In the heart of the Cyclades, in the shadow of the famous Santorini and Mikonos, we find a jewel that conquers with white villages, crystal-clear beaches and the tranquility of yesteryear: Paros . We have just spent 3 days on this little island and, if you also plan to visit it, keep reading because in this article we will tell you everything you can see and do in Paros . We will also give you the best advice based on our experience, to have a stay as complete and pleasant as possible.
Paros is authentic and exudes the Greek essence : white houses with blue doors and windows, Byzantine churches, bougainvillea in bloom, cats everywhere and narrow cobbled streets where the pace is slow and there is no room for stress or anxiety. Paros is becoming more and more famous, but its tourism is far from the more mainstream and crowded islands of Greece, and that is appreciated.
Interesting villages like Parikia and Naoussa await you , beaches with crystal-clear waters , small restaurants and taverns where you can try typical Greek dishes, unforgettable sunsets and viewpoints from which you can absorb the essence of the sea and mountain landscapes typical of the Cyclades. Who wants to head off to Paros now?
What to see and do in Paros
We spent 3 days on the island , enough time to enjoy a few sips of its purest flavour. Furthermore, due to its location, Paros is perfectly combinable with other surrounding islands (such as Naxos or the already mentioned Mikonos and Santorini ). But before exploring its greatest charms, we will briefly tell you about its history …
Although the island has been inhabited since prehistoric times, the essence of its past dates back to the Archaic period . It was then that it became famous for its production of high-quality marble , the same used to create masterpieces such as the Venus de Milo. Paros was also noted for its school of sculpture , which attracted artists from all over the world, making it a vibrant cultural and commercial centre of the ancient Greek world.
In the Middle Ages it was under the control of the Venetians and later the Ottoman Empire , civilizations that left their mark on both architecture and gastronomy. This was a turbulent period, marked by frequent pirate attacks that forced the inhabitants to build fortresses and watchtowers , the remains of which can still be seen today, such as the castle of Parikia or that of Naoussa.
Now, here are the 6 best things to see and do in Paros :
1. Parikia, the capital of the island
This is the capital of Paros and not only serves as a gateway to the island, but it also turned out to be a charming and authentic corner where we felt really comfortable. We chose Parikia as our base and, although we were initially hesitant between the capital and the charming village of Naoussa, after visiting them we are convinced that it was the perfect choice.
In addition to the typical cobbled streets full of shops, Parikia has a few interesting tourist spots, such as the impressive Byzantine Panagia Ekatontapyliani Church , which houses a small museum (€2), the cobbled streets of the old quarter that ascend to the Kastro , the upper part of the city with incredible views, or the old mill converted into the Alexandros Cafe from where you can watch beautiful sunsets.
The seafront is pleasant and where the nightlife is concentrated, with several restaurants specialising in fish and seafood, and bars where you can have a cocktail while you enjoy the sunset. Or if you have more of a sweet tooth, change the cocktail for an ice cream from the Vanilla gelateria , without a doubt the best way to end the day.
Although we will tell you in detail later about the best beaches in Paros, you should know that you do not have to go far from the capital to take a dip: Livadia Beach , Windmill Beach or Marcello Beach are good options to do so (although we can tell you in advance that there are more beautiful ones).
2. Naoussa, the Instagrammable heart of Paros
It's no secret: Naoussa is probably the most beautiful village to see in Paros and is usually liked by all travelers who decide to include it in their itineraries. The cool thing is that this fishing village has managed to maintain its traditions and old-fashioned charm. In addition, it is less than 10 km away, so the excursion is easy and accessible .
However, we want to point out that it is known for being a mecca for Instagram influencers, which has raised prices and the level of "posturing" compared to the rest of the island. We were surprised to see the number of bars and restaurants that decorate with fake bougainvillea just to have an Instagrammable corner .
In the evenings/nights the atmosphere is more lively , perfect for enjoying a fresh fish in its taverns or strolling through its narrow streets full of shops and bougainvilleas (these are real). Until you reach the old Venetian castle that dominates the port and whose ruins have fallen into the hands of Poseidon forever. Sunset is the best time to visit Naousa, if you have the opportunity to go, you know! In addition, the town is small and it will not take you more than 1-2 hours to walk around.
