Paros Greece Travel Guide: Things to Do, Beaches, & Where to Stay

Paros is one of the most beautiful Greek islands in the Cyclades, known for its beaches, charming villages like Naousa and Parikia, and relaxed atmosphere. In this Paros Greece travel guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your trip, including where to stay, the best things to do, great beaches, and a map to help you organize your itinerary. Paros was our chosen Greek island destination on our month-long honeymoon in July 2022.  We spent 4 full days here, and absolutely loved it, there was so much to do!

We didn’t want to only spend our time on islands, which meant we had to choose our Greek islands carefully.  I really wanted to experience the stereotypical white buildings with blue roofs but did not want to battle with touristy Santorini in the summer.  Enter: Paros.  It is part of the group of islands called the Cyclades, and day trips to nearby Santorini and Naxos are available.  Not to be confused with “Poros”, Paros has the amenities one would look for from a relaxing Greek getaway.  We saw some beautiful scenery, amazing beaches, and those blue and white buildings you go to Greece to find.

Here’s what you can find in this guide (click to jump ahead):

• Information about Paros
• How Many Days in Paros?
• Is Paros Worth Visiting?
• How to get to Paros
• When to Visit
• Where to Stay
• Best Beaches
• Things to Do
• Other Things to Do (that we haven’t done)
• A map to help you plan your itinerary
• Helpful Planning Tips

If you want to check out where we ate during our 2 days, our gluten-free guide is here. If you’re planning your trip day-by-day, you can check out our full Paros itinerary here.

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Tell Me More About Paros…

There are two main towns on Paros, located 10km apart – Parikia and Naousa.  You can find secluded hotels outside of these towns, but you’ll most likely end up staying in one of these two places.

Naousa is the more upscale choice of the two towns, with picturesque views and elegant waterfront restaurants.  It is much easier to get around the island from Naousa with a car, even though busses do come through.  Naousa is more “Instagram-able” and has more high-end hotels.  If you’re hoping to get some serious shopping in, Naousa has the more expensive boutiques and shops.  Naousa does come with a higher price tag and has a much more expensive feel to it.

While Naoussa is beautiful, it is a bit harder to get to from the Port or airport because it is on the north side of the island. If you’re looking for something a bit more central, you’ll want to look into Parikia, on the west side of the island.

Parikia is the port town, and where you’ll arrive on the island if travelling by ferry.  There are many local shops and artisans, and the town stays busy throughout the day.  There is a good bus network for the island based out of Parikia.  Parikia is known for its phenomenal sunsets! Parikia is more affordable, for both accommodations and restaurants. 

We decided a car would probably be a good idea and rented one last minute.  There are many places you can rent cars (or scooters) from, but most last-minute cars available will be manual.  Book a car rental well ahead if you’d like an automatic.  If you plan on doing a day trip near the end of your stay, or visiting Antiparos, you won’t need the car for all your days on Paros.

Paros has many other smaller towns (such as Aliki, Lefkes, or Piso Livadi). There are beaches galore, so bring your swimsuit! In certain towns and locations, water sports are easy to find (though make sure you’re still covered for those through your trip insurance).

How Many Days in Paros?

Paros is one of those places where you could easily slow down and stay a while, but you don’t need weeks to enjoy it. We absolutely loved it and felt we could have had more time, and we were there 5 nights (4 full days). This gave us time to explore different parts of the island, relax at multiple beaches, and not feel rushed. Because of this, we’d say 4 – 5 days is the ideal amount of time on Paros (check out our Paros itinerary here!).

However, if you’re short on time, 2–3 days is enough to see the highlights, spend time in Naousa and Parikia, and visit a couple of beaches.

If your travel style leans more toward slow mornings, long dinners, and beach hopping, you’ll probably appreciate having the extra time and would be happier with 4+ days.

Is Paros Worth Visiting?

YES! Especially if you’re looking for a Greek island that feels a little more relaxed. Paros has a bit of everything: beautiful beaches, charming towns like Naousa and Parikia, and great food, but without the intensity (or prices) of places like Santorini or Mykonos. It’s the kind of place where you can spend your days beach hopping, wandering through whitewashed streets, and settling into a slower rhythm.

