Are you planning a trip to the Greek islands and wondering what to do on Paros? In this Paros travel guide, you’ll discover charming villages with traditional Cycladic architecture, golden-sand beaches with tranquil coves, and unique things to do on Paros.
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Why Visit Paros?
Are you dreaming of bright blue water and whitewashed buildings dotting the island landscape? If so, you may be delighted to learn that these are some of the beautiful sights you’ll see when visiting Paros, a Greek island in the Cyclades archipelago.
With stunning natural beauty, sandy beaches along the azure Aegean Sea, and whitewashed villages with narrow alleys to explore, the island is a picturesque destination for romantic escapes, fun-filled girls’ trips, and relaxing family vacations.
Though Paros is a popular destination in the Cyclades islands, it isn’t nearly as crowded as romantic Santorini or lively Mykonos. In addition to fewer crowds and lower prices, Paros also has a laid-back atmosphere.
If you are seeking a relaxing vacation where you can have an authentic Greek island experience, Paros may be the perfect Cyclades destination for your Greek island trip.
Getting To & Around Paros
Paros, the third-largest Greek island in the Cyclades island group, is situated southeast of Athens in the Aegean Sea, between mainland Greece and Türkiye.
It is best reached by ferry from the Piraeus port near Athens or one of the other Cyclades islands, though you can also fly into Paros National Airport (PAS).
Seajet’s catamaran ferries from Piraeus to Paros take about 3.5 hours, and larger ferries, operated by Blue Star Ferries, take about 4.5 hours, though ferry trips can sometimes take over six hours.
With a 4-day or 6-day Eurail Greek Islands Pass, you can travel from Piraeus to the Cyclades islands via Blue Star Ferries for four travel days. You’ll still need ferry reservations and to pay for surcharges and taxes. You can book your ferry at the port on the day you travel, depending on availability, or in advance on the Blue Star Ferries website.
You’ll also find flights to Paros from Athens on Olympic Air, a subsidiary of Aegean Airlines, and seasonally from Thessaloniki on Aegean Airlines and Sky Express.
Another popular choice is to take an island-hopping trip in the Cyclades, visiting Paros, Naxos, Mykonos, and Santorini.
If you are visiting independently rather than on a guided tour, renting a car is the best way to get around Paros. You can also rent scooters and ATVs for short excursions, and buses and taxis are available in the main villages.
When is the Best Time to Visit Paros?
Late spring (May-June) and early fall (September) are optimal times to visit Paros. During these shoulder seasons, most hotel rates will be lower than in the peak summer tourism season, making these times more attractive for budget-conscious travelers.
Also, this island, home to about 12,000 residents, experiences a surge in visitors from late spring through early fall as cruise ships arrive at the port. This increase in daily visitors results in more crowded beaches and higher prices, particularly during the peak summer tourism season.
In late spring, the beaches aren’t as crowded as during the hot, dry summer, and the sea is warming up, allowing for a comfortable swimming experience. The majority of the island’s wildlife is also visible at this time, and the landscape is lush and green.
Finally, although the Mediterranean climate makes Paros a pleasant destination to visit for most of the year, travelers may want to avoid visiting during late fall through early spring. In addition to cooler temperatures, ferry links may be sporadic at this time, and some hotels, restaurants, and shops may be closed for the season.
Where to Stay on Paros
Staying near Parikia, the capital and main port, or Naoussa, a charming fishing village, is most convenient for enjoying shopping, dining, and nightlife on Paros. Both towns are also near several beaches, and Parikia, located along the western coast, has beautiful sunset views.
Among the upscale accommodations on Paros are luxury hotels, beachfront resorts, and villas that accommodate groups and families.
For hotels on Paros, we recommend:
- Andronis Minois, an SLH Hotel — This boutique luxury hotel with 44 suites and villas has sea-view dining at Olvo Restaurant, an outdoor pool, and spa services on the sunset coast.
- Cosme, a Luxury Collection Resort — At this beachfront luxury resort near the old port of Naoussa, amenities include sun loungers on the beach, multiple bars and restaurants, an outdoor pool, a star-gazing terrace with a telescope, a fitness center, and the Elios Spa with a steam room, an indoor jacuzzi, and various massage, facial, and body wrap services.
- Parīio, a Member of Design Hotels — This sun-lit retreat of 46 beautifully designed suites and villas with striking Cycladic architectural features offers Michelin-starred dining, spa treatments, and exclusive transfer service to the private beach club at Cosme.
