind and wave conditions are best from May through September, particularly in the afternoon. The beach bars here are more laid-back and noticeably cheaper than Pounda.

Piso Livadi

placeEast coast, near MarpissawavesSandy / ShelteredgroupsLow

A small harbor beach on the east coast with calm water even when the Meltemi is blowing on the west and south coasts. Piso Livadi is a quiet working port with a handful of tavernas and a genuinely local feel. Often the only place to swim comfortably when the wind is strong.

storeFacilities: Small harbor, tavernas nearby

scheduleBest time: Any time, sheltered from Meltemi

Tip: If the Meltemi is making all other beaches choppy and rough, Piso Livadi is sheltered. The tavernas here serve good food at non-tourist prices.

Which Beach Should You Visit?

Best for dramatic scenery

Kolympithres

Best for swimming

Faraggas

Best for families

Agios Fokas

Best for kitesurfing

Santa Maria / Pounda

Best close to Parikia

Marchello

Best when Meltemi is blowing

Piso Livadi (east coast)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best beach in Paros for swimming?expand_more

Faraggas has some of the clearest, calmest water in Paros for swimming, particularly in the morning before the Meltemi wind picks up. For dramatic scenery combined with swimming, Kolympithres is the standout. For families, Agios Fokas has the shallowest, calmest water on the island.

What is the best beach in Paros for families?expand_more

Agios Fokas. Shallow water extends 50 meters from shore, the water is calm, and there is an excellent taverna right on the sand. Marchello is a close second, close to Parikia, shaded in the afternoon, and popular with Greek families. Santa Maria also works well, calm enough for children in the morning.

Are the beaches in Paros free?expand_more

All beaches in Greece are legally public. Most organized beaches (Kolympithres, Pounda, Santa Maria) charge €8–€15 for a sunbed and umbrella set, but you can always use your own towel for free. Remote beaches like Agios Fokas and Marchello have no facilities and are completely free.

What is the best beach near Parikia?expand_more

Marchello is the closest, 20 minutes on foot, free, no facilities but shaded in the afternoon. For a proper organized beach, Santa Maria is 15 minutes by car. For the most dramatic beach near Parikia, Kolympithres is 25 minutes drive and is one of the most photographed spots in the Cyclades.

When is the best time to visit Paros beaches?expand_more

May and early June are ideal, warm enough to swim (22–24°C), beaches are empty, no queues, and the island is at its greenest. September is equally good, still warm (24°C sea temperature), fewer tourists than peak, and the Meltemi wind calms down. July and August are crowded and hot, but that is when the island has maximum energy.

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