Paros is the third largest island of Cyclades after Naxos and Andros. The island has developed into an important centre of tourism in recent years. Gentle rolling hills surround the centre and the southeast of the island, which is predominantly agricultural and is occupied by endless vineyards.

The coastline is indented with numerous small inlets and two large bays those of Naoussa in the north and Parikia in the west. Paros has been inhabited since very ancient times and was one of the centres of the Cycladic civilisation.