Parikia Port

Parikia (Paros’ main port)

One of the major attractions of this much-visited Cycladic island of Paros is its large, typically Cycladic main town and port of Parikia with its varied but quintessentially Greek attractions.

Parikia, sometimes spelled Paroikia, comes replete with fun and clean labyrinthine maze of narrow streets with many white cubistic houses many with flower pot laden balconies. Also overlooking the port are the remains of a Venetian castle, some and several neoclassical houses, and the stunning church of Panaghia Ekatondapiliani (literally, The Virgin of the One Hundred Gates).

Both along the waterfront and sprinkled throughout the winding back streets of the town are provisioners, shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, and a fine traditional Greek bakery. One of the old neoclassical buildings houses an art school attended by students from all over the world.

The port of Parikia is one of the three ferry hubs of the Cyclades, with boat connections to other island groups as well and is, in general, a very cosmopolitan town on a very cosmopolitan island, which has long had a large foreign community and a very enlightened mayor’s office.