Villa Monaco Paros: Parikia Paros Capital Town Guide
The town of Parikia (or Paroikià) is the capital of the island of Paros with the main port a marina the artistic old town with its diverse forms of architecture. In Parikia there is also the main port of Paros, which connects the island with the port of Athens and with the other islands of the Cyclades archipelago.
WHAT TO VISIT IN PARIKIA
Parikia is one of the main tourist resorts on the island of Paros. There are many places of historical and artistic interest to visit. Among these, the most important is certainly the Basilica della Panagia Ekatontapiliani, whose name means church with 100 gates. The oldest parts of the ecclesiastical complex are the chapel of San Nicola and the baptistery dating back to the 4th century. The main building was added in the 6th century by the will of the Byzantine emperor Justinian. The suggestive Basilica of the Panagia Ekatontapiliani was built on the ruins of the ancient gymnasium and a previous Christian building of the fourth century, of which the remains are visible. Inside there are valuable mosaics and frescoes dating from the sixth and seventh centuries. The Panagia Ekatontapiliani Basilica is located in the center of the city of Parikia, in the port area. While walking through the city alleys, teeming with tourists, stop to visit this beautiful basilica, which will immediately give you a feeling of peace and spirituality.
The Archaeological Museum of Paros, founded in 1960, is today one of the most important museums in Greece, thanks to its precious finds from the archaeological sites of Paros and Antiparos. The finds preserved in the archaeological museum date back to periods between the Neolithic and the beginning of Christianity and include the Nike of Paros, Cycladic statuettes, mosaics, amphorae from a laboratory on the island, and much more. The Archaeological Museum of Parikia also houses artifacts from pottery and sculpture workshops all over the island. In the atrium, there are statues and sarcophagi dating back to the classical and Roman periods, as well as mosaics found in the Basilica of Panagia Ekatontapiliani. Among the most relevant finds, the museum includes the ancient 1.35-meter-high marble statue of Gorgon, dating back to the mid-sixth century and perfectly preserved. According to mythology, Gorgon was a monster that terrified and petrified anyone who dared to challenge him. The statue was found in the temple of an ancient public building in Parikia.
In the ancient Agora of Parikia, which today corresponds to the so-called Market Street, the central shopping street, you will notice in a cross on the right a very particular building, in clear mamo: these are the remains of the Venetian Castle of Parikia, also called Frankish Castle. The Venetian duke of Naxos constructed the castle in 1260 for defensive purposes. Strong walls and a rectangular tower served as its defenses, and it had an elliptical layout. The main feature of this castle is that many elements taken from ancient buildings on the island of Paros and the neighboring islands were used for its construction without regard for their historical or artistic value. the rather common practice in the past, which today leaves nothing short of amazing. The marble elements that cover the walls were taken from the temple of Athena, dating back to the fifth century. B.C. We can clearly distinguish parts of colonists cut into discs and used to build the walls.
THE BEACH OF PARIKIA
The beach of Parikia is called Livadia, and although it is located near the port, the sea is clean and boasts the blue flag. It is a beautiful golden sand beach, mixed with small colored pebbles, equipped with every service. For example, at the Tango Mar, you can make free use of sunbeds and umbrellas by paying a minimum consumption of € 3. There is also a stretch of free beach if you want to bring your umbrella or take shelter in the shade of a tree. Along the road that runs along the beach, you will find some characteristic taverns, restaurants, and bars.
One of the most beautiful things about Parikia is its incredible sunsets over the sea, to be enjoyed until the last second while sipping a refreshing drink, with eyes fixed on the horizon.
NIGHTLIFE OF PARIKIA
Parikia boasts a lively nightlife, which makes it an important tourist center on the island of Paros. The Dubliner is a large structure consisting of various rooms that can hold up to 3,500 people. Among them are the Salsa Bar, for lovers of Caribbean dancing, and the Dubliner, the classic Irish pub where you can sip a good beer while having a chat. Most of Parikia’s nightclubs are concentrated on the promenade; for example, the Evinos, which opens at six in the afternoon, offers softer entertainment on the terrace, where you can admire the fantastic panorama while sipping a drink with pleasant background music, while inside we go wild with rock and funk music at full volume.
Whatever your favorite music genre, spend at least one evening in Parikia! Among the characteristic shops in the center, the clubs on the beach, and the numerous fresh fish restaurants, we are sure you will have unforgettable evenings!