Paros

Situated in the Cyclades island group, in the Aegean Sea, it is a medium-sized island with an area of 196 kilometres and has a population of around 14,000 people. The most densely populated areas are the capital Parikia, and the old port town of Naoussa. It is famous for its beautiful beaches, sculpted rocks and rustic villages, making it a great holiday destination.

With its hot summer climate it is ideal for people who want to have a relaxing beach holiday. The best time of year to visit is between June and September, when the temperature regularly averages in the mid-twenties and there is very little chance of rain. The hottest month of the year is July when the temperature averages 25 degrees and regularly pushes into the thirties. The spring and autumn in Paros are also fairly warm, ideal for those who like to travel in April, May or October.

In 3200 BC, Paros quickly developed into an important Cretan port state, thanks to its crucial strategic location. It was conquered by the Ionians in around 1000 BC, before passing to the Arcadians, sometime in the 9th century. Paros was the birthplace of many of the great ancient poets, including the famous lyrical poet Archilochus, the first person to use personal experience rather than heroes in his poetry. It also exported a large amount of marble to places around the Aegean, which was used to build a large number of famous Greek art. It fought on the Persian side during the Persian wars, before falling to the Macedonians in 338 BC. After this, it passed to the Romans and then the Byzantines, which is when the island became Christian. Then like many Greek islands, it was part of the Venetian and Ottoman empires, becoming a member of the newly formed Greek state in 1821.

Some of the most appetizing local dishes include “Kakavia”, a hearty fish soup that includes a selection of different fishes and vegetables; “Salatouri” a salad that uses ray as its main ingredient; “Karaveles” a snail stew, cooked in tomato; and a variety of delicious pies, made with fillings based on fresh vegetables, greens and cheese. Paros is also famous for the quality of its wines and spirits, with the Parian version of tsipouro, especially good.

This quaint Greek island provides an array of family activities, centred around the incredible nature it is lucky enough to have. The many beautiful beaches on the island offer a range of great watersports, like diving, snorkelling and surfing that the younger members of the clan are sure to enjoy on their family holiday. The island also has other fun activities, like horse-riding and mountain-biking allowing families to explore it from a different angle.

A must-see attraction is the Panayia Ekatondapiliani Cathedral, which is a 4th century church located in the capital, that still remains one of the most important and religious sites on the Greek islands. Naoussa, the former capital, hosts an idyllic harbour and is another destination for travellers to explore. The beaches in Paros are also exceptional, with Kolymbithres Beach, famous for its sculpted rocks and golden sands.

For anyone travelling with friends there is plenty of places to go to in the evenings. These are centred around the capital Parikia and Naoussa a smaller town on the island. There you will find a wide selection of nightclubs, bars and tavernas. There is also many great restaurants for people who want something quieter, all complete with delicious food and gorgeous views, ensuring that there is something in Paros for every taste.