Paros Greece is in the top five most popular Cycladic Islands along with Santorini, Mykonos, Ios, and Milos. It is also one of the most stunningly beautiful Greek islands famous for its picturesque whitewashed villages and sandy beaches.
Paros Greece has also a cosmopolitan vibe and a posh side, just like Mykonos, but with slightly more reasonable prices. There are also many things to do in Paros compared to other popular Cycladic islands.
Valantis_MSome of the best things to do in Paros Greece are:
- Explore the picturesque villages of Parikia, Naoussa, and Lefkes
- Enjoy the many sandy beaches with crystal-crystal waters like Kolimbithres
- Visit a 4th-century Church in Parikia
- and indulge in some of the best seaside restaurants in Greece!
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Up next I am going to tell you about the best things to do in Paros Greece!
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The Best Things to Do in Paros Greece
Explore Parikia: Paros’ Port
Parikia is the capital and largest village on Paros and has been a commercial center throughout the centuries. It is the first place in Paros that you get to see as soon as you arrive on the island and everyone knows they have arrived at their destination when they see Parikia’s landmark: the famous windmill!
Parikia has a maze of whitewashed streets and passages and is fully touristically developed with all kinds of restaurants and taverns, vibrant nightlife, and craft workshops.
The Best Things to See in Parikia Paros are:
Visit 4th century Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani
The Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani is one of the most important and largest Paleochristianic Monuments in Greece.
The Church was built by Byzantine Emperor Konstantinos in the 4th century CE as an offering to Mother Mary (Panagia) for saving his mother Eleni from a storm while she was traveling for a pilgrimage to Palestine. Inside the Church, you will find the Byzantine Museum with rare icons and religious objects. The Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani is a 3-minute walk southeast of the ferry port with a free entrance.
The Archaeological Museum
The museum contains important statues and rare antiquities from the Cycladic Civilization, Classical era, and Byzantine art. The museum is open year-round every day (except Mondays) from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
Ancient Cemetery
The Ancient Cemetery in Paros Greece was used from the 8th century BC until the 2nd century AD and it’s one of the most important burial sites in the Cyclades.
The Frankish Castle Ruins
Not much remains today from the castle built by Duke Sanoudos in the 13th century but it is a beautiful stroll on this side of Parikia and you can still see a tower and a couple of marble walls. The marble walls come from the ancient Greek temples that used to stand in the area which is a huge pity. You will find it near the Old Town.
A great hotel with sea views and incredible breakfast is the Akrotiri Hotel (mid-range, family and pet-friendly).
Explore Naoussa, Paros Chic Seaside Resort
Naousa, the most beautiful town in Paros, is located on the north of the island, 9 km from Parikia. It is a traditionally looking Cycladic town with lovely cobblestone alleys, bougainvillea-laden whitewashed houses, top-tier stylish restaurants and bars, galleries, and beautiful churches.
One of the best things to do in Naousa is to spend time at its small, rectangular, gorgeous port, usually full of colorful fish boats. At the end of the port stands the impressive half-sunken Venetian Castle built in the 14th century, a fantastic point to watch the dazzling sunset in Paros.
If you are looking for luxury hotels, top-notch restaurants, nightlife parties, and posh boutiques, you will find them all in Naousa.
Best Beaches in Paros Greece
Paros island has some of the best sandy beaches in the Cyclades, with warm light blue crystal clear Aegean waters, so clear that even the tiniest fish and the smallest pebbles can be seen on the bottom of the sea.
Paros has many beautiful beaches to choose from and if you have a car, you can go around the island and explore them. Some of the best beaches on Paros Island are:
Kolimbithres
Kolimbithres Beach in Paros, just 2 km from Naousa, is the most famous and popular beach on the island. What makes Kolimbithres unique is the million-year-old granite’s impressive rock formations all around the beach and the crystal clear blue shallow waters.
Kolimbithres is a series of three small beaches, which as you can imagine, get extremely busy during the peak summer season. Kolimbithres is partially organized with sunbeds and umbrellas at a certain cost. However, there is free space a bit far from the organized part of the beach. If you want to enjoy swimming in Kolimbithres, go early in the morning or in May – June.
If you like this white rocky type of beach you may find the Sarakiniko Beach on Milos Island also interesting!
Golden Beach or Chrissi Akti
Golden Beach is on the southeast coast of Paros and one of the best things to do here is windsurfing and kitesurfing sports. The beautiful golden sand, crystal clear waters, outdoor activities, beach bars, and restaurants attract a lot of people, so expect a very busy beach during summer.
Monastiri Beach in Paros Greece
Monastiri or Agios Ioannis Beach is a spectacular organized beach with shallow azure waters with a chic beach restaurant where you can have lunch or refreshments.
