Discover Antiparos

The Capital of Antiparos

The Settlement of Hora is the capital and harbour of Antiparos located on the northeastern side of the island. The beautiful settlement has a distinctive Cycladic beauty with whitewashed houses with blue doors and windows decorated from flowery courtyards of purple bougainvillea and scattered picturesque chapels. The settlement spreads around the castle of Antiparos that is surrounded from a fortress and hosts four old churches including the churches of Agios Antonios, Agios Ioannis, Agios Nikolaos and Christos.

The Beach of Sifneikos Gialos

The Beach of Sifneikos Gialos is a long sandy beach with emerald waters located on the northern side of the island. The beach has a delicious seaside tavern and offers fantastic sunset views.

The Cave of Antiparos

The Cave of Antiparos is natural wonder that is considered to be one of the oldest caves in Europe located at the hill of Agios Ioannis the northeast side of the island. It is an impressive cave with rich stalactite and stalagmite formations and great archaeological interest as seen from the engraved inscriptions of the walls of the cave. The cave served as a refugee and a worship center.

The Castle of Antiparos

The Castle of Antiparos is a typical example of the fortified settlements of the Cyclades located on the western side of Hora. The castle was built from the Venetian Giovanni Lorentano during the 15^th century. The entire complex of houses was constructed as one continuous block construction arranged around the square courtyard, the place where the central tower used to stand, surrounded from the defensive walls of the fortified settlement.

The Isle of Despotiko

The Isle of Despotiko is one of the surrounding islands of Antiparos with great archaeological interest. Despotiko used to be connected with the small islet of Tsimindiri and form an isthmus as evidenced from the altar of the Goddess of Hestia Isthmia. Excursion boats operate from beach of Agios Georgios.

The Archaeological Site of Despotiko is located on the isle of Despotiko. Despotiko is an impressive archaeological site with twelve buildings and imposing artefacts including figurines and vases, ivory buckles and porcelain statuettes, seal stones from semi precious gem stones, iron and lead objects, swords and agricultural tools that worshipers brought to devote to Apollo and Artemis. Archaeological excavations have identified a Doric temple of the archaic period at the northeastern coast of the island along with an elongated complex consisting of five consecutive parallel rooms in the excavation site of Mandra. The remains of the archaeological site are of excellent condition, especially the remains of the facades of the buildings. Findings from the site are displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Paros.

The Archaeological Site of Saliangos is the oldest known settlement in the area of the Cyclades located on the isle of Saliangos. According to archaeologists, the first man who settled in the islands of the Cyclades dates back to the Late Neolithic period on the island of Saliangos. Amongst the most important findings that were found in Saliagos is the Obese Lady of Saliagos, the oldest marble figurine that have been found in the Cyclades up until now. Findings from the site can be admired in the Arhcaeological Museum of Paros.

The Castle of Antiparos is a typical example of the fortified settlements of the Cyclades located on the western side of Hora. The castle was built from the Venetian Giovanni Lorentano during the 15^th century. The entire complex of houses was constructed as one continuous block construction arranged around the square courtyard, the place where the central tower used to stand, surrounded from the defensive walls of the fortified settlement.

The Chapel of Agia Marina is a charming chapel located in Hora. The chapel celebrates in honour of the saint on July 15 until July 17. Numerous cultural and sports events are hosted on the island including regattas, swimming and cycling races, dance performances and folklore music concerts. The majority of the events take place in the square of Agia Marina and the harbour.

The Chapel of Agios Ioannis Spiliotis is a charming chapel located at the entrance of the cave of Antiparos. The chapel celebrates in honour of the saint on May 7 and May 8. The chapel is accessible through a beautiful hiking trail starting from the settlement of Agios Georgios.

The Chapel of Panagia Faneromeni is a charming chapel built on a rocky peninsula on the northern coast of Antiparos.  The chapel is accessible through short boat trips during its annual celebration on the September 7 and September 8.

The Church of Agios Ioannis Prodromos and the Church of Agia Zoni are two wonderful country churches located in the area of Monastiria. The church of Agios Ioannis is a tiny chapel that was built from the people that used to work in the mines of the island. The roof of the church of Agia Zoni used to be supported from old metal tracks of the mines, before its repair.

The Museum of Cycladic Art exhibits artefacts of the Cycladic civilization and copies of the artefacts displayed in the Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens. The most important artefacts include the copy of the famous statuettes of the Pregnant Lady and the Seated Man.

