Visit Paros

A small harbour where caiques sit beside cocktail bars, a Byzantine church of a hundred doors, an old paved path between two white villages and the island of Antiparos ten minutes away by boat: Paros takes four or five days to explore, by scooter or bus.

Why visit Paros?

Paros is the main ferry hub of the Cyclades, making it an ideal base for visiting several islands. It offers whitewashed villages that are still lived in, varied beaches and a marble prized since antiquity. Its atmosphere sits between the party scene of Mykonos and the calm of the smaller islands.

Paros's must-sees

Byzantine heritage, ancient marble and coves sculpted by erosion, on an island you can cross in half an hour.

Panagia Ekatontapyliani

Parikia's "church of a hundred doors", one of the most important Early Christian complexes in Greece, rebuilt in the 6th century. Ancient baptistery and small icon museum.

Kolymbithres Beach

Calm-water coves between granite boulders polished by wind and sea, in the bay of Naoussa. Arrive before 11 am in summer.

Lefkes Byzantine Trail

An old marble-paved path between Lefkes and Prodromos, through olive groves and terraces. About an hour's walk, easier heading downhill.

Ancient Marathi Quarries

Underground galleries where Parian marble was extracted, translucent and highly prized by ancient sculptors. Bring a torch and sturdy shoes.

Antiparos Cave

A vast stalactite cave on the neighbouring island, visited since antiquity, reached down many steps. Access by car or bus from the port.

What to do on Paros, from Parikia to Antiparos?

Parikia, port and old town

Most visitors land in Parikia, the island's capital and main port. Behind the windmill on the waterfront, the old town unrolls its white lanes up to the Kastro, a 13th-century Venetian wall built with marble blocks taken from an ancient temple. The small but rich archaeological museum takes an hour. The west-facing waterfront is the best place on the island for sunset. Two nights here are enough before setting off to explore the rest of the island, one of the most accessible of the Cyclades in Greece.

Naoussa and the northern bay

About twenty minutes' drive north-east of Parikia, Naoussa grew up around a small fishing harbour guarded by the ruins of a Venetian fortress. In the evening, taverna tables are set up by the water, next to octopus hung out to dry: book in August. The village has become the liveliest on the island, with bars and shops, and also the most expensive place to stay. From the harbour, small boats cross the bay in about ten minutes to the beaches of Kolymbithres and Monastiri, a nicer approach than by road.

The interior, the east coast and Antiparos

In the centre of the island, Lefkes, the former capital set in the hills, is the start of the Byzantine trail to Prodromos, roughly an hour's walk downhill. On the east coast, Golden Beach and New Golden Beach draw windsurfers and kitesurfers, as the meltemi blows hard in July and August. To the south-west, a ferry leaves Pounta about every half hour and reaches Antiparos in around ten minutes: the quieter neighbouring island can be visited in a day or makes a good two-night escape from the bustle.

Frequently asked questions about Paros

Should you stay in Parikia or Naoussa?
Parikia is more convenient for ferries, buses and smaller budgets, with lovely sunsets. Naoussa has more charm and nightlife, but higher prices and is far from the port. For a five-day stay, many travellers split their nights between the two.
How to get to Kolymbithres without a car?
The most pleasant way is one of the small boats leaving Naoussa harbour in season, crossing the bay in about ten minutes. A bus also serves the beach from Naoussa in summer. On foot, the road is long and has little shade.
Which way should you walk the Lefkes Byzantine trail?
From Lefkes down to Prodromos is the easiest: about an hour on marble slabs that can be slippery. Do it in the morning, then continue to the east coast at Piso Livadi for lunch, and take the bus back to Parikia.
Is Antiparos worth staying overnight?
Yes if you are after peace and quiet: Antiparos village stays relaxed in the evening and the southern beaches see few visitors. For the cave and a swim, one day is enough. The ferry from Pounta lets you cross with a rental car picked up on Paros.
Is Paros good for beginner windsurfers?
Yes, with schools at Golden Beach and Pounta offering lessons all season. In July and August, the meltemi can be too strong for beginners: June and September offer steadier, gentler conditions for learning.

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