Paros: Exploring Naousa & the north of the most ‘marblellous’ Greek island

A TRAVEL GUIDE TO PAROS ISLAND, GREECE
[PART 2|2]

Οn the quaint port of Naousa, along the north shores of Paros, fishermen are unloading the catch of the day. Cooks from the village’s traditional tavernas and chefs from the village’s chic restaurants are placing their orders for the day. Next to the fishing boats, small passenger boats are getting ready to greet early risers eager for a morning swim on the beach on the other side of the bay. Inside the labyrinth of narrow streets in the village, bakeries are preparing fresh bread and scrumptious pies. Next door, visitors from all corners of the world are enjoying their breakfast in the newest boutique hotel. Another summer morning in Naousa, Paros.

Paros offers world class amenities to all kinds of travellers while still manages to feel authentic. Walking around Naousa, we got glimpses of traditional island life against a perfect backdrop of Cycladic architecture and landscape. Sounds idyllic? Let’s explore Naousa and the north side of Paros.

There is quite a lot to see and do in this beautiful island. In this blog post, we are focusing on the quaint port of Naousa and the north side of Paros. There are two more blog posts covering general information about the island such as how to get there etc and also island hopping trips starting from Paros. Lastly, a blog post focusing on the capital of Paros, Parikia, and the south of the island is coming soon.

WHAT TO DO IN NAOUSA & THE NORTH OF PAROS?

There is a rule of thumb when it comes to island life, a condition common to many parts of the world. Frequently windy and wavy, the north shores of so many islands around the world remain barely inhabited and… wild. However, that is certainly not the case for Paros. The wide bay where the cute port of Naousa is located is a haven for boats and host to a variety of stunning beaches.

Naousa is the second largest settlement of the island, a lively hub of activity for locals and visitors alike. Naousa is also a great base for exploring the north side of Paros.

EXPLORE NAOUSA

Naousa is a picture perfect seaside Cycladic village. A working fishing port where boats bob up and down gently on the water next to cute cafés and taverna tables. At the edge of the port, the semi-sunken Venetian fort adds to the fairytale charm and creates a barrier to occasional waves.

Hide from the sun and wind on the back streets behind the port. A labyrinth of narrow cobblestone alleys and bougainvillea ridden whitewashed houses with colourful windows and doors awaits to be explored. While the town is not car-free, its historical parts are only accessible to pedestrians. Needless to say, Naousa is quite small and you can explore it all on foot.

Charming Naousa is small enough to explore in a day but large enough to provide a different dining, drinking or shopping venue for every day of summer. Ok, maybe not every single day of summer but, there are many traditional tavernas and cool cocktail bars. There is also a (smaller but) good selection of upscale restaurants and chic boutiques for those who love a pinch of glamour in their holidays.

On the topic of shopping, make sure to have a look at the natural soaps in Aelia, pretty ceramics in Plori and accessories in Artisun.

Visit Naousa in the morning and enjoy take away from a traditional bakery or a more leisurely breakfast in one of the cafés by the sea. A morning walk around the village will enable you to admire and photograph the cute whitewashed houses gleaming in the glorious sunlight.

On the contrary, an early evening walk, before sunset, will have you enjoy the village bathed in soft golden and purple hues! Afterwards, enjoy dinner and drinks al fresco on the seaside, in a courtyard or on the tiny pavements. Bliss!

SPEND THE DAY AT THE BEACH: KOLYMPITHRES, MONASTIRI, SANTA MARIA, MIKRI SANTA MARIA, AMBELAS

While staying in Naousa, we visited some of the north side of Paros’ most famous beaches: Kolympithres, Monastiri, Santa Maria, Mikri Santa Maria and Ampelas; all popular for very different reasons. There are a lot more beaches nearby, if only we had the time to explore them all! If you are keen on peace and quiet, you might wish to try Lageri beach (which we unfortunately missed). Lageri is known for sand dunes and solitude (and that is why nudists like it); it is accessible via a short hike.

