Paralio Astros: living where Mount Parnon meets the sea

On the eastern coast of Arcadia, where the slopes of Mount Parnon run down to the Argolic Gulf, lies Paralio Astros. Its charm is in everyday life: morning coffee by the sea, a stroll around the harbour, an afternoon swim and quiet evenings looking out over the gulf.

“The Island” and the castle

The town’s landmark is the hill the locals call “Nisi” — “the Island” — a small peninsula that forms the harbour. Around it lies the old village, with narrow lanes and stone houses; at its foot, modern Paralio Astros with its square, seafront promenade and shops.

The castle stands at the top of the hill. In 1824–1825 the Zafiropoulos brothers strengthened the older fortification and built their homes inside it. On 5 and 6 August 1826, Greek fighters led by Panagiotis Zafiropoulos and Nikitaras held off Ibrahim Pasha’s army here. Today the walk up is worth it both for the history and for the view across the whole Argolic Gulf.

The beaches

The sea is at the heart of life in Paralio Astros, and the coastline has something for every mood:

• Kallisto Beach — the main beach, right in front of the town, with organised sections and cafés a few steps away.
• Portes — a little further south, with coarse sand, deeper water and the breeze windsurfers love.
• Atsinganos — to the north, a long beach of sand and fine pebbles with shallow water, ideal for families with children.
• Cherronisi — a little further away, for those looking for peace and a more natural setting.

Life all year round

Paralio Astros is not just a summer resort. It is a town with permanent residents, where life goes on all year around the harbour, the square and the seafront. In the tavernas you will find fresh fish and traditional Peloponnesian cooking. Spring and autumn bring mild weather, perfect for walks and day trips; in winter, the view over the gulf and the quiet lanes show a calmer side of the place.

Everything you need for daily life is close by: schools, a health centre, supermarkets, greengrocers, butchers and all kinds of shops.

Distances are short: Nafplio and Tripoli are about 30 minutes by car, and Athens about 2 hours.

The wider area

• Moustos lagoon — a few minutes north, a protected wetland home to many bird species, for quiet walks in nature.
• Astros — where the Second National Assembly of 1823 was held, one of the key events of the Greek War of Independence.
• Loukous Monastery and the Villa of Herodes Atticus — a 12th-century monastery and, next to it, the remains of an impressive Roman villa.
• The villages of Mount Parnon — Platanos, Kastanitsa, Sitaina and Agios Ioannis, with stone houses, springs and chestnut trees. From the sea to the mountains in a short drive.
• The Lepida waterfalls — one of the most beautiful natural spots in Kynouria.

In summer, concerts and performances bring the open-air Melina Mercouri theatre to life.

Photos via Wikimedia Commons · Castle & harbour, bay: Glinard (CC BY 4.0) · Cypresses: Adamikon (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Fishing boats: G Da (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Castle from above: Eleni Kalogeropoulou (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Lepida waterfalls: Σταματίνα Σκαντζού (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Moustos: Giannis Mylonas (CC BY-SA 4.0)