Kolymbithres Beach

Kolymbithres Beach lies on the northern coast of Paros, a few kilometres from Naoussa, on the western side of Monastiri Bay. What makes it different from the long sandy beaches elsewhere on the island is the rock. Great smooth granite boulders, sculpted by wind and water over many thousands of years, rise from the shore and from the shallows, and they form small separate coves, channels and bowl-shaped pools between them. Kolymbithres comes from the Greek word for a font or bath, and the name suits the rounded basins that the rock has formed.

Each cove has its own character. Some hold a patch of fine sand and calm, shallow water that is ideal for families with children, while others are almost enclosed, with water that seems to sit in a stone bowl. The sea is clear and the bottom is a mix of sand and rock, so a mask and snorkel can show small fish around the boulders. The Aegean here has hardly any tide, so the pools are stable throughout the day, and the main variation in water comes from wind. Visitors often climb on the rocks for views of the bay and for photographs of the coves from above, so water shoes are a good idea.

The beach is organised in places, with sunbeds, umbrellas and a beach bar, and there are tavernas nearby along the shore. The part of the beach that is not organised is easy to find if you walk to the edge of the bay. The nearby area is also used for kayaking, paddleboarding and boat trips around the bay. A short stretch of coast to the north has smaller coves, which offer a bit more quiet for those who want to explore.

Northern Paros is exposed to the meltemi, the strong northerly wind that blows through the Cyclades in summer, and the rocks at Kolymbithres provide some shelter, though the water can still be choppy on a windy day. Mornings are usually calmer, and the sea is warmest in late summer and early autumn. In July and August, the beach is busy by midday and the best coves fill early, so arriving in the morning gives the best choice.

The road from Naoussa is short, and a bus or taxi can bring you there, while a paved path leads down from the parking area to the beach. The rocks are slippery when wet, and care is needed with young children and while jumping from boulders. Pair a visit with an afternoon in Naoussa harbour, only a few minutes away.