- Summer Senses Luxury Resort, an SLH Hotel — Located near Punda Beach on the sunrise side of Paros, this boutique luxury resort has 100 rooms and suites designed with coastal décor and furnished balconies or patios (some with sea views and private pools, too), two elegant restaurants, and three outdoor pools, including a family-friendly lounge pool.
Villas offer many perks for families and groups, including communal areas where friends and family members can relax, dine, cook, and gather together. Luxury villas on Paros can be rented for as little as €300/night.
Best Things to Do in Paros, Greece
Wondering what to do on Paros? With numerous historical sites, monasteries, picturesque windmills, charming fishing villages, marble quarries, and beautiful beaches, there are plenty of unique places to explore on Paros. The following are some of the best activities on Paros to experience during your trip.
Taste the Flavors of Paros
Learn how to cook authentic Greek cuisine, sip refreshing cocktails under a shady eucalyptus tree, visit a sustainable farm to see and sample the olives and other Mediterranean crops, and taste local wines at a fourth-generation family winery on Paros.
Make a Greek Feast During a Paros Cooking Class
During your Cyclades island vacation, learn to make an authentic Greek meal from a local cook’s family recipes at a hands-on Paros cooking class.
Between cooking instructions, your hospitable instructor, Maria, is known to teach a few traditional dances, creating a friendly, welcoming atmosphere in the kitchen.
Once it’s time to eat, you’ll gather around the dining table to enjoy your feast of Parian cuisine as the wine flows.
Take a Greek Cooking Lesson in Ambleas
Hands-on cooking lessons are also offered at Margarita Studios, where owner Stella shares her family’s traditions and passion for cooking Greek cuisine.
This intimate gastronomic experience begins with collecting fresh herbs and tasting produce grown in the inviting garden. Then, Stella will guide you step-by-step through some of her family’s time-tested recipes.
Your class’s menu is flexible to accommodate vegetarian and gluten-free dietary restrictions, and it may include famous Greek dishes like dolmadakia, tzatziki, souvlaki, and baklava.
As you chop and stir the fresh, organic ingredients into a multicourse lunch, you’ll gain cooking skills and knowledge about the history of each dish.
After the cooking is complete, you’ll savor your delicious afternoon meal paired with local wine, and you’ll leave with a souvenir apron and authentic recipes to recreate at home.
Tour a Sustainable Farm
Figs, olives, grapes, capers, and herbs are some of the Mediterranean crops you’ll see growing during a 40-minute tour of the sustainable, family-run Petra Farm, located just outside Naoussa. From the farm, you’ll also see stunning bay views over Kolymbithres.
Throughout your tour, you’ll learn how the farm cultivates its crops using sustainable practices. Then, you’ll have an opportunity to sample some of the farm’s products or sit down for a farm-to-table meal.
Your farm tasting may include fig jam, cherry tomatoes, cheese, olives, chili jam, capers, and bread served with olive oil and oregano.
Alternatively, you could book a farm-cooked meal featuring a fresh Greek salad, slow-roasted Parian chickpeas, a savory spinach pie, and a traditional dessert for a sweet ending.
To reserve your farm tour and tasting experience, contact Petra Farm at +306944311988 or [email protected].
Picnic on the Beach at Sunset
If you are visiting Paros on your honeymoon or popping the big question, a chic, bohemian-style picnic at sunset sets a romantic mood for a cozy date night on the beach.
As you watch the mesmerizing sunset, share a beautifully prepared picnic dinner together and toast to your love with glasses of chilled wine.
Sip Coffee by Day, Cocktails by Night
At Santé Cocktail Bar in Naoussa, nibble on bougatsa pancakes covered in fresh fruit and powdered sugar while sipping a coffee under the shade of the eucalyptus tree.
Later in the day, house music and friendly mixologists transform this same spot into a chill place to sip an Aperol spritz, espresso martini, or Ouzo-based Aegean Mist cocktail.
Visit Paros Wineries
Did you know Paros has its own wine appellation? The rich volcanic soil and breezy, humid climate give the wines of the Paros POD their distinct character. You can taste these Parian wines at six wineries on Paros.
Perhaps the most well-known is Moraitis Estate in Naoussa. Since 1910, the Moraitis family has been growing grapes in a vineyard near Agioi Anargyroi beach. Today, it is a fourth-generation family winery that crafts wines from vineyards around the island, highlighting the essence of Paros. To visit, email [email protected] ahead of your trip to make reservations to tour the vineyard, learn about the family’s winemaking traditions, and taste wines paired with savory cheeses.
