The Valley of the Butterflies in Paros

The Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes) is a verdant oasis with impressive cypress trees about 10 kilometres south of Parikia.

The Valley of the Butterflies is one of the most visited and most popular tourist destination on Paros. You do not see any butterflies outside the entrance, and when you have paid for your ticket and entered the valley you do not either see any butterflies, but if you look more carefully around the ivied trees you begin to see them. When the butterflies are sitting still they are black and white and look like spiders, when they fly they show up their beautiful red wings.

A not entirely unusual sight is that some visitors clap their hands, or in another way scare the butterflies, so they fly and show their red wings. Unfortunately, the number of butterflies are decreasing each year because of disturbing tourists, warnings are in several languages, but it does not help. The butterflies are here to rest so they can make new butterflies, and if they do not get their rest there will be no new butterflies.

I seldom come with lectures, but when it comes to the Butterfly Valley, I feel that I have to make an exception. Go here with pleasure, it is absolutely worth a visit, but leave the butterflies in peace. At the entrance gate is a small café and a shop where you can buy fine postcards of the butterflies and have something to drink. You go here with your own transport. Open daily 9-20. Admission around € 2.

The Butterfly Valley is located about 10 km south of Parikia, almost opposite Antiparos.

There is also a butterfly valley in Rhodes, with the same type of butterflies.

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