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Santa Maria Beach

Santa Maria Beach

Shallow bays, beach clubs and Naoussa energy

Santa Maria Beach is one of the classic north coast beaches in Paros, a long sandy bay close to Naoussa, Paros with shallow water, beach clubs and a mix of families, couples and party people. It is the place you choose when you want beach comfort, music and easy access from Naoussa rather than a wild, remote cove. Think loungers, cocktails and watersports by day, then Naoussa for dinner and nightlife in the evening.

Santa Maria Beach at a glance

Small sandy cove with clear shallow water in Santa Maria, Paros
  • Type of beach: Long sandy bay on the north coast, split into more organised sections and quieter corners.
  • Main vibe: Lively, social and summery, with beach clubs, music and a steady flow of people coming from Naoussa.
  • Who it suits: Couples, groups of friends, teens and families who enjoy some buzz rather than a totally quiet cove.
  • Water feel: Shallow and clear near shore, usually calm enough for swimming although waves can pick up on strong north wind days.
  • Organisation level: Several organised areas with sunbeds, umbrellas, bars and food, plus small sections where you can put your own towel.
  • Access: Easy from Naoussa by car, scooter, bus or in season by small boat, parking on the back roads behind the beach.
  • Nearby options: Small Santa Maria for a more compact, sheltered cove and Laggeri Beach for a semi wild feeling on the other side of the bay.
  • Overall: One of the most popular north coast beaches in Paros if you like comfort, facilities and social energy.

Where Santa Maria sits on the island

Santa Maria Beach sits on the north east side of Paros, across the bay from Naoussa. It is part of the same general coastline as Kolymbithres, Monastiri Beach and Laggeri, which makes it easy to combine with other favourites in the area.

  • From Naoussa: about 10 to 15 minutes by car or scooter in normal summer traffic.
  • From Parikia: roughly 25 to 30 minutes by car, depending on time of day.
  • From Paros airport: around 35 to 40 minutes by car.

In high season there are usually buses running between Naoussa and the Santa Maria area. In some summers there are also small boats from Naoussa that stop at nearby beaches like Kolymbithres and Monastiri, although these schedules can change each year, so it helps to check locally or through your accommodation or private transfers in Paros.

Parking is mostly on dirt and back roads behind the beach. In July and August the front spots fill quickly, so it is smarter to park a little further back and walk a few minutes rather than circling in the midday sun.

How Santa Maria feels through the season

Aerial view of coastal landscape with rocky shore and clear water in Santa Maria beach, Paros

In May and June, Santa Maria feels bright and relaxed. The sea is still fresh, the beach clubs are open but not yet at full volume, and you get more space between umbrellas. It is a very good time if you want the infrastructure without heavy crowds.

July and August are peak season. This is when Santa Maria shows its full social side. Expect loud music in some organised sections, plenty of people walking up and down the sand, and a constant flow of visitors coming from Naoussa. The bay can feel windy and choppy on strong meltemi days, which is part of the fun for some people and a bit much for others.

In September, the water is at its warmest and the crowds thin out. Music and beach service continue, but the energy is softer and many people consider this the best month for beaches in Paros overall.

By October, most of the organised infrastructure starts to wind down. On good weather days you can still enjoy long swims and walks, but you should not expect full beach club operation, especially late in the month. If you want more options in the shoulder months, you can mix Santa Maria with other picks from the wider best beaches in Paros guide.

Sea, sand and facilities at Santa Maria

Aerial view of rocky coastline and turquoise sea in Santa Maria, Paros

Sand and sea: Santa Maria is mostly soft, golden sand with a gentle, shallow entry that suits children and less confident swimmers. The seabed is largely sandy with a few patches of rock here and there, and water visibility is usually good.

Wind and waves: The bay faces north east so it can feel exposed during strong meltemi days. On lighter north winds it is still very pleasant, just with a bit of chop. On calm and southerly days the water can feel like a large, clear pool.

  • Organisation and comfort: Several zones of sunbeds and umbrellas run by beach bars and restaurants, plus sections of free beach where you can drop your own towel and umbrella, and seasonal showers and toilets through the organised businesses.
  • Food and drinks: Beach bars serve coffee, fresh juices, cocktails and simple meals or snacks. For a more classic taverna feel, many people head into Naoussa in the evening.
  • Watersports and activities: Depending on the season and setup, Santa Maria often offers watersports in Paros such as stand up paddle or windsurfing rentals. If you want more intense action, compare it with Golden Beach and New Golden Beach on the east side, which are the main windsurf hubs.

Just along the coast sits Small Santa Maria, a compact cove that feels more tucked away. Many visitors like to walk or drive between the two to see which side suits the wind and mood on that particular day.

Who Santa Maria works best for

Wide view of a curved sandy beach and calm sea in Santa Maria beach, Paros
  • Couples: Great for a lively but still romantic beach day with cocktails, music and shallow water for long swims, especially if you finish with an evening in Naoussa.
  • Groups of friends: Ideal if you enjoy beach clubs, social energy and the idea of combining Santa Maria with bars and restaurants in Naoussa.
  • Families with older kids and teens: Works well for teenagers who enjoy organised beaches, music and watersports more than absolute quiet.
  • Visitors staying in Naoussa: One of the easiest classic Naoussa beaches to reach by road or seasonal boats, especially if you combine it with other north coast stops from the best beaches in Paros guide.
  • Comfort seekers: Perfect if you like sunbeds, service and food on hand rather than carrying full beach gear to a remote cove.