Right by the water stands the beautiful white Monastery of Agios Ioannis Detis with a blue dome, a favorite spot for photographs.
If you cross over some rocky areas on this beach, you can get to the next and much quieter beach to enjoy in peace the lovely natural environment.
Explore Mountainous Lefkes Village
One of the best things to do in Paros is to go to Lefkes village. Lefkes is full of Venetian, neoclassical, and Cycladic beautiful houses with its most prominent landmark being the Church of Agia Triada (Holy Trinity), built in 1830.
The surrounding hills in Lefkes have some of the remaining Paros windmills, a great place to explore on foot.
The other three beautiful villages in Paros are Prodromos, Marmara, and Marpissa. In Marpissa village there are two interesting museums: the Sculpting Museum and the Folk Museum, open until noon.
Go to Paros Greece Butterflies Valley Park
Imagine a hidden valley teeming with thousands of butterflies fluttering amongst fragrant flowers. That’s Petaloudes, also known as Butterfly Park home to the Jersey Tiger Moth, a daytime moth that appears on the island in June and disappears in August.
The park, a nice shady area, is open from June through September and is about 5.5 km from Parikia with a €2 ticket. Go for a relaxed wander down the shady paths, take in all the natural beauty around you, and see this awesome sight for yourself.
What are the Best Outdoor Activities in Paros?
Hiking in Paros Greece
Paros Island is formed by a single mountain, Profitis Ilias (724 m peak), which ends up in small hills around the seaside of the island. Paros has a hiking trail network of approximately 35 km, not all of them well-marked. The most popular hiking on Paros is the 1000-year-old trail called the Byzantine Road.
The Byzantine Road is 3.5km long, paved with Parian marble, and connects Lefkes and Prodromos Village. My favorite hike is in Ai Giannis or Monastiri Park and towards the amazing Korakas Lighthouse in the north of Paros.
Scuba Diving in Panteronisia
Panteronisia are islets around Paros, famous for their emerald waters and their underwater caves. Expert divers, go to the largest islet, Tigani, where there is an underwater cave 30 meters deep in the sea. The divers go inside the large cave through a big opening and they can take their masks off and wander around the cave.
For me, exploring caves sounds absolutely terrifying since I’m totally scared of them. But for divers and cave enthusiasts, it’s one of the most thrilling experiences imaginable!
Windsurfing in Paros Greece
The best beaches for windsurfing in Paros are Golden Beach and the nearby New Golden Beach in the south, Santa Maria Beach on the northern side of the island, and Pounda Bay on the side of Parikia.
There are also shops to rent or buy equipment and tutors to teach you how to windsurf available at all beaches.
Catamaran Cruise around Paros
Book a tour around Paros, with a beautiful traditional boat, and go to Antiparos, and Despotiko islet with a Greek lunch included.
Day Trip to Antiparos
7 minutes by ferry from Pounta port (western Paros) lies the low-key but very picturesque island of Antiparos, home to several celebrities like Tom Hanks. Antiparos is a very traditional and laid-back island and if you have time, you should spend a night there.
FAQs for Paros Island
Where Best to Stay
Most visitors stay either in Parikia or in Naoussa, as they are the two largest places in Paros with many beaches, great eateries, vibrant nightlife, and shopping choices.
Parikia is super convenient to stay in, especially if you spend only one night on Paros, as it is the island’s main port. It is 11 km far from Paros airport, it is quieter than Naoussa and the hotels offer much better deals.
My Pick: Magginas Studios in Parikia is an exceptional, traditionally Cycladic-looking budget hotel, near the center and the beaches. Great value for money. Check availability and prices in Booking.
Naoussa is to the north, 9 km far from Parikia, and 20 km from the airport which is on the south of the island.
My Pick: Parilio, is one of the best hotels in Greece, with world-class service. It is a luxury hotel, located in the beautiful bay between Naoussa and the famous Kolimbithres beach. Check for prices and availability on Booking.
On the northeast of Paros, lies Santa Maria, a very long, popular, sandy beach with crystal clear water, ideal if you love windsurfing and just a 5-minute drive away from Naoussa.
My Pick: A fantastic hotel there is Seven Santa Maria, a mid-range hotel, with gorgeous white and blue scenery and perfect Greek island lines. This is my favorite hotel in Paros. Check availability and prices on Booking.
My Pick: Evita Apartments is a fantastic seafront budget hotel located in Aliki, a picturesque, quiet fishing village in the southern part of Paros. There you will find 3 beaches, some excellent seafood restaurants, and cafes. Aliki is 6 km from Paros airport and 11,7 km from the port and still largely unspoiled.