The Cave of Antiparos is natural wonder that is considered to be one of the oldest caves in Europe located at the hill of Agios Ioannis the northeast side of the island. It is an impressive cave with rich stalactite and stalagmite formations and great archaeological interest as seen from the engraved inscriptions of the walls of the cave. The cave served as a refugee and a worship center.

Hora is the capital and harbour of Antiparos located on the northeastern side of the island. The beautiful settlement has a distinctive Cycladic beauty with whitewashed houses with blue doors and windows decorated from flowery courtyards of purple bougainvillea and scattered picturesque chapels. The settlement spreads around the castle of Antiparos that is surrounded from a fortress and hosts four old churches including the churches of Agios Antonios, Agios Ioannis, Agios Nikolaos and Christos.

Spot: Beach of Agios Georgios, Northeast Antiparos

Spot: Beach of Sifneikos Gialos, North Antiparos

Spot: Chapel of Prophet Elias, Highest Hill of Antiparos

Boat Tour: The tour of the island of Antiparos is a beautiful experience where you will discover the exotic beaches of the isle of Despotiko and the beach of Epitafios. Excursion boats operate from beach of Agios Georgios.

Boat Trip: The Island of Paros is an island whose mysterious shine is rehabilitated from the passage of time. A glimpse of white in the deep blue of the Aegean is the main vestige of the long civilization that influenced the culture of Paros. Five thousands years ago, the island of Paros started to be inhabited remaining vigorous over the centuries. Distinguished for its magnetism, Paros desires to introduce to the travellers her exceptional identity. Characterized as one of the most beautiful islands of the Cyclades, Paros is ready to give you everything you need. The brightest jewel of the Cyclades is one of the most distinctive islands of the Cyclades embellished with whitewashed houses, blue domed chapels, narrow cobblestone labyrinthine alleys, turquoise beaches, mountainous villages and cultural monuments of great history crowned from the warm and hospitable Parians. Beauty and simplicity shines in this island, just like Paros radiates the sunlight of the Aegean reflecting on the magnificence of the deep blue. Touch and feel the energy of this island and you will not regret it! Paros ignites the imagination of the travellers since the prehistoric times; however, no one managed to conquer her! Are you ready, at least, to get to know her?

Bicycling: The countryside of Antiparos is an ideal place for cycling lovers. There are numerous bicycle rentals on the island where you can rent a bicycle and discover the beaches of the island. It is worth mentioning that the Nautical Club of Antiparos organizes bicycling races in July and September.

Camping: Are you a camping lover? You will find camping sites in the beach of Theologos.

Diving: The varied coastline of Antiparos offers numerous exciting explorations for diving enthusiasts. The incredible rocky formations of the Cathedral, the reef of the Stingray and Barracuda, the underwater canyons of Antiparos, the shipwreck of Salamina and the isle of Panteronissi are some of the most interesting diving spots. Blue Island Divers offer diving experiences.

Kayaking: The opportunity to practice kayak in Antiparos is definitely an unforgettable experience. You will have the chance to admire spectacular rocky formations and the beautiful beaches of the island! The beach of Agios Georgios offers kayak experiences.

Hiking: Antiparos hosts numerous paths ideal for lovers of hiking. One of the most beautiful routes is the one starting from the harbour of Antiparos and leads of the cave of Antiparos. Discover more information from the Official Website of Antiparos.

Snorkeling: The crystal clear waters of the beach of Monastiria are ideal for snorkeling.

Water Sports: Are you a water sports lover? Do you like skiing? The beach of Psaralikes offers water sport facilities.

Windsurfing: Antiparos is known for its ideal conditions for lovers of windsurfing, as the island gets really windy especially in the summer. The beach of Glyfa is ideal for practising your favourite sport.

Agios Georgios consists from three golden sandy beaches with crystal clear waters located on the northeast side of the island. The beaches are well organized with numerous amenities including sunbeds and umbrellas, water sport facilities and beach bars.

Agios Spiridonas is a long sandy beach with crystal clear waters and tamarisk trees located on the northern side of Antiparos. It is a secluded beach ideal for those looking for tranquillity and isolation.

Agios Sostis is a sandy beach with crystal clear waters located on the southeast side of the island. It is a secluded beach ideal for those looking for tranquillity.

Apadima is a small sandy beach with emerald waters located in the eastern side of the island. The beach is organized with numerous amenities including sunbeds, umbrellas and a beach bar.

Diplo is a tiny inhabited island located on the northern side of the island. The island is connected to Antiparos from a narrow strip of land that can be accessed on foot from the beach of Theologos.

Epitafios is a white sandy beach with emerald waters and imposing white cliffs located on the southwest side of the island. The beach is accessible by boat from the harbour of Agios Georgios.

