Overview

Located in the heart of the Cyclades, Paros island is the third-largest island of the complex. Third in popularity after Mykonos and Santorini, it is considered one of the most beautiful islands in Greece with very exquisite beaches and interesting architecture. Easily accessible by ferry or plane from Athens and from other islands, the island is preferred by both families and young people.

Parikia is the capital and main harbor of the island, where most facilities can be found. On the northern side of Paros is Naoussa, a picturesque harbor town with Venetian architecture and a romantic atmosphere. The small fishing port of Naoussa gets very lively at night as it is lined up with lounge bars, cafeterias and fish taverns. Another village worth visiting is Lefkes, the old capital of the island, located just in the center of Paros.

Day 1 :

Explore Naoussa And Cycle North Of Paros

Morning stroll of Naoussa
Afternoon swim at Kolymbithres Beach

Morning In Naoussa
Start your first full day on Paros by exploring the fishing village of Naoussa. Even though it used to be a fishing village, today, it is the most high-end town on the island, gaining popularity as the alternative to Mykonos.

I recommend spending the previous night here, so you see the town in the morning when it is not crowded.

The best way to explore Naoussa is to get lost in the cobblestone streets and see what you will run into.

Some of my favorites are the ruins of the Venetian castle and the old port of Naoussa. A popular spot for pictures is the Linardo Bar and Come Back Bar for a waterfront view.

Afternoon In The North Of Paros
You can spend the afternoon on Naoussa Beach or rent an electric bike to explore the northern part of the island. If you’re backpacking Europe in summer, refresh in one of the many Paros beaches.

Santa Maria Beach on the northeast of the island is a seemingly endless sandy beach. This side of the island tends to be windy, so I suggest skipping this beach on windy days.

Kolymbithres Beach is the most unusual beach on the island, as it is made up of small coves embedded between big rocks. You don’t need to bike to get here, as you can take a taxi boat from Naoussa.

Hike up to the Mycenaean Acropolis for the best view of the island. Make sure to return your bike before sunset because public lighting is close to nonexistent on the roads!

End the day by grabbing dinner and a drink back in town and discovering Naoussa nightlife.

Put on your best outfit because Naoussa gets fancy in the evening. Notice how different the town is during the night.

If you want to have a cocktail in a waterfront bar and enjoy the nightlife without paying Mykonos prices, Naoussa is the best place to go! You can choose between charming bars inside the center or waterfront bars around the old port.

Day 2 :

Discover Parikia And Swim On Paros Beaches

Morning exploring cobblestone streets of Parikia
Afternoon beach day at Marcello beach

Morning In Parikia
Start your day by exploring the city center of Parikia. The historic center of Parikia is small, but there are many picturesque streets, Cycladic architecture, and hidden spots around the town.

You could easily spend the whole day strolling the winding backstreets and admiring the town.

The entire center area is for pedestrians only, so you can enjoy wandering around and soaking in the Cycladic ambiance.

Grab lunch or brunch in Distrato in the city center.

Afternoon On Marcello Beach
Spend the afternoon of your second day on the beach. If you want to stay close to Parikia, the best beach close to the town is Marcello Beach. It is outside the city center, so getting there will require some effort.

The most scenic way to visit is to hike to the beach. The trail is straightforward, as you have to walk north from the city center and stay on the coastline. Be aware that there is no shade on the trail. The walk takes around 40 minutes from the city center of Parikia.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi boat from Parikia port. The boat takes 15 minutes to reach the beach and costs about 3€ per direction.

If you want to discover other beaches on Paros, how about Aliki Beach? This small fishing village is also a great spot to stay for dinner, and you can easily reach it by bus from Parikia.

For dinner, pick a romantic tavern next to the sea. I loved the Mouragio Tavern, with perfect sunset views and delicious food for an affordable price.

Day 3 :

Day Trip Day

Day trip to Antiparos from Paros
Day trip to Lefkes
Sailing along the coast of Paros

On your final day in Paros, go for Paros day trips!

Day Trip To Antiparos
The first option is to explore Antiparos Island and spend a day on a beach.

To get to Antiparos, you will have to take a bus to Pounta, and then a ferry to Antiparos. A ferry ride takes around 5 minutes.

Check the up-to-date Paros-Antiparos ferry schedule .

You can also visit Antiparos on a boat tour if you want to get to all the best beaches!

Antiparos is a relatively flat island. Therefore, it is possible to discover the island by bike. You can rent a bike in one of the shops close to the ferry port.

However, the city center is walkable. It is small and lovely, with pink bougainvillea trees shading the terraces.

If you love natural wonders, there is an impressive cave on the island you can visit. Otherwise, you can choose between many beaches, and spend a day swimming.

End your day trip to Antiparos with an incredible sunset view, head above the Sifneiko beach for the best views close to the port.

Sailing Tour From Paros
One of the best things about Paros is how easy it is to take sailing tours from Paros to other islands in the area.

Whether you want to discover bigger islands like Naxos and Mykonos, or you want to swim on secluded beaches of the Smaller Cyclades, going on a boat tour from Paros is an excellent way to do it!

Paros sailing tours don’t need to be an expensive, private boat experience! There are plenty of tours to choose from for every type of traveler.

Rent A Small Boat (License Free)
Alternatively, you don’t need a license to rent a small boat for a day and explore the hidden coves and beaches of Paros yourself!

Day Trip To Lefkes And Byzantine Road Hike
The second option is to discover the continental Paros and explore the villages inland.

Start with a visit to a picturesque Lefkes. This charming village was the first capital of the island. The best way to enjoy this village is to walk around and follow the streets that catch your attention.

From Lefkes, go back in time and hike the thousand-year-old Byzantine road from Lefkes to Prodromos. This ancient trail is the oldest on the island, and it is paved with the same thousand years old marble plates to this day.

You can end your hike in Prodromos or continue to Piso Livadi, and go for a dip on Piso Livadi beach.

Remember to check the bus schedule on the KTEL website and plan your day around it. It is possible to take a bus from Parikia to Lefkes and return from Prodromos or even Piso Livadi.