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Krios Beach

Krios Beach

Turquoise bay near Parikia with calm water and sunset views

Krios Beach is one of the easiest beaches near Parikia if you want clear water, soft sand and a view back to the town. It shares the same bay as Marcelo Beach, feels more relaxed than the big south coast names, and works very well on meltemi days when the north wind is blowing. It is a classic arrival or departure day option, especially if you stay in Parikia and want a low stress beach you can reach quickly.

Krios Beach at a glance

  • Quick feel: Sheltered sandy bay in the Parikia gulf with clear turquoise water, organised areas and a relaxed, easygoing atmosphere.
  • Location: North side of the Parikia bay on Paros, a short drive from the port.
  • Vibe: Calm and simple in the morning, more social in the afternoon in July and August, but still smaller scale than the big south coast hotspots.
  • Beach type: Sandy beach with mostly sandy seabed and some pebbly or rocky patches near the sides.
  • Water: Very clear, usually calm or with light chop, great for straightforward swimming and floating.
  • Wind: Often a safe choice on northerly meltemi days thanks to the shape of the bay.
  • Services: Sunbeds and umbrellas in front of beach bars, simple food and drinks, plus a nearby camping area and rooms to let.
  • Good for: Families, couples, groups, people who base in Parikia, and anyone who wants an easy beach close to the port before or after a ferry.
  • Combine with: Marcelo Beach, a stroll in Parikia old town, and sunset on the promenade.

Where Krios Beach sits on the island

Krios Beach lies on the north side of the wide bay of Parikia, facing back toward the town. It is essentially on the opposite side of the gulf from the port, which is why the views back to the white houses and windmill of Parikia feel so nice.

  • From Parikia port: Driving time is usually around 5–10 minutes, depending on traffic.
  • On foot: A longer coastal stroll is possible for stronger walkers, but most people come by vehicle or boat.
  • By sea: In summer there are often small boat taxis from Parikia to Krios and Marcelo, which turn the beach run into a mini cruise.

Just around the headland you find Marcelo Beach, which shares the same bay and water colour. Many visitors move between Krios and Marcelo on the same day without even realising they are technically two different beaches.

How Krios Beach feels through the season

From May and June, Krios Beach feels calm and local, with more space between umbrellas and a softer, early season rhythm. By July and August the organised parts can be busy, especially in the afternoon, but because you are inside the Parikia bay it never feels like a massive beach club.

  • Mornings: Quieter and very relaxed. Good for families with smaller kids and anyone who wants gentle water and easier parking.
  • Afternoons: Busier, more social and louder near the beach bars, while the unorganised parts stay calmer.
  • Evenings: Many people leave to get ready for dinner in Parikia, and you can have surprisingly peaceful late swims with a beautiful view as the town lights switch on.
  • September & early October: Pace slows again, the sea is still warm and many visitors consider this the best balance of space and water temperature.

For a late season trip based in Parikia, Krios Beach and Marcelo are very convenient staples.

Sea, sand and water at Krios Beach

The main reason to pick Krios Beach is the combination of clear, colourful water and an easy sandy entry.

  • Sand: Light sand on the beach with some small pebbles in places, comfortable for walking barefoot and for children to play.
  • Seabed: Mostly sandy underfoot once you step in, with some scattered stones near the edges of the bay.
  • Depth: Shallow close to shore, then a smooth, gradual deepening that suits both casual swimmers and people who like to swim longer lines parallel to the beach.
  • Water colour: Very clear, turquoise and blue, especially on sunny days with lighter wind.
  • Wind & waves: On strong northerly meltemi days you will feel the breeze, but the bay shape usually keeps the sea manageable, often gentler than the exposed north and east coasts.

For simple swimming, floating, playing with kids and enjoying the view back to Parikia, Krios Beach is one of the best options close to town.

Food, drinks and services at Krios Beach

Krios Beach is not a huge resort strip, but it has enough around it that you can happily spend most of the day without leaving.

  • Beach bars & tavernas: A couple of casual places right behind the sand serve coffee, drinks, snacks and simple meals, so you can combine sunbeds with lunch or early dinner.
  • Sunbeds & umbrellas: Organised sections provide loungers, shade and table service, plus plenty of space to sit freely with your own umbrella or towel if you prefer a low budget day.
  • Nearby accommodation: Rooms to let and a well known camping area near Krios attract younger travellers and people who like an outdoors style holiday close to Parikia.
  • Facilities: Basic showers and toilets are usually available through beach businesses or the camping, and you are close enough to Parikia town to get anything else you need.

For more variety in restaurants and bars, simply head back to Parikia, where you can choose between fish tavernas, gyros, pizza and sunset bars along the promenade.

Getting to Krios Beach and parking

The most common ways to get to Krios Beach from Parikia are simple and quick.

  • Car or scooter: Short drive along the coastal road north of the port. The last part can feel narrow in peak season, but overall it is straightforward.
  • Taxi or private transfer: A very quick ride from Parikia, ideal on arrival or departure days when you do not want to move luggage too far. You can pre-book private transfers in Paros to keep it stress free.
  • Boat taxi: In high season, small boat taxis often shuttle between the port area and Krios / Marcelo, which turns the beach run into a fun mini boat trip.
  • Walking: Possible if you like longer coastal walks in cooler hours, but most visitors prefer wheels in summer heat.