Faneromeni is a scenic beach with crystal clear waters and vertical cliffs located on the southern side of the island. It is a secluded beach ideal for those looking for tranquillity.

Glyfa is a long sandy beach with crystal clear waters located on the eastern side of the island. It is one of the most popular beaches of Antiparos with numerous amenities including sunbeds and umbrellas, windsurfing facilities and a cafeteria.

Monastiria consists from two sandy and pebbled beaches with emerald waters located on the western side of the island. The beaches are secluded ideal for those looking for tranquillity.

Psaralikes consist from three successive golden sandy beaches with crystal clean waters located on the northeast side of the island. The beaches are well organized with sunbeds and umbrellas, water sport facilities and beach bars.

Sifneikos Gialos is a long sandy beach with emerald waters located on the northern side of the island. The beach has a delicious seaside tavern and offers fantastic sunset views.

Soros is the longest golden sandy beach with turquoise waters of the island located on the southeast side of the island. It is one of the most beautiful beaches of Antiparos with numerous amenities including sunbeds and umbrellas, water sport facilities and beach bars.

Coffee Corners

Babel: Coffee, Hora

Beach House: Coffee, Apantima Beach

Margarita: Breakfast and Coffee, Hora

Papagallos: Breakfast and Coffee, Hora                                                                                        

Sifneiko Cafe: Breakfast and Coffee, Hora        

Vicky’s: Ice Cream, Hora

Gastronomic Delights

Captain Pininos: Seafood, Agios Georgios beach

Klimataria: Greek Cuisine, Hora                                                                                                                

Lollo’s Pizzeria: Italian Cuisine, Hora

Oikogeniako: Souvlaki, Hora

Pantelis: Greek Cuisine, Hora

Peramataki: Greek Cuisine, Soros

Rakidio: Ouzo and Meze, Hora

Soros: Seafood, Soros

Susurada: Greek Cuisine, Hora

Cocktails Inspirations

Boogaloo: Cocktails and Drinks, Hora

La Luna: Cocktails and Drinks, Hora

Loco: Cocktails and Drinks, Hora

Remember: Cocktails and Drinks, Hora

Soros Beach Bar: Cocktails and Drinks, Soros beach

The Doors: Cocktails and Drinks, Hora

The local products of the island include the cheeses of xinomizithra, touloumotiri and ladotyri, the local wine and tsipouro.

The local specialties of the island include braised lamb, wild rabbit stew, grilled octopus and sweet ravioli.

Every March and April, Bicycling Trips are organized in Antiparos.

Every 7^th of May, the traditional celebration in honour of Agios Ioannis takes place at the Chapel of Ai Giannis Spiliotis.

Every 23th and 24^th of June, the Festival of Ai Giannis takes place in Hora. The festival hosts the revival of the old tradition of Klidonas, where the local men gather at the square of Hora and sit around a fire and sing traditional songs while the young girls gather and sit around a pot where they hide objects with the names of the men; the name they hear first, is the name of their future husband according to tradition.

Every 15^th of July, the traditional three day celebration in honour of Agia Marina takes place in Hora. The festival hosts a sailing competition, a philharmonic orchestra concert and a theatrical play along with various special folklore and traditional events.

Every 27^th of July, the traditional celebration in honour of Agios Panteleimonas takes place in the area of Kambos.

Every 7^th of September, the traditional celebration in honour of Panagia takes place at the Chapel of Panagia Faneromeni.

Mythology
According to mythology, God Poseidon threw his trident to the land and the islands of Antiparos, Naxos and Paros were formed. Naxos was given to his wife Amphitrite while he gave the beautiful coastline to the island of Paros and the verdant sceneries to the island of Antiparos. The creation of the Cyclades is attributed to God Poseidon. It is said that the god of the sea transformed the Cyclades nymphs into islands, when they angered him.

History
Archaeological findings show that Antiparos was first inhabited from the Phoenicians. In antiquity, the island was known as Oliaros and its historical path is inextricably linked to the island of Paros. During the Byzantine times, Antiparos suffered from pirate raids mainly from Algeria, Crete and Kefalonia while it fell under the Ottoman occupation in 1537. However, the island was amongst the first islands of the Cyclades joining the Greek War of Independence becoming a part of Modern Greek State in 1832.

By Boat (4.2 Nautical Miles): Antiparos is accessible from the harbour of Parikia on the island of Paros. Paros is accessible from the harbour of Piraeus. The journey usually lasts four to five hours. From Parikia, the boat trip to Antiparos usually lasts thirty minutes. Book your tickets with FerriesinGreece.com !