Paros is one of the most popular and affordable Greek island destinations for sports tourism. The options offered by the island for sports enthusiasts are numerous.
Those who wish to discover the beauties of an island “on two wheels” should visit the island of Paros. Cycling enthusiasts have the opportunity to explore the area, as the island has many cycle paths leading to beautiful landscapes and traditional villages. Starting from the main road around the island , which is more than 50 km long, and continuing with private or rented bicycles, visitors can be guided to the enchanting beaches and picturesque villages of Paros. The difference in altitude of this main road is not great. This fact makes cycling more pleasant.
Indicative routes are:
- Parikia – Agios Fokas
- Parikia – Lefkes
- Naoussa – Parikia
- Naoussa-Santa Maria
- Naoussa – Piso Livadi
In addition, Paros has a variety of options for renting, selling and repairing bicycles, in order to find the right bike based on the body type and capabilities of the interested parties. However, for the steadfast cycling enthusiasts, the Cycling Tour of Paros is organised every year, in early summer, by the Paros Cycling Club.
The sport of tennis is timeless and more and more people are rushing to discover it. Of course, what could be more beautiful than playing your favourite sport with a view of a blue sky, near beautiful beaches and on such a magical island as Paros? Yes, what you just imagined can become reality as on this picturesque island tennis has a special place. Having remarkable sports facilities both in hotels , accommodation and tennis clubs , you can either relax enjoying the game , or improve your technique with the help of expert coaches.
In addition ,the Paros Tennis Club announces every year the open tennis championship for men and women “Paros Tennis Open Cup” ,a professional event for an amateur tennis tournament , honored by locals , Greek and foreign visitors , lovers of the sport.
Tennis courts can be found also in Agios Nikolaos in Aliki, Kolimpithres, Naoussa Aegean Tennis centre and Parasporos.
Paros is one of the most popular windsurfing destinations worldwide! The island of winds and sea currents challenges fans of the sport for unforgettable moments in its deep blue waters. The beaches are ideal for the sport, with the sea passages between Paros-Antiparos and Paros-Naxos being the protagonist. A definite choice is the New Golden Beach , also known as Tserdekia , where the world windsurfing championship is hosted. Other suitable beaches for the sport are Santa Maria, Tsoukalia, Kolimbithres and Pounta (opposite Antiparos). Each beach has its own degree of difficulty which varies depending on the winds blowing in the area. At the respective beaches, there are numerous schools for learning the sport from experienced instructors and of course the appropriate equipment to enjoy windsurfing.
It is estimated that Paros is one of the main preferences of kite & wind surfers around the world. The strait between Paros-Antiparos at Pounta beach is for many one of the best spots in the world for kite surfing, due to the favourable winds that blow in the area. Other equally accessible passages are the beach of Molos KITESURF n’ CHILL and the Slugs.
Paros’ summer breezes and sea currents attract water sports fans from all over the world every year. From April and depending on the weather, the sea in Pounta, Paros is filled with colourful sails and athletes who passionately swirl in the sky and sea. During the summer months from June to September the island is flooded with hundreds of tourists and the winds during those months are ideal for the sport.
The World Kite Surfing Championships that take place in Punta could not fail to be mentioned, as there are also certified schools supporting and learning the sport, which of course have both accommodation and rental equipment.
If someone visits Paros and does not get windy but wants to do something creative, then they should definitely try waterskiing WaterSkiZone .Whether you are a beginner who wishes to discover the sport, or an advanced and likes to tame the sea, the island has to offer to anyone who visits it, many opportunities in both cases. Waterskiing is similar to alpine skiing ,however more fun since instead of snowy slopes the sports “tear” the deep blue waters on two ski boards. As well as waterski one can try, wakeboard , water monoski (with one ski board) , barefoot ski (water skiing with bare feet) and inflatables that float in the sea for our little ones.
Paros is one of the top destinations for scuba diving in Greece, as it has a wide variety of dive sites and impressive scenery on the seabed.The magic of the seabed unfolds around the island and the best time to experience this magic is from May to October, when the sea is calm and visibility is good. The impressive caves, unique shipwrecks, a living wonderful world will enchant anyone who discovers them under the watchful eye of professional instructors, safely and seriously.
Many schools Paros Divers are active and ready to guide you through a wonderfully magical landscape! Prestigious diving centres offer courses for beginners and advanced divers. They offer Padi diplomas, dive trips with qualified, professional guides, safe diving equipment, respecting the natural environment.
However, for those who hesitate to discover the great depths of the sea, snorkeling trips are organized (diving and exploration with mask and snorkel), diving “in the open” and exploring the underwater landscape of Paros.
Main destinations:
- the reefs of Prasonisi
- the Dryonisi
- the bay of Pyrgaki.
- the gorge at Makronissi Akro Makronissi
- and the wrecks of the Beaufighter and the merchant ship Marianna.
There are many beautiful ports in Paros that you can visit with your boat, and you can enjoy the deep blue seas and the beautiful Aegean sun.
Some of the popular sailing destinations in Paros include the bays of Naoussa and Paroikia, as well as the bay of Parasporos. In addition, there are many small remote islands and bays around Paros that are also attractions for sailors.
The island has many offers for sailing enthusiasts Ναυτικός Όμιλος Πάρου , options such as rental or an organised excursion with an experienced skier. Whether you are an experienced sailor or a beginner, Paros is an ideal destination to enjoy the sea and its hidden beauties.
In addition, in Paros you can find many amazing places to visit by boat, such as Antiparos, Naxos, Ios, Sikinos and Folegandros. All of these islands have amazing beaches and seascapes that are worth visiting and enjoying.
Paros is a very good destination for beach volleyball, as it has many beautiful beaches with sand and good bottom, suitable for practicing this sport.If you wish to play beach volleyball in Paros, you can also rent equipment in many of the hotels and shops in the area.
It is worth knowing that every August, the Sailing Club of Paros, organizes a beach volleyball tournament at Livadia beach, which is the main beach of Parikia , where only those who have sunscreen, mood and love for this sport can participate!
The beaches where you can find a beach volleyball net (it is not fixed and may change per season) are the most famous beaches of Paros such as Sanda Maria, Golden Beach, Punta, Livadia, Marcello. Ask one of the staff at the hotel or café you are staying at if they know which beach has a volleyball court at that time.
There are many hiking trails in Paros, which lead to beautiful locations and traditional villages. One of the most popular trails is the Kolimbithra beach trail, which offers stunning views of the sea and the surrounding mountains. Paros also has well-equipped climbing sites, where climbing enthusiasts can enjoy the sport.
Horse riding is a beautiful and remarkable sport that can be practiced on the island of Paros. If you like nature and animals, then horse riding is an excellent option to discover the island from a new perspective.
There are several riding centres on the island Paros Horse Riding Center – Thanasis Farm offering lessons for beginners and advanced riders, as well as horseback riding tours to various parts of the island. During riding lessons, instructors usually give basic instruction on the technique of sitting upright, the use of handles and feet to control the horse, and other riding basics.
In addition, you can take part in horseback riding excursions to different parts of the island, such as the beach of Kolymbithra or the mountains of the island for nature walks , sunrise horseback swimming in dream spots of the island, morning horseback riding , and sunset rides ,giving you the opportunity to discover the Paros countryside at the most beautiful time of the summer. Choose your favorite company and offer yourself this unique experience that will bring you in touch with nature and with these wonderful animals!
All in all, Paros is an excellent destination for sports tourism and offers a rich choice of activities for lovers looking for adventure and sports during their holidays.