If that’s the kind of trip you’re after, Paros is absolutely worth it.

How do I Get to Paros?

You can reach Paros by ferry or by plane. The airport is tiny and is located 10km south of Parikia, (about a 15-minute drive).  The ferry port is in Parikia, one of the two main towns on the island.  You can arrive by ferry straight from Athens (Piraeus or Rafina), which takes 3-6 hours on average.  You can book fast ferries or slow ferries, so do your research into the ferry lines and what type of ride you’d like before booking.  If you are enjoying other Greek islands prior to Paros, you can also ferry to Paros from Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Milos, Ios, and Crete.

We arrived via ferry from Heraklion, Crete.  It is a 4.5-hour ferry ride from Heraklion to Paros, and we booked direct through Minoan Lines.  We booked the highest level of seating as we are quite tall, and the seats had more personal space and leg room in this section. Many online articles said that the ferries can be rather bumpy due to the winds and that these seats would make for a smoother ride.  We had no issues with the journey (we ride a ferry from Vancouver to Vancouver Island all the time), but did still feel the increased cost for the higher-level seating was worth it. 

When’s the Best Time to Visit Paros?

We travelled to Paros in July, and it was fantastic weather! Although it was peak tourist season and busy, we didn’t find it overcrowded (one of the reasons we chose this island).  If you like nightlife, apparently July and August are the best times to be on the island.  However, buses are very busy, so if you’re hoping to get around without a car/scooter, you might want to avoid July and August.  Weather will also be pleasant in April, May, September, and October if you’d like to avoid the crowds.  Between November and March, much of the island shuts down due to the low number of tourists visiting.  Many restaurants and hotels close for the winter season, and ferry service to the island is reduced. It can also be quite cool on the island in the winter!

Where to Stay in Paros?

We opted to stay in Parikia, as we wanted to be more central and didn’t plan on renting a car (this was before realizing just how tiny the island is).  We stayed at the Akrotiri Hotel, located about a 10-minute drive from the ferry in Parikia. 

The hotel picked us up at the port, along with some other guests, and served us lemonade upon arrival. The Akrotiri is up a long hill, so walking back from town can be tough.  The views, however, are spectacular (pictured is the view from our room)! A truly impressive breakfast is available each morning. They had a local baker who provided many of the baked goods, and an in-house cook who made the frittatas, pancakes, and such. Cold cuts, cheeses, yogurt, and toast were available every morning, but the pastries and hot food varied day to day. They also have a pool on site. We would highly recommend Akrotiri if you plan on staying in Parikia.

As mentioned above, Naoussa is the other main town. This is where you want to stay for a more upscale experience, there’s more nightlife here, and higher end shopping. If you’re wanting more seclusion, try one of the smaller villages such as Aliki or Piso Livadi. Overall, we were glad we chose Parikia as it was easy to get around and more affordable than Naoussa. If you’re not renting a car, you’ll want to stay in either Parikia or Naoussa.

Explore Paros hotel options below:

Best Beaches on Paros

Greece has some of the best beaches in the world, and Paros upheld Greece’s beach reputation. We spent quite a bit of time at the various beaches around the island. A note that we weren’t choosing beaches with cabanas or chairs or umbrellas as we had already done that on Crete. So you may notice a lack of “amenities” in the beaches we highlight below. We wanted quiet, calm, serene Greek beach time.

1. Kalogeros Beach

Popular among the locals, Kalogeros beach is a hidden gem.  Nestled over a hill, the water is clear, and the sand is clean. Kalogeros was our favourite (we went twice in 4 days), and wasn’t too busy with nice beach, water, and clay.

2. Lageri

Lageri was beautiful beach and water, however be aware that it is a naturist beach. The water was beautiful and it wasn’t busy even during peak season, so it was easy to be a good distance from other beachgoers and not be crowded.

3. Tsoukalia

Tsoukalia had rocky water, but was very empty. It was quite windy this day, but the water was still very pleasant. The sand was a bit rougher, but overall we still liked this beach.

