It is considered one of the emerging destinations of 2020 by TripAdvisor, which included Naoussa among the top 10 destinations to visit this year. On the northern coast of the island of Paros, one of the largest in the Cyclades archipelago, it has nothing to envy of the more famous Mykonos or Santorini.
It is described as a charming town surrounded by orchards and vineyards, located in an area famous for its wine, jams and the annual international film festival.
In winter it does not have more than three thousand inhabitants, but it is in summer when it is filled with tourists in search of the colors of Greece, but also the tranquility that this place offers, far from the chaos of the other tourist destinations that surround it.
It is the perfect place to pamper your senses. food and wine tours, cooking classes and spa treatments. Those who want to explore their spiritual side can take advantage of the dedicated meditation area or the yoga center.
Its small port overlooking a protected bay is always full of moored schooners because the island's inhabitants still make a living from fishing. This is the center of tourist life of Naoussa and the elderly. warehouses, where fishermen once kept their tools, today have been transformed into nightclubs and bars where you can enjoy delicious "mezedes" (appetizers) based on fish and accompanied by the inevitable ouzo. Every year in July the wine and fish festival takes place, while in August the Night of the Corsairs is celebrated, which represents the capture of Naoussa by the Aegean pirates.
Beyond the pier the port extends a network of white alleys dominated by Venetian style buildings. The town emerged around the port in the Byzantine era. Fortified with a wall that led to a Venetian bastion, some parts of the wall still stand and are of great historical and archaeological interest.
There is some monasteries where visitors can admire ornate icons, mural paintings and original architectural styles, such as the Monastery of Loggovardas, Agios Ioannis Detis, the Monastery of Agios Athanasios and the medieval church of Agios Georgios.
Furthermore, it is worth visiting theMycenaean acropolis, one of the most important archaeological sites in the region, dating back to 1200 BC. The archaeological finds from these excavations are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum.
There are several beaches to go to in Naoussa, the most famous is Layers, on the outskirts of the town. It can be reached by boat or even with a rented means of transportation. Due to its isolated location it is frequented by naturists. Very popular, especially among young people, and very beautiful, nonetheless. monastery, on the western side of the Gulf of Naoussa.
Today Naoussa is one of the most beautiful fishing villages in Greece and still maintains its authentic island character, but also a bit of cosmopolitan glamour. Not too much though. That's why it's better to go there now, before everyone discovers it and it becomes a new Mykonos.
