Overview

Paros Beaches Overview

Paros has a mix of wide sandy strands and pocket coves, so choosing the best beaches in Paros depends on the day’s wind and what you want to do. When the meltemi picks up, the south and west coasts are usually calmer for swimming; when it’s lighter, the north and east shine for long beach days and water sports. 

Around Naoussa, you’ll find sculpted coves and serviced shores, while the east side offers long, open beaches with space to spread out. Near Parikia, Livadia is walkable from town, and Krios or Marcello are quick hops for clear water and sunset swims. Most organized Paros beaches rent sunbeds and umbrellas; smaller coves rely on natural shade. Plan one or two areas per day, check wind direction in the morning, and match your base to the vibe—quiet south, sporty east, or easy access near Parikia.

Naoussa Paros Beaches North Coast Highlights

The Naoussa Paros beaches cluster around a vast bay with options for different days. Kolymbithres is the family pick: a chain of shallow coves between smooth rocks, easy for kids and snorkelling when the sea is calm. Arrive early for parking and shade, or come by boat taxi from Naoussa when it’s running. 

A few steps away, Monastiri sits inside the protected cove of Paros Park, with organised areas, a gentle slope into the water, and access to marked coastal trails for short walks between swims. Wind is usually lighter here than on the open East Coast, so it’s a safe bet on breezy afternoons. 

For a livelier setup, Santa Maria spreads along the northeast with long sand, clear water, and seasonal services; in peak months, it adds a light beach-club energy without turning into a whole party scene. Choose Santa Maria for groups who want space, watersports, and easy sunbed rentals; pick Kolymbithres or Monastiri for relaxed swimming and shorter transfers from town.

 If you’re aiming for the best beaches in Paros, this north coast trio covers most needs—calm coves, serviced shores, and room to move—within a short drive or quick boat hop of Naoussa.

East Coast Golden Beach and New Golden

On the east side, Golden Beach and New Golden (Tserdakia) are easy picks for the best beaches in Paros if you want space and steady wind. This stretch is the island’s windsurf zone: when the meltemi is up, conditions suit confident riders and lesson groups, with rental huts and rescue cover in season. 

Swimmers still get good water, but plan around the breeze—mornings are usually calmer, and the lee ends of the bays often stay manageable even when the middle is choppy.

For longer beach days, both shores offer broad sand, organised sections with sunbeds and umbrellas, showers, and simple food options. There’s room to spread out beyond the serviced parts if you prefer your setup. Families do well on lighter-wind days; the slope into the sea is gradual, and visibility is good for basic snorkelling along the rocks.

If your main goal is windsurfing or SUP, New Golden is the focused choice; if you want a mix of swimming and services with a similar outlook, Golden Beach has slightly more room and multiple entry points. 

Parking sits behind the dunes or along the access roads—arrive earlier in July–August. For an evening plan, keep the return simple: rinse off, then head to Piso Livadi or back toward Naoussa for dinner. These east-coast classics remain among the best beaches in Paros for active days that still feel easy to manage.

South Coast Aliki and Faragas

On the south coast, Aliki and Faragas are the safe choices when wind picks up elsewhere. This side is usually less exposed to the meltemi, so the sea stays flatter and clearer—good for kids and for longer swims. Aliki spreads around a small harbor with a few sandy pockets and very sheltered entries; it suits families who want easy access, nearby cafés, and a relaxed pace. 

You’ll find natural shade from trees in places, plus organized sections with sunbeds and umbrellas in summer. The shallows warm quickly, and there’s space for a stroller-friendly walk along the waterfront before or after a swim.

A few minutes west, Faragas offers a string of low-key coves with clear water and an organized central strand. The slope into the water is gentle, visibility is good for basic snorkelling along the rocks, and the bay often feels calmer than the north and east coasts on breezy days. 