Parking:

  • Informal parking behind the beach and near the camping area.
  • In July and August it can feel busy around midday, so it is easier if you arrive in the morning or late afternoon.
  • Because the area is less dense than central Parikia, you can almost always find a spot somewhere, even if it means a slightly longer walk along the sand.

If you want flexibility to visit other bays as well, combine your day here with car rentals in Paros or an ATV / scooter rental.

Who Krios Beach works best for

  • First timers based in Parikia: Ideal if you book accommodation in Parikia and want a beautiful beach that is very close, so you do not spend half your day driving.
  • Families with kids: Shallow water, sand underfoot and clear visibility make it easy to keep an eye on children, especially in the morning.
  • Couples: Lovely for a relaxing swim, a simple lunch and a quiet late afternoon before heading into Parikia old town for sunset and dinner.
  • Groups of friends: Organised sections, music at the beach bars and the camping nearby create a social feel without full party chaos.
  • Short stays & last days: Perfect if you only have a day or two on the island, or if you want an easy beach option close to the port before catching your ferry.

If you dream of wilder, remote beaches with no infrastructure, you can treat Krios Beach as your “easy day” near town and explore quieter bays from the wider best beaches in Paros guide on other days.

Example easy days built around Krios Beach

  • Half day from Parikia: Morning coffee in Parikia, walk or drive to Krios Beach, swim and relax until early afternoon, then head back to town for a stroll through the alleys and sunset on the promenade.
  • Full day with Marcelo: Start at Krios Beach for your first swim, then walk to Marcelo Beach for lunch and a slightly different angle of the bay, returning to Krios for a quieter late afternoon before going back to town.
  • Last day before the ferry: Check out of your hotel in Parikia, leave luggage at reception or a storage point, spend your final hours at Krios Beach, then shower, change and walk or drive back in time for your boat.
  • Windy day fix: When the north wind makes other exposed beaches choppy, choose Krios and Marcelo inside the bay, then connect with a relaxed evening in Parikia.

You can treat Krios Beach as your simple go-to bay near Parikia and build low stress days around it.

What locals notice and love about Krios Beach

  • The view back to Parikia: Swimming while looking across at the town, boats and the old windmill feels very “Paros”, especially in late afternoon light.
  • Easy logistics: Locals know that on busy days you can still get a good swim here without committing to a long drive or complicated parking.
  • Combination with Marcelo: Being able to switch between Krios Beach and Marcelo Beach in a few minutes on foot gives you two slightly different moods in one place.
  • Calmer meltemi days: When the wind is howling elsewhere, the bay often stays swimmable, which is why many locals bring visiting friends here.
  • Simple, classic beach days: Sand, clear water, a couple of places to eat, and the town five to ten minutes away – no overthinking, just an easy beach day near Parikia.

Krios Beach, Paros: FAQs

You can walk from Parikia to Krios Beach if you like longer walks, but most people use a car, scooter, taxi or boat taxi. Walking time depends on where you start in town and your pace. Expect it to feel like a proper outing, not a quick five minute stroll.

Yes, Krios Beach is very good for children. The entry into the water is gradual, the seabed is mostly sand, and the bay shape usually keeps waves manageable. Mornings are the calmest and easiest with kids.

In July and August, the organised parts of Krios Beach can be quite full in the middle of the day, especially when the meltemi wind sends people away from the north and east coasts. There is still some free space, but if you want front row sunbeds it is better to arrive earlier.

Yes, Krios Beach is often a smart choice on strong northerly meltemi days. The bay of Parikia gives it extra protection, so you usually get less chop than on exposed beaches such as Santa Maria or parts of the east coast.

There are a couple of beach bars and tavernas right behind Krios Beach where you can get coffee, drinks and food. For more variety, you simply go back to Parikia for a bigger choice of tavernas, gyros places and sunset bars.

Yes, it is very easy to combine Krios Beach and Marcelo Beach. You can park once and walk between them, or arrive by small boat and explore both on foot. Many people treat them as one bigger beach day.

Absolutely. Because Krios Beach is so close to Parikia, it is perfect for an arrival day swim or a last day on the island. You can spend the day on the beach, then return to town, collect your bags and walk to the ferry.

What To Do Next:

Use Krios Beach as your “easy button” for the Parikia side of the island, then connect it with your other planning pages:

  • Explore more options in the Best beaches in Paros guide so you can mix close to town spots like Krios Beach and Marcelo Beach with bigger south and east coast days.
  • Check Parikia, Paros in the villages section for where to stay, what the port town feels like and how to plan evenings around your beach days.
  • If you plan to book accommodation in Parikia, read Where to stay in Paros to see how a Parikia base compares with Naoussa, Drios or Piso Livadi.
  • Combine Krios Beach with boat tours in Paros that depart from Parikia, so you can do one easy beach day near town and one full day on the water.
  • Look at things to do in Paros to connect your Krios swims with simple walks in Parikia old town, church visits and sunset spots on your non beach hours.
  • Browse experiences in Paros if you want to add Greek cooking classes, pottery, wine tasting or an FPV drone experience in Paros to your Parikia days.
  • If you are still deciding how to move around, check your options for car rental in Paros, ATV rental in Paros or private transfers in Paros, especially if you want to beach hop beyond the Parikia bay.
  • When you are ready to explore further, match your Krios days with day trips from Paros to Antiparos, Naxos or the Small Cyclades.