Small, cozy and elegant, Antiparos is an island in Greece that is part of the small Cyclades, in the heart of the Aegean Sea. Next to the island of Paros, Antiparos is a true paradise for those who love wild nature and for those who want a quiet and comfortable holiday. The best time to visit the island is from spring to autumn. In the summer months there is a great crowd of tourists, so to fully enjoy your holiday it is better to choose June or September.
It is easy to travel around the Greek Cyclades islands, partly because of its proximity and a little bit because some islands are less known and therefore not yet crowded by mass tourism. A few hours flight from Italy will take you to Athens and from there ferries or flights go to Paros to which Antiparos is connected by sea. Despite its small size, the island offers a wide choice of attractions that can provide everything you want for a holiday: sea, beaches and a vibrant nightlife, great destination for young people but also for families.
Obviously to visit the island of Antiparos it is better to hire a bicycle or a scooter; alternatively, during the summer season a bus service is available connecting the town of Chora to the famous Antiparos cave and several boats offering their round-trip service to Antiparos or to the Despotiko island.
The town of Chora is the small center of the island of Antiparos, characterized by white cubic-shaped houses, blue doors and windows, picturesque balconies full of flowers and decorations, traditional Cycladic architectural style. In Chora there is only one main road that leads from the small port to the small and charming square of San Nicola and the homonymous church of 1783 invariably white. On the sides of the road there are numerous bars, restaurants, souvenir shops and local crafts where you can buy a bit of everything and innumerable taverns where you can taste typical dishes.
The other center of Antiparos life is the port, with many fishing boats, tourist agencies, car, scooter and bike rental, banks, taverns and bars. The island offers several beaches, mostly sandy with a beautiful sea and seabed rich in fish and marine flora. The best beaches on the island are certainly Monastiria, a small intimate and secluded bay (in fact, to reach it you must cross a very steep mountain path), ideal for anyone who wants to escape and find peace and relaxation; the sea is splendid, perfect for snorkeling.
Among the most beautiful beaches we also suggest Livadi, intimate and not very popular, and those in the area called San Giorgio, among which Agios Georgios, one of the most popular, on the western side, near the village of the same name, 12 kilometers from the capital of Antiparos . Or the beach of Glifa, one of the best on the island, in the southern area 6 kilometers from Chora. But along the roads to reach these two beaches you will find a myriad of other beautiful coves where you can swim and lie in the sun on the golden sand.
If you want to spend a day away from the sea, it is worth visiting the Kastro of Antiparos, the ruins of the ancient medieval Venetian castle in the center of the village, surrounded by a fortress, and the four ancient churches: Christos, Agios Antonios, Agios Ioannis and Agios Nikolaos. Nine kilometers south of Chora is one of the island's main attractions, the marvelous cave on the promontory of Agios Ioannis in the southeastern part of the island. The cave presents a real collection of stalactites and stalagmites inside it. It is a large 100 meter deep underground cave discovered during the reign of Alexander the Great.
To reach the center of the cave, you have to walk about 411 steps that wind through unique and fascinating formations. In addition, inside you will find graffiti and decorations, ancient testimonies dating back to the seventh century BC. but also of illustrious people who in the course of history wanted to leave a trace of their visit to Antiparos, like that of Otto of Wittelsbach king of Greece in 1840 or of the marquis of Nointel, then French ambassador to Constantinople who, in 1673, at the most imposing stalagmite in the cave called the altar, he celebrated Christmas Mass for 500 people.
Outside the cave you can also admire the small white church of Agios Ioannis Spiliotis, built in 1774, here on May 7 and 8 each year the faithful gather to celebrate San Giovanni delle Cave (or Caves). Alternatively, you can decide to take a wonderful day trip by boat to discover the coasts and the most hidden corners of Antiparos, not reachable by land.
During your stay in Antiparos, do not miss the opportunity to see the island of Despotiko i5 minutes by ferry, which in addition to the beautiful beaches and the crystal clear sea is a place full of history as evidenced by the archaeological site dating from the seventh century BC, of which several findings were brought to light including a temple dedicated to Apollo, gold jewelry, statues and really precious ceramics.
The island of Antiparos also hosts various events and festivals that give tourists the opportunity to discover the charm of the Greek tradition through dances and folk music and good local food. Among these there is the Festival of San Giovanni which takes place in the month of June inside the Venetian castle, while in the month of July the Festival of Santa Marina is staged with four days dedicated to sporting and cultural activities. The name of Antiparos, an island frequented by a large community of artists since the seventies of the twentieth century, is also linked to an interesting international photography festival inaugurated in 2013.
If you want to visit this enchanting island and experience an unforgettable holiday, visit our website with exclusive villas in Paros & Antiparos.