It is less ideal if you dream of a silent, untouched bay or if you strongly dislike music on the beach. For that style you may prefer places like Molos, Tripiti or some of the quieter south coast spots highlighted in the wider beaches guide.

Example easy days that start or end at Santa Maria

  • Naoussa and Santa Maria classic day: Morning stroll and coffee in Naoussa, then head to Santa Maria Beach late morning for sunbeds, swimming and lunch. Stay for a late afternoon swim, then return to Naoussa for sunset drinks and dinner on the harbour.
  • North coast sampler: Start at Kolymbithres to explore the rock formations, move on to Monastiri for a protected midday swim, then finish the afternoon at Santa Maria for a beach club feel before a relaxed evening in Naoussa.
  • Calm morning, lively afternoon: Spend a quiet morning at Small Santa Maria or Laggeri, then shift to the main Santa Maria Beach area after lunch when the energy picks up. End with a simple seafood dinner in one of the Naoussa tavernas.
  • Beach and boat combo: Book one of the boat tours in Paros or a short cruise from Naoussa in the morning, then treat Santa Maria as your easy, comfortable afternoon landing spot with sunbeds, a swim and a simple dinner before heading back to your base.

What locals notice and love about Santa Maria

Sandy beach with low dunes, gentle waves and sea-guls flying in a group low above the water in Santa Maria beach, Paros
  • The long sandy curve: Enough length that you can move a little to find your preferred balance between louder music zones and quieter pockets.
  • Views across the bay: On clear days you see the curve of the coastline, boats moving in and out of Naoussa and the changing colours of the water.
  • Shallow, playful water: Easy entry for long wades, kids playing at the edge and relaxed, floaty swims close to shore.
  • The Naoussa connection: You can make the whole day flow without big logistics, beach by day at Santa Maria, harbour vibe and bars in Naoussa at night.
  • Choice of mood: Move a few minutes along the coastline and the atmosphere shifts, from clubby sections to more relaxed corners and then on to Small Santa Maria or Laggeri Beach.

Santa Maria Beach, Paros: FAQs

Yes, the main part of Santa Maria Beach has shallow water and mostly sandy seabed, which works very well for children who like to play at the edge and swim close to shore. Just keep in mind that in July and August there is music and more movement, so if you want quiet you may prefer earlier in the day or a softer month like June or September.

Santa Maria faces the usual north and north east summer winds. On moderate meltemi days it feels breezy with some chop, on very strong meltemi days waves can build and the beach feels more wild than calm. If you want more shelter, you can check Monastiri Beach or look at south and east coast options in the best beaches in Paros guide.

In high season there are usually buses between Naoussa and the Santa Maria area, and some summers there are also small boats visiting nearby beaches. If you base in Naoussa you can combine walking, taxis, private transfers and buses to reach Santa Maria and other Naoussa beaches without renting a car.

It is a mix. Certain zones feel more like a beach club with louder music and a younger crowd, while other parts are calmer and full of mixed-age families. It is not a wild party like some Mykonos spots, but it is one of the livelier beaches in any Paros beach guide.

Kolymbithres is more about rock formations and tiny coves, very photogenic and fun to explore. Monastiri is one of the most protected bays, with very shallow water and a strong family focus. Santa Maria sits in between, with more of a classic long sandy beach, stronger beach club energy and a balance between families and groups of friends.

You can find both. Several sections at Santa Maria are organised with sunbeds and umbrellas for rent, but there are also stretches where you can put your own towel and umbrella. In peak weeks it is always smart to arrive earlier in the day if you want maximum choice.

On very strong north winds Santa Maria can feel rough and exposed. If you love waves and wind, you might enjoy it, but many visitors prefer to flip to more protected south or east coast beaches from the best beaches in Paros list, or to very sheltered spots like Monastiri.

Yes. Many boat tours in Paros leave from Piso Livadi or Aliki, both an easy drive away. You can spend one day centred on Golden Beach and another doing a full boat day around Paros, Antiparos and Despotiko.

There are accommodations scattered around the Santa Maria area, usually villas, small hotels and rooms rather than a dense village. It works well if you want to be close to the sea yet still drive or bus into Naoussa, Paros for evenings. If you prefer to walk out of your door straight into alleyways, then Naoussa itself may suit you more.

Some boat tours in Paros and private cruises will pass near Santa Maria or along the Naoussa bay coastline. More commonly, organised cruises focus on the Paros, Antiparos and Despotiko route, but if you book a private trip you can often shape the itinerary with your skipper.

Morning and late afternoon are usually the most comfortable. Mornings are calmer with softer light and fewer people. Late afternoon brings warmer light, music and a more social feel before many people head into Naoussa for dinner and drinks.

What To Do Next:

If Santa Maria feels like your kind of beach, use it as one of your north coast anchors and then build the rest of your Paros days around wind, mood and how much movement you want: