This year, our meeting takes place against a particular backdrop: the island’s long-standing problems are being exacerbated by overtourism and overconstruction
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No New Tourist Beds on Paros — Petition Update
The petition calling for no new tourist beds in Paros’s Local Urban Plan has 3,859 signatures. On 18 November, the Municipal Council holds a special session on this single issue. If you have not signed yet, now is the time.
The Ancient Quarries of Marathi on the Minister of Culture’s table
The Mayor of Paros put the Ancient Marble Quarries of Marathi first on the agenda when he met Culture Minister Lina Mendoni on 30 September, and asked for a Master Plan.
Spatial planning – What kind of development do we want for our islands?
Yannis Spilanis argues that the new spatial plans for tourism, renewables and industry set no real limits, ignore carrying capacity, and favour short-term profit over the right to remain on the islands.
STOP: This Island Has a Limit
After the fire that ravaged the island, Friends of Paros are backing a moratorium on new tourist-accommodation permits, until someone honestly tells us how much this island can truly bear.
What Paros Do We Want?
For twenty-five years we have asked what Paros we want. The Municipality is now asking the same question; and this time there is a plan at the end of it. The Re-Imagine Paros survey closes this autumn. What it decides, what it cannot decide, and the one question most people lose by accident.
Restoring Ancient Voices: The Baby Amphorae of Paros
Beneath Parikia’s soil, four ancient amphorae await restoration — each one the final resting place of an infant, 24 centuries ago. Help us bring them back to light and be our guest of honour at the exhibition opening.
The Vineyard of Paros
When we consider the Parian vineyard, we should not only think of it as a landscape that produces wine, but also as an entire ecosystem.
Swimming Pools in Paros: A Luxury the Island Can No Longer Afford
An island under water stress
The Santa Maria wetland comes back to life with flamingos
Nature, favoured by the winter rains, reacted immediately: on April 25th, 21 greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) were spotted in the Santa Maria pond. Flamingos hadn’t been seen in Paros since the 1980s!
Despotiko: Archaeological and Restoration Works 2025
Opposite Antiparos lies Despotiko, an uninhabited island hiding one of the Cyclades’ most remarkable Archaic sanctuaries. The 2025 season brings new finds from the islet of Tsimintiri and marks the near-completion of Building D’s restoration — another step toward reviving Apollo’s ancient sanctuary.
Not one more bed on Paros
Paros has already reached its limit. We demand a full ban on new tourist beds — the new Local Urban Plan may be our last chance to save the island from predatory over-exploitation.
A New Year of Projects and Action
Buoyed by a wave of exciting projects, our association is gearing up for a pivotal year — but bringing these projects to fruition depends on your support. Help us reach 200 members and keep this momentum going.
A New Book in the Friends of Paros and Antiparos Series
A richly illustrated new volume explores the Early Middle Ages in the Cyclades, highlighting the Byzantine development of Paros and Naxos and the lasting role of faith and identity.
Portelata & Misoforia
Following the opening of the exhibition “Portelata and Misoforia” in Paros, a presentation was held at the “Melina” Cultural Centre in the Municipality of Athens.
Water on Paros: From Supply Management to a Resilient Water Strategy
On 17 September 2025, members and supporters of the association “Friends of Paros and Antiparos” visited the facilities of DEYAP (water distribution and sanitation company) in Paros, where the island’s water supply and management system was presented to them with transparency and technical precision.
The Southern Cemetery of Paros at the site of “Stavros”
A rescue excavation was conducted by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades at “Stavros”, in Kakapetra, close to the hill of Asclepius and Pythios.
Marathi Quarries: A Major Issue for the Island’s Environment and Heritage has arisen.
The Friends of Paros Association wishes to bring to the public’s attention important information regarding the future of the Marathi site and the decisions currently under consideration by the Municipality of Paros.
The Kolymbithres project returns — Citizens and Friends of Paros and Antiparos oppose it once again
The controversial Kolymbithres tourism project in Naoussa, involving 8,200 m² of construction on a 320,000 m² site, is back on the table
Archilochus: the Poet of Paros
Archilochus is the earliest of the great European lyric poets.