Are you looking for the real, postcard-perfect Cyclades with dazzling white houses and blue shutters, but dread the idea of paying a hundred euros for a sun lounger and squeezing through crowds from cruise ships in the alleys? Then Paros in Greece is exactly what you need. This island isn’t nicknamed “the little Mykonos without the Mykonos prices” by chance, and it’s one of the most elegant, yet still affordable, destinations in all of Greece.
Paros works as a golden middle ground. You’ll find narrow lanes bursting with bougainvillea, stylish boutiques and cafés, movie-worthy fishing harbours, and gorgeous beaches where the water looks like it belongs in the Seychelles. And all of that without having to sell a kidney. The island mainly attracts couples, food lovers, and anyone chasing that balance between relaxation and style.
In this guide I’ll show you 15 things to see and do on Paros, from magical Naoussa through granite beaches to a day trip to bohemian Antiparos. Let’s dive in. ☺️
TL;DR
- Paros is elegant and affordable. Postcard Cycladic beauty, but at a fraction of the price of Mykonos and Santorini.
- Two faces of the island: busy Parikia with ancient monuments and the magical fishing village of Naoussa in the north.
- Prettiest beaches: Kolymbithres with granite rocks straight out of the Seychelles, and Golden Beach, a windsurfing mecca.
- Don’t skip the interior, especially the mountain village of Lefkes with its traditional cafés and calm.
- A trip to Antiparos is a must. A bohemian little island 10 minutes away by ferry with a huge stalactite cave.
- When to go: ideally May, June or September. In summer the meltemi wind blows here, but it pleasantly cools things down.
Parikia: the island’s gateway with an ancient soul
The island’s main port and town is Parikia, where the ferries pour out crowds of visitors. Don’t let that first impression by the harbour put you off, though, because just behind it hides a charming old town full of winding lanes, white houses, and plenty of tavernas.
Worth a visit here is the Frankish castle built directly from ancient marble columns, and above all the Byzantine church of Ekatontapiliani, or the Church of a Hundred Doors, one of the most important and oldest in all of Greece. A stroll through Parikia in the evening, once the lights come on and the cruise-ship crowds have left, has a magic all its own.
Naoussa: the most charming harbour in the Cyclades
The real gem of the island, though, is the fishing harbour of Naoussa in the north. Once a sleepy little village, it has gradually become the epicentre of Cycladic charm, and yet it has kept its soul.
The old harbour is lined with tavernas whose tables sway literally centimetres above the sea, little white chapels, and lanes full of flowers. In the evening people come here for a cocktail, for fresh food, and above all to soak up the atmosphere, which is absolutely magical. It’s one of those places where you easily lose track of time and end up sitting late into the night.
The prettiest beaches on Paros
Paros offers beaches you’d struggle to find anywhere else in Greece, and each one is completely different. Here are the ones you shouldn’t miss.
Kolymbithres
This beach looks more like the Seychelles than Greece. It’s set among smooth granite rocks sculpted by wind and water into rounded shapes, with turquoise water collecting between them in little natural pools. It’s a paradise for photos and for hiding from the sun in the shade of the rocks, and it lies a short boat ride from Naoussa, so you can easily reach it across the bay.
Golden Beach (Chrissi Akti)
A long strip of golden sand on the southeast of the island that, thanks to its steady wind, is an international mecca for windsurfing and kitesurfing. World Cup races are even held here, so whether you want to try a board or just watch the colourful sails on the waves, you’re in the right place. Even without the sport, it’s a beautiful, spacious beach with good facilities.
Marble, wind and the island’s interior
Even in antiquity Paros was famous for its marble, so pure and translucent that masters carved their most celebrated works from it. The world-famous statue of the Venus de Milo, admired today by visitors to the Louvre in Paris, was born from it. Traces of the ancient quarries can still be found in the island’s interior to this day.
And it would be a mistake to skip that interior. Hidden away in it is the village of Lefkes, the island’s former capital, sitting in the mountains surrounded by pines and olive trees. Total peace reigns here, the white lanes wind uphill, and you’ll find the best traditional cafés (kafenia) for miles around. Sitting here over a Greek coffee, far from the beaches, is balm for the soul.
A day trip to Antiparos
Being on Paros and not hopping over to neighbouring Antiparos would be a sin. The ferry from Pounta port crosses in about ten minutes and opens up a completely different world.
Antiparos is smaller, quieter, and radiates a bohemian atmosphere, and it’s no coincidence that even actor Tom Hanks bought a house here. The island’s main draw is the enormous stalactite cave in its centre, which you descend into via 411 steps and which ranks among the oldest visited caves in the world. Add a coffee in the harbour village and you’ll feel like time has stopped here.
