aros has long been a well-known tourist attraction, one of the favorite islands for visitors, together with Mykonos, Ios and Santorini. The beautiful capital of Parikia, the picturesque fishermen village of Naoussa and the other traditional villages of the island, like Drios, Lefkes, etc. are among its most popular features.

	arikia (or Chora) is the biggest settlement of the island with 3,000 inhabitants. During the summer when the population doubles, life in Parikia becomes more vivid and it's strolls are thronged with colorful and multi- lingual crowds of tourists.

Despite the quick development of the small town during the last few decades, Parikia manage to keep a great part of it's island charm and never ceases to be a town steeped in history.

mong the sightseeings are the Ekantotapiliani church, the Archaeological museum and the Frankish monastery built by the Capuchins around 1700. The coast road leads to the hill of St. Anne with a unique view over the Aegean sea. Here there are the ruins of Delion, a temple dedicated to Artemis of Delos and nearby the ruins of the Asklepeion and the temple of Pythian Apollo. The commercial part of the town lies along the sea front. Here are most of the tavernas, restaraunts and bars, full of life during the tourist season.

	aoussa is one of the most picteresque and elegant villages one can find in the Aegean islands. Naoussa continues to preserve many of the old two-storey houses with their graphic balconies full with potted carnations, basil and geranium. Only ruins of the castle of Naoussa stand today or rather lie since they are halt-submerged by the sea.

Built by the Somaripa family (1386-1516) the sunken stone work provides an attractive background for the multicoloured fishing boats in the little harbour. Small stylish cafes restaurants and bars are decorated with care and in complete harmony with the scenery.

aoussa is definatelly the most cosmopolitan village of the island and attracts many visitors during the summer season. Here we will find many stylish hotels, built with traditional cycladic style and offering all the convinients for an unforgettable vacation. But most of all Naoussa is an entrance to a faschinating world far from the troubles and anxiety of the modern age and a place you will never forget.

	t a distance of twenty kilometers from Parikia lies the seaside village of Drios, at the very southern most tip of the island. Drios is a picturesque little village with plentiful vegetation, surrounded by sandy beaches ideal for relaxation and swimming.

In Drios you will find small hotels and rooms to let, built with the traditional cycladic style, in complete harmony with the landscape. Also throughout the area there are tavernas, restaurants, music bars, installations for watersports like scuba-diving and windsurfing, and travel agencies.

sight to be seen here are the ancient trenches carved in the seashore rocks, to haul up the boats for repair or sheltering. Although it attracts many tourists during the summer months Drios is never really croweded letting the visitor to relax and enjoy the beauty of the landscape along with the clear waters.

efkes, at 200 metres above sea level, is the highest and perhaps the most beautiful village on Paros. It is built in the form of an amphitheatre on the surrounding hills, with gleaming white houses and old churches and monasteries. The main street of the village, which has 500 inhabitants, contains houses and churches dating from the 15th-17th century. The church of the Holy Trinity and the Monastery of St. John Kaparos, of the 16th century should be visited.

Photos and text taken from "Paros - Antiparos" (Toubis Editions)

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