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Ampelas Beach

Ampelas Beach

Quiet fishing bay and low key base near Naoussa

Ampelas, also written Ambelas, is a small fishing village on the north east coast of Paros. The bay has quiet sandy and shingle coves, a handful of seafront tavernas and a very relaxed, local rhythm. It is one of the easiest places to stay if you want calm evenings beside the water, with Naoussa and the north side beaches only a short drive away.

Ampelas Beach at a glance

  • Small, low key fishing bay with coves and a tiny harbour.
  • Quieter alternative to Naoussa, but close enough for easy evening visits.
  • Mix of sand and small pebbles, clear water and a working boat feel.
  • Good for couples, families and slow travellers who want a calm base.
  • A few tavernas and rooms right on the water, so it is easy to book in Ampelas and move on foot.
  • No big beach clubs or loud music, more about food, sea and simple swims.

Where Ampelas Beach sits on the island

Ampelas Beach sits on the north east side of Paros, just along the coast from Naoussa.

  • About 10 minutes by car from Naoussa village.
  • Roughly 25 minutes from Parikia and the main port.
  • Around 35 minutes from the Paros airport in the south.

The last stretch is on small local roads that pass fields, farmhouses and a few villas. It feels like you are reaching the edge of the island rather than a major resort.

How Ampelas Beach feels through the season

From May to October, Ampelas feels like a quiet working village that has gently adjusted to visitors.

  • May, June and September feel very relaxed, with locals, a few early or late season travellers and cool evenings for seaside dinners.
  • July and August bring more people, especially at sunset and dinner, but the bay still feels calmer than Naoussa or Santa Maria.
  • During the daytime you see swimmers, boats coming in and out, and people moving between the small coves.
  • In the evenings the focus shifts to the tavernas beside the sea, with soft lighting and the sound of cutlery and quiet music rather than big party energy.

Sea, sand & swimming at Ampelas Beach

The shoreline around Ampelas Beach is broken into small coves. Some parts are sandy, others have a mix of sand and fine pebbles, and there are rocky corners that are good for a mask and snorkel.

  • The water is usually very clear, with easy entry in most spots.
  • Inside the harbour wall it is more sheltered and shallow, better for younger children on calmer days.
  • On strong northerly winds you will feel more chop and small waves than on the south and east coasts, so families often choose a more protected beach on those days.
  • There are no big inflatables or loud water sports here, which keeps the swimming area peaceful.

Sunbeds, shade & facilities at Ampelas Beach

Ampelas stays fairly simple compared with the big name beaches on Paros.

  • Each summer there are usually a few sets of sunbeds and umbrellas connected to the seaside tavernas.
  • There is always space to lay your own towel on the sand or small pebbles if you prefer a non organised feel.
  • Natural shade is limited, so bringing a small umbrella or beach tent is smart if you plan to stay all day in July and August.
  • Most practical facilities, like toilets and showers, are associated with the tavernas and small accommodations rather than public beach buildings.

Food, drinks & nearby villages

Food is one of the main reasons people love Ampelas. Several fish tavernas sit right on the water, with tables almost touching the harbour.

  • Menus focus on fresh fish and seafood, local meze, salads and simple grilled dishes.
  • You can easily spend long evenings here, eating beside the boats and listening to the sea.
  • If you want more nightlife and shopping, you simply head to Naoussa for bars and boutiques, then return to the quieter bay to sleep.
  • Ampelas works well with wider planning pages like Naoussa, Paros, best beaches in Paros and where to stay in Paros when you are deciding between bases.

It is also a good place to be collected for private transfers in Paros or small scale boat tours in Paros that explore the north coast.

Getting to Ampelas Beach (car, bus & parking)

  • By car or scooter: follow the coastal road out of Naoussa toward the north east. The drive is short and straightforward.
  • By bus: in summer there is usually a Naoussa to Ampelas line, although timetables change, so always double check locally before you rely on it.
  • Parking: you normally find space along the roadside and in small informal areas near the beach and harbour. In peak August evenings it can feel tight, so arriving a bit earlier for sunset dinner helps.
  • By taxi or private transfer: very realistic from Naoussa, Parikia or other bases, especially if you pre book with a local private transfer in Paros company.

