Try Paros for stunning Greek island sailing holidays

The Cyclades offer a generous choice of islands to visit, each with their own characteristics, and one that you should definitely stop off at during Greek island sailing holidays is Paros. With bustling towns and quiet tranquil beaches, there really is something for everyone here.

The main town is Parikia, sometimes known as Paros Town or Chora. The architecture is typically Cycladic, with whitewashed houses, colourful doors and painted shutters, and visitors will be unable to miss the giant windmill that stands sentry at the busy port. The maze of streets is home to plenty of local tavernas and shops and this is the perfect place to soak up some lively Greek atmosphere. At the centre of the town is the kastro, or 13th-century castle, of which the remains of the walls and tower can still be seen.

There are also numerous temples and churches here, including Panagia Ekatontapiliani (Our Lady of the Hundred Gates), which is the oldest and is regarded as one of the most significant Byzantine sites in Greece.

To the north of the island is the slightly quieter settlement of Naousa. This pretty little village has its fair share of cafes and restaurants tucked away among the winding streets; however, the main attraction is the lovely beaches. These sandy shores are quite rightly a popular place to while away an afternoon and a little further along the coast is the beach of Agii Anargiri, which is exceeding peaceful and boasts gorgeously clear waters.

Greek island sailing holidays wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the charming islands of the Cyclades.