Top 5 Paros Outdoor Adventures: A Local’s Guide
Paros, that little gem of an island in Greece, is almost more than just postcard-perfect beaches and whitewashed villages, it’s a real playground for anyone who gets a kick out of being outside, too. We aren’t talking just lounging by the sea – even though there’s plenty of that, actually! What this is really all about are opportunities for exciting experiences, such as hiking up scenic trails, diving into shimmering waters, and catching the Cycladic breezes while windsurfing, and just getting that lovely sunshine glow. This guide should certainly give you, your friends, or your family an idea of a few fun times that you can do on this little island in the Aegean sea. The type of adventures you can only truly have on a little rock such as Paros, believe it or not. So get planning, right?
1. Windsurfing and Kite Surfing at Golden Beach (Chrissi Akti)
Golden Beach, or Chrissi Akti as the locals like to say, very much lives up to its reputation as being one of the prime spots for windsurfing and kite surfing, to say the least, really, due to the consistent Meltemi winds that the island gets throughout the summer months. What this is essentially saying is that people who either have years of experience or are first-timers wanting to feel what it is like to cut through the sea, Golden Beach, so it seems, is just perfect. With its soft sands and clear, sparkling water, it serves up that ideal environment for watersports adventures, for certain. As you are probably thinking, there’s quite a number of watersports centers that operate on Golden Beach and a few that also supply equipment rentals along with a few professional lessons that might be exactly what you need, I guess. Golden Beach should definitely be a must-go for any sort of thrill-seeker.
Local Tip: It’s worth just checking the wind forecast beforehand, as the Meltemi can definitely pick up some, so it might not really be perfect for absolute beginners on certain days, honestly. Also, many choose to explore other nearby beautiful beaches such as, very beautiful Logaras Beach too, which is perfect if certain members of your party want to watch, really.
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2. Hiking the Byzantine Road
The Byzantine Road is a roughly 1,000-year-old trail, no joke, that kind of stitches together the villages of Lefkes and Prodromos. This picturesque trail, is it not, offers hikers a unique opportunity to walk in the literal footsteps of history while taking in what must be the fantastic inland beauty of Paros, actually. This isn’t the Everest expedition, honestly, that would be nuts, but the hike itself can very easily be completed in approximately one and a half hours and, if you ask me, suits pretty much all fitness levels that are out there, just a little bit, really. Passing through olive groves, cute vineyards, and a variety of quite a few native plants, the path gives you some wonderful panoramas along the way. Actually, if you were wondering about seeing parts of Paros away from all the bustling coast, and you fancy experiencing a bit of the island’s rustic character, then this hike will most definitely reward you without any doubt at all.
Local Tip: Be certain to bring water with you, particularly in the hot summer months, actually. Why don’t you maybe start your hike in Lefkes, so it seems, as this enables you to conclude in Prodromos, that has quite a few charming tavernas where one might very well just recharge before the journey home? Oh, and wear sturdy shoes, so it seems, you might hate yourself if you are trying to traverse this one with poor footware. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Paros Hiking Tours)
3. Exploring Paros Park
At the northern tip of Paros can be found Paros Park, which is a protected nature reserve that offers various walking paths, strangely shaped rock formations, and remote, just-out-of-a-movie beaches, too. Arguably the three maintained hiking trails each will offer something kind of unique, such as that Short Route is like a gentle stroll of only 30 minutes or so, yet has what is virtually dramatic coastal scenery that might just leave your mouth agape, it’s said. Slightly differently, the Middle Route could be something that shows off the island’s old WWII watchpoints, which would probably pique the interest of the war buff or your grandpa, for instance. Basically, all this being said, it is still worth your while seeing the Lighthouse Route, which finishes with amazing panoramic vistas from the historic lighthouse. What I’m really trying to say is that anyone can be guaranteed a great time in this wonderful natural reserve which will, without doubt, prove the need for this wonderful area of land to stay preserved for a long time, just because it is there, basically.
Local Tip: It might be a good idea to check out the open-air amphitheater inside the park, that almost certainly features concerts and shows over the summertime, by the way. Additionally, remember the park museum to possibly get familiar with the location’s natural along with cultural background, because it is pretty interesting. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Paros Park Tours)
4. Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) at Santa Maria Beach
That famed Santa Maria Beach is noted just about everywhere because of its crystal-clear, just sparkling waters, fine sands, along with tranquil ambience, making it literally ideal just about all water activity, such as what is really being sold as Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP), or even just floating around, to say the least. Santa Maria delivers quite a few of those secure, sheltered waters suitable just about everyone right from total beginners all the way up to knowledgeable paddleboarders, it is very likely. It appears lots of local centers actually offer gear rentals and simple instructions, and this can then help individuals simply just drift along, taking in those awesome coastal vistas at what basically ends up being a slower pace that seems much better. Essentially SUP, is just great if people just wish to appreciate that all-natural landscape with that extra level of relaxation along with fitness, arguably. Oh, if you like taking underwater selfies, bring your waterproof camera!
Local Tip: To get what many call that unique encounter, then think about signing up to a guided SUP trip round the coastline, which might offer a variety of hidden coves and seashores simply inaccessible otherwise, at all, too, seemingly! If you are up for it, there seems to be regular SUP yoga courses which usually really does mix work out with a few calm and serene Aegean scenery if you might be curious about trying them out! See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (SUP at Santa Maria Beach)
5. Cycling around Paros
For any cyclist wanting an island location that has quite a lot of range in landscapes, you and that mountain bicycle might have located Nirvana with pretty little Paros. This is an island that is actually very compact in size and, even though there seems to be quite a few hilly bits, generally speaking it remains easily navigable by bike for most. A preferred path starts out of Parikia and can head down south to Aliki, after that with the lovely views from the coastline down that way, or what about just finding some little hidden bits inland near Marmara, so that they tell me. Along with these great views as well as some lovely fragrances, cycling might very well enable people to explore what appears to be such hidden treasures like cute chapels and all the vineyards in Paros for that traditional touch, with you on that comfy saddle!
Local Tip: Why not hire the mountain bicycle just so that way the roads may be navigated a lot better as opposed to thin street bicycle tires, very possibly. What about planning ones course so that you can benefit from downhill extends and try to avoid a great deal of the larger roadways in order to be safer as well, to say the least, so be careful. Read our full review: Cycling in Paros Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Paros Bike Rental)
