The Kolimbithres Beach at Naoussa, Paros
Paros belongs to the Cyclades group of the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, it is an oasis of soft hills and stark white marble, and forms the hub of 24-hour Aegean action.The main port and the capital of Paros is Parikia (or Paroikia), a busy little town handling thousands of arrivals and departures by ferryboat every summer. Built in the traditional Cycladic style, the houses are dazzlingly white against the backdrop of the central hills and the harbour provides shelter for numerous fishing, cargo and private vessels. Narrow winding streets lead from the main square just opposite the characteristic windmill at the end of the quay into the main shopping area where you can find souvenirs, modern and traditional clothing, art items and hand-made jewelry in addition to unusually well-stocked supermarkets. Buses leave frequently for all parts of the island, taxis are available from the main square, there are car and bike hire offices and travel agencies organize tours and daytrips on Paros and to the neighboring islands. Banking, post-office, information, telephone and medical services are also all available in the town and there are plenty of restaurants, bars and discos offering a lively nightlife.
Located in a natural harbour on the northern coast of the island, Naoussa is a charming and picturesque fishing village, very popular with visitors, and providing many services including post-office, a branch of the National Bank, travel agencies with car and bike hire, souvenir and jewelry shops and quayside restaurants offering delicious fresh fish, lobster and the traditional ouzo and mezethes (hors-d'oeuvres). There are frequent buses linking Naoussa to the rest of the island and a taxi service operates from just beside the bus terminal in the central square. Here you can find scrumptious pastries and cakes for sale in the little croissanteries surrounding the square and can shop for fresh fruit and vegetables in the nearby street market. Naoussa also has a great night life with lots of venues and opportunities to party.
Golden Beach, one of the most popular beaches for windsurfing in Paros as it has the most windy days of the year, is located in the south-east of the island, one kilometer from the village of Drios. The bay is excellent for beginner, average and advanced windsurfers and is the perfect place to learn to water-start, to jibe, and for jumps outside the bay. The beach is 1 km long and is sandy, so launching is easy. There are two windsurf clubs - Sunwind BIC Center which has available for hire 55 boards and 80 rigs (BIC and custom boards with UP, WindWing and other sails), plus Hobie Cat, water ski-ing and mountain bikes, and the Force Seven station which has 40 boards and 80 rigs for hire (Fanatic and Copello boards and ART sails) as well as Topcat sailing. Much of the material at both stations is renewed annually. Lessons for beginners and advanced windsurfers are offered by both stations and there is a rescue boat available. Facilities include tavernas, rooms, hotels, discotheque and bar; a camping site is planned to be opened in the future. It is a good spot for the whole family, with volleyball contests held frequently during the summer, and is the venue for the annual Golden Fun Cup slalom race. We recommend this site as one of the top three in Paros.
Situated on the north-east side of the island, 3 kilometers from Naoussa, Santa Maria is a large bay offering restaurant, apartment and camping facilities with a large parking area and plenty of space for rigging. The site is suitable for all levels of expertise, although you must be careful not to be swept towards the rocks on the south side of the bay. There is one surf station with Tiga and F2 material for hire - ask for the newer material - plus a rescue boat is also available. Other water sports include banana boat and tubes, there is a swimming pool and a diving club where you can buy or rent diving equipment. The diving school offers full ten day courses (up to YMCA & CMAS diploma Level 4 - Dive Master) and lessons include theory and practice in the swimming pool for beginners before going into the sea. Santa Maria is recommended as one of the top three sites on the island.
