21 things To perform in Paros, Greece

Paros is an island in the heart of the Cyclades Islands in Greece with over 10,000 inhabitants and 120kms of coastline. tranquil landscapes, fertile valleys and rolling hills are dotted with little churches and monasteries, complemented by limitless sandy beaches with azure blue waters.

Not only is the natural landscape stunning, but there are many things to perform in Paros to keep you entertained. This is one of the very best locations to see in Greece.

You’ll discover ancient, medieval ruins and monuments, picturesque white sugar-cube towns and villages, and no shortage of tavernas bars and cafes. You can expect all of this, plus affordable prices, exceptional vacationer facilities and friendly people who understand the true indicating of hospitality,

It’s simple to see why lots of regard Paros as the quintessential Island for any Greece travel itinerary.

They state Paros is like Mykonos was 20 years ago. It has all the appeal and atmosphere but without the heaving crowds and steep costs which is one of the primary reasons we fell in like with it. So much so we have been back 4 years running now and truly think about ourselves to be amongst household when we visit.

There are so lots of things to perform in Paros, and it’s just the ideal size. It truly does tick all the boxes and there genuinely is something for everyone.

Here is some functional info for Paros. If you’d like to avoid this and jump to the things To perform in Paros section, click here.

Table of Contents
When to see Paros Island
How to get to Paros Island
Getting around Paros Island
Top 21 things To perform in Paros
1. see Parikia
2. See Panagia Ekatontapiliani
3. check out the fishing village of Naousa
4. see the town of Lefkes
5. check out Piso Livadi
6. golden beach (one of the top things to perform in Paros if you’re feeling active!)
7. see Drios
8. Laze on Kolombithres Beach
9. kick back on Santa Maria Beach
10. see the village of Ambelas
11. inspect out The little village of Aliki
12. Experience Butterfly Valley
13. Take the Ferry to Antiparos
14. Day trip to Mykonos or Santorini
15. Take a Day trip to Naxos
16. Sail the little Cyclades
17. Go Shopping
18. see a Winery
19. attend a Festival
20. enjoy fine Dining
21. enjoy the extraordinary Sunsets
Ready for Paros Island?!

When to see Paros Island

Ideally, the very best time to see Greece is between may and October, and the exact same is true for Paros. The weather condition is great and the ‘season’ is open – lots of locations close for company during the other months.

The height season is July and August when the Europeans take their holidays and it can be both hot and windy then too. personally we like June or September when it is still vibrant sufficient but not so busy.

The ‘Meltemi’ is a strong wind that blows with the Cyclades down from Turkey normally between July and September. It can be extremely powerful and for this reason, Paros is extremely prominent with avid windsurfing and wakeboarding fanatics but it’s also simple to discover a secured bay, street or peaceful corner so the wind can be manageable.

How to get to Paros Island

You can get to Paros by either boat or plane. because of its setting and importance, Paros is linked not just to Piraeus (the port of Athens – the second busiest traveler port in the world!) but also to Rafina which is better to the airport.

Paros is commonly the very first stop in the Cyclades for lots of of the ferries and is the stopping off point on the method to Mykonos, Naxos, Ios, Santorini, and all the other Cyclades Islands, in addition to linking with routes servicing the Dodecanese and Crete. It’s only 3 hours from Piraeus on the quick ferries and there is now a new train link direct to the port from the airport.

The airport on the island was totally rebuilt in late 2016 and there is now a new little terminal and a longer runway. There are many possibilities both on the island and to destinations beyond. For info about the ferry routes and to book tickets we recommend Ferry Hopper. And, inspect out my web site for a lot more Greece travel advice.

Getting around Paros Island

Paros has a excellent public bus system that can take you to a lot of beaches and towns on the island. This is particularly practical for anybody on a budget as the bus trip is only 1.80 Euro ($2.09 USD). You can discover a timetable here.

There are also lots of rental locations around the island where you can lease cars, quad bikes and scooters. Be alerted they can book out swiftly in the height season so plan ahead if you are checking out in Summer. Click right here to see the current rates on rental cars and trucks with Expedia.com.

This year, they have started issuing fines if you are driving without an worldwide driver’s permit so it pays to travel with one. When it pertains to quad bikes and scooters, make sure you inspect your insurance. lots of people discover out the difficult method that they are not covered and mishaps on the islands can be tough to manage, not to mention, expensive.

Top 21 things To perform in Paros

1. see Parikia

The capital and primary port of the island, Parikia is also the industrial and company hub. There are lots of restaurants and cafes along the waterfront and with a labyrinth of alleys in the old town. In true Cycladic style, it’s a labyrinth of narrow whitewashed streets and a excellent location to stay if you want to be close to everything.

All of the major banks and services are found right here as are laundries, supermarkets, the hospital, and different vacationer services.

There are also some extremely fascinating historical monuments and points of rate of interest including an ancient windmill and a interesting Church (see next point).

2. See Panagia Ekatontapiliani

This is one of Greece’s a lot of crucial Byzantine monuments. developed originally in the 4th century it’s also understood as the Church of a Hundred Doors. legend has it that 99 doors have been discovered in the Church and that the 100th will be found when Constantinople (Istanbul) is returned to Greece again.

Entrance right here is free, and opening hours (at time of publication) are 7am‑10pm. In the low season: 7am‑2pm and 4pm‑8pm.

3. check out the fishing village of Naousa

Located at the North of the island about 20 minutes drive from Parikia, this vibrant fishing village is where we like to stay. It’s a bit quieter than Parikia during the day but truly comes alive at night when it can be rather the celebration town.

