Voutakos Beach
Quiet southwest bay facing Antiparos, best on calm days
Voutakos Beach sits on the far southwest coast of Paros, facing across the channel toward Antiparos. It is a simple, quiet bay with clear water, low dunes and a big open sky feel, more about peace and space than services. On calm or light wind days, it is a beautiful spot to swim, read and watch the changing colours over the channel, especially if you like beaches that feel a little off the main tourist circuit and want something different from the more famous bays in the best beaches in Paros guide.
Voutakos Beach at a glance
- Type: quiet, mostly unorganised bay with small sandy sections and clear water.
- Location: southwest coast of Paros, facing the channel toward Antiparos, between Pounda (west coast) and the Aliki area.
- Vibe: very low key, usually quiet, more locals and repeat visitors than first timers.
- Best for: calm or light wind days, solitude, simple swims and soft sunset views.
- Sea & sand: patches of sand and small pebbles, mostly clear sandy seabed close to shore.
- Wind: nicest when winds are light or moderate; on strong meltemi days you may prefer more protected spots like Aliki Beach or Piso Aliki Beach.
- Access: car or scooter required, no direct bus to the beach itself, so check car rentals in Paros or ATV and scooter rentals.
- Services: no heavy infrastructure: bring your own shade, water and snacks.
- Nearby: Pounda (west coast), Aliki Beach, Piso Aliki and Agios Nikolaos Beach.
Where Voutakos sits on the island
Voutakos Beach is on the southwest side of Paros, roughly between Pounda (west coast) and the fishing village of Aliki. It faces the channel toward Antiparos, with low hills and fields behind the bay.
- From Parikia: around 15–20 minutes by car in normal traffic, following the same direction as Pounda and then branching toward Voutakos.
- From the airport: roughly 10–12 minutes by car, making it one of the closer “quiet” beaches to arrivals.
- From Aliki: about 10–15 minutes by car, so it pairs easily with the tavernas and walks in Aliki village.
- From Naoussa: around 35–40 minutes by car, depending on season and traffic.
The last stretch is via smaller local roads. It works best if you have your own wheels from a rental car or an ATV/scooter rental in Paros, or if you organise private transfers in Paros for a one-off visit.
How Voutakos feels through the season
Voutakos Beach stays quiet compared with the big-name beaches on the east and north coasts of Paros.
- May & June: often very peaceful, with a few locals, early-season visitors and people exploring by car. Great months if you want silence and space between other plans from Things to do in Paros.
- July & August: still usually much calmer than places like Golden Beach or Santa Maria. You may see more families and small groups, but it rarely feels crowded.
- September & October: soft light, warm sea and long, quiet afternoons. Perfect for slow travellers and people who like uncrowded bays before or after joining one of the boat tours in Paros.
Daytime is when Voutakos shines for swimming and reading. In the evening, the beach becomes a peaceful sunset spot before or after food in Aliki or Parikia.
Sea, sand and layout of Voutakos Beach
Voutakos Beach is a simple bay that feels more natural than designed, with low dunes and a wide-open view across to Antiparos.
- Shore: small sandy sections mixed with pebbles and patches of low rocks along the waterline.
- Water entry: mostly gentle and shallow at the start; in some spots you will feel pebbles underfoot before it turns to sand.
- Seabed: clear water with mainly sandy bottom once you are a little away from the shore, good for easy, no-fuss swims.
- Space: usually plenty of room to spread out with your own umbrella and towels, especially if you are happy to walk a little along the bay.
There are no large beach clubs or heavy lines of sunbeds here. It feels more like a local spot or a “second visit” beach for people who already know Paros from the main beach guide and now want something quieter.
Wind, meltemi and when Voutakos works best
The behaviour of Voutakos Beach depends a lot on the wind, especially in peak summer.
- Light winds and calm days: the best conditions for Voutakos. The sea is usually flat or gently rippled, ideal for long swims, floating and reading between dips.
- Strong north wind (meltemi): the southwest coast can get more chop and small waves than fully sheltered bays. On strong meltemi days, calmer options may be Aliki Beach, Piso Aliki or parts of the east coast around Golden Beach.
- Southerly winds: when a strong south wind hits, the whole south and southwest coast can feel exposed, so it is better to flip to beaches like Krios, Marcelo or around Naoussa.
- Best times of day: mornings and late afternoons bring softer light and usually fewer people. Midday sun is intense here, especially with limited natural shade.
If you have a flexible plan built around our best beaches in Paros guide, treat Voutakos as a calm-day choice rather than your main wind-proof fallback.
Access, parking and services at Voutakos Beach
Access: you reach Voutakos Beach by car or scooter along small local roads. There is no direct bus line that drops you on the sand.
- Parking: informal roadside parking and some open areas near the bay. Even in July and August, you can usually find a spot without major stress.
- Public transport: the nearest bus access is via Parikia or Pounda (west coast), but you still need a vehicle or a long walk to reach Voutakos itself.
- On-beach services: no major infrastructure. Bring your own umbrella, water and snacks; sometimes you might see locals’ setups, but do not count on rentals.
