Kalogeros Beach, Paros (How to Visit + Clay Mask Tips)

Kalogeros Beach is a hidden beach in Paros that’s most well-known for its unique therapeutic clay.

It’s located near the village of Moles and was almost empty when we arrived, making for a very peaceful afternoon by the water (unlike many of Paros’ other beaches near Naoussa and Parikia).

It was amazing!

We spent time sunbathing, swimming, and relaxing with a view of the crazy high seaside cliffs that reminded us more of Crete or Santorini.

Although this might not be the first thing you see on Lonely Planet or Fodors, it’s one of our favorite beaches on the island and definitely worth visiting for a more unique experience.

If you’re anything like us, here’s everything you need to know about Kalogeros Beach, including how to get there, how to properly use the natural clay body masks, and some more things to do nearby!

What’s Special about Kalogeros Beach?

The real draw to Kalogeros Beach is the famous natural clay on the northern side of the coast. Below the cliffs, there’s a deep, red clay that’s supposedly rich in minerals with skin-healing properties.

It really is a spa-like experience!

Tourists will lather their whole bodies in the clay, sunbathe for 30-60 minutes while the clay dries, and then rinse all the mud off in the water, leaving their skin feeling fresh, smooth, and rejuvenated.

Where is Kalogeros Beach?

Kalogeros Beach is one of the more remote beaches in Paros, located in the center of the west coast.

It’s about 12 KM south of Naoussa and 17 KM east of Parikia (Paros Port/Airport).

The undeveloped area makes it a peaceful experience, and you can count on minimal crowds around the shore.

There’s no wrong time of day to visit since it’s not crowded, even during high season.

However, we always tell people to come during warmer months, such as spring and summer. The only activities here are swimming, sunbathing, and covering yourself in mud, so it’s best when the sun is out and the water is warm!

4 Things to Do at Kalogeros Beach

Since this beach has no facilities, you’ll need to bring everything you need for the day. That includes any snacks you want, water, drinks, a beach blanket (we love this lightweight, sand-resistant one), sunscreen, and an umbrella.

Cover Yourself in Mud

It’s THE THING to do at Kalogeros Beach, although we didn’t do it because Sarah’s skin can be a bit sensitive to that kind of thing.

Still, we saw some other tourists caked in the therapeutic mud, and it looked like they were having a great time!

Once you cover yourself in the mud, lay in the sun and let it dry for about 30-60 minutes. Then you can get into the ocean and wash it all off!

Supposedly, it leaves your skin feeling smoother, brighter, and refreshed.

Note: It’s not a ‘nudist’ beach, but a fair amount of tourists will take all their clothes off so they can layer their entire bodies in clay.

Relax on the Beach

We spent most of our time simply relaxing on the beach and sunbathing.

You won’t find sunbeds or much shade along the shore, so just make sure you have something to lay on and sunscreen or sunglasses to protect you from the sun!

FYI–there are signs on the beach warning you to watch out for larger waves when a ferry passes. I initially thought this was more about protecting children from the current, but it’s actually about protecting your belongings.

Kalogeros Beach is relatively narrow, so there isn’t much space for the tide to shift. If you have your beach blanket too close to the water, there’s a chance it will get soaked as a ferry passes by.

Swim or Enjoy the View

The water at Kalogeros Beach gets deep very quickly, which surprised us after visiting a few of the beaches around Naoussa, like Piperi Beach and Kolymbithres, where the water stays pretty shallow for nearly a hundred meters!

It’s also a sandy beach with hardly any pebbles, so getting into the water is comfortable even if you don’t have water shoes.

Unfortunately, this part of the coast is not calm or clear enough for snorkeling or diving. We recommend going to Golden Beach for that!

Walk Over to Moles Beach.

The other thing to do while visiting Kalgeros is walk over the hill to Moles Beach.

Moles Beach is significantly larger than Kalogeros and offers more activities, such as kitesurfing.

There’s also a small port where you can admire the boats and see the historic Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Nicolas The Poor.

You could even hike up to Ακρωτήριο Φανάρι, a small lookout point with views over both Kalogeros and Moles Beach. It’s a relatively easy walk with just enough elevation gain to make it cool, and the whole hike is just 1 mile (1.6 kilometers)!

Getting from Naoussa to Kolymbithres Beach

Reaching Kalogeros can be an adventure in itself. The beach is opposite a short dirt road from Molos. There’s a small parking lot where you can park or have a taxi drop you off, but the closest bus route drops you off about 2 kilometers inland.

Driving to Kalogeros

Roughly a 10-minute drive from Kalogeros, Piso Livadi is the closest large town.

If you’re staying in Naoussa, you’ll need 20 minutes (12 kilometers) to get here, and Parikia (Paros Port) is almost 30 minutes away. But the drive is beautiful from any of the towns, and it’s easy to stop by the mountain village of Lefkes.

