Monastiri
Best for. Travellers who want the quietly excellent day on Paros, a calm scenic swim with proper service and a low key, grown up crowd rather than scene or sand for miles.
Best spot. A morning bed at the Monastiri beach bar on the sheltered cove side, with the Paros Park walks and the little chapel a short stroll behind for the afternoon.
Know this. The cove is small, so the good beds go early in peak season; this is a come early and stay put beach rather than a turn up at noon one.
Monastiri is the beach for travellers who measure a day by its quality rather than its size. Tucked at the western edge of Naoussa bay, on the fringe of the Paros Park, it is a compact golden cove backed by low cliffs, with some of the calmest, clearest, most sheltered water on the island and an organised beach bar that reads far more refined than its modest scale suggests. It draws a smart, low key crowd who come for a serene swim and good service rather than a scene, and it is the quietly excellent choice across the bay from busier Kolymbithres.
The honest caveat is simply scale. This is a small cove, so on a peak summer day the best beds fill early and the sand can feel close once the day boats call in, and it is a place to come for and settle into rather than wander up to at midday. Prices at the beach bar sit at the higher, more polished end for Paros, which is fair for the setting and the service but worth knowing if you are after a budget day. There is little here beyond the bar and the walks, which is precisely the appeal for the right traveller.
Come early, take a bed on the sheltered side, and Monastiri gives you the most refined and scenic swim on Paros without the fuss of a name club. Pair it with a walk in the Paros Park or the little chapel behind for a slow, grown up day. For the famous sculpted rocks it sits opposite Kolymbithres, and for long open sand the southeast at Golden Beach is the answer, but for sheer quiet quality this cove is hard to beat. The smart play is an early arrival and a long, unhurried lunch.
The quietly excellent club
Monastiri is anchored by a single refined beach bar and restaurant rather than a row of clubs, which is much of its charm. For the full island picture, see the Paros beach clubs guide.
Photo: Monastiri Beach Bar & Restaurant via GoogleMonastiri Beach Bar and Restaurant
Monastiri Beach Bar and Restaurant is the organised club on this cove, a stylish, low key spot in the protected bay of the Paros Park with sunbeds, a good kitchen and attentive service. It reads more refined than its size, drawing a smart, quiet crowd for a scenic swim. Prices sit at the higher end for Paros and are set by the venue and to be confirmed. It is the island pick for a serene day with proper service.
At the edge of the Paros Park
Monastiri sits on the western side of Naoussa bay at the edge of the Paros Park, about ten minutes by car from Naoussa, around twenty five minutes from Parikia and roughly thirty five from the airport. In summer small boats cross from Naoussa harbour to Kolymbithres and on to Monastiri, which is the prettiest way to arrive, and the road runs past Kolymbithres to a car park above the cove.
From the parking a short path drops to the sand, and the Paros Park trails and a small chapel begin just behind, so wear shoes you can walk in. Natural shade is limited beyond the bar umbrellas, so bring sun cover and water, and in peak season come early both for a bed and for the calm.
Photo: Monastiri Beach Bar & Restaurant via GoogleBook a beach club
Monastiri is a small refined cove that fills fast. Tell us your dates and we can help you secure a daybed here or at another Paros beach club. 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 Monastiri
Why is Monastiri beach Paros special?
It is the quietly refined cove of the island, a small golden beach at the edge of the Paros Park with some of the calmest, clearest and most sheltered water on Paros and a stylish beach bar. It draws a smart, low key crowd for a scenic swim with good service rather than a party. The setting and the calm are the draw.
Is Monastiri good for swimming?
Yes, the water is shallow, clear and well sheltered in the protected bay, among the calmest on the island, which suits a gentle swim and snorkelling near the rocks. As ever, cover varies and is not guaranteed, so watch your group and judge the sea yourself. Conditions are typical rather than promised.
Does Monastiri have a beach club?
Yes, Monastiri Beach Bar and Restaurant is the organised club on the cove, with sunbeds, a good kitchen and attentive service in a refined, low key style. Prices sit at the higher end for Paros and are set by the venue and to be confirmed. It is the island pick for a serene day with proper service.
How do you get to Monastiri beach?
It lies on the western side of Naoussa bay at the edge of the Paros Park, about ten minutes by car from Naoussa and twenty five from Parikia. In summer small boats cross from Naoussa harbour by way of Kolymbithres, which is the loveliest approach, and there is parking above the cove.
When is the best time to visit Monastiri?
June and September give warm calm water, lovely light and more room than the August peak, when the small cove fills fast. Mornings are quietest, before the day boats call in. May and October are gentler still as the season opens and eases. Conditions are typical rather than guaranteed.