KOLYMPITHRES BEACH

Kolympithres (which means swimming holes in Greek) is a series of beachy bays featuring soft sand, turquoise waters and peculiar rock formations sculpted by the sea and wind into strange smooth shapes. The unique lunar landscape combined with the array of small sandy coves make Kolympithres one of the must places to visit for swimming in Paros. In fact, this beach is quite famous throughout Greece, and as you may know, when it comes to Greek beaches, competition is quite high!

Kolympithres can be accessed by car / taxi / bus via a 10min drive from Naousa where you can also find boats (caiques) making the quick ride across the bay at regular times throughout the day (at time of writing: 3€ per person one way). If you don’t like getting your towel sandy, there are umbrellas and sun loungers available for rent as well (at time of writing: 15€ for 2 sunbeds + umbrella).

If you are visiting Paros in high summer, note that Kolympithres get quite busy and the small coves quite cosy. Head there early in the morning or later in the afternoon for some peace and quiet.

MONASTIRI BEACH

Monastiri might not have the impressive landscape of Kolympithres nor the spaciousness and length of Santa Maria, yet it was my favourite beach amongst the three. The sheltered cove is dead calm even when strong north winds blow (and that happens a lot!) and the shallow turquoise waters and soft sand guarantee hours of carefree swimming and frolicking! The beach also offers a beautiful view of Naousa across the bay.

Even though you can’t tell from my photos, there is a wide sandy area where you can find loads of umbrellas and sun loungers (which I did not photograph to avoid capturing people in their bathing suits!). However, my fiancé and I were particularly enamoured by the few tiny ‘private beaches’ that one can find (if you are quick enough) on the side of the bay.

We also particularly liked having lunch at Monastiri Beach House. The bohemian chic restaurant and beach bar offers scrumptious cuisine, cocktails and coffees and also provides sun loungers and umbrellas for a fee. Various motorised and non-motorised water sports can also be found.

Monastiri beach can be easily accessed by car / taxi / bus via a 20min drive from Naousa where you can also find small boats (caiques) making the ride across the bay at regular times throughout the day (unless it’s really windy). We visited Monastiri beach on multiple occasions, starting from Naousa. We paid 12€ for a taxi whereas the boat costs 3€ per person -all prices are one way.

SANTA MARIA BEACH

Santa Maria is a beautiful beach; a long, wide stretch of soft white sand with beautiful clear blue water. However, I must say that not everyone will enjoy spending the day on this beach which is famous for partying and windsurfing.

Even though we happened to visit on quite a relaxed day, I know that this is the exception rather than the rule. Generally, there is quite the party vibe with loud music and younger clientele going on. Sun beds were also fairly expensive (at the time of visiting: 2 sunbeds + umbrella for 25€) and the beach bar service and amenities were basic which is a shame compared to the impressive natural beauty of the beach.

Santa Maria beach can be easily accessed by car / taxi / bus via a 15min drive from Naousa. As I hinted earlier, if you are keen on swimming and relaxing, the beach will be best enjoyed on non-windy days. Not only that but, especially during high season, head to the beach early in the morning, before the party crowd arrives.

MIKRI (SMALL) SANTA MARIA

Mikri in Greek means little. This is a small beach within the Santa Maria bay where the previously mentioned main beach is also located. It features soft golden sand and crystal clear water. However, unlike its larger counterpart, mikri Santa Maria is a lot calmer; no parties, music or beach bar for that matter. If you wish to have something to eat or drink, you will have to head further inland behind the bushes and sand dunes.

We really liked mikri Santa Maria, it is a very pretty beach. However, for that reason, in high season, you should either get there early or reserve sun loungers and umbrellas in advance. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of space to put your towel down and most sun loungers get taken in no time -prices vary.

It took us about a 20min walk from the main Santa Maria beach to the small one. By car, it will take you 20mins from Naousa. The bus from Naousa stops in Mikri Santa Maria even though the stop is not noted on the schedule; double check with the driver (most of them speak good english).

AMPELAS BEACH

Ampelas (or Ambelas) beach is known for its shallow, calm waters; this protected sandy bay with the crystal clear water is a great choice for windy days.

To be fair, Ambelas is a good choice for any day. The main draw is having fresh fish for lunch in one of its two fairly upscale beach restaurants, Blue Oyster and Aspro. We had lunch in Blue Oyster and really enjoyed it. Both venues also offer sun loungers. At the time of writing, a pair of sun loungers with an umbrella will set you back around 30-40€ and 50€ respectively. In high season, it is best to give them a call and reserve. Nevertheless, there is quite a lot of space for nonchalantly placing your towel on the soft sand!

