Golden Beach, Paros, Sandy beach in Paros, Greece

Golden Beach, or Chrissí Aktí, is a long sandy beach near Drios on the east coast of Paros, facing the strait toward Naxos. Its fine sand contains glass elements that sparkle in the sun, and the small uninhabited island of Drionisi lies across the water. The strong wind in the strait makes the bay a favoured windsurfing spot.

The beach gained international recognition in the 1980s when it began hosting professional windsurfing championships. This put the location on the map for competitive water sports enthusiasts from around the world.

Golden Beach takes its name, Chrissí Aktí in Greek, from the golden colour of its sand, which contains glass elements that sparkle in the sun. The beach lies near Drios on the east coast, and the strong wind in the strait between Paros and Naxos draws windsurfers and kitesurfers to the bay.

The beach is accessible by bus from Parikia port, with regular service during summer months, and the shallow water makes entering easy for most visitors. Facilities along the shore include tavernas and rental options for water sports equipment if you want to be active in the water.

The small island across from the beach acts as a natural shield that creates ideal wind conditions for windsurfing enthusiasts who visit during the year. This geographic feature is what makes the location so prized by the water sports community.