Since we rented our own car in Paros, we drove to the beach. The parking area is pretty big next to the entrance of Kalogeros Beach, and we wouldn’t worry about finding a spot. It’s rarely full.

Tip: Stay on the main road to get here. If your directions try to take you down the road along Moles Beach, go around. The road next to Moles Beach is essentially all sand and has so many potholes.

Taxi to Kalogeros

If you aren’t renting a car (or a scooter) in Paros, you can still hail a taxi to get here.

Just be aware that taxis can be a little pricey.

For instance, if you’re staying in Parikia, we’ve seen people prearrange a taxi for €55-60 on Welcome Pickups. Of course, there’s a small chance you might get a better price (between €40-50) if you hire one on the spot, but that’s obviously not guaranteed since almost all taxis are metered in Paros.

Bus to Kalogeros

There are no direct buses to Kalogeros. The only way to get here is to take the bus from Naoussa or Parikia to Marmara. The beach is a 25-minute walk from this bus stop, and on the way back to your villa, there are some local shops and tavernas to enjoy while waiting for the next bus.

This was the schedule when we last checked, but you can check current bus schedules here.

Parikia – Lefkes – Marmara: 7:30, 10:00, 11:35, 12:10, 13:45, 14:15, 16:10, 18:00, 20:00
Marmara – Lefkes – Parikia: 7:25, 9:15, 11:15, 13:20, 15:25, 17:15, 19:15, 21:15

Naoussa – Marmara: 15.20, 16.50, 19.50, 23.30
Marmara – Naoussa: 07:25, 10:20, 20:45

Where to Stay Near Kalogeros Beach

Kalogeros Beach is out there–well, about as out there as you can get in Paros. It’s such a small island that is still less than 30 minutes from anywhere on the island by car.

But you won’t find many facilities around the beach.

The closest apartments/villas are about a 5-minute walk from Kalogeros, next to Moles Beach (it’s called Ag. Nikolaos on Google Maps). This is the only place to get a beachfront villa near Kalogeros.

But if you’re looking for some cafes, groceries, or local tavernas, you should stay closer to Marpissa or Piso Livadi. Both towns are about 5-10 minutes away by car. Here are the places we would consider staying near Kalogeros Beach!

Pnoi Hotel

9.0/10 ⭐(366 reviews)

Pnoi Hotel is a great option to choose just outside of Piso Livadi and about a 12-minute drive from Kalogeros Beach.

The beach is less than a five-minute walk away, but what really makes this place stand out is its secluded outdoor pool area. With loungers, cabanas, a poolside restaurant/bar, a complimentary Greek breakfast buffet, and free airport transfers, it’s the perfect spot to unwind away from the main towns in Paros.

Several different room options cater to different budgets, from more affordable boutique double rooms (which still offer ocean views) to upgraded Junior Suites and Family Rooms, which have extra sofa beds, private balconies, and a more upscale feel.

Cleopatra Seaside Homes

8.6/10 ⭐ (237 reviews)

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly stay in Piso Livadi with a romantic touch, Cleopatra Seaside Homes is a great choice.

Just 50 meters from Logaras Beach and a 9-minute drive from Kalogeros and Moles Beach, this charming boutique hotel is an cozy and romantic place to stay on the east side of Paros.

Each island-style cottage is inspired by a different Greek god and comes with its own private sun terrace—perfect for unwinding after a day by the sea. For couples, the Aphrodite Apartment is the most romantic choice, while families or small groups will appreciate the Dionysus Apartment for its two-bedroom layout.

More Beaches in Paros

There are actually tons of beaches around Paros. Unlike Naxos, whose beaches are mostly along the West Coast, Paros’s beaches span the entire island from Naoussa to Aliki!

Here are a couple more of our favorites!

Kolymbithres Beach is the most famous beach in Paros and one of our favorites, too! It’s not very big but sits right across the water from Naoussa, which is full of sunbeds, a small taverna, a beach bar, and watersport options. There are also some really cool rock formations to climb up and sunbathe on.

Golden Beach is also on the southeast coast, close to Kalogeros. This beach is actually the windsurfing capital of Greece (yes, the entire country). It’s also a more chill, low-key area popular among honeymooners.

Santa Maria Beach is the 2nd most popular beach on the island, probably because it’s so close to Naoussa. It’s a pretty typical beach where people come here to relax, swim, and sunbathe.

Marcello Beach is the best beach near Parikia on the West Coast. You can walk here from the ferry port, and it was so much more beautiful than we expected! A couple of restaurants are on the water, and you can rent sunbeds from the local beach bar.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, if you’re looking for a relatively secluded beach or a unique experience in Paros, Kalogeros Beach might be the best option to add to your itinerary.

We had so much fun hanging out here for the afternoon, and I’d love to go back this summer to try out the mud mask.

It’s so out of character for us to skip something like that.

We hope you enjoy exploring Paros, and if you’re still confused about how to get to Kalogeros or anywhere else on the island, check out our ultimate guide to transportation on the island!