The Dark Underbelly of the Islands of Sunshine: What Mykonos and Santorini Mean for Paros

A German documentary reveals the dark underbelly of mass tourism in Mykonos and Santorini. The issues of water, housing, social fabric, environment, and building crises extend beyond these islands, serving as a warning for Paros and the wider Cyclades.
This summer, the cracks are showing on Mykonos and Santorini. Water is running short, rubbish is piling up behind the postcard-perfect scenes, and even the simplest things are becoming prohibitively expensive.The documentary Die Schattenseite der Sonneninseln (The Dark Side ...

Paros at a Crossroads: Mayor Kostas Bizas on Balancing Growth and Preservation

In an insightful interview with Mayor Kostas Bizas, Digitalparos examines the challenges and opportunities that Paros faces as it deals with significant unchecked growth.
Paros is at a crossroads. Over the past few years, the island has witnessed significant changes, leading to increasing pressures on its ability to maintain the authenticity and heritage that have made it a beloved destination. In a conversation with ...

A Lifeline for a Thirsty Land

Discover how one man is fighting water scarcity with ingenuity and sustainable design. By combining traditional techniques with modern innovation, he's creating a water-positive ecosystem that can bring relief to drought-stricken regions.
Water scarcity represents one of the world's most pressing challenges today, and few places feel its impact more acutely than the Cycladic islands. On the island of Paros where water consumption is increasing as rainfall decreases, Kerry Forides is pioneering ...

Looking Back, Moving Forward: Our Journey into 2025

As 2025 begins, Digitalparos reflects on a year of milestones in tackling environmental challenges and empowering communities. Building on its Parosweb roots, it now focuses on sustainable tourism, raising awareness, and preserving the Cyclades' unique identity.
Digitalparos is at a turning point in the new year. Born out of the legacy of Parosweb - a pioneering web directory launched in the late 1990s - Digitalparos was initially conceived as a next-generation travel guide, centred around an ...

An Exclusive Conversation with the Mayor of Paros

Digitalparos is excited to announce an upcoming in-depth interview with Costas Bizas, the Mayor of Paros, who will reflect on his first year in office and share insights on progress, challenges, and the future of the island.
Digitalparos is proud to offer a first look at our upcoming in-depth interview with Costas Bizas, the Mayor of Paros, who was kind enough to share his time and insights with us as he reflects on his first year in ...

United Voices: Key Takeaways From the CPF Forum '24

During the CPF Islanders' Forum 2024 held in Santorini, we collected brief statements from participants representing various islands and institutions to produce this short video that captures reflections from islanders across the Cyclades.
On the island of Santorini, representatives from over 20 Cycladic islands recently gathered for the CPF Islanders' Forum 2024, a four-day event brimming with collaboration, optimism, and actionable ideas for preserving their shared paradise. Hosted by the Cyclades Preservation Fund ...

Giddy Island Film Festival

The Giddy Island Film Festival (Sep 1-7 2024) in Parikia, Paros, celebrates cinema with screenings, parties and talks at the Fluxus Museum and Theatre. With six feature films and short film blocks, it aims to promote networking and enjoyment for filmmakers and visitors in a vibrant island setting.
Venue: Fluxus Museum & Theatre Programme & Booking With summer slowly coming to an end, don't miss the Giddy Island Film Festival in Parikia, Paros from the 1st – 7th of September, 2024! This event celebrates the reopening of the cinema ...

Innovative Solutions to Coastal Erosion

Professor Niki Evelpidou from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens leads groundbreaking research on protecting beaches from coastal erosion using eco-friendly methods. Her pioneering work preserves shorelines, enhances local ecosystems, and helps mitigate climate change.
In a recent interview with Digitalparos, Niki Evelpidou, a distinguished professor at the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, shed light on her groundbreaking research on combating coastal erosion. With her team, Evelpidou ...

Cultural heritage, the comparative advantage of Paros

Archaeologist Ms Dora Katsanopoulou's lecture on Paros' rich cultural heritage emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting its archaeological heritage, which is vital to enhancing cultural tourism and helping switch to a different developmental model.
At the recent two-day conference, professor of archaeology Ms. Dora Katsanopoulou captivated audiences with a compelling lecture on Paros' significant cultural heritage. In fifteen minutes, she recounted the island's rich history and its invaluable contributions to ancient civilization. Ms. Katsanopoulou's ...

"The case of Santorini", by Nikos Zorzos

Amidst Santorini's tourist surge, Mayor Nikos Zorzos delivers a stark warning on the perils of unchecked development and the erosion of cultural identity, urging a profound shift toward sobriety and conscious governance.
In a fervent address at a recent conference, Nikos Zorzos, the Mayor of Santorini, articulated growing concerns about the island's unsustainable tourism boom and the erosion of its cultural identity. Zorzos, who has witnessed the transformation of his hometown from ...

Yannis Spilanis on the Future of the Cyclades

This brief interview was conducted during a break in the two-day conference titled "Transition strategies towards a different development model for Paros and the Cyclades," held on April 13th, 2024, on Paros Island.
Yannis Spilanis serves as the Director of both the Aegean Sustainable Tourism Observatory and the Local and Insular Development Laboratory, organizations that fall under the World Tourism Organization's umbrella and are part of the Global Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories. ...

The 2024 Olympic Torch Relay graces Paros

The island of Paros was delighted to welcome the Olympic flame relay on its way to France. The local community welcomed the Olympic flame with great enthusiasm, celebrating the unifying power of sport with fervour and festivity.
On Friday, 19 April 2024, Paros became a key stop on the 2024 Olympic Torch Relay's journey to Paris. The local community welcomed the Olympic flame with great enthusiasm, celebrating the unifying power of sport with fervour and festivity. This ...

Beaches Bill: When the public interest is identified with revenue collection

In Greece, environmental activists clash with a new coastal bill prioritising profit over ecology and public access, sparking a battle for sustainable management amid fears of beach exploitation.
The Citizens' Movement of Paros, the Environmental Committee of the cultural association "Archilochos", and the Environmental Quality Observatory of Syros have been working closely together on the issue of beaches since the summer of 2023. In cooperation with the newly ...

Welcome to Digitalparos

As we begin our journey, explore our initial articles and features. Much more is on the way, with new content added frequently. Additions that will not only enrich the experience of visitors but also resonate with the local community. Thank you for joining us at the start of something special!
Digitalparos will be designed to be an intuitive and detailed travel guide, perfect for travellers eager to explore the remarkable appeal of Paros. We plan to offer thorough and extensive information about the island's rich cultural heritage, historical significance, and ...

Interview with Tonia Panteleou

During an engaging conversation, Tonia Panteleou, the newly elected General Secretary of the Archilochos Association and a key figure in the 2023 Citizen's Movement, shares her insights.
Tonia Panteleou, the newly elected General Secretary of the Archilochos Association, offers a fresh perspective on Paros' current environmental and societal landscape in this insightful dialogue. At a time when Paros is on the verge of significant change, Panteleou's analyses ...