It’s still a fishing village at heart and much of the nightlife revolves around the little compact harbour. This area is the most expensive, but it’s also possible to get a low-cost and pleasant meal in one of the lots of winding back streets.

4. see the town of Lefkes

A little medieval town nestled in the mountains behind Naousa with views over neighbouring Naxos. Lefkas has all the makings of the Cyclades — white houses, blue doors and dripping in lively pink Bougainvillea. A trip right here is one of the very best things to perform in Paros.

It’s a charming town to see for a day and you can discover some exceptional hand-crafted regional pottery, jewelry, and other crafts, in addition to things such as honey and figs offered by the road. Some people like to stay right here annually and it’s possible to discover some extremely low-cost spaces on Airbnb, Booking.com, or just by wandering with the village.

5. check out Piso Livadi

A little and picturesque fishing port on the southeast of the island, Piso Livadi has a number of captivating tavernas popular for their regional seafood dishes. Sampling the regional cuisine is one of the very best things to perform in Greece — make sure you don’t miss the mussels here! 

Once a extremely little and peaceful bay, it has become a lot more prominent in recent years and is the primary port to embark on sailing adventures over the little Cyclades islands or to Antiparos.

6. golden beach (one of the top things to perform in Paros if you’re feeling active!)

A bit additionally south from Piso Livadi is golden Beach, thought about by lots of to be one of the very best beaches in Greece for water sports, if not the world.

As well as some extremely great hotels and tavernas, you will also discover a number of locations to lease windsurfers, kayaks, stand up paddleboards and wakeboards. There are also some charming and rather cool bit beach-inspired shops and boutiques. It can be extremely windy when the Meltemi is blowing but for lots of people, that is part of its appeal.

If you’re into watersports, a trip to golden beach must be on your listing of things to perform in Paros.

Rental costs vary from location to location and year to year but are fairly inexpensive. For one hour windsurfing, expect to pay around 25 euros ($29), SUP is around $20 euros ($23) for an hour, while kayaks choose 15 euros per hour ($17). There are a number of rental locations ideal on the beach. Click right here for details.

7. see Drios

Another little fishing village, Drios was when the ancient port of the island and is one of the greenest villages in Paros.

Here you can take pleasure in normal Cycladic hospitality, tasty cuisine, and extremely tranquil surroundings. It’s possible to lease a bit space ideal on the beach for the cost of a great meal and there are a number of peaceful sandy beaches, including a nudist one close by. Be sure to inspect out Aspro Chorion, the little captivating settlement above Drios.

8. Laze on Kolombithres Beach

The beach at Kolimbithres is one of the most popular in Paros and is found west of Naousa in Plastira Bay. It has significant boulders of granite positioned into the sea that have been used away over the centuries into smooth sunbathing platforms.

The water right here is shallow and crystal remove and there is an exceptional taverna ideal next to the beach which has a few of the very best house cooking on the island. You can drive around or catch the little public ferry over from Naousa. While there are many things to perform in Paros, don’t miss costs a day at this beach.

9. kick back on Santa Maria Beach

Another extremely prominent beach that is widely known for its windsurfing, water skiing, and diving diving facilities. Santa Maria is found about a 10 minute drive east of Naoussa and is surrounded by beach bars, tavernas, and restaurants which provides it a a lot more cosmopolitan feel and has been a much-loved of Scandinavian households for decades.

Planning a trip to other locations in Greece? Don’t miss the remarkable things to perform in Ios, the fun things to perform in Zante (Zakynthos), and the extraordinary things to perform in Corfu! Kefalonia Island is full of things to see and do, while Chios Island and Lesvos Island are a lot more offtrack and offer travellers a plethora of sights and activities. Plus, if you’re checking out the mainland, don’t miss the top sights and things to perform in Athens, and the stunning Meteora Monasteries.

10. see the village of Ambelas

Ambelas is a little village and beach about 15 minutes drive from Naousa. There is a little man-made seawall that makes sure calm water practically everyday and a couple of extremely great tavernas on the beach, including the extremely prominent Thalami and Chistianta.

There is also a great contemporary restaurant/beach club on the beach called Aspro that supplies sun loungers and beachside service to diners. A excellent area for a long, lazy lunch and swim — with barely any other people around.

11. inspect out The little village of Aliki

Aliki indicates ‘salt-marsh’ in Greek and this village got its name from the adjoining one at the southern end of the island.

Quite close to the airport in Aliki you will also discover the Cycladic Folklore Museum. lots of cultural events are held in Aliki, such as the feast of St. John of Klidonas in June, the feast of Christ the Savior on the 6th of August and the feast of the holy cross in September.

It’s a charming village with a number of exceptional seafood tavernas and little spaces and pensions to stay in.

12. Experience Butterfly Valley

Located 5km south of Parikia, near the Monastery of Jesus of Woods, this valley is referred to as Petaloudes, which indicates Butterfly in Greek. annually during the summertime months, the valley is verdant as the jersey Tiger Moths seem to wrap the entire valley, producing a genuinely breathtaking natural phenomenon.

13. Take the Ferry to Antiparos

Antiparos is a extremely picturesque and laid back island found just off the coastline of Paros. It’s a best day trip or if you have the time, stay a day or two. Ferries from Paros to Antiparos depart every 30 minutes from Parikia and the trip is about 10 minutes.

If you have a car, you can catch the automobile ferry from the township a bit additionally south of Parikia in Punda, and then the trip is only 7 minutes.

Antiparos is house to a number of stars a lot of notably Tom Hanks and his Greek other half Rita Wilson. They are much-loved (and protected) by the locals and take part in lots of regional events when they see