Paros is everything that comes to mind when you think of a Cycladic island – traditional and cosmopolitan, authentic but chic, with sugar cube whitewashed houses and their grandmas sitting in front during the summer evenings.
Sandy beaches, traditional villages, tavernas and fine dining, water sports, spa retreats, and loads of ancient and Byzantine history make Paros one of the quintessential Greek islands. Follow my Paros travel guide to discover its charms.
Introducing Paros
Paros is one of the largest islands of the Cyclades, located close to Naxos, Mykonos, Sifnos, and Tinos.
It is also one of the easiest to get to, due to the airport on the island, its proximity to Athens, and its status as a main ferry hub.
Paros still maintains an almost perfect balance between the hype of Mykonos and Santorini and the authenticity of non-touristy destinations.
On Paros, you can find pristine beaches and tucked-away taverns during the day, but treat yourself to gourmet dinners in the evenings. This combination makes Paros one of the most popular Greek destinations.
A significant location since antiquity, Paros is famous for the church erected by Saint Helen, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, while on her way to the Holy Lands.
Ever since then, Paros has been one of the centers of the Cycladic archipelago.
Paros has two main towns – Parikia and Naoussa, plus a dozen quaint traditional villages that you will love exploring.
Parikia, the capital of the island and its main port is a traditional island settlement with cobbled streets and an eternal feel.
Related: 🛎️ Where to Stay in Paros: Best Areas in Paros Greece
Parikia is quite different from the other main town on the island, Naoussa, a picturesque fishing village turned party town with gourmet restaurants, haute-couture boutiques, and vivid nightlife.
Expect fine sand beaches all around the island, with several rocky exceptions. Beach bars, waters sports, seaside tavernas, and diving are available everywhere.
Map of Paros Greece
How to Get to Paros by Air
If I’m in Athens, I always fly to Paros, as it’s only a 30-minute flight from Athens to Paros’ National Airport located 11km/7miles from Parikia.
Flights to Paros are available only from Athens, but you can choose between Aegean Airlines/Olympic Air and Sky Express, both very good companies.
How to Get to Paros by Ferry
Paros is connected to Athens’ ports of Piraeus and Rafina by multiple daily ferries taking anything between 3 and 6 hours (€50-75).
Paros is also super-connected to other Cycladic islands and Crete, so you can easily combine it in an island-hopping itinerary. Milos, Naxos, Tinos, and Mykonos, and Santorini are very close.
Island Hopping
Paros is in the central Cyclades, making it a perfect destination to visit together with other islands on a day trip or as part of an island-hopping tour.
Naxos, Mikonos, and Tinos are under an hour away with multiple daily departures.
Sifnos is also close by (55 minutes away) and offers connections to western Cyclades, including Serifos, Kimolos, Ios, and Folegandros.
Santorini, the major Aegean Sea ferry hub and an island with an international airport, is under 2 hours.
The Small Cyclades, including Iraklia, Schinoussa, Donousa, Amorgos, and Koufonisia are just under a couple of hours on the ferry.
You can see why making Paros a base for Cyclades island hopping is so tempting!
Getting Around Paros: Local Transportation
Hiring a Car, Quad/ATV, or Scooter
Paros, as any other Greek island, is best discovered by hiring your own vehicle.
Public transportation is good and will get you between towns and villages, but doesn’t give you the freedom to explore and make scenic stops along the way.
Major hire car brands are available, plus a plethora of local family-owned companies, all offering cars from €30 (low season) to more than €50 (high season).
Pre-booking is a must, especially during the high season and if you require an automatic. I pre-book online using Discover Cars because it has reputable international brands.
I like a scooter on Paros because it’s a small island but any kind of vehicle is important if you want to see the whole island in a few days.
Riding a Bicycle
Cycling tours are organized by local experts (a big shout out to Stefanos from Paros Cycling) who can help in renting a bike, suggesting the routes or taking you all around the island in his organized tours.
When I travel to Paros it’s usually too hot to cycle, but some of my friends love the Naoussa to Lefkes route.
Walking and Hiking
As on every other Cycladic island, Paros has numerous hiking paths that once formed the main social and commercial transportation network of the island.
Nowadays, one can hike its 35km/22 miles of trails, encountering old villages, terraced gardens, farmhouses, windmills, waterfalls, and pigeon adobes (peristerones) along the way.
The Paros Park is an environmental and cultural park staffed by volunteers with lots of well signposted hiking trails.
Public Bus System
The KTEL intercity bus system on Paros extends to 5 lines covering all the towns, villages, major beaches, and the airport.
Most of the departures are from Parikia and Naoussa towns and a single one-way ticket ranges between €2-3.5.
Best Time of Year to Visit Paros
Unlike Greece’s largest islands of Crete, Corfu, and Rhodes, Paros is not a year-round destination; its seasonality makes it a perfect place to visit between late March and late October.
However, during the summer it has become an extremely popular tourist destination (think Mykonos and Santorini) for both Greeks and foreign visitors.