Arrive on the early side in July–August for easier parking and front-row spots; bring a little cash for sunbeds if you don’t plan to self-setup. If your short list of the best beaches in Paros includes quiet water, simple logistics, and a taverna scene that doesn’t rush you, this south-coast pair is hard to beat—swim, eat, and linger without a long drive back to town.

Parikia Side Livadia Krios and Marcello

For an easy beach day near town, Livadia is the straightforward choice. You can walk there along the promenade in 10–15 minutes, settle on sand with a gentle entry, and use the cafés for shade and simple lunches. 

It suits families and anyone who wants a swim without dealing with parking. If the breeze picks up or you want clearer water, cross the bay to Krios and Marcello. These twin coves are a quick taxi or drive from the port, and a daytime water-taxi often runs in season when conditions allow. The curve of the peninsula usually keeps the sea calmer than the town side, which makes it a good option for longer swims and easy snorkelling by the rocks. 

Sunbeds and umbrellas are available in organized sections, with plenty of room to lay a towel beyond the front rows. These bays also face the right way for sunset swims—light lingers across the water, and the wind tends to drop toward evening. In July and August, arrive earlier for parking and bring a little cash for sunbeds.

 For dinner, rinse off and head back to Parikia’s seafront; you can be at a table within minutes.

Quiet Coves and Snorkeling Spots

For calm water and short swims, aim for the quiet coves around Paros Park. Between Monastiri and the headland you’ll find small inlets with rock shelves and sandy pockets—easy entries when the sea is flat. Nearby Kolymbithres has micro-coves between smooth boulders that suit quick snorkeling laps close to shore. 

On breezier days, switch to the south side: the leeward corners near Aliki and Faragas often hold better visibility when the meltemi is up. Around Santa Maria, the ends of the bay have rocky fringes where fish gather; stay inside swim zones and give boat lanes a wide berth.

Timing matters. Go early morning for the clearest water before the wind and traffic build. Pack a mask, simple fins, and water shoes for rocky entries. Enter from sand patches rather than jumping off rocks, and watch for sea urchins along ledges. Keep a bright float if you plan to swim beyond the first reef, avoid fishing lines, and don’t touch coral or marine life. Use reef-safe sunscreen, hydrate, and keep sessions short on windy afternoons. 

With a bit of planning, these tucked-away spots deliver easy snorkeling without long drives—just pick the sheltered side of the island and stay close to shore.

Beach Logistics That Matter

In peak months, arrive early and use edge parking rather than squeezing into sandy pull-offs; never drive onto dunes. Organized strands list sunbeds and umbrellas at the entrance—some run on day rates, others on minimum spend—so check the sign first. 

Bring a bit of cash for rentals and small cafés; most places take cards, but terminals can be patchy on windy days. For shade, larger beaches have tamarisk trees; otherwise, pack a travel umbrella and anchor it well if the meltemi rises. 

Accessibility varies: boardwalks and gentle entries are common at Golden Beach and Santa Maria; Aliki and Livadia suit strollers; rockier spots benefit from water shoes. Lifeguards operate in season on busier shores—follow flags and keep swims short when the wind builds. A simple kit (dry bag, reef-safe sunscreen, 1–2L water per person) keeps beach days easy.

Where to Stay for Beach Days: Paros Villa Picks by Coast

Choose Naoussa's side if you want fast access to the north coves—Kolymbithres, Monastiri, and Santa Maria—plus short evening hops into the harbor. Pick the East for wind-driven days at Golden and New Golden; it’s the natural base for windsurf, SUP, and long sandy walks. 

Go South (Aliki, Faragas) for calmer seas and sheltered entries that suit younger swimmers. Stay near Parikia or Krios/Marcello if you want town convenience with quick sunset swims. 

All four bases keep you close to the best beaches in Paros without long transfers across the island. If you’re comparing Paros beaches by vibe, our team can match you with villas on Paros in each zone and line up drivers, beach gear, and boat days so you focus on the fun, not the logistics.