- Nearby facilities: for tavernas, cafés and mini markets, you will rely on Aliki or Parikia, so plan meals around those villages.
If you plan to spend a few hours here, treat it as a picnic-style beach and come prepared, ideally with a rental car or pre-booked private transfers in Paros so the southwest coast stays easy rather than complicated.
Who Voutakos Beach works best for
- Couples: very good for couples who want a quiet, simple beach with views across to Antiparos and no loud music, combined with dinner in Aliki or Parikia.
- Slow travellers: ideal if you have several days on Paros and want to see beyond the obvious beaches from the main beach listings.
- Photographers and sunset lovers: the southwest orientation and low horizon give beautiful light on calm evenings, especially if you mix it with one of the experiences in Paros on other days.
- Locals and repeat visitors: people who have “done” the famous spots like Kolymbithres and Santa Maria often come here for a different mood.
It is less suited to visitors who want beach clubs, full facilities, lifeguards and entertainment on the sand. For that, beaches such as Golden Beach, Pounda (west coast) or Santa Maria are a better match.
Example easy days that start or end at Voutakos Beach
- Quiet southwest loop: start with a coffee in Parikia, drive to Voutakos Beach for a few hours of swimming and reading, then continue to Aliki for seafood dinner and an evening stroll along Aliki Beach.
- Voutakos and Pounda: spend a calm morning at Voutakos, then head to Pounda Beach (west coast) to watch or try kitesurfing, and finish with sunset drinks back in Parikia. On another day, swap this with a boat tour in Paros to see the channel from the water.
- Family day from Aliki: if you base in Aliki, drive over to Voutakos Beach for a quieter swim, then return to Aliki Beach or Piso Aliki and finish with an early dinner in the fishing village.
- Calm evening plan: on a light-wind day, visit Voutakos in late afternoon, swim and watch the sun drop toward Antiparos, then drive back to Parikia for a stroll and a drink or a relaxed meal by the sea.
All of these combinations work well if you have a rental car in Paros or use private transfers to reach the southwest coast without stress.
What locals notice and love about Voutakos Beach
- The big sense of space and sky compared with more built-up bays on the north and east coasts.
- The view across the channel toward Antiparos, especially in the late afternoon when the light softens.
- The fact that it stays quiet even in peak season, so it feels like an escape from the better-known Paros beaches.
- The clear, inviting water on calm days, perfect for simple swims without distractions and before or after organised experiences in Paros.
- How easy it is to link Voutakos Beach with a meal in Aliki village or a short visit to Pounda (west coast) to watch the kites.
- The feeling of being slightly off the main route while still only a short drive from Parikia and the airport.
Voutakos Beach, Paros: FAQs
Is Voutakos Beach organized with sunbeds and umbrellas?
No, Voutakos Beach is mostly unorganised. You might occasionally see a few local setups, but in general you should bring your own umbrella, water and snacks.
Is Voutakos good for swimming?
Yes, the water at Voutakos Beach is usually clear with a mostly sandy seabed once you are a little away from shore. Entry is generally gentle, although there are some pebbles and small rocks in places.
How does Voutakos behave in strong meltemi wind?
Voutakos is best on calm or light wind days. In strong north wind, the southwest coast can get more chop and small waves, so other south bays like Aliki or Piso Aliki may feel more comfortable.
Can I reach Voutakos Beach by bus?
Not directly. You can use buses to reach areas like Parikia or Pounda, but you still need a car or scooter to get to Voutakos Beach itself.
Is Voutakos suitable for families?
It can work well for families who like quiet, simple beaches and are comfortable bringing their own shade and supplies. There are no lifeguards or facilities on the sand, so it suits more independent travellers.
Are there tavernas or cafés at Voutakos?
There are no tavernas directly on Voutakos Beach. For food and drinks you will use nearby villages like Aliki or Parikia, so it is a good idea to plan around that.
Is Voutakos a good sunset spot?
Yes, on calm evenings Voutakos Beach can be a lovely sunset spot, with the sun dropping toward Antiparos and the sky reflecting on the water.
Do I need a car to include Voutakos in my trip?
Realistically, yes. A rental car in Paros or scooter makes it easy to reach Voutakos, combine it with other southwest or south coast beaches and then head back to your base without worrying about bus timetables.
What To Do Next:
- Combine with Aliki: check the Aliki, Paros village guide to see how Voutakos Beach fits with Aliki Beach, Piso Aliki and seaside tavernas.
- Compare quiet bays: use the best beaches in Paros guide to compare Voutakos with other low-key options like Makria Miti, Molos and Tripiti Beach.
- Add sea days: browse boat tours in Paros if you want to mix a calm southwest beach day with a full day on the water around Paros, Antiparos and Despotiko.
- Layer in activities: balance quiet hours at Voutakos with experiences in Paros such as cooking classes, pottery workshops or soft-adventure outings.
- Choose your base: look at where to stay in Paros if you are choosing between a base in Aliki, the Parikia area or the Golden Beach side and still want easy access to the southwest.
- Sort logistics: arrange car rentals in Paros or private transfers in Paros if you plan to explore Voutakos Beach and other less serviced bays without relying on buses, and slot it between day trips from Paros and village evenings.