High Season (June – August)
This is the perfect time to visit Paros if you are after its summer vibe, swimming, and vivid town atmosphere, especially in Naoussa.
Temperatures are high (up to 110F) and the crowds can be massive, especially in August, so plan ahead and make your reservations well in advance.
Shoulder Season (April – May, September – October)
As everywhere else in insular Greece, mid-September is the absolute best time to visit. The sea is as warm as in August, the air is not scorching hot and the crowds are quickly diminishing.
Everyone you meet will be more relaxed and pleased that August is gone!
April might be rainy, as well as late October. However, early spring in the Cyclades is heavenly, when the usually arid landscape blossoms and the terraces are covered in wildflowers. Perfect for hiking and exploration.
Low Season (November – March)
Paros has a steady population of 13,000 locals, so something will be open. However, most of the outlets will be closed. Expect rain and strong winds.
How long in Paros is enough?
Paros is a dreamy island that is the right size for a 7-night stay. This includes plenty of time for exploration, relaxation by the pool and by the beach, and nightlife.
If on a major island-hopping trip, schedule at least 3 nights to see most of it.
Paros’ Top Tourist Attractions
The Best Beaches in Paros
Paros has beautiful sandy beaches, but some of them are rocky if you prefer that. In any case, it’s more important that Paros has beautiful beaches all around the island, so if the strong summer winds called Meltemia blow from the east, you can avoid it by going to the other side.
Golden Beach
Yellow sand beach cove 20km south of Parikia, offering limited beach bar amenities, but ideal conditions for windsurfing.
Santa Maria Beach
Northeast of Naoussa (2km away) lies this east-facing soft sand beach overlooking Naxos Island. Full amenities are available, including umbrellas, sunbeds, and beach bar service.
Kolymbithres beach
The rocky pearl of Paros, this beach is the most famous on the island. Resembling the lunar landscapes of Milos, expect granite boulders smoothened by the sea located in several small coves lined one after another in the bay of Naoussa.
Pounda Bay Beach
Located 10km south of Parikia, this soft sand beach is the most popular spot for kite surfing on the island.
Even better, it has a small pier from which a local ferry connects Paros with Antiparos.
Molos Beach
This beach is often frequented by locals as it sits off the beaten path, with its east-facing sandy shores overlooking Naxos Island.
This is my favorite Paros beach because one of the most authentic tavernas on the island is here – Taverna Giannakos, just a few steps from the sea.
Major Historical Sites and Museums
Church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani
One of the oldest churches in Greece (called the Hundred Doors One) is a complex of chapels in Parikia dating from the 4th century AD.
Archaeological Museum of Paros
A beautiful small museum in Parikia, showcasing classical sculptures, ancient pottery, and a Roman mosaic in the atrium.
The museum is displaying finds from the deserted island of Despotika just off Paros which is not yet open to the public.
In summer the Museum is open from 8.30 am until 3.30 pm. Closed Tuesdays, tickets are only 3 Euro.
The Venetian castle
Just off the shores of Naoussa, this 15th-century Venetian fortification and a watchtower offers great views of the old Port.
Parikia
Parikia is a picturesque cobblestoned settlement with classic Cycladic architecture, a waterfront, and a maze of alleys marching up the hill from the port.
These alleyways hide whitewashed houses, chapels, Venetian villas with marble entrances, and a hint of island life before mass tourism.
More traditional and authentic than Naoussa, Parikia is much more than just a main town of the island.
The ancient temples of Aphrodite, Eileithyia and Zeus Ypatos, as well as the ruins of an Asklepion are located here as well.
Naoussa
The cosmopolitan town of the island, Naoussa is where the nightclubs, cocktail bars, high-fashion shops, and gourmet restaurants are.
Even if you’re not staying in Naoussa, make sure to visit this seaside village on the northern side in the late afternoon to admire its architecture and enjoy its vivid night atmosphere afterward.
Paros Island Villages
Traditional Paros hides in its villages, among which Lefkes(the old capital of the island) is a must for any traveler.
Set on the hillside, with a towering church, charismatic Central Square, and hiking paths to and from it, Lefkes is a perfect day trip destination.
The Byzantine churches route is a must if you’re staying three or more days on Paros.
If exploring the whole island, drive a circuit to explore the other beautiful villages like Marpissa, Aliki, Dryos, Prodromos, and Marmara too.
Paros Island Cuisine: What to Eat in Paros
🍽️ Revitada – clay pot baked chickpeas
🍽️ Parian cheeses – myzithra, xinomyzithra, touloumisio, kefalotiri and graviera
🍽️ Wine from the local Moraitis winery
🍽️ Souma – Parian liquor made of grape skin
Where to Stay in Paros
🛎️ Where to Stay in Paros: Best Areas in Paros Greece
Emergency and Useful Numbers
Any Emergency: 112
Police: 100
Fire Department: 199
Ambulance: 166
Tourist Police: 171
Health Center of Paros in Parikia: +30 22843-60000
Paros Airport: +30 2284 090500
Paros Port: +30 22840 21240
