Kolymbithres is the most photographed beach on Paros — and probably in the Cyclades. What makes it extraordinary isn't the sand or the colour of the water (though both are excellent) but the rocks: enormous rounded granite boulders, worn smooth over millennia by wind and wave into shapes that look almost deliberately sculpted. The effect is strange and beautiful in equal measure.
The Geology
The granite formations at Kolymbithres are the result of millions of years of erosion by wind and sea. The rocks are part of a wider granite intrusion that runs through the northern part of Paros, emerging at the surface in a series of extraordinary forms — bulging spheres, narrow columns, flat shelves, and narrow passageways through which you can swim. Swimming through the channels between the boulders, with the warm Aegean pressing in on both sides and the clear water showing the sandy bottom below, is genuinely unlike anything else in Greece.
The Beach
The bay is divided into three or four smaller swimming areas by the rock formations. The main beach has a sunbed rental, a beach bar, and a canteen — in high season these fill up completely by 11am. The northern sections of the bay, accessible on foot around the rocks, tend to be quieter and offer more interesting swimming. The water is shallow and calm — ideal for children and snorkelling. Bring fins if you have them.
Getting There
Kolymbithres is 3km west of Naoussa and easily reached by scooter, car or taxi. The road is straightforward and signposted. A small boat service also runs from Naoussa harbour in high season — a 10-minute trip that makes for a more picturesque arrival. The boat costs €3–5 each way and runs roughly every 30 minutes from 10am. Parking at the beach is limited in July and August; arriving by boat or arriving early avoids the problem entirely.
Nearby: Monastiri
A kilometre further east along the coast road lies Monastiri, a quieter beach inside a protected nature reserve. The water is shallow, the beach is sandy, and the wild vegetation that surrounds it gives it a very different feel from the busier beaches on the island. There's a freshwater spring near the beach — a rare luxury. No beach bars here, so bring what you need.
Kolymbithres gets busy. In July and August, sunbeds are taken by 10am and the main bay is crowded by midday. Go early — the light is better for swimming before noon anyway, and the cooler morning air makes the walk around the rocks more pleasant. May, June and September offer the same water and rocks with a fraction of the crowds. From Antiparos Houses, the quickest route is to take the ferry to Paros, rent a scooter in Pounta or Parikia, and ride up to Naoussa (20 minutes) before continuing to the beach.