For most people, the Greek islands conjures up images of traditional villages crowded with white-washed stone houses with blue wooden shutters and streets teeming with bougainvillea. These idyllic villages are only found on the islands in the Cyclades, and while Santorini and Mykonos are more famous, the most beautiful traditional Cycladic villages are found on Paros. One of the most well-preserved and beautiful villages on Paros is Lefkes, a tiny agricultural village in the mountains, with only 500 residents.
Lefkes was the first capital of Paros, because in medieval times people preferred to build their main villages inland to protect themselves from pirate raids. The tiny, narrow streets are pedestrian-only, and there are two car parks on the outside of town where you can leave your car before exploring on foot. Since it’s not on the water, like the larger villages of Parikia and Naousa, fewer tourists stay here and the village remains untouched by mass tourism.
Lefkes is surrounded by hillside covered in olive trees and pine trees, and from the town, which is 350m above sea level, you can see all the way to neighbouring island Naxos.The village gets busy each day after around 11am, when crowds start to arrive by the local bus. Since we’d hired a car, we were able to get to the town in the morning before busloads of tourists started arriving, and for a long time we had the place nearly to ourselves!
This post has heaaaaps of photos, but I am too in love with Lefkes to cut out any more than I already have.
Church of Agia Triada
We spent an hour or so wandering through the pretty streets, before we reached the Church of Agia Triada, an early 19th century Byzantine-style basilica. We stopped for a fresh lemonade at Marigo’s Kafenion, a cafe in the square opposite the church and revelled in the peace and quiet of the town – such a breath of fresh air compared to New York City!
Lefkes Doughnut House
On our way back out of town, we stopped at Lefkes Doughnut House which is near the entrance to the village. We bought one vanilla custard and one jam doughnut, and ate them from the shop’s terrace, which has views over the surrounding countryside. I have to admit, I can’t remember much about the doughnut, because as we were leaving the shop, poor David whacked his head on the low stone door way – he is too tall for most of the Greek islands (and Tokyo!).
Have you been to Lefkes, or to the Greek Islands? Would you like to? Let me know in the comments!
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