Best Places in Paros Greece for Nightlife
In Naousa and Parikia you will find most of the bars and clubs, suitable for any taste in your nightlife. Paros, along with Mykonos and Ios are considered the most all-night party islands, so depending on your age you will find the nightlife that you are looking for in Paros.
When I was in my early twenties the most trendy bar back then was Linardo Bar in Naoussa and I know that it is still working.
Getting Around Paros
There are public buses, taxis, and water taxis that will take you almost anywhere in Paros. However, if it is possible for you, I recommend renting a car and driving around the island. I loved having the freedom to find hidden sites and stay as long as I wanted wherever I wanted.
Parikia’s main seaside promenade after 7 p.m. is only a pedestrian zone and the same applies to Naoussa and most villages where cars either don’t fit or are prohibited.
Island Hopping from Paros Island
Paros is centrally located in the Cyclades and very well connected by ferries to all neighboring islands such as Naxos, Mykonos, Santorini, Syros, Small Cyclades, Andros, Tinos, Amorgos, Ios, Folegandros, Serifos, Milos, Astypalea, and Heraklion in Crete.
Check no-hidden fees FerryScanner for details on timetables and ferry prices.
When is Best to go to Paros
The warmest time to go to Paros Greece is between May and October and even in November, as the Cyclades have calm winters. July and August are the busiest, hottest, and windiest (meltemia) months for the Cyclades and Paros Island.
A great time to go to Paros is during Easter, with magnificent Greek Orthodox celebrations, a lot of food, wine, and nightlife as well, usually in April. The sea will be cold to swim in but hiking will be at its best as the whole island will be covered in wildflowers and the weather is simply perfect. You may want to read a post about Greek Orthodox Easter on Tinos Island.
Easter in the Cyclades is very popular among Greeks so you better check for availability early on Booking.com.
How to Get to Paros Greece
There are several flights from Athens to Paros daily and the flight lasts about 40 min. As the island gains more popularity every year there is an international airport under construction.
Paros island is well connected by ferries from Athens’ main port (the fastest ferry takes about hours to reach Paros), or Rafina, Athens’ smaller port. Book your ferry transfer with FerryScanner to secure your seat, especially if you travel during the summer.
You will also see big cruise lines anchor off the port. If you are having a coffee at the port you can watch a continual line of small lifeboats ferrying the passengers to dry land.
How Many Days Do You Need in Paros?
Paros has fanatic and devoted fans, a lot of them either going there every year while others have purchased a house and visit as often as they can. If you are on a Greek island hopping vacation, you should spend a minimum of two days on the islands to cover all the basic sites.
I understand that people who are traveling from far away are trying to see as many islands as they can in one go. The problem with too much island hopping is that you only get to see the ports of the islands, which are more or less similar, so not a huge value experience. Traveling inland to the villages of an island, by car or bus, offers insights and experiences that are closer to the real Greek experience that you may be after.
Is Paros suitable for families?
Paros caters well to families with its child-friendly beaches, shallow waters, and various family-oriented activities like boat trips, water sports, and cultural experiences. Many accommodations offer amenities like playgrounds and kid-friendly facilities.
What are some things to pack for Paros?
Pack comfortable clothing suitable for warm weather, loose dresses, swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and sturdy shoes for exploring. Consider bringing a light jacket for evenings, as temperatures can drop slightly. Depending on your activities, pack snorkeling gear, beach towels, and any necessary sports equipment.
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How to Get from Athens Airport to Athens Port (Piraeus)
- Bus: If you are arriving at Athens International Airport you can travel straight to the port by taking the X96 express bus (€5.5, children <6 yo, free entrance), which departs every 40 minutes and the average trip lasts 1 hour – runs 24/7.
- Metro: (€9) is easily found across airport arrivals (blue line – M3) going directly to Piraeus port. The average trip to Piraeus lasts 1 hour.
- Taxis are available in front of the airport (around €40 to Athens, €55-60 to Piraeus (depending on the traffic in Kifisos), and take up to 3 or 4 people with small luggage)
- Rent a car with Discover Cars for reliable, new cars at affordable prices
- You don’t like driving but love hassle-free solutions? Book a Private transfer with an English-speaking driver from Athens International Airport to Piraeus Ferries, or anywhere else in Greece
- Are you looking for domestic flights in Greece? Check out the official Aegean Airlines Website.
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Essential Travel Info for Greece
- ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Greek: “Ya sou” and “Efharisto”
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- All-Inclusive Resorts in Greece
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- Map of Athens Metro
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Paros is a really nice island. It can seem a bit touristy but if you hike there are some good trails where you can get to remote feeling areas. Lefkes village is really beautiful and there’s a good trail to it.
Yes, Paros is touristy but there are always areas that are quiet and can have the best of both worlds! Lefkes is a gorgeous village and one of the few hilly areas on the island.