Paros is a Greek island located in the Cyclades. Paros is known for its beautiful beaches, white cobblestone streets, and upscale boutiques. This Greek island is a beautiful, less busy, alternative to visiting Santorini. It is an island nearby Naxos, which is the largest Greek Island in the Cyclades. Paros was one of our favorite islands that we visited while island hopping in Greece, and it’s underrated, although it’s become more popular in recent years! In this post, I am sharing a travel guide to Paros, Greece including things to do, where to stay, and where to eat! I hope this helps if you are planning a trip to Paros.

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Travel Guide to Paros, Greece

How to Get to Paros

The most common route to get to Paros, like most of the Greek Islands, is by flying into the Athens airport and then taking a flight or ferry directly to the island. We spent 2 nights in Athens before starting our Greek island-hopping vacation. It was the perfect amount of time to check out some of Athen’s highlights including the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, and Plaka neighborhood.

Once you’re in Athens, it can take around 40 minutes if you travel to Paros by plane. Otherwise, a ferry can take from 3 hours to 5 hours if you depart from the Pireaus or Rafina port (located around 40 minutes from the Athens airport). If you prefer to travel by ferry, you can book tickets through the FerryHopper website. Through the FerryHopper website, you can look at different routes, ferry lines, and dates.

Where to Stay in Paros

The two main places to say in Paros are Parikia and Naoussa. If you plan on taking advantage of the nightlife, stay in Naoussa so that you’re not having to find your way back at night. For a more central location to explore the rest of the island, I would recommend staying in Parikia. If you stay in Parikia close to the main port, you will be within walking distance of the main bus terminal, the Antiparos ferry, food, and shopping. We chose to stay in Parikia and didn’t regret the location since we did not rent a car or ATV. However, we were not taking advantage of much of the nightlife so we didn’t mind not being close to bars and clubs.

Things to do in Paros

Shop in Naoussa

Naoussa is a picturesque fishing village located on the northeastern coast of Paros, Greece. It is known for its charming harbor, its narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses, and its lively nightlife. Naoussa is a popular village to shop in the upscale boutiques and eat by the seaside restaurants. You can reach Naoussa by bus, or you can rent a car/atv.

Explore Parikia

Parikia, the capital of Paros, is a charming town with a long history and a lot to offer visitors. Explore its narrow streets and alleys, lined with traditional houses, shops, and churches. Visit the Panagia Ekatontapiliani, a Byzantine monastery, and the Frankish Castle, which offers stunning views of the town and surrounding area.

Parikia also has a wide variety of shops to choose from, selling everything from traditional Greek souvenirs to designer clothes and accessories. For souvenirs, head to the shops on the Old Port. For designer goods, head to the shops on the main street. And for unique items, visit the boutiques in the narrow streets and alleys.

Take a Day Trip to Antiparos

Antiparos is a small island located just a ten-minute ferry ride away. The ferry leaves from the main port of Parikia several times each day. Antiparos is known for its famous Antiaros cave and relaxing beaches. Antiparos is worth the day trip, especially to see the caves! This is a unique experience on the island that many of the other islands can not offer.

Visit the Mountain Villages of Lefkes, Prodromos, and Marpissa

Lefkes, Prodromos, and Marpissa are traditional mountain villages. They are most known for their cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, and stunning views of the Aegean Sea. These mountain villages are popular tourist destinations but have each retained its authentic charm. Lefkes is the most popular of the three villages. However, they are close together and easy to hop around to each other. If you are wanting to visit, you can take the bus or rent a car/atv.

Captain Ben’s Boat Tour

Captain Ben’s Boat Tour takes you to swim locations, interesting rock formations, and sea caves surrounding Antiparos. This boat tour blew up on TikTok and has had rave reviews. While on board, they serve you snacks, meals, and drinks. There is also snorkeling gear, swim noodles, and even an inflatable slide to keep you busy while on board.

It is recommended to make a reservation. You then need to confirm your reservation 48 hours before the boat ride. We had this boat tour scheduled while we were in Paros, but due to heavy winds, we had to cancel. However, I have seen many reviews online say that this was the highlight of their trip while in Paros.

Other Tips for Paros

You can get almost everywhere by taking the bus or walking if you are staying in Nauossa or the Parikia. However, if you don’t want to plan around the bus schedule, you can rent a car or an ATV. In most of the villages, there is an area to park and it will help minimize walking.
Bring a towel! If you plan on beach hopping or taking a boat tour, you will need to bring a towel.
While the weather is mild most of the year, the summer can get hot! Be prepared for some heat, and bring sunscreen as well!
The peak season is June through September. For fewer crowds and milder weather, visit during the end of September/early October, or May. By the end of October, many of the businesses are closing for the season and people are returning to Athens for the off-season.