Golden Beach — Chrissi Akti to locals — is the longest, sandiest, most useful beach on Paros: 700 metres of fine gold sand on the southeast coast, with reliable summer wind that made it a Professional Windsurfing World Cup venue for years. Whether you're coming to ride the meltemi or just to park a towel on serious sand, here's the full guide.
The beach itself
Golden Beach faces southeast, shelving gently into clear water over sand — no rocks, no surprises, easy swimming even for small kids near the shore. Its size is its superpower: even in mid-August, walk two minutes from the organised sections and you have space. Facilities cover the spectrum — sunbed-and-umbrella sets (€15–25 for two), tavernas and beach bars behind the sand, showers, and water-sports centres at both ends.
Windsurfing: why the wind works here
The meltemi blows side-shore from the left across Golden Beach, which is exactly what you want: fall in, and the wind pushes you along the beach, not out to sea. Add flat-to-chop water inside and small swell further out, and you get a spot that genuinely serves everyone:
- Beginners: morning lessons in the gentler breeze; the sandy, standing-depth inside section is forgiving.
- Intermediates: classic 15–25 knot afternoons, July through August, for planing and carve-gybe practice.
- Advanced: strong meltemi days deliver 25+ knots and chop-hop conditions — the World Cup ran freestyle and slalom here for a reason.
Two established centres on the beach rent kit by the hour or day and run lessons in several languages; boards and rigs are modern and well-kept. Season: June to September for reliable wind, with July–August the engine room. Calm-morning paddleboards and kayaks fill the gaps.
Kitesurfing next door at Punda
Kiters should head 15 minutes around the coast to Punda (the beach club side, not the Antiparos ferry point), where the channel between Paros and Antiparos funnels the meltemi into a dedicated kite zone with rescue-boat cover and IKO schools. Same wind, different discipline — and one of the best-organised kite spots in Greece.
Getting there and parking
Golden Beach is 22 km from Parikia (about 30 minutes) and 8 minutes past Piso Livadi, on good paved road with plenty of free parking behind the beach. Summer buses reach it from Parikia several times daily, but with boards, coolers or kids, this is car country — and the drive across the island via Lefkes is a highlight itself. Pick your car or quad here. Basing yourself beach-side? Compare the area in where to stay in Paros.
Beyond the beach
Evenings, drive 5 minutes to Piso Livadi harbour for waterfront tavernas, or 10 minutes up to Marpissa and Lefkes for village strolls. Windless day? That's your Antiparos or Kolymbithres day — the full menu is in our beach ranking and itineraries.
Frequently asked questions
Is Golden Beach good for non-windsurfers?
Completely — the water-sports zone occupies one section; the rest is a classic long sandy swimming beach, one of the island's best for families.
How much does windsurfing cost at Golden Beach?
Roughly €25–35 for an hour's kit rental, €50–70 for a beginner lesson, with day and week rates that drop fast. Book lessons a day ahead in August.
When is the wind best?
July and August afternoons for full meltemi; June and September trade a few knots for far fewer people. Mornings are usually lighter — that's lesson time.
Golden Beach or Santa Maria?
Golden Beach for size and wind sports; Santa Maria for sheltered, ultra-clear family swimming. They're 35 minutes apart — do both.
Cover image: Domob, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.