4 Best things to see & do in Paros

The Regina is a wooden kaiki (fishing boat) available for slow cruises from Aliki. The skipper, Dimitris Skiadas, comes from a long line of local fishermen and knows the Aegean inside out. You can try fishing using traditional nets, and grill your catch on board, or just snorkel around hidden coves and sea caves.

Over half a mile long, Golden Beach catches the north wind, so the sea is often choppy. The sandy shore is lined with beach bars and surf clubs, with conditions suitable for beginners and experienced windsurfers alike. (Nearby New Golden Beach is better for advanced windsurfers.) The Professional Windsurfing World Cup takes place here every August.

A wide, sandy beach on the narrow strait between Paros and Antiparos, Pounta is the island’s kitesurfing centre, thanks to the steady sideward winds. Even if you aren’t a kite boarder, it’s entertaining to watch the action from the comfort of a sunbed.

This huge church, whose name derives from the Greek for ‘100 entrances’, has architectural, artistic, and historic interest. Look out for the 11th-century frescoes and 4th-century sculptures taken from the temple of Demeter nearby. The Byzantine Museum on site has an interesting collection of icons and wood carvings.