CYCLADES SIGHTSEEING - PAROS

Paros, the third largest of Cyclades after Naxos and Andros, has developed into an important center of tourism in recent years.

Gently rolling hills surround the center and southeast of the island, which is predominately agricultural and is occupied by endless vineyards, and lock within themselves the famous Parian marble.

It has as neighbours Naxos, Antiparos, Ios, Syros, and Delos. It has an area of 184.43 sq.km.

The coastline is indented, with numerous small inlets and two large bays, those of Naoussa in the north and Parikia in the west.

Paros is the island of the famous Katapoliani church.

A broad paved avenue leads to the church of Ekatondapiliani or Katapoliani, one of the most important Byzantine monuments in the whole of Greece and a place that figures largely in legend.

The island's seven communities have, according to the most recent census, 6776 inhabitants. Its major settlements are Paroikia, Naoussa, Lefkes, Angairia, Kostas, Archilochos and Marpissa.

Paros is also famous for its white marble, from which works of art of rare beauty and plasticity were carved in the classical era. The island produces wine, oil, potatoes and cereals.

In most of the holiday resorts you can find disco's, pubs and bars. In Paroikia you can find bouzoukia and in Ambela there are taverns with traditional music.

From Paros, you can reach many other Cycladic islands by ferry.

SIFNOS, ANDROS, AMORGOS, DELOS, IOS, KEA, KYTHNOS, MILOS, MYKONOS, NAXOS, PAROS, ANTIPAROS, SANTORINI, SERIFOS, SIKINOS, SYROS, TINOS, FOLEGANDROS