Ambelas beach is just a 10min drive from Naousa. The local bus can also take you there.

ENJOY LOCAL NATURE & ITS GIFTS

While I am totally happy with just swimming, eating and drinking all day, variety is the spice of life. Luckily, there are plenty of other things to do, just a moment’s throw from Naousa.

If you are feeling active, you can go hiking, sailing or horse riding. Check out the hiking trails listed in the official Municipality of Paros’ website or grab yourself a Terrain Map (my favourite maps for Greece, in waterproof paper). While I don’t have any recommendations regarding sailing companies, as far as horse riding is concerned, I have heard quite good things about Thanasis Farm, near Ambelas beach.

Seeking something milder? Local Moraitis Winery on the outskirts of Naousa offers a variety of wine testing sessions. I tried a few of their white wines during my visits in Paros and really enjoyed them.

Lastly, if you are foodie, a tour and meal in Petra Farm (πetra farm) might be of interest to you. This is a family-run sustainable farm near Kolympithres beach specialising in the production of organic Mediterranean crops. Some of their produce can be found in their little shop in Naousa; judging from that little corner of delicatessen heaven, I bet this will be a nice experience to have.

WHERE TO STAY IN NAOUSA & THE NORTH OF PAROS?

In the last decade or so, quite a few hotels have been constructed in Paros, most of them boutique hotels and residences designed in typical Cycladic style. Therefore, as long as you don’t leave booking to the last minute, you should not have a problem finding something suitable.

STAYING AT PAROS CAPE SUITES

During our latest visit to the island, we stayed at Paros Cape Suites, a brand new boutique eco-friendly hotel set in a seaside location just a few minutes from the centre of Naousa. The hotel’s architecture showcases Cycladic minimalism perfectly. More importantly, its ethos reflects upon the principles of sustainability and waste reduction.

We stayed in one of the triple superior rooms overlooking the sea. It was spacious and beautifully decorated. However, what really stood out was our luxurious private infinity pool complete with sun loungers, a stunning view of the deep blue sea and endless photo opportunities!

The hotel’s efforts to promote a more planet friendly way of providing a luxurious experience to guests truly impressed us. There are several initiatives for cleaning and maintenance. The manager offered us a complimentary bottle of delightful local wine just for agreeing not having our sheets changed every single day. Needless to say, we would have agreed to this anyway. Furthermore, the hotel offers guests complimentary bikes. We also received good quality beach towels and reusable water bottles for us to use but also take home!

I should mention that in Paros Capos Suites breakfast feels like going to a hip cafe with scrumptious choices served in a cute, modern space. There is also a really cool gym. Last but not least, the stuff was hospitable, polite, helpful and just, you know, nice to have a chat with.

All in all, we had the nicest stay in Paros Cape Suites. I definitely recommend it and would go back in a heart bit.

STAYING AT BOHEMIAN BOUTIQUE HOTEL

During one of our earlier visits to Naousa, we stayed in Bohemian Boutique Hotel for six days. Located in a peaceful street in the centre of Naousa, Bohemian Boutique Hotel aims to combine Cycladic design and traditional Greek hospitality with the coveted bohemian lifestyle. I think it did a pretty good job at that.

Our room was specious and beautifully furnished and the staff kindly upgraded us from a street to a sea view room with a ridiculously sized in-room hot tub, as they had availability at the time. How can I not endorse a business that aims to provide the best experience possible to every single customer?

Nevertheless, what I particularly liked was the bar and swimming pool area where we had breakfast, drinks and a quick dip or two in the pool. That lovely patio was comfortable enough for all sorts of activities. It was great for sunbathing and relaxing with a good book, working on your laptop or exchanging tips with fellow travellers over sundowners or morning coffee. And that for me is one of the things that made Bohemian Boutique hotel actually suitable for the bohemian souls amongst us. The fact that the breakfast and cocktails were scrumptious didn’t hurt either.

