Paros is one of Greece’s most popular islands. Just a few hours away by ferry from Athens’ port of Piraeus, it is easy to get to and perfect even for a quick escape. Its beautiful beaches and vibrant, cosmopolitan nightlife have turned it into a magnet for holiday-makers. But if you’re looking to go beyond the well-trodden alleys of Parikia and Naoussa, the two main towns, and the more crowded organized beaches, Paros is still full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. In the summer the picturesque Christos Square in Marpissa is filled with the sounds of the toumbaki (drum) and tsambouna (bagpipe). Locals dance the traditional balos as onlookers clap to the beat. In the village of Lefkes, kids toss wooden balls as they play an ancient Greek game similar to bowls and which survives in only very few places.
