Kolymbithres Beach
Best for. Travellers who want a swim somewhere genuinely unusual, in clear calm water among sculpted rocks, and who value scenery and an early calm hour over a long spread of sand.
Best spot. One of the small western coves in the early morning, claimed before the day boats arrive, with reef shoes for the rock and a towel for the soft sandy pocket.
Know this. The sandy patches are small and fill fast, so this is a come early beach; for a long open sand or a quiet day with full service, Monastiri across the bay is the easier choice.
Kolymbithres is the beach Paros is known for, and the reason is the rock. Across the sheltered bay from Naoussa, a run of huge granite boulders has been worn by centuries of wind and sea into smooth, pale, rounded forms, and between them sit a string of small sandy coves and natural pools. The water is shallow, clear and usually calm, and the whole place has a sculptural quality that no other Cycladic beach quite matches. For a swim somewhere genuinely special, with scenery that rewards a slow morning, this is the signature stop on the island.
The honest caveat is about expectations. Kolymbithres is coves rather than a beach, so the sandy pockets are small and they fill early, and much of the seating is on the smooth rock itself, which is striking to look at and firm to lie on. Organised sections offer sunbeds and umbrellas tucked among the boulders at prices that are a bargain by Paros standards, with a couple of beach bars and tavernas behind, but the perches are not the most comfortable and the magic thins once the midday crowd and the day boats arrive. Bring reef shoes, a good towel and a little patience with the layout.
Come for the setting and the calm clear water, arrive before mid morning, and Kolymbithres is unforgettable. Come expecting a long sweep of soft sand or a quiet refined club day and you will do better elsewhere on the island. For a serene swim with proper service and far more space, Monastiri sits just across the same bay, and for open family sand the southeast coast at Golden Beach is the answer. The smart play is to pair an early hour here with a relaxed lunch nearby.
Organised coves, not a club
Kolymbithres has organised sunbed sections among the rocks and a few tavernas rather than a single beach club. For a dressed up club day, see the Paros beach clubs guide.
Photo: Julien Audignon via GoogleOrganised sunbed coves and tavernas
Kolymbithres is a public beach with organised sunbed sections tucked among the sculpted rocks and a couple of beach bars and tavernas behind, rather than one named club. Beds are a bargain by Paros standards, the rock perches less so. For a refined club with full service, scenic Monastiri sits across the bay. Details are to be confirmed locally.
Across the bay from Naoussa
Kolymbithres sits on the western side of Naoussa bay, about seven to ten minutes by car or scooter from Naoussa, around twenty to twenty five minutes from Parikia and roughly thirty to thirty five minutes from the airport. A public bus runs from Naoussa, and in summer small boats cross the bay from Naoussa harbour to Kolymbithres and on to Monastiri, which is a lovely way to arrive.
Once there, short easy walks link the different coves over the rocks, so wear shoes you can clamber in and bring water and shade, as natural cover is limited. Parking is by the beach but fills in peak season, which is one more reason to come early or to take the boat or the bus.
Photo: Julien Audignon via GoogleBook a beach club
Kolymbithres is organised coves rather than a club. Tell us your dates and we can point you to a daybed at a Paros beach club such as scenic Monastiri nearby. We reply by email.
We are an independent editorial resource. Booking requests are passed to clubs and operators, and some may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Prices, availability and opening status are set by the venue and are to be confirmed at the time of booking.
Common questions about Kolymbithres
Why is Kolymbithres beach famous?
Kolymbithres is famous for its sculpted granite rocks, huge smooth boulders worn by wind and sea into strange rounded shapes that frame a string of small sandy coves. The name means baptismal fonts or little pools, after the natural basins in the stone. The shallow, clear, sheltered water and the unique scenery make it the signature beach of Paros.
Is Kolymbithres a sandy beach?
It is a series of small sandy coves set among the rocks rather than one long beach. The sandy pockets are soft but limited, and many people perch on the smooth granite between them, so it suits a towel and reef shoes more than a vast spread of sand. For longer open sand on Paros, Golden Beach or Santa Maria are better.
How do you get to Kolymbithres beach?
It sits in Naoussa bay, about seven to ten minutes by car or scooter from Naoussa, around twenty to twenty five minutes from Parikia and roughly thirty to thirty five minutes from the airport. There is also a public bus from Naoussa and, in summer, small boats from Naoussa harbour to Kolymbithres and on to Monastiri.
Are there sunbeds at Kolymbithres?
Yes, organised sections offer sunbeds and umbrellas tucked among the rocks, with a couple of beach bars and tavernas and basic showers in season. Published figures suggest a bargain by Paros standards, though the rock perches are not the most comfortable. Prices and opening times are set locally and are to be confirmed when you visit.
When is the best time to visit Kolymbithres?
Come early in the day and ideally in June or September, when the water is warm, the light is lovely and the small coves are not yet full. The Naoussa bay setting is fairly sheltered, but the beach is at its best on a calm morning before the day boats arrive. Conditions are typical rather than guaranteed.
