Antiparos: The Greek Island Idyll
Antiparos Island lies just southwest of Paros and is well-revered for its charming main town with typical white-washed Cycladic houses and quaint, cobbled pedestrian streets, unspoiled countryside and numerous beautiful beaches.
The small Cycladic Antiparos island (35 sq. km in size, with 57 km of shoreline) makes up for its diminutive size with its breathtaking natural beauty, peaceful countryside and its thriving main town (Chora). In summer, the winding cobbled footpaths of the Chora bustle with activity and are adorned with plentiful boutiques, shops, cafes, fine restaurants and even abundant nightlife – yet still easy walking distance to nearby golden sandy beaches and crystal clear waters on both sides of town.
Those who explore further afield will be greeted by the stunning scenic beauty of this charming Greek island, dotted with windmills, small white and blue chapels and numerous areas for hiking and exploring nature, as well as several archeological sites. Up in the hills of Antiparos Island is the famous Antiparos Cave, which has for centuries been popular with nature-loving tourists who wish to view the stalagmites and stalactite and even view graffiti carved into the walls by famous visitors including King Otto of Greece and Lord Byron.
Additionally there are abundant opportunities for local boat trips to secluded beaches or even the nearby nature preserve of Despotiko island or more active watersports are available, including snorkeling, scuba diving, and sea kayaking. The channel between Antiparos and Paros Islands is generally regarded as one of the premier windsurfing and kiteboarding areas in the world and there is a kiteboarding school on Pounda Beach on Paros. Due to its small local population of just over 1,000 inhabitants, Antiparos is still gloriously pristine and it’s always easy to find both vibrant, busy beaches as well as peaceful, quite swimming coves.
For those that want a classic, quintessential Greek island holiday, Antiparos island offers the best of both worlds: a thriving main town with upscale shopping and dining and nightlife and undisturbed, peaceful countryside – all easily reached by regular ferry service from Parikia in just 30 minutes or from Pounda in just 5 minutes.