Overall, we had a lovely stay in Bohemian Boutique hotel. Its cool design, welcoming staff, great location and good value, makes me urge you to check it out.

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACCOMMODATION IN NAOUSA & THE NORTH OF PAROS

While doing my research, Sandaya Luxury Suites in Naousa caught my eye; it is a sister property to Bohemian Boutique Hotel and has a similar vibe. Furthermore, Anemomylos Residence looked worthwhile too. Last but, certainly, not least, Cove Paros just outside Naousa, Parilio near Kolympithres and Seven in Santa Maria feature eye candy architecture and luxurious amenities making for idyllic albeit more pricey options.

WHERE & WHAT TO EAT & DRINK IN NAOUSA & THE NORTH OF PAROS?

How can so many restaurants, cafés and bars fit in such a small place? On our first evening in Naousa, we were actually quite overwhelmed! Happily, everywhere we sat down for a drink, snack or dinner proved to be an excellent option.

RESTAURANTS IN NAOUSA, PAROS

On the waterfront:

Barbarossa is one of the more upscale dining options in Naousa offering seafood in a beautiful setting. We had scrumptious lobster pasta and appreciated the great service. Barbarossa is located on the same bay as the restaurants I will mention next, yet it somehow feels removed from the hustle and bustle; it’s perfect for a romantic evening.

Tsachpinis (Τσαχπίνης) is an elevated take on the Greek taverna, located right in the middle of the action. We loooooved the giant fresh fish we had along with all the traditional mezedes (Greek tapas). I would go back in a heartbeat.

Sigi Ixthyos (Σιγή Υχθύος) is another great option for fresh seafood and traditional dishes, located between Tsachpinis and Barbarossa. Along with the tasty food, we loved admiring the boats bobbing gently up and down on the water under the golden sunset hues.

In Naousa’s alleys:

Stilvi (Στίλβη) is another upscale dining experience I would definitely recommend. Located inside a beautiful courtyard, we enjoyed expertly presented, tasty modern Greek dishes. Stilvi offers a different ambience to most venues of Paros. I dare say that it reminded us of Mykonos, though the clientele was a lot more down to earth!

Palia Agora (Παλιά Αγορά) is the cutest little restaurant modelled after the traditional Kafeneion (the Greek version of a pub). Its small wooden tables are set on the pavement in nooks and crannies of the labyrinth of alleys nearby. It is awesome and very popular! The traditional mezedes (Greek tapas) are finger licking; we loved the octopus in red wine and tomato balls.

Luaz is an elegant restaurant combining fresh local seafood and special meat cuts from select international farms. Located on a charming square, Luaz makes for a perfect romantic evening under the starry sky. Lovely service and food.

BARS & CAFÉS IN NAOUSA, PAROS

On the seafront, close to the above mentioned restaurants:

Have a cocktail in Barbarossa (the bar, not the restaurant) or in San Fos; the nautical vibes and view of the sunset are awesome. Also, consider yourself lucky if you manage to get one of the tables next to the cute boats in Karnagio or Methystra. Last but not least, Agosta‘s fig G&T was pretty good as is the fact that you can walk through the bar and onto the other side of the bay where the tables are laid on the pebbly beach! Agosta’s terrace on the first floor offers a great viewpoint and a way to escape the crowds.

In Naousa’s alleys:

Sousouro is a very cute café / brasserie kind of place, offering light meals and drinks all day. Furthermore, neighbouring cafés / bars Toca, Trickster and Kosmos are perfect for people watching and also very photogenic.

BEACH BARS & RESTAURANTS

As I mentioned earlier, we really enjoyed our lunch in Monastiri Beach House which serves refreshing mediterranean flavours in a relaxed beachside setting in Monastiri beach. In Ampelas beach, Blue Oyster and Aspro are also perfect for seafood lunch and a glass of rosé.

FINAL THOUGHTS

So, there you have it. I hope this was helpful! If you have not already read the first part of my Paros travel guide, make sure you do. It covers general information about Paros such as how to get around and how to get there. I also discuss staying in Parikia VS Naousa, a question which I am sure you have!

Nevertheless, if you have already read both parts of the Paros travel guide, head over to my suggested island hopping itineraries starting from or (ending in) Paros! See you on the next one!