3. Lefkes and other villages to see in Paros
Another picturesque village to see in Paros is Lefkes , which in this case is located in the rocky interior of the island and which you can visit on a trip of a few hours. Or, by planning a more complete road trip, which includes other villages, such as Prodromos , Marpissa or Marmara , with its picturesque windmill. Although we sincerely believe that Lefkes is the most interesting.
In Lefkes, you should take a stroll through the quiet, winding streets that go up and down the old town, passing through charming squares, and where there is no shortage of houses with typical Cycladic architecture. And of course, the sleepy cats here and there. As a last stop, the Church of the Holy Trinity awaits you , one of the most impressive Byzantine churches in Paros.
In the church square there is the ' Cafe Marigo ' where you can have breakfast at reasonable prices. Or as an alternative we suggest the ' Stratis Bakery ', a traditional bakery where you can buy delicious cheese pies or typical desserts and eat them in the little square opposite. Very tasty and at a very good price.
To end this day of excursion through the interior of the island of Paros, there is nothing better than a refreshing swim at the beaches of Logaras, Kalogeros or Molos . But no spoilers, the next point is dedicated to the beaches!
4. The best beaches in Paros
As you can imagine, for an island, there are quite a few beaches in Paros that are worth visiting. But we understand that time is limited and we have to get straight to the point. So here are our 4 favourite beaches in Paros (below we list others in case you are passing by):
- Kolympethres Beach , with its white rocks and calm, turquoise waters, earns the title of the most beautiful beach in Paros. There is a beach club where you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas, but there are also free areas, although you will have to go early to get a spot. There is free parking next to the beach.
- Monastriri Beach is a 200-metre-wide cove, located 13 km north of Parikia. Although it is usually quite busy, it is worth visiting even if it is just for a quick swim. There is a small free car park next to its photogenic church. If, like us, you find yourself with a lot of people, don't despair: right next to the church there is a small beach with calm waters ideal for swimming.
- Logaras Beach , east of Paros, not far from Piso Livadi, is a quiet urban beach with calm waters, a relaxed atmosphere and a few bars and restaurants where you can drink a cold Mythos at good prices (we went to the 'Cactus bar' and it was great). It was one of the highlights of the trip.
- Farangas Beach , in the south of Paros, is another must-see if you're looking for some good sun, a dip in the Aegean and total relaxation. Although it won't be too quiet, as it's usually one of the most popular and, in fact, there's a pretty big club.
Other beaches to see in Paros are: Piso Livadi, Agia Eirini, Agia Maria, Kalogeros (where you can also have a mud bath session) or Molos Beach . So now you know: remember to bring flip-flops, a swimsuit, sunscreen and a hat in your backpack, especially if you are going to travel to Paros in the summer season.
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5. Have a fish dinner (or not) at Aliki
On our last day in Paros we went to dinner in Aliki , a small, charming and picturesque village in the south , which can be an alternative to stay in Paros. It has several fish restaurants at the port, where you can eat at a good price and with a lot of charm.
We had two on our list: ' To Balcony tou Aki ' and ' To το Mουραγιο (Mouragio) ' and finally we opted for the second one as it was recommended by the guy who rented us the car and we did indeed eat divinely (zucchini balls and squid). At the end they give you watermelon, which is appreciated.
Best of all, both restaurants are located over the water, so we enjoyed a beautiful sunset while dining, surrounded by the sea (and accompanied by a cat who couldn't take his eyes off a fish). A romantic plan guaranteed!
6. Antiparos, the perfect excursion from Paros
If you are lucky enough to be able to spend a few days in Paros, there is a day trip that we are sure will interest you: visit Antiparos, the island that is just opposite . They are so close that the ferry only takes 8 minutes to get there, and the two islands are separated by a narrow channel.