Who Ampelas Beach works best for

  • Couples who want quiet seaside evenings, good food and easy access to Naoussa nightlife by car or taxi.
  • Families who like small coves, a village feel and being able to walk from room to beach and taverna in a few minutes.
  • Slow travellers and digital nomads who prefer a small, local base rather than a busier tourist hub.
  • Repeat visitors to Paros who have already stayed in Naoussa or Parikia and now want something softer and more residential.
  • Not ideal if you want big beach clubs, very loud music or to be on a major bus hub.

Example easy days that include Ampelas Beach

  • Half day from Naoussa: morning coffee and shopping in Naoussa, quick drive to Ampelas Beach for a swim, then long seafood lunch by the harbour and an afternoon rest before heading back.
  • Beach and village loop: swim in Ampelas, continue to Santa Maria or Small Santa Maria, then finish with sunset drinks and dinner in Naoussa.
  • Calm north side day: base yourself in Ampelas, enjoy an easy morning on the beach, then visit Lefkes for a late afternoon village walk and dinner.
  • Boat and beach combo: book a small Paros boat tour from Naoussa in the morning, return in the afternoon, and end the day with a swim and dinner in Ampelas.

What locals notice & love about Ampelas Beach

  • The way the fishing boats still set the rhythm of the bay, even in summer.
  • Simple seafood dinners right by the water, often with the sound of waves instead of heavy music.
  • How quickly you can escape Naoussa crowds and be in a quieter, more local setting.
  • The soft evening light over the bay and the feeling that you are at the edge of the island, not in a packed resort.
  • The fact that you can walk almost everywhere in a few minutes, from room to beach to taverna.

Ampelas Beach, Paros: FAQs

Ampelas has a mix of sand and small pebbles, but mostly sand, with some rocky corners. Most people find it easy to get in and out of the water, but families who want pure sand can also use nearby Santa Maria or Kolymbithres on the same day.

Yes, the bay is quite compact and the roads are small and slow, so it feels family friendly. On calm days children can swim and play in the shallows or inside the harbour area, and parents can watch from nearby tavernas or the sand.

You can. There are small hotels, studios and villas so it is easy to book in Ampelas and then explore the island by car, scooter, taxi or bus. It works especially well if you want to be near Naoussa without sleeping in the middle of its nightlife.

The simplest way is by car, scooter or taxi, which takes around ten minutes. In high season there is often a bus connection between Naoussa and Ampelas, but you should always check current timetables locally.

On strong meltemi days the north and north east coast feel more wind and small waves than the south side. If the sea feels too choppy in Ampelas you can always switch to more protected beaches on the east or south coasts using the best beaches in Paros guide.

Yes, several fish tavernas line the harbour and shore, some with a few sunbeds in front. There are also cafés and small bars for a drink before or after dinner, but there are no huge all day beach clubs.

You can reach Ampelas by bus or taxi from Naoussa and sometimes directly from other villages in high season, although service is not as frequent as the main routes. If you want maximum freedom to combine beaches and villages in one day, a car rental in Paros or private transfers in Paros will make things easier.

What To Do Next:

Use this Ampelas Beach guide together with your other core planning pages so your days flow naturally between beaches, villages and the sea:

  • Best beaches in Paros to see how Ampelas compares with bigger names like Golden Beach, Kolymbithres and Santa Maria.

  • Naoussa, Paros to plan evenings out, shopping and nightlife when you base yourself in or near Ampelas.

  • Experiences in Paros for things like cooking classes, winery visits, pottery or FPV drone adventures that fit around your beach time.

  • Boat tours in Paros to add a sailing or RIB day around Paros, Antiparos or Despotiko to your stay.

  • Where to stay in Paros to decide if you should book in Ampelas, Naoussa, Drios, Aliki or another base.

  • Villages of Paros to link an Ampelas swim with inland stops like Lefkes, Marpissa or Prodromos.

  • Day trips from Paros if you want to mix quiet days in Ampelas with bigger adventures to Antiparos, Naxos or Koufonisia.