Naoussa Village Paros

Naoussa, the second largest Paros village, is found in a large bay in the northern part of the island about ten kilometers from the capital Parikia.

Built as an amphitheater around the port in the Byzantine era, it was fortified with imposing walls that led to a Venetian bastion of the Kastelli as witness of some parts that resisted the time of great archaeological and historical interest. With a recognizable Venetian architecture seen the domination for several years, despite the arrival of modernity, it still remains a place where the past and tradition are not suffocated by progress. Naoussa boasts the largest fishing fleet of all the Cyclades Islands and in 1770 it was also home to the Russian fleet during the occupation. Nowadays, the Naoussa port is still full of colorful fishing boats that in jargon are called caiques and many inhabitants still dedicate themselves to this ancient art, delighting the palates with fresh fish and abundant seafood. In the picturesque port, the old warehouses once used as garages and where fishermen stored their equipment, have now been converted into typical or more avant-garde taverns, restaurants, bars or the characteristic ouzerie where you can 'drink excellent ouzo accompanied by appetizers (mezedes in Greek) based on local products.

Like most Cycladic villages, Naoussa has low white houses that reflect the light creating suggestive auras, with splashes of color for the inevitable bougainvillea, narrow and labyrinthine streets that lead to ancient buildings. On the square in the shadow of large eucalyptus many local craft shops where you can find a particular souvenir to take home to remember your holidays in Greece and the church of Pantanassa. On the hill instead you can see the Church of the Assumption dating back to the nineteenth century, built on the ruins of a previous sacred place, it was made up of a single nave with a fully tiled dome. Inside an icon in marble material of which the island of Paros is particularly rich and a silver icon representing the Virgin Mary. In addition to this beautiful church, near Naoussa there are six other monasteries to visit, the Monastery of Loggovardas, that of Agios Ioannis Detis, the monastery of Agios Athanasios and the medieval church of Agios Georgios. Also not to be missed is the Church of Agios Nicolaos San Nicola, protector of sailors who has a museum inside with pieces from the Byzantine period and icons from the 13th century.

Other goodies that can be found in Naoussa are the Mycenaean Acropolis of 1200 BC located on the hill of Koukounaria where traces of a Minoan urban complex have been found, the ancient Cycladic cemetery in Plastira where tombs and statues of idols of the proto-cycladic period. On the Ikonomos islet, on the other hand, it is possible to find finds from an inhabited center of the 8th century BC which then in the Byzantine era became a den of pirates who sailed raiding the Aegean Sea. Also on the south side of the Naoussa port, the Venetian castle still largely preserved, and still the Museum of Folklore with a well-stocked archive of photographs and archaeological finds and the Folklore Collection of Naoussa which collects the typical Paros clothes of the times that were until today.

No less important and interesting note about the Naoussa town is that being surrounded by orchards and vineyards, the production of wine and delicious jams are an example of the activities carried out in addition to fishing. A way to savor the delicacies that this small island can offer with real food and wine tours.

Two beautiful parties not to be missed if you will be on the island for your holidays and precisely The night of the Koursaraki (in Greek means pirates) on August 23, where the pillaging of pirates is represented with traditional costumes during the history of the island di Paros had to continually undergo with the classic fireworks and seafood and fish dishes all washed down with abundant wine, dancing and singing until dawn. The other party is held on the first Sunday of July and is dedicated to wine and fish, here too local delicacies to taste and wine at will.

Numerous beaches around Naoussa can be reached easily on foot and are the Kolimbithres beach which in Greek means swimming pools with its particular granite rocks that wind and sea have elegantly shaped, from the sandy coast alternating with rocks and bathed by a sea calm and crystal clear. Santa Maria beach about a kilometer from the center of Naoussa in the picturesque bay of Plastira, a long beach divided into two of soft sand and an emerald blue sea that will leave you breathless. Very popular and also very crowded during the summer but with all possible comforts and a wide choice of restaurants and taverns where you can taste Greek cuisine, and again, the small Piperi beach about two hundred and fifty meters from the port, considered the city beach that it has a narrow coast of sand mixed with pebbles with useless to call it a crystalline, blue sea, almost always very calm and with a seabed that slopes gently making it perfect for families with children.

For fun lovers, let's say that Naoussa also has nothing less than more popular locations. The area where almost all the main clubs are concentrated is the port where you can discover delicious trendy restaurants or characteristic ouzerie where you can discover the deceptive ouzo (deceptive because a Greek rumor says that when he starts drinking ouzo, the devil sits in a corner and he begins to laugh because until if you do not feel him sitting, only when you get up do you realize how much you drank) accompanied by the tasty mezedes the Greek appetizers to which we personally can not do without. Let's say, however, that the Naoussa nightlife is not so chaotic and noisy, it is more elegant and quiet even if there are discos open until the first light of dawn with loud music where you can go wild all night. Do not miss the Envy Club, which is part of the Athens Envy Club, where you can attend engaging international and Greek DJ sets.

And yes in Naoussa nothing is missing, in addition to being an excellent base for visiting the island and perhaps even going towards the discovery of Mykonos or the mythical Delos island, it offers its guests everything more', from beautiful beaches to relax, excellent food and in particular fresh fish and places to end the day in style, so if you do not stay directly in Naoussa, be sure to tell them about things to do in Paros, it will certainly be a day well spent.

Nothing could be simpler, wherever you come from and if you are independent with a vehicle just follow the road north and directions. If instead you are without a car or scooter from Parikia to the central bus station, there are connections to Naoussa every day. As always, check the timetable which varies according to the seasons.