7 km west from Parikia , near the Monastery of Christos sto Dasos (or Agios Arsenios), there is a place well known as the Valley of the Butterflies or “Petaloudes” (from a Greek translation), an idyllic landscape of dense vegetation and abundant spring water, a unique monument of natural beauty. The butterflies reserve on the island of Paros is considered one of the main attractions of the island for the past 30 years.
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The area is a small park with paths and steps, so making your way around is rather easy. There is a small fee to enter, but it’s worth it for the shade and quiet.
During the summer months, swarms of butterflies by the name of “Panaxia Quadripunctaria” or “Jersey Tiger Moth” settle on this small oasis. They choose this place to spend the last phase of their life. Resting on the leaves, they can be observed by the guests in their natural habitat. If you are lucky, you might catch them fly, which reveals the underside of their wings, a vivid red which contrasts with the blackness of the rest of them.
The butterflies have chosen this place for at least 100 years, making it distinctive. We opened the place to the public in the 70’s so visitors could observe and enjoy the nature at its true form.
High on the list of top Greek holiday destinations, Paros Ιsland welcomes its visitors at the centre of the Cyclades group and invites them to explore its great beauty, the long beaches with crystal-clear waters and its impressive landscapes. There is a well-developed tourist infrastructure, too, to make your holidays truly memorable.