One of the newer wineries on Paros is Ktima Roussos, established in 2017, on the eastern side of the island. However, winemaking traditions run deep for owner Konstantinos Roussos, who has expanded upon his family’s 150-acre vineyard to make Parian wines from indigenous grapes. During your visit, you can taste five wines, such as the dry white Malaguisa, paired with local mezes in an outdoor space overlooking the vineyard.
Also situated on the eastern side of Paros is Myrsini Winery in Marpissa. Owned by a French couple, Domaine Myrsini is a small winery that creates Greek and Parian wines, showcasing minerality derived from the local terroir. During your wine tasting experience, you’ll sample four wines, including a natural sparkling wine, with an accompanying snack sourced from the winery’s garden or elsewhere in the Cyclades as you look out to a beautiful view of grape vines, mountains, and the distant sea.
Taste Locally Brewed Craft Beer
In addition to Parian wines and the Greek spirit ouzo, you can sip locally brewed beer on Paros. Head to 56 Isles, a microbrewery named after the 56 Cyclades islands, with a small, airy taproom in the Naoussa area.
During your visit to 56 Isles, also known as Paros Microbrewery, take a quick tour before taking a seat at one of the taproom’s wooden tables to sample one (or more) of the four craft beers brewed onsite.
Drink the award-winning Pilsner crafted from Parian barley, a citrusy Aegean Wit served with a slice of orange, a juicy yet bitter Session IPA, or a crisp, easy-drinking Lager — all of which sound like they pair perfectly with the island breeze and sunshine.
Cruise the Aegean Sea
From Paros, journey across the Aegean Sea’s blue waters to calm swimming and snorkeling coves, the turquoise Blue Lagoon, or other Cyclades islands.
Sail to Swimming Coves Around Paros and Antiparos (Full-Day Excursion)
Cruise around Paros and Antiparos on a catamaran to beautiful coves for a sun-soaked day spent swimming and snorkeling in the Aegean Sea.
From your Paros hotel, you’ll be transported to your full-day catamaran sailing excursion. Once aboard, you’ll enjoy scenic views, plentiful snacks, and an authentic Greek lunch as you cruise around the neighboring islands.
Throughout the day, you’ll have three opportunities to hop off the boat for a swim. Explore the serene coves by paddleboard or get an underwater view with the provided snorkeling equipment.
Tip: Pack a waterproof phone pouch to take photos in and under the water!
Island Hop by Catamaran in the Cyclades (7-Day Trip)
From Paros, set sail across the Aegean Sea on a Greek island-hopping private catamaran charter.
Jump from the boat into the blue sea, swim and snorkel in clear-as-crystal waters, and disembark to explore the traditional villages, beaches, and nightlife of Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, and Santorini.
This personalized, seven-day sailing adventure in the Cyclades includes onboard accommodations for parties of 10 or fewer in cabins with private bathrooms. Also included are a skipper and crew, towels and linens, breakfast plus one other meal per day, and snorkeling equipment.
Take a Boat Trip to the Blue Lagoon (Half-Day Excursion)
If you don’t have time for a full-day sailing excursion, a half-day boat trip to the Blue Lagoon may fit best into your Paros trip itinerary.
Located off the southern coast of Paros, the Blue Lagoon is a scenic swimming and snorkeling destination with stunning turquoise water.
During your boat trip, enjoy refreshing fruits and beverages, bask in the sunshine and sea breeze, jump into the sea, and dive under the waves, using the provided snorkeling fins and masks.
Spend a Day at the Beach
Of course, one of the best things to do on Paros is to have a fun-filled beach day. Pack your beach bag essentials for a day of sunbathing, sandy strolls, seaside dining, and dips in the clear, blue sea. For an active beach day, try snorkeling, scuba diving, bodyboarding, windsurfing, or kitesurfing.
Sunbathe at a Beach Club
At many of the popular beaches on Paros, there are beach clubs where you can reserve umbrella-covered sunbeds, sip beachside drinks, and nosh right at your lounge chair.
Some beach bars have chill, relaxing vibes, while others are more of a youthful, day-drinking scene.
Though the atmosphere may differ, most of the Paros beach bars offer beach service with drinks and light bites delivered directly to your sun lounger. Some also have full sit-down restaurants, multiple bars, and/or beachside massage treatments.
Below is a brief guide to the most popular beaches in Paros.
