Antiparos, one of the smaller Cyclades islands, is a miniature world of its own.
The moment you step off the old-fashioned ferry onto the charming little port, you feel the island’s restorative alchemy. Wooden fishing boats are moored alongside the seaside cafés in the harbour town, a mirage of modest whitewashed houses. Paved alleys scattered with bougainvillea petals lead to a small square, a Venetian castle, and beyond to a sunset beach. There are just enough pretty shops and stylish restaurants to please the eye and tease the palate.
The soft landscape of low-lying hills and shallow bays is less stark and rocky than most Cycladic islands.
But there is plenty of variety within these golden shores — bleached chapels, volcanic rock formations, olive groves and wine presses, mellow beach bars like our very own Beach House, and even a legendary disco, La Luna. If you dare, you can descend 400 steps into a vertical cave, where the stalagmites look like frozen waterfalls. The majestic ruins of the temple of Apollo, on the uninhabited islet of Despotiko, make for a one-of-a-kind boat trip.
Most beaches on Antiparos are sandy and sheltered, ideal for young families or slow afternoons spent snorkelling and kayaking.
Livadia, the virgin beach where The Rooster was born, is a wilder alternative. When the meltemi — the Aegean’s strong, northerly wind — comes rolling in, this tranquil beauty transforms into the island’s coolest surf beach. For island insiders, it’s also the best vantage point for sunset on Antiparos. Best enjoyed with an unconventional cocktail from our Bar.
