Also called Paros town or Chora, Parikia is the capital of Paros island and has about 3000 inhabitants. Parikia was built on the same site where the ancient city and capital used to stand. This little town is the commercial and cultural centre of Paros as well as the main harbour of the island, serving many other islands; for the many connections Paros offer, thousands of visitors are passing every summer by Parikia just to catch a connection for another island.
Parikia is built amphitheatrically around the port and has a typical Cycladic architecture, with whitewashed cubic and flat roofed houses with spare architectural lines and coloured wooden doors, windows and balconies. On the entrance of the port, a superb whitewashed windmill welcomes the visitors and constitutes the trademark of Paros. The bus station and taxi station are located nearby. Numerous restaurants, taverns, cafes, bars and night clubs are lining the one side of the coast road (which is closed for the cars during the evening) while the town’s beach is boarding the second part of the road

A few minutes of walking from the port leads to the heart of the traditional Cycladic settlement of Parikia, which is clustered around the hill of Kastro (Castle). This quarter is typically Cycladic, full of whitewashed two-storey houses with coloured windows, doors and balconies and old mansions, separated by narrow whitewashed streets forming a labyrinth. The castle, called Kastro, was built during the 13th century on the highest point of the town, for its construction, materials and columns from an Ancient Acropolis Temple, which used to stand on the same place, were used. Now days, only a part of the wall and a tower are remaining from the Venetian castle. Many churches are surrounding Kastro such as the Panagia Septemvriani (The Virgin of September), the Church of Agia Eleni (Saint Helen) and the most important and old of all, the beautiful Byzantine church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani (Our Lady of the Hundred Gates), which is considered as one of the most important Byzantine monument still standing in Greece, this church also houses a fine museum.

Holidays in Parikia - Paros, GREECE
Parikia is based in the small capital town of the scenic, peaceful island of Paros. Parikia offers an enjoyable mix of Paros beach resort and authentic Greek small town life. It is centered on the long waterfront promenade and the excellent natural harbour. For most visitors the highlight of Parikia is the old village: a lovely cluster of narrow lanes with traditional, whitewashed houses and plenty of intriguing cafes, shops and galleries. From Parikia you should explore the town square, park, archaeological museum, Venetian castle and pretty churches. The amazing restored cathedral of Ekatontachoni is one of the most famous in Greece, and another highlight. Parikia is ideally placed for visiting the famously photogenic fishing village of Naoussa. Nightlife tends to centre on the tavernas and cafes along the seafront and the harbour area. While Parikia enjoys the best nightlife on the island, Paros is hardly for the non-stop party crowd! Walk up to the church of Agia Anna for superb sunset views and visiting nearby Naoussa, a wonderfully picturesque, photogenic village with a lovely harbour. Parikia is also known as Paros town
Information about Parikia beach
Holidays in Parikia can use water taxis to visit sandy Paros beaches like Krios, Agios Fokas and Martselo beach. Keen sunbathers and swimmers on Parikia often head to Parasporos beach. Another popular Parikia beach is tree-shaded Livadia beach. For quieter beaches try Krios and Agios Fokas along the bay. Most beaches offer watersports and good swimming conditions. Parikia is well placed for the most popular Paros beaches and exploring the scenic peaceful farmland of the interior.
Getting to Parikia - Paros
Being one of the top three destinations of the Cyclades and located in the centre of the archipelago, many ferries go to Paros and thousands of visitors stay or just pass in the island, waiting for a transfer to another island. During summer, daily ferries link Paros with Piraeus and Rafina. From the harbour of Piraeus, Paros is reachable in 5 hours or in 2, 45 hours with a High-speed catamaran. From the harbour of Rafina (second main port of Athens, 1 hour drive from the centre, nearby the new airport) the trip to Paros is shorter. During summer, frequent ferry services operate to various destinations such as: Amorgos, Anafi, Ikaria, Ios, Samos, Koufonisia, Mykonos, Naxos, Rhodes, Santorini, Skiathos, Syros, and Tinos, but also to Crete, Volos and Thessaloniki.