Faragas
This calm cove of serene waters meets golden sand along the southern coast of Paros. Reserve an umbrella-covered sunbed at Faragas Beach Bar and enjoy sophisticated beachfront dining, featuring Mediterranean flavors, organic produce, and fresh seafood.
Golden Beach
Also known as Chrissi Akti, this 700-meter stretch of golden sand with clear water is a favorite among windsurfers, kitesurfers, and other water-sport enthusiasts. Along the beach, you’ll find windsurfing schools, scuba diving outfitters, beach bars, restaurants, and hotels. You can rent sunbeds, grab a bite, and sip an Aperol Spritz at Blue Restaurant Bar.
Kolymbithres Beach (Kolympethres Beach)
Located near Naoussa, this beach is renowned for its distinctive rock formations, sandy coves, and crystal-clear waters, making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Lounge chairs can be reserved from Paros On The Rocks, which serves refreshing cocktails and light bites. Tip: Get here by water taxi from Naoussa.
Krios and Lividia Beaches
Along the western side of Paros, the Krios Beach and Livadia Beach area is popular for beach bar experiences. Eat seafood paired with a crisp white wine by the water at Arodo, relax with the chill vibes at Paralia, or sip cocktails as a DJ gets the party going after 5 p.m. at Cabana.
Monastiri Beach
Great for watching the sunrise, this east-facing beach is located in the Environmental and Cultural Park of Paros nature reserve on Ai Yiannis Detis peninsula, which juts into the Aegean Sea along the island’s northern shore. Much of the beach is reserved for Monastiri Beach Bar & Restaurant, where you can indulge in Mediterranean cuisine and sip summery cocktails.
Santa Maria Beach
This long, vast stretch of sandy beach with shallow turquoise water is a favorite among families visiting Paros with children. Sun lounger rentals are available, but there is also plenty of space to set up your own beach umbrella, have a picnic, and build sand castles.
Explore Paros and Antiparos
During your trip to Paros, visit traditional villages like Naoussa and Lefkes, take the ferry to Antiparos to explore an ancient cave, and see the island’s scenery from an ATV or horseback ride.
Visit the Old Port of Naoussa
As pretty as a postcard, this picturesque fishing village is full of narrow alleyways, boutique shops, some of the best restaurants on the island, and fishing boats in the harbor, some with octopi hanging to dry in the Mediterranean sun.
Tour Paros with a Local Guide
If you want to see villages, beaches, and marinas across the island, take a private tour with a local guide. As this is a private tour, the itinerary can be customized a bit to suit your interests.
Typically, the tour begins in Naoussa, where you’ll walk through the village, stopping for photos of the fishing boats. Then, you’ll travel by van to Lefkes, the highest village on Paros, and the fishing marina at Piso Livadi.
If time allows, you may stop for lunch at a traditional taverna, watch windsurfers at Golden Beach, or do a tasting of Parian wines.
Horseback Ride into the Sunset
Gallop at golden hour on a guided sunset horseback ride on Paros!
Your ride through the beautiful Paros countryside begins in Kakapetra, winding along rocky trails past the picturesque landscape to Agia Irini Beach.
Then, your sunset ride concludes with magnificent panoramic bay views from the whitewashed Taxiarchaki chapel.
Rent an ATV
If you want to reach secluded beaches, villages off the tourist-beaten path, and traditional tavernas without a tour guide, cruise the scenic open road to these hidden gems on an ATV.
An ATV, also known as a quad or four-wheeler, is one of the best ways to get around Paros. Ride with the wind in your hair to the Butterflies Nature Preserve to see Jersey Tiger Moths or to the hilltop Agios Antonios Monastery for sweeping panoramic views over Paros.
There are several ATV and scooter rental shops across the island. However, it’s important to note that some rental places may require foreign visitors to have an International Driving Permit.
Take a Day Trip to Antiparos
Explore neighboring Antiparos on a day trip from Paros to see more whitewashed Cycladic architecture, golden-sand beaches, seaside cliffs, and one of the oldest caves in Europe.
First, you’ll take a short ferry ride to the Antiparos port, where one of the first sights you’ll see is the blue-domed, whitewashed Agia Marina Church.
From the Parikia and Pounta ferry ports, you can board a ferry to Antiparos. The Pounta (sometimes spelled Pounda or Punda) route is quicker, taking about 7 minutes each way, and it runs more frequently. Additionally, vehicles can only be brought onto the Pounta ferry.
Once you have arrived on the island, you can stroll through Hora, the port city and capital. Meander through courtyards with pink bougainvillea and stroll past whitewashed houses with blue windows and doors. Along the main street, visit shops, cafes, tavernas, and bars.
