Parikia

Parikia is the capital and the main port of Paros island.

Panagia Ekatontapiliani church.

The old town of Parikia is considered to be the biggest in the Cyclades. You will find alleys untouched from the touristic wave that reduces the beauty of these settlements.

• 🌍 Church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani (Church of 100 doors). the largest, most important and one of the best-preserved early Christian monuments in Greece, dating to the 6th century. According to legend, the original church was built by St. Helen, the mother of Constantine the Great. It was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1773. The Byzantine Museum is housed in its basement. (updated Jul 2024)
• Archaelogical Museum. Visitors can admire finds dating as far back as the Neolithic era. 
• Valley of the Butterflies. A green oasis near Parikia, it is an important biotope of the beautiful Tiger Moth species (Panaxia quadripunctaria). 

• 🌍 Greek Water Yachts, ☏ +30 6977206845, greekwateryachtsinfo@gmail.com. Boat rental with skipper. (updated Mar 2019)

• 🌍 Bountaraki (at the southern end of the beach strip, on the left). Tu — Su, 14:00-23:00. Lively place with home-like atmosphere and a small menu of lovingly executed Greek dishes. Fills up quickly for dinner, mostly with locals. Mains €10-20. (updated Jul 2024)
• 🌍 Masete, on the main road to Naoussa, across from Kritikos supermarket. 7:00-24:00 daily. Grilled standards such as pork, chicken, sausage and meatballs, served in a pita, on a stick, as a platter - but also burgers (US Angus), veal, sheep and kokoretsi (entrails). Sides and starters too. Mains €10-15. (updated Jul 2024)

The Jazz Bar on Market St serves a great Martini.

The Pirates bar in the narrow roads of the Market plays the best jazz music and offers a great lounge environment.

Alexandros Cafe is a unique cafe in an old windmill with a view of Parikia and the sunset.

Marina Cafe. (updated May 2021), close to the ferry quay and opposite the yacht marina, serves good coffee and even better breakfasts.

Sativa Bar, cool, quirky bar with lovely courtyard.

Be aware of rental scams, especially with agencies working only with motorbikes and ATVs. Using these types of vehicles is very common on Paros and there are a lot of rental agencies. Some of them are ready to cheat. They will offer faulty motorbikes or ATVs for a lower price, but in case of accident they will demand that the customer pay for the whole cost of damage. They are offering only basic insurance but will present it like full insurance. Also, there is a big possibility of serious injuries.

It is possible to recognize these rental agencies by observing them aggressively attracting tourists and offering lower prices than others. Employees in front of these type of agencies will be loud and ready to promise everything until the contract is signed. It is necessary to check the vehicle before making any decision. Their vehicles are in most of the cases dusty, dirty and look old.