Makria Miti Beach
Hidden cove near Aliki with clear water and quiet swims
Makria Miti Beach is a small cove near Aliki village, Paros that feels more like a secret corner than a classic organized beach. You get clear water, rocks and sand, great snorkeling and a calm, low-key atmosphere, especially on meltemi days when the south coast stays protected. It is not a big sunbed scene, more a “drop your towel, bring your own shade and enjoy the view” kind of spot, perfect if you want a quieter swim close to Aliki Beach and the other south coast bays in our best beaches in Paros guide.
Makria Miti Beach at a glance
- Type: small cove, rocks and sand, very relaxed and low infrastructure.
- Location: just south of Aliki on the southwest coast of Paros.
- Vibe: quiet, low-key, mostly couples, families and locals who already know the spot.
- Best for: calm swims, snorkeling, sunset light and peaceful beach time away from big clubs.
- Sea & sand: sandy patches with tiny pebbles, rocky edges and clear turquoise water, similar in colour to nearby Piso Aliki and Faraggas Beach.
- Wind: very good choice on strong meltemi (north wind) days when more exposed north-coast beaches feel rough.
- Access: best with car or scooter via a short dirt road, then a short walk.
- Services: no proper beach bar or sunbeds – bring water, snacks and shade, and use nearby Aliki for tavernas and shops.
- Nearby: Aliki Beach, Piso Aliki, Agios Nikolaos Beach and Faraggas Beach.
Where Makria Miti sits on the island
Makria Miti Beach sits on the southwest corner of Paros, just below the village of Aliki. It is part of the same little peninsula that forms the southern side of Aliki Bay, facing out toward the open sea and, in the distance, Antiparos.
- From Aliki: about 5 minutes by car or a longer walk if you feel like stretching your legs from your base around Aliki Beach.
- From Parikia: around 20–25 minutes by car in normal traffic (see the Parikia, Paros guide if you want to combine the two).
- From the airport: roughly 12–15 minutes by car.
- From Naoussa: about 35–40 minutes by car, depending on season and traffic.
Most people combine Makria Miti with a visit to Aliki village itself, or with other south coast beaches like Piso Aliki and Faraggas Beach, using a car rental in Paros or an ATV / scooter rental for easy access.
How Makria Miti feels through the season
Makria Miti Beach stays relatively low-key even in July and August compared with bigger names like Golden Beach or Santa Maria.
- May & June: very peaceful. You may share the cove with only a handful of people. Great for early-season swims and long, quiet afternoons if you are based in Aliki or nearby.
- July & August: more visitors thanks to nearby villas and people staying in Aliki, but still no “wall of sunbeds” feeling. It can feel semi busy on peak days, yet remains calmer than most north and east coast beaches in the Paros beaches guide.
- September & October: lovely soft light, warm sea and mostly relaxed, local and repeat visitors. Ideal months if you want space without sacrificing water temperature.
Day vs night, Makria Miti is mainly a daytime beach. Evenings are more about heading back to Aliki village for seaside tavernas and a stroll along the harbour.
Sea, sand and layout of Makria Miti Beach
Makria Miti is a small, curved cove, framed by low rocks and a narrow strip of sand and tiny pebbles.
- Sand & shore: mostly sand with fine pebbles, plus some rock shelves at the edges where people lay towels or sit close to the water.
- Water entry: easy in the central sandy area, a bit rockier toward the sides. Water deepens reasonably quickly, so it is better for water-confident kids and adults than toddlers.
- Water colour: very clear, classic southwest-coast turquoise on calm days – great for snorkeling and underwater photos.
- Size: a small, intimate cove. It can feel “full” long before it is actually crowded, simply because space is limited.
Think of it as a secret pocket beach: come with a small setup, stay flexible and treat it as a chill, quiet swim rather than an all-day resort-style beach. For bigger, more organised bays nearby, you can always switch to Aliki Beach or Faraggas.
Wind, meltemi and when Makria Miti works best
On summer meltemi days, Makria Miti Beach is one of the safer bets on the island.
- North wind (meltemi): the bay is well protected, so the sea usually stays swimmable and relatively calm while the north and west coasts get waves and chop. On such days, Makria Miti sits high in our wind-by-coast beach recommendations.
- Southerly winds: when the wind blows from the south, this side can get more swell. In strong southerlies, it is usually better to flip to north coast beaches like Krios or Kolymbithres.
- Best times of day: mornings and late afternoons are ideal for softer light and fewer people. Midday in July–August can feel hotter because there is no big infrastructure for shade.
If you wake up to a strong north wind and want calm water near Aliki, Makria Miti is one of the first places locals think about, along with Piso Aliki and Agios Nikolaos Beach.
Access, parking and services at Makria Miti
Access: best reached by car or scooter. You follow the road south from Aliki toward the peninsula, then turn onto a short dirt road and walk the last stretch down to the cove.
- Parking: small informal parking area at the end of the road plus some roadside spots. In peak season, arrive earlier in the day so you do not have to perform tight turns on the dirt section.
- Public transport: there is no direct bus stop at Makria Miti. The nearest bus stops are in Aliki. From there you could walk, but it is a longer, sometimes hot walk, so most people prefer wheels.
- Services on the beach: no permanent sunbeds, umbrellas or proper beach bar. Sometimes you may find a few temporary setups higher on the rocks, but you should plan as if there are none.
- What to bring: water, snacks, hat, sunscreen and, ideally, a small umbrella or light shade. Water shoes help if you like exploring the rocks.
- Nearby facilities: all the shops, tavernas and cafés you need are in Aliki and Piso Aliki just a few minutes’ drive away.
