Map of Antiparos Cyclades
- Details
- Parent Category: Destinations
- Category: Antiparos
| The small island of Antiparos Greece belongs to the Cycladic Island Cluster and is southwest of Paros. It is a picturesque island that is embraced by beautiful sandy beaches, secluded coves and crystal waters. Its whitewashed houses, narrow cobble-stone alleyways, tiny churches and bougainvillea flowers compose a genuine Cycladic image. Antiparos is a favorite destination of families, romantics and people looking for a unique holiday getaway. Antiparos can satisfy those who desire an unusual kind of vacation, offering activities such as trekking and cycling to isolated beaches and hills, photography of the exquisite landscape, the Cave, the Castle, and other attractions, the sunset and the flora, celebrating with the locals during Agia Marina day, cruising with a fishing boat, discovering the quiet virgin sands of Despotiko Isle, going sightseeing to its ancient ruins and spear fishing in its waters. Alternative holidays are available on Antiparos Island for those who have an adventurous spirit and want to get away from the bustle of everyday life. The main city of Antiparos is Kastro (which means castle), which takes its name from the 15th century Venetian castle of the town that is a rare architectural creation and the film set of the awarded movie "Mandalena". History has recorded several important events on Antiparos Island. Relics of a Neolithic Settlement (4,000 BC) and the oldest Cycladic marble idol called "the obese lady of Saliagou" have been found on the island. |
Antiparos is famous for its exquisite cave that is located on St. Ioannis Hill. It is the only vertical cave in Europe, has a depth of 85 meters and possesses unique human-shaped stalagmites and impressive stalactite formations. The Cave is one of the finest in Greece and is considered a "natural museum". It has a large number of inscriptions in it, many of which have faded due to the cave's humidity, but several can still be read, such as the inscriptions of the Marquee de Nouadel, King Otto and the poet Archilochos.
Recent digs on the isle of Despotiko, headed by the archaeologist G. Kouragios and his team, have revealed a significant Archaic religious center, which was probably used for the worship of the goddess Artemis and the god Apollo, who were especially revered in the Cycladic area.
While in Antiparos Greece, try the local delicacies, such as charcoal grilled octopus, fresh fish, wild rabbit stew, local goat meat, zucchini balls and the famous Antiparos tsipouro (a potent alcoholic beverage). The island hosts the festivals of patron saint Agia Marina on July 17th, with a 3-day celebration including cultural and sports events and, of course, an abundance of food, wine and dancing.
Antiparos hosts several festivals, such as:
- the Festival of St. Ioannis of Spiliotis on the Cave, on May 7, with traditional dancing and treats
- the celebration of St Giannis, on June 23 and 24, which takes place in the Medieval Castle (a tradition of Kelidonas)
- the Festival of the patron saint S. Marina on July 16-17, including cultural and sports events and, of course, an abundance of food, wine and dancing
- the Festival of Panagia Faneromeni, on September 7th (where you can go by fishing boat and ferry only)
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HOW TO REACH ANTIPAROS & KASTRO
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Below we provide you with the travel information you need to arrange your trip to Antiparos, as well as information about how to reach Kastro complex.
To reach Antiparos Island, you must first go to Paros Island and take a ferry boat to Antiparos.
By Air
There are daily departures from the Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” for Paros. The flight lasts for 35 minutes. Mykonos and Santorini receive international charter flights.
- OLYMPIC AIRLINES
p: 801 114 4444, 210 9666666
www.olympicairlines.com
By Sea
You can reach Paros by high speed boats or by ferry boats. There are often departures to / from other Cycladic Islands, such as Andros, Syros, Tinos, Mykonos, Sifnos, Naxos, Ios, Amorgos and Santorini. Paros is also connected by sea with the Dodecanese Islands, Thessaloniki, Volos and Crete.
If you are travelling from Piraeus or Rafina Port:
The trip from Piraeus lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes by high speed boat and 4,5 hours by the Blue Star Lines boats. You will travel from Rafina Port by hydrofoil and from Lavrio Port by ferry.
- HELLENIC SEAWAYS
p: + 30 210 4199000
www.hellenicseaways.com
- BLUE STAR FERRIES
p: + 30 210 8910800
www.bluestarferries.gr
If you are travelling from Lavrio Port to Paros:
- C-LINK FERRIES
p: +30 210 4594096
TAXI
Tel. +30 22840 21500
You will be met at Antiparos Port and taken to Kastro, where you will receive a warm welcome.
Source: antiparosgreece.com
