Antiparos is located only one nautical mile southwest of Paros. It is a charming island with an area of 35 square kilometers, with both the north and east sides flat and good for farming. Also near to Antiparos, you’ll find many other islands, such as Diplo, Rematonisi, Saliagos, as well as Despotiko, Stroggyli and Kavouras (Crab Island), where tombs and figurines from the Proto-Cycladic Age have been discovered.
The quaint island of Antiparos consists of one main settlement, Kastro, which serves as headquarters for the community. People here have engaged in traditional fishing and agriculture as a way of life, and only recently in tourism. It is very much an untouched small Greek island. The Cave of Agios Yiannis is a must-see on any trip to Antiparos, with its rich formations of stalactites and stalagmites.
Kastro (translated from the Greek as “castle“) was built in 1440 to protect residents from pirate attacks. Many of its fortifications still stand, such as the outer walls of its base and floors. The main tower can still be made out by viewing the base of its truncated cone shape. In its original form the Kastro was a square band of buildings surrounding a courtyard, with a circular tower in the center. The entrance of the castle is located on the north side of the village square, next to the Cathedral of St. Nicholas.