For smoother logistics, many visitors organise a car rental in Paros, an ATV / scooter rental or use private transfers in Paros if they do not want to drive themselves.
Who Makria Miti Beach works best for
- Couples: great for couples who want a quiet, romantic cove without loud music or crowds, especially if you are staying in or around Aliki, Paros.
- Families with older kids: works well for water-confident children and teens who like snorkeling and rock exploring. Less ideal for toddlers who need long, shallow shallows – for that, nearby Aliki Beach is easier.
- Slow travellers & repeat visitors: perfect if you have already done the big-name spots in the Paros beach guide and now want something more low-key and local.
- Snorkelers & swimmers: clear water, rocky edges and a peaceful setting make Makria Miti a very nice snorkeling stop.
- People based in Aliki: if you stay in or near Aliki village, this is one of your closest “secret” beaches for quick dips and sunset swims.
It is less suitable for people who want full facilities, loud beach clubs or easy wheelchair access. In that case, look at Aliki Beach, Piso Aliki or more organized south-coast spots like Faraggas.
Example easy days that start or end at Makria Miti Beach
Half day with Aliki: morning swim at Makria Miti, then drive back to Aliki for a long seafood lunch and a gentle stroll around the harbour.
South coast trio: swim at Makria Miti, move on to Piso Aliki for another dip, then finish with sunset drinks and dinner in Aliki village.
Beach hopping from Drios: if you are based in Drios or the Golden Beach area, spend the morning at Lolantonis or Tripiti Beach, then cross to the south side for a late afternoon swim at Makria Miti and dinner in Aliki.
Windy-day escape: on strong north wind days, leave Naoussa or Parikia, head south to Makria Miti for calmer water, then explore Aliki and Agios Nikolaos Beach.
All of these days combine well with boat tours in Paros that depart from Aliki or with a quiet evening back at your villa on the south or south east side of the island.
What locals notice and love about Makria Miti Beach
- The colours: the way clear turquoise water contrasts with the low rocks and simple sandy strip, especially compared with the busier bays in the south-coast beaches list.
- The “secret cove” feel: it still feels like a local hideaway compared with more famous spots around Aliki and Faraggas Beach.
- Calm on meltemi days: when the north coast is rough, Makria Miti often stays surprisingly swimmable.
- Easy combos: how simple it is to combine a quiet swim here with lunch or dinner in Aliki village.
- Snorkeling: the pleasure of snorkeling along the rocks and then lying on a warm rock shelf to dry off in the late afternoon light.
Makria Miti Beach, Paros: FAQs
Is Makria Miti Beach sandy and good for small kids?
Makria Miti has sandy patches with tiny pebbles and some rocks, and the water gets deeper a bit faster than on classic family beaches like Aliki Beach or Golden Beach. It is fine for water-confident kids with adults nearby, but for toddlers who need long, shallow shallows, the main Aliki and Piso Aliki beaches are usually easier.
How do I get to Makria Miti Beach?
The easiest way is by car or scooter from Aliki. You follow the road toward the Makria Miti peninsula, turn onto a short dirt road and then walk a small path down to the cove. There is no direct bus stop at the beach, so public transport alone is not ideal unless you are happy to walk from Aliki.
Is Makria Miti an organized beach with sunbeds and a beach bar?
No, Makria Miti Beach is mostly unorganized. There are no permanent sunbeds, umbrellas or big beach bar setup. You should bring your own shade, water and snacks, then head back to Aliki for tavernas and cafés.
Is Makria Miti good when the meltemi blows?
Yes, on strong north wind days the southwest coast, including Makria Miti and Aliki, is often more protected. That is one of the main reasons locals send people to this side when the north and east coasts are rough or choppy.
Can I walk from Aliki to Makria Miti Beach?
You can, but it is a longer and sometimes hot walk depending on where you start in Aliki. Some people treat it as a small hike and enjoy the views; others prefer to drive or use a scooter and save their energy for swimming.
Is Makria Miti Beach good for snorkeling?
Yes, the rocky edges and clear water make Makria Miti a nice spot for light snorkeling. It is not a dramatic reef, but you can expect fish, rocks and sea grass, especially along the sides of the cove.
Are there toilets or showers at Makria Miti?
There are no formal toilets or showers on the beach itself. For facilities you treat Makria Miti as a natural cove and use the services in Aliki or Piso Aliki before or after your swim.
Do I need a car to include Makria Miti in my trip?
A car or scooter makes Makria Miti much easier to enjoy, especially in summer heat. You can still reach it by combining buses to Aliki with walking or private transfers in Paros, but most visitors who love this beach have their own wheels.
What To Do Next:
- Explore Aliki properly: read the Aliki, Paros village guide to see how Makria Miti fits with Aliki Beach, Piso Aliki and the local tavernas.
- Compare south-coast spots: use the best beaches in Paros guide to compare Makria Miti with other quiet south coast options like Voutakos, Faraggas Beach and Agios Nikolaos.
- Plan a calm sea day: mix a Makria Miti swim with a family-friendly stop at Aliki Beach or Piso Aliki plus a seafood lunch in Aliki village.
- Add a boat day: check boat tours in Paros that depart from Aliki if you want to combine quiet south-coast beach days with Blue Lagoon swims and coves around Paros and Antiparos.
- Choose your base: look at where to stay in Paros if you are choosing between a base in Aliki, Drios or the Golden Beach area and want easy access to Makria Miti.
- Sort logistics: for simple, low-stress access to smaller coves, browse Paros car rentals, ATV and scooter rentals and private transfers in Paros.