Lefkes lies in the interior of Paros, is one of the island’s largest villages and is the highest-elevation settlement on Paros. Village architecture defines Lefkes; the Byzantine Road adds a hiking route to Prodromos. If you are looking for accommodation in Lefkes, you can decide whether the village suits you based on your interest in village culture or hiking.
Ramnos and the village sights
Lefkes’ main street is called Ramnos. It is lined with a number of tourist shops and sights, including neoclassical buildings. The street provides a concrete setting for taking in the village’s architecture.
Sights on Ramnos include the House of Literature and the Museum of Cycladic Folklore. Their names also point to distinct cultural themes: literature on the one hand and Cycladic folklore on the other. Looking at the buildings and these two destinations together gives an overview of different aspects of the village, without conflating the individual sights.
Churches and religious buildings
The church of Panagias Ypapantis is also known as “Virgin Mary in the Cells.” The rural chapel of Agias Kyriakis is in Pano Lefkes. Southwest of Lefkes lies the monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos, another religious building in the area.
When place names sound similar, it helps to distinguish between the chapel and the monastery: the monastery of Agia Kyriaki is southeast of Lefkes. The monk Mattheos Ragousi founded it in the 17th century; it closed in 1831 after the death of Gideon, the last monk living there.
The church of Agia Aikaterini is a precise example of the village’s architecture. Built in 1726, it is a two-aisled chapel with two vaulted narthexes, a double bell tower and a domed roof. The description covers the floor plan, entrances, bell tower and roof design—several specific features that help identify the building’s style.
The Karavolas Festival and its food
The Karavolas Festival in Lefkes takes place in late August. Check the dates for the relevant year before planning a specific trip. The festival features large snails, wine, music and dancing until dawn. Dishes include karavoles with skordalia and salted potatoes, local cheeses, and baked chickpeas; local wine is also served. The offerings may change.
Getting around on foot or by mountain bike
The Byzantine Road starts at Café Louki in Lefkes and connects the village with Prodromos. The route dates back to the Byzantine period around 1000 AD and is paved with Parian marble. Apart from 150 to 200 metres, it runs downhill; the hike takes about 45 minutes. The path is also suitable for mountain biking.
As another option for an excursion, a trip to Ai Yiannis takes you to a place with plant life and flowing water. This natural setting offers a different focus from the architecture and religious buildings in Lefkes. When planning your stay, you can compare different interests: a tour of cultural and architectural history, a hike with a known starting point and approximate duration, or an excursion featuring plant life and flowing water.
Discover more destinations: Páros, Paros, Santa Maria, Drios, Náousa, Kolimpithres, Marpissa, Andiparos
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