Shopping

Market Street in Parikia is the shopping hub of the island, with many interesting alternatives to the ubiquitous souvenir stores. The Jewelry Workshop (tel. 22840/24-359) is precisely that, with the work of several local designers. Yvonne von der Decken's shop Palaio Poleio (tel. 22840/21-909), opposite the Apollon Restaurant, has a fine selection of antique vernacular furniture and household items from the islands and the Greek mainland; it stays open all winter. Ta Tsila Pou Efere O Notias (The Wood that the South Wind Brings) (tel. 22840/24-669) sells enchanting paintings on wood, some of which are done by Clea Hatzinikolakis, the talented co-owner of Hotel Petres ; you'll find the shop on the lane on the right just past Hotel Dina. Audiophile (tel. 22840/22-357) has an extensive collection of CDs of Greek and international music, at prices a bit higher than you might pay in Athens.

Several shops that sell local produce, including cheeses, honey, and wine, all merit stars. Pariana Proionta (Parian Produce) (tel. 22840/22-181), run by the Agricultural Collective, is on Manto Mavroyennis Square; Topika Proionta (Local Produce) (tel. 22840/24-940) is on Market Street. Distrato Café (tel. 22840/24-789), on the unnamed street that runs from the cathedral to Market Street, has its own shop with organic produce from Paros and elsewhere in Greece. On the harbor, News Stand (no phone) sells international newspapers, guidebooks, maps, and some novels.

Across the island in the old part of Naoussa, Metaxas Gallery (tel. 22840/52-667) holds exhibitions of paintings by local artists, which are sometimes for sale; you can also find locally crafted jewelry here. Hera, just down the lane from the Naoussa Sweet Shop (tel. 22840/53-566), sells local pottery, jewelry, carpets from Greece and Turkey, and fine-arts books of local interest. Owner Hera Papamihail is a talented photographer whose prints are available for purchase. The kiosk on the main plateia has some international newspapers. Paria Lexis Bookstore (tel. 22840/51-121) offers a selection of travel guides, maps, and novels.

In Lefkes, Anemi (tel. 22840/41-182), by the kafeneion on the plateia, has hand-loomed and embroidered fabrics. In addition, nuns in several of the island's convents often sell crafts.