What is there to see in Paros? The stunning coasts? Sure! The whitewashed towns? Of course! Exceptional views of the Aegean Sea? You know it! Overall, Paros seems like the type of destination wherein once you've seen one, you've seen them all. But it's really not! On the contrary, the Cyclades island is home to a few unique things that you won't find anywhere else. Even if the island seems vaguely similar to the likes of Santorini, Crete, and more, if you look close enough, you'll find those one-of-a-kind spectacles! Keep o the lookout for these five especially!
Panagia Ekatontapiliani
When you think of churches in the Greek Islands, you think of pristine white structures with bright blue domes atop mountains and cliffs by the sea, right? You know, the type that you can see even from a mile away! Mykonos has them, Santorini has them, Crete has them, and yes, even Paros has them. However, there is one on this island that's far from the humble chapels many are used to seeing. The manmade marvel that is Panagia Ekatontapiliani is a historic Byzantine church in Parikia, the capital city of Paros and one of the popular
towns on the island. From its geometric symmetry to its rustic sandy towns, you wouldn't have thought this was a church on a Greek island at first!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Olaf Tausch
Castello Veneziano di Naousa
If you head on over to Naoussa, you'll see another unique structure worth seeing: the Castello Veneziano. this perfectly round donut-shaped Venetian fortress is a sight to behold. You can tell from its stoned walls and precise architecture that it reeks of Medieval influence. Surrounded by the jewel-toned seas and if not for the very narrow and jaggedy stone pathway, you'd sooner think this was a haunted, uninhabited, and isolated island of its own. Yet the Greek flag that proudly waves top its higher tower reminds you that it's a historic part of Greece and of Paros island.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Tiger Moth Butterfly
Historic structures and beautiful churches aren't the only one-of-a-kind things Paros has to offer. The island also houses a unique species that you won't that often in this part of the world. It's the Tiger Moth butterfly, which is actually sort of like a cross between a moth and a butterfly, hence its name. Though the Arctiidae is generally considered a moth, its bright orange and uniquely patterned wings can't help but remind people of butterflies. And here in Paros, there's an entire nature reserve where the Tiger Moth butterflies flutter about. It's called the Butterflies Valley and you can spend an entire day here just marveling at these beautiful creatures!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Kolymbithres Beach
You're probably thinking that
beaches in Paros are a dime a dozen, aren't you? Even though some are more beautiful and more popular than others, they're all basically the same, right? Well, not exactly! At least, not Kolymbithres Beach. The main beach in Paros Park, this coast stands out for its granite rock formations. They make it look like you're spending a day on the moon instead of a beach in Greece. And while they dominate the beach and considerably lessen the white sandy shoreline, their unique natural beauty can't help but draw people in.
Source: Flickr.com/ Marco Verch
Linardo Bar
Finally, there's the Linardo Club. One of the most popular hotspots on the island, many people go here for the aesthetics alone. In fact, even though it's a club, you'll catch more people snapping away for Instagram rather than drinking and dancing. But what about the Linardo Club that makes it such a perfect place for selfies? Its bright pink color scheme. Amidst a sea of whitewashed buildings with stark blue details, this pop of pink stands out even from a mile away. And yes, you won't find any other place as pink as this one, not in Paros and probably not on any of the other Greek islands either!
Source: Linardo Bar Facebook Page
Paros may seem like another Greek Island with nothing new to offer but you couldn't be more wrong about that. The island has a handful of unique places (and even species!) that you won't find in any of the other Cyclades islands or probably in the rest of Greece too!
While it's not exactly unique, your
luxury home in Paros is one you can call your own!