Once on the island you can enjoy some beaches such as Antiparos naturist beach, Faneromeni, Livadia or Agios Georgios Beach, take a cultural visit to the Antiparos Cave , or stroll through the small town of Antiparos, full of cool little shops in the Ibizan style.
Although it is a very simple excursion , which we recommend you do on your own (you can take the car on the ferry), if you prefer to go on a tour, you should know that it includes a 1-day guided excursion through Paros and Antiparos .
More things to do in Paros
Do you have more days in Paros? You won't be bored, this island has other corners waiting to be discovered and that will surely surprise you. Here are some other ideas to keep you entertained during your stay:
- At Kalogero Beach you can treat yourself to a healing mud mask – make the most of it, it's free!
- Enjoy the views from the Agiou Arseniou Monastery , located on a mountaintop near Marpissa.
- Did you know that Paros has a famous marble quarry from where the material for many world-famous statues and monuments was extracted? This is the case of the Venus de Milo! We didn't go, but we think it's a curious fact: it's called Marathi .
- Another beautiful village to see in Paros is Kostos .
- Paros Butterfly Valley ( €3.50) is a haven of unusual vegetation in the island's arid, rocky landscape, which is filled with butterflies in the summer months.
- You cannot miss a meal at the Thalami tavern , on a cliff next to the sea in the eastern part of the island.
- Do you like good wine and enjoy wine tourism ? Then you have an appointment with Moraitis Estate , to visit its cellars and taste its wines, especially those made with the native Monemvassia grape. Reservations on the official website .
Useful information for a trip to Paros
In this last section, we share with you practical information and tips so that you can plan your visit to Paros in the best way possible:
✓ How to get to Paros
If you are going from Athens by ferry , as we did, it is the first stop on a longer route that includes other islands. There are several companies that offer this route, such as Blue Star Ferries or Seajets, for a price of about €50-€60 per person . It leaves from the port of Piraeus and takes about 3-4 hours. There are also connections with other islands, in case you are planning an island hopping trip .
→ We recommend using the Ferryhopper website to check schedules and compare prices.
It also has a small airport in the southwest of the island, with flights only to Athens offered by different Greek airlines, such as Olympic Air or Sky Express.
✓ How to get around Paros
The best option is definitely to rent a car , as although there is a network of city buses , they don't go everywhere, and in high season they are packed and not very frequent. There are several agencies, concentrated mainly near the main port of Parikia, where you can rent a motorbike or car, even online, through comparison websites such as Discovercars . Prices for motorbikes are around €20-€30 per day and cars around €35-€40. We rented a car for 2 days at ' Stefanos ' and everything was great.
Alternatively, in addition to motorbikes, you can rent quads or buggies , but in all of these cases (including the motorbike), you must be prepared to spend long periods of time under the sun.
✓ Where to stay in Paros
We stayed at Aegean Village in Parikia , which is very well located near the main car park and next to the centre. It is a bit dated but we found it super comfortable and has everything you need to spend a few quiet days. It also has a very nice garden and bar service (on the first day they give you a welcome drink, which is appreciated!).
In addition to Parikia , it may also be advisable to look for accommodation in Naoussa in the north, or in Aliki in the south of the island.
✓ Where to eat in Paros
Around the island there are countless taverns specializing in traditional recipes and fresh fish, as well as brunch cafes, bakeries and restaurants of different kinds. In the article on restaurants where to eat in Paros we tell you about our favorites.
Remember to get the Revolut card ( with a €10 promo ), the best option to avoid commissions when paying and withdrawing money abroad
✓ Our 3-day route in Paros
This is how we distributed the visits over the 3 days we were in Paros:
- Day 1 : Parikia
- Day 2 : Monastiri beach, Kolymbithres beach, Naoussa, lunch in Thalami, afternoon in Parikia.
- Day 3 : route through the inland villages, Logaras beach, dinner in Aliki.
✓ Map with the places to see in Paros
To make things clearer for you, we have created a map with the location of the most important points of interest on the island:
We hope you enjoyed this guide to Paros and that it helps you spend some great days on this island that we loved so much. Do you know more things to see and do in Paros ? We're listening!
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