4. Santa Maria

We’re including Santa Maria on the list as we know some people love this beach and it gets good reviews. However, it wasn’t our favourite as it was busier than we like, so we didn’t stay long before picking a new beach for the afternoon.

Other Popular Beaches:

• Golden Beach (passed by but didn’t stay)
• Kolombithres (didn’t personally visit)
• Monastiri (didn’t personally visit)
• Marchello (didn’t personally visit)

Best Things to Do on Paros

1. Explore Parikia

The main port of the island, Parikia is a busy town.  The waterfront is lined with cafes and restaurants, and the old town is an intricate network of alleyways. You can easily get lost among the white-and-blue, stumble upon old buildings, and visit local shops.  Make sure you pass by the Church of a Hundred Doors, which you can go inside for free.

2. Discover Naousa

About 20 minutes (10km) north of Parikia, you will find the fishing village of Naousa.  Built around its port, you will find waterfront restaurants and high-end shops.  Explore the many alleyways, the boardwalk, and the port. If you aren’t staying here and you’re just visiting, come in the morning as it will be less crowded. Naousa tends to be busier at night.

3. Visit Lefkes

Settled in the mountain is the picturesque village of Lefkes.  About a 20-minute drive southeast of Parikia, Lefkes only has about 500 residents.  Explore your way through the historical white-and-blue buildings, check out Agia Triada church, or sip coffee amongst the bougainvillea. This is also to the place to find some local artwork.

4. Clay yourself at Kalogeros Beach

You will find natural clay deposits at either end of the beach, walls of it extending up from the sand.  This is where you can grab handfuls of mud to give yourself a spa-like mud experience.  You will need to scrape the clay from the walls, mix it with ocean water, and smear the paste you’ve made over your body. Wait for it to dry in the sun, then rinse off in the ocean and enjoy your baby soft skin!

5. Visit Piso Livadi

Sitting on the southeast side of the island is Piso Livadi.  It is a small fishing port, with a tiny beach.  Depending on the time of day you visit, it can be quite busy.  There are tavernas sitting seaside where you can enjoy some local seafood!

6. Butterflies Nature Reserve

Travel south of Parikia to find this small nature reserve.  Lush vegetation keeps you cool from the heat, follow the numbered path with information about the butterflies you can find hidden amongst the trees.  Allow about 30 minutes for this short stop.

7. Day trip to Antiparos

A 30-minute foot passenger ferry takes you to Antiparos from Parikia.  If you want to bring your rental car, you can catch a different ferry from Pounda, just south of Parikia.  Antiparos is a small, laid-back island perfect for exploring.  We explored the north tip of the island, finding beaches hidden in nooks and crannies of the pathways leading you around the edge of the island.  Explore the main town area or travel south towards the Cave of Antiparos. Make sure you check the ferry schedule, as they change over the seasons and if you miss your ferry you’ll be waiting a bit for the next one! There are arranged tours to Antiparos from Paros you can take as well if you don’t want to navigate this on your own.

Other Things to Do

These are things we didn’t get to see do the activities below while on Paros, but they came recommended on many “Things to do on Paros” lists during our research:

• Kite surf at Pounda Bay
• Check out the Naousa nightlife
• Day trip to Santorini, Mykonos, or Naxos
• Go scuba diving
• Visit local wineries
• Take a Blue Lagoon boat tour from Pounta

MAP of Things to do on Paros

HOW TO USE THE MAP: Click on the Wanderlog logo in the bottom right corner to open the full-size map up in a new tab. There, you can choose to just look at one category at a time or see all of the categories on the map at once (click the 3 squares in the top right to choose). You can also export the map to Google Maps, share the map with others, or save the map.

Helpful Planning Tips

I rely on these tools when planning my trips:

• Get Your Guide – book a boat tour, take a cooking class, or visit Antiparos
• Airalo eSIM – get Greek data instantly on arrival, without roaming charges
• Stay22 – compare hotels across Paros at a glance, including in Parikia and Naoussa
• Wanderlog – keep track of your trip details, organize your itinerary, and map out your stops
• Matt Barrett’s page – an excellent resource to help you plan your trip to Greece!