Best beaches in Paros: the north coastline nobody tells you about

Ask most people about the best beaches in Paros and they’ll point you south. Golden Beach, Santa Maria, Marchello — all great, all well-known, all busy. But the north coastline of Paros is a completely different conversation. Wilder, quieter, and in many cases only properly accessible by sea, it’s the part of the island that rewards those who go looking. And once you’ve seen it, the south side starts to feel a little ordinary.

The famous beaches in Paros are hiding up north

Starting from Naousa — which is already one of the most charming harbor towns in the Cyclades — the north coastline unfolds into a sequence of beaches that most tourists simply never reach.

Kolymbithres is the one everyone’s heard of, and for good reason. The granite rock formations here are extraordinary — shaped by centuries of erosion into smooth, rounded curves that create natural pools right at the water’s edge. The water is crystal clear and the setting is unlike anything else on the island. It gets busy, but arriving by boat means you skip the road entirely and anchor right in front of the rocks.

A short distance further, Monastiri sits inside the bay of Naousa, backed by the ruins of a 15th-century monastery. It has a beach bar, sunbeds, and a relaxed energy that works well for a longer stop. However, if you want something quieter, the real finds are just beyond it.

Perikopetra is technically reachable on foot via the coastal trail through Paros Park — but it’s a scramble, and most people turn back at Monastiri. By boat, you’re there in minutes. A small, cove-like beach surrounded by wild Paros Park landscape, turquoise water, and zero facilities. That last part is the point.

Tourkou Ammos — Turkish Sands — sits just beyond Perikopetra and is one of those beaches that genuinely earns its reputation. A long stretch of soft sand, shallow and unbelievably clear water, and natural shelter from the “Meltemi” winds thanks to the headland of cape Tourkos. Furthermore, because it sits within Paros Park and has no road access, the only people who make it here are the ones who either hike the trail or arrive by sea.

Lageri rounds out the north coast stretch — softer sand, calm water even on windier days, and a location between Naousa and Santa Maria that makes it a perfect final stop before heading back.

Finally, a short cruise takes you to Agia Kali — a tiny uninhabited islet with a small chapel of the Ascension sitting on the rock, its blue dome visible from Kolymbithres beach. What most visitors don’t know is that this unassuming little island has a surprisingly dramatic past: back in 1770, Russian forces under Admiral Orloff used it as their headquarters during their occupation of the Cyclades. It’s one of those places that looks like nothing from a distance and turns out to be everything up close — and it’s only accessible by sea.

Go north: where Paros gets really interesting

Here’s something practical that most visitors don’t know until they’re already on Paros: when south winds pick up, the southern beaches get choppy and uncomfortable fast. The north coast, sheltered by the island’s geography, stays calm. Therefore, a Don Blue Yachting cruise along the Paros north coastline isn’t just a great day out — it’s also the smart call when the weather has other ideas for the south side.

The cruise departs from Naousa port and covers the full north coastline in a half-day — Kolymbithres, Monastiri, Perikopetra, Tourkou Ammos, Lageri, and Agia Kali islet, with swimming stops, fresh fruit and snacks on board, and a skipper who knows exactly where the best spots are on any given day. The best beaches in Paros don’t require a long hike or a lucky discovery. They just require the right boat.

Book your north coastline cruise with Don Blue Yachting and find out what Paros actually looks like from the water.

Find us at social media: Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

 

Best beaches Paros: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the north coast beaches in Paros if you want to avoid the summer crowds?

The north coastline is your answer. Perikopetra and Tourkou Ammos in particular stay quiet all season because they have no road access and no facilities — the only way to get there comfortably is by boat. Kolymbithres and Monastiri get busier, but even those feel completely different when you arrive by sea rather than by road.

s it worth hiring a private boat just for the north coastline?

Not all of them — but the most secluded ones on the north coast are. Perikopetra and Tourkou Ammos are officially accessible only on foot via the Paros Park coastal trail. By private boat with Don Blue Yachting, you get there directly, without the hike, and you can leave whenever you want. It’s a straightforward choice.

When is the best time to visit the north coast beaches in Paros?

The north coast works well throughout the season, but it becomes especially valuable when south winds make the southern beaches choppy. Tourkou Ammos in particular sits in a naturally sheltered position thanks to the Cape Tourkos headland, meaning it stays calm even on days when the rest of the island is windy. Your Don Blue skipper will always know which spots are working best on any given day.

Why does everyone keep talking about Kolymbithres beach?

The granite rock formations. Centuries of erosion have shaped the rocks into smooth, organic forms that create natural seawater pools right at the shoreline — it’s a genuinely one-of-a-kind landscape. The water is clear, the setting is dramatic, and arriving by private boat means you get there before the road crowd and anchor right in front of the rocks.