On the western side of Hora, explore the Venetian Castle of Antiparos. The fortified settlement dates back to 1440, when Venetian Giovanni Loredano wed Maria Sommaripa of Antiparos and brought inhabitants to the mostly uninhabited island at his own expense.
Finally, the highlight of this day trip is descending 411 steps into an 85-meter-deep cave. In the Cave of Antiparos, there are seemingly endless opportunities to see fascinating stalagmites and stalactites hanging from the ceiling.
Tip: Have euros on hand to pay for your ferry tickets on board. Cash is the only accepted form of payment. You can click here to see the up-to-date ticket prices and ferry schedule. Also, bring a water bottle for the cave visit.
Find or Create Souvenirs from Paros
Lastly, return home from your trip to Paros with unique souvenirs, such as vacation portraits and artwork created by your own hands. While shopping on Paros, you may find handcrafted leather goods, global fashion pieces, beautiful ceramics, locally designed jewelry and accessories, and/or virgin olive oil.
Hire a Local Photographer for Professional Vacation Portraits
Capture the memories of your honeymoon or family vacation in professional portraits by a local photographer.
You can hire a professional shutterbug for a private vacation photoshoot, and your Paros-based photographer will know the best spots to capture stunning portraits that you’ll cherish for years to come.
Within a few days of your photo session, your digital portraits will be ready to share online and/or print to frame and hang in your home.
Sculpt Your Own Unique Marble Souvenir
For travelers who enjoy hands-on experiences, a three-hour marble carving workshop is a unique opportunity to learn marble sculpting techniques from a pro and come home with a truly one-of-a-kind souvenir crafted by your own hands.
Under the guidance of your instructor, a local artist and professional marble sculptor, you’ll chisel, hammer, and carve your own creation from Paros or Naxos marble.
Paint a Picture of the Pretty Paros Scenery
If sculpting marble sounds too daunting a task, stretch your creative skills with a watercolor painting workshop instead.
During an hour-long watercolor workshop at an art gallery in Parikia, you’ll create a pretty painting of the local scenery to bring home.
Your instructor will demonstrate how to paint two Greek scenes, providing helpful tips and tricks for both beginner artists and those who’ve previously worked with watercolors. Then, as your watercolor painting dries, you can browse the art gallery.
Go Shopping in the Villages
Of course, if you’d rather leave the artistic work to the professionals, you can shop for handcrafted leather goods, ceramics by local artists, and locally designed clothing, fashion accessories, and jewelry at boutique shops and art galleries on Paros.
In Parikia, shop for leather sandals at the family-run Atelier 1935, handmade leather bags crafted in Thessaloniki at Egg Bags, and sun-and-sea-inspired women’s fashions at Casa Alma.
In Naoussa, browse the boutique shops for women’s sustainable fashions at Heel, men’s and women’s contemporary resortwear at Leto, and the nautically-inspired T-shirts, accessories, and ceramics at All We See Is The Sea.
Up in the mountain village of Lefkes, you’ll find Marshard, the pottery studio and gallery shop of photographer-turned-ceramics-artist Todd Marshard.
Buy Edible Souvenirs from Paros
Finally, if you don’t have time to visit the Moraitis Estate winery or tour Petra Farm, you can still shop for local wines and farm-produced products to bring home with you.
Edible souvenirs make wonderful gifts, allowing you to share a flavor of your Paros trip with friends and family back home.
Items you’ll find from Paros include virgin olive oil, jams made from locally grown figs and tomatoes, jars of olives and capers, organic dried oregano, Moraitis Estate wines, and 56 Isles microbrews.
You’ll find these locally produced edible souvenirs at the Aganta Paros deli and the Petra Farm Store in the village of Naoussa.
Conclusion on Best Things to Do on Paros
If you are planning a Greek island vacation, you may have wondered what to do on Paros.
It’s a beautiful island to explore, with charming villages of whitewashed architecture and bougainvillea vines, sandy beaches beloved by windsurfers and beach-bar-goers alike, turquoise waters ideal for sailing and snorkeling adventures, and ancient marble quarries.
Culinary travelers will enjoy dining at traditional tavernas, learning about the local crops and cuisine during unique culinary experiences, eating fresh seafood at waterfront restaurants and beach bars, and tasting locally made olive oils, wines, and craft beers.
Tip: To locate the points of interest mentioned in this Paros destination guide, browse the interactive map below or click here to access it.
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