Last Updated: December 20, 2023
The moment the ferry docks in Paros, you know you’re no longer in Athens. The pace is slower, the people are kinder and the overall atmosphere is so relaxing.
Paros is in the top 5 largest Cycladic islands along with Naxos, Andros, Tinos and Milos. The best way to explore Paros is by renting a car or a quad bike. Once you’ve sorted your transportation out, it is time to explore the island.
PARIKIA
THE CAPITAL OF PAROS
We picked a hotel in Parikia, right across from Livadia beach. I’m a sucker for a room with a view and this one was just perfect!
There are several restaurants lining the beach, which are serving delicious Greek food. Islanders in Greece pride themselves on the fresh fish that the Mediterranean Sea provides. So, choose any of these restaurants, and order a seafood selection or the catch of the day and a Greek salad. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
PARIKIA OLD TOWN
Make your way towards the Monastery of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, one of the oldest Byzantine churches, dating back to 4th century A.D.Past the church and the alleys become narrower, more picturesque, with white houses converted into cute cafes, restaurants and boutique stores. You know the kind of little alleys found on Google images once you type, Greek islands? Exactly like that! We loved exploring each and every little alley and with each passing house, we felt like we were getting to know more and more about the local lifestyle. It reminded us of alleys that we walked in Santorini.
NAOUSSA
THE PHOTOGENIC FISHERMAN’S VILLAGE
Naoussa, a charming fisherman’s village, was by far my favourite after Parikia. There are plenty of tavernas clustered at the little port. The village is “dressed” in the same colours as all greek islands, with whitewashed houses with blue shutters and vibrant coloured Bougainvilleas. In the old town of Naoussa, you will find the cutest little shops with handcrafted jewellery, accessories and plenty of souvenir shops. Here for sure, you will find a little memorabilia to bring back home.
MORE PLACES TO SEE
There were a few places we wanted to see but unfortunately, we missed because we were running out of time (aka we spent way too much time at the beach):
- Butterfly Park – this place is a small oasis, tucked away in a valley, a short drive from Parikia. It is the perfect getaway in case you need a little break from the sun and beach.
- Outdoor Movie Experience – One of the best things about summer, is all the fun things you can do outdoors. If you like movies, why not try the open-air movie theatre at Paros Park to watch an old classic movie under the stars? Here you can find the screening schedule.
- Lefkes Village – Lefkes was the first capital of Paros and it is situated at the centre of the island. It’s a beautiful village, with an incredible view of the sea, windmills and the church of Agia Triada.
THE BEST BEACHES OF PAROS
LIVADIA
Livadia is a family-friendly sandy beach located in Parikia. It has some parts which are organised with sunbeds and umbrellas for rent. There are also parts completely naked, where you can just lay your towel anywhere you like on the beach and enjoy the sun. It is however close to the street, meaning that it can get a bit loud and quite busy.
MONASTIRI BEACH
Monastiri is located approximately 20 minutes away from Parikia and it can be reached by car or by a small ferry from Naoussa. The beach is laying on a bay and it is well organized, with sunbeds, parasols and a restaurant. A few trees are scattered here and there providing natural shade and adding up to the charm of this beautiful place. The water is very shallow for at least a few meters making it the perfect destination for families with kids. You can hike the hill next to the beach by following the trails and explore the rocky coves.
FARAGAS BEACH
You can reach Faragas beach in 20 minutes roughly, starting from Parikia. It is a small beach set on a bay, sheltered from the winds. The scenery here is very charming, with sunbeds and straw umbrellas. Pick a lounger, order a cocktail from the bar located right next to the beach and unwind to the rhythm of the music.
PUNTA BEACH
Punta Beach is a 25 minutes drive from Parikia. If you’re looking for a lively place with a beach bar pumping the beats, then Punta is where you want to be. The vibe is lively, the drinks are flowing and the party starts early. A friendly warning, however, that it might hurt your wallet. The sunbeds are quite expensive – starting from 15eur the cheapest – the same as the food and drinks.
WHERE TO EAT IN PAROS
For homemade food, the best place to eat in Parikia is Taverna Tsitsanis. The restaurant itself is quite modest but the hospitality of the owners and the food will win you over! Try the artichokes with broad beans, the braised rabbit and the Skordalia (garlic dip). The best part is, that all the ingredients (except the meat) come from their own farm, which means that they are as fresh as it gets. Need I say more?
The summer heat will have you craving for something cold. You need not worry, however, because at Yo Love – Greek Frozen Yoghurt in Naoussa, you will find the most amazing frozen yoghurt you’ve ever tasted. They also have delicious ice cream, waffles and crepes, if you have a sweet tooth.
Some of the popular foods of Paros island are the sun-dried mackerel and casserole snails. If you’re like me and you like to end a beautiful day with a glass of wine, then you’re lucky, because Paros is proudly producing some of the best wines. If you want to support the local industry then you can try a wine from Moraitis Winery. The island is also producing “Souma”, which is the local Raki (a very strong Greek digestive alcoholic spirit)
ANTIPAROS
After we had heard so much about Antiparos, we decided to hop in on one of the little boats and see it for ourselves. The ride is only 10 minutes but you will need a full day to explore the island.
Antiparos is the little cousin of Paros, everything is on a smaller scale here, except its beauty. It has nothing to envy from other Greek islands. It has beautiful beaches and charming old villages and although is becoming more and more popular amongst tourists, it has somehow managed to maintain a very relaxing and low key vibe.
WHAT TO SEE IN ANTIPAROS
We didn’t rent a car when we visited, instead we opted for exploring on foot the main village and the beaches closest to the port.
The old town is as charming as you would expect from a Greek island, with cobblestone little alleys opening up to small squares here and there, where the locals like to sit and enjoy a little bit of chit-chat. There are flowers everywhere, creating a beautiful contrast against the whitewashed buildings. It is truly picture perfect!
We bought a few snacks and we decided to make use of the natural shade provided by the trees at Psaraliki beach. Apart from a few sunbathers, the beach was very quiet and we felt as if we had the place to ourselves. It was the perfect place to spend a few hours before heading back to Paros.
One of the most famous landmarks of the island is the Cave of Agios Ioannis church. It is a natural wonder with a depth of 85 metres approximately. Regrettably, we had not done our research before visiting the island, so we only found out about it after we returned back to Paros.
A FEW MORE THINGS TO NOTE
HOTELS IN PAROS
The Greek islands are getting very busy during the summer months (July and August). The 15th of August is the peak of the summer season for Greeks, due to the celebration of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. If you are planning on visiting around that time, then you should start checking for accommodation at least 2 months before you travel, even more so if your budget is somewhat limited.
FERRY TO PAROS
Ferries from Piraeus to the Greek islands are very frequent. However, depending on the island of your choice, you must keep an eye on the availability. The more popular the island, the more frequent the ferry routes. Piraeus may be the largest port in Athens but it is not the only one. If you decide to travel by sea, then It may be worth checking also the port of Rafina, which is about an hour drive (without traffic) from Athens city centre. For the latest ferry routes and prices, click here.