Where to eat and what to try
Paros is a paradise for food lovers and you’ll find countless tavernas here, mainly in Naoussa and Parikia. As vegetarians you’ll feast on fresh Cycladic salads, fried cheese, local fava and tomato fritters, and plenty of sweets.
The island is also famous for its wine and cheese; the local xinomyzithra cheese and Paros wines are among the things you should taste. Sitting in a waterside taverna in Naoussa, where the tables sway above the surface, is a gastronomic experience in itself, even if you only have a salad and a carafe of wine.
When to visit Paros (weather and best time)
As on the rest of the Cyclades, on Paros in Greece July and August are the hottest and busiest. In these months the meltemi wind also blows strongest here, which cools things pleasantly in the heat but whips up the waves and can complicate the ferries. Windsurfers, on the other hand, love it.
The best months are May, June and September. In spring the island is fresh and blooming, the sea is already warm enough for swimming and the crowds haven’t arrived yet, while September offers warm water and a more relaxed atmosphere. If you’re mainly heading here for romance and calm, bet on September.
Map of points of interest for your phone
Where to stay on Paros: the best hotels
💡 Tip for accommodation and experiences: We prefer to look for accommodation on Booking.com, which usually has the best cancellation terms. I picked the specific hotels I recommend below based on real reviews across price ranges. For tours, boat trips and tickets, compare options on GetYourGuide.
A practical base is Parikia by the harbour, where the ferries and buses set off. A highly rated, cheaper choice in the heart of the old town is Pelican Paros, where you’ll appreciate the cleanliness, friendly staff and free snacks. A step up is the stylish KOKOON with a garden, a few minutes from Livadia beach.
The most atmospheric spot is fashionable Naoussa in the north. For an exceptional seaside stay there’s the five-star Cosme, a Luxury Collection Resort right on Agii Anargyri beach, or the design-led Cove Paros with one of the best restaurants on the island. A pleasant mid-range option a short walk from the centre is Senia Hotel with sea-view rooms.
For peace and beaches, choose the south of the island. Right by the famous windsurfing Golden Beach, the family-run Golden Beach Hotel has been running on the sand since the 1980s, while in the picturesque fishing village of Aliki the quiet Angeliki Seaside Hotel sits a few steps from the sea. Paros works out cheaper than Mykonos or Santorini, but it fills up fast in season, so book early.
Where to go next
Before you set off, take a look at our other articles about Greece:
- Naxos holiday: 15 things to see and do
- Milos: 15 things to see and do
- The best beaches in Greece: TOP 20 + practical rules
- Where to go on holiday in Greece: islands, mainland and tips
Frequently asked questions
What to see on Paros?
On Paros you must not miss the magical fishing harbor of Naoussa, the old town and Byzantine church Ekatontapiliani in Parikia, and the beaches of Kolymbithres with granite rocks and Golden Beach for windsurfing. Worth a trip are the mountain village of Lefkes in the interior and especially the neighboring island of Antiparos with its giant stalactite cave. The island is ideal for couples and lovers of good food.
Where is the island of Paros located?
Paros lies in the heart of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea, right next to the island of Naxos and not far from Mykonos and Santorini. It is among the most accessible Cycladic islands, excellently connected by ferries to Athens (both Piraeus and Rafina ports) and to the surrounding islands, making it perfect as part of island hopping.
Is Paros expensive?
Paros is more expensive than, say, neighboring Naxos, but significantly cheaper than Mykonos or Santorini, where prices tend to be 40 to 60% higher. It therefore offers excellent value for money, Cycladic beauty and elegance at reasonable prices. The most expensive is fashionable Naoussa, while you’ll find cheaper accommodation in Parikia or near the southern beaches.
Which is the most beautiful island, Paros or Naxos?
It depends on what you’re looking for. Naxos is more family-friendly, more rustic and has the best sandy beaches for children, while Paros is more elegant, more cosmopolitan and more stylish, ideal for couples. Both islands are neighbors and can easily be combined during one holiday with a short ferry ride.
When to go to Paros?
The best times are May, June and September. In May and June the island is fresh, blooming and the sea is already swimmable, while September offers warm water and a calmer atmosphere after the main season. July and August are the hottest and busiest, with the strongest meltemi winds, which windsurfers love.
How to get to Paros?
You can most commonly reach Paros by ferry from the Athens ports of Piraeus or Rafina, with the journey taking approximately 3 to 4 hours (less by fast ferry). The island also has a small airport with domestic flights from Athens. Thanks to its location in the center of the Cyclades, Paros is excellently connected to the surrounding islands as well, making it easy to include in island hopping.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
🚗 Car rental on the roadVerified car rentals in the CycladesSearch with the DiscoverCars comparison engine — it compares prices from dozens of local and international rental companies, and most bookings come with free cancellation.
Compare car prices in the Cyclades →Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
