Paros Island is the dreamiest of the Cyclades we visited. We loved exploring the picturesque towns with all the colors and flowers and the island’s beautiful beaches. There is a lot to do in Paros, and in this ultimate guide, we share all our top tips for the best places to eat and stay and the 10 most amazing things to do.
Best time to visit Paros Island
The best time to visit the greek islands is from May to October. July and August are the hottest months and also high season, which means most visitors to the island.
We recommend visiting May/June or September/October for better prices, fewer people, and great weather. We prefer the shoulder months and visited Paros Island in September, which was perfect. Typical sunny weather but not too busy.
How to get to Paros Island
Paros Island can either be reached by ferry or airplane, depending on where you come from. The airport of Paros is small and does not serve any international flights. If you want to fly to Paros, you can fly from your home to Athens and change there on a flight to the island.
If you are island hopping between the Cyclades, you can easily do so with the local ferries. We used the website and app of ferryhopper and found it very convenient. We recommend pre-booking your ferry tickets, especially in the high season.
Tip: Ask your accomodation for a transfer from the harbor. Some hotels offer a shuttle. We made the experience that there are barely any taxis in the port, and when a ferry arrives, everyone wants one. Also, the local bus was packed and only goes every 30 – 40 minutes.
10 most amazing things to do in Paros
Whether you like to explore picturesque greek towns or chill at beautiful beaches on your holiday, there is something for everyone in Paros. These are the 10 most amazing things to on this dreamy island:
Walk through the picturesque streets of Naousa
Naousa is a dreamy harbor town located in the northeastern part of the Island. It is the second largest town after Parikia, the capital. The town offers lots of restaurants and shops and great vibes. It’s a very picturesque town and one of Paros’s best places to stay. We recommend coming here for sunset drinks and dinner; you can stroll the beautiful streets in the evening and shop without the heat of the day as the shops stay open late.
Soak up the Sun at Paros best beaches
Santa Maria Beach
Santa Maria is the most popular beach close to Naousa town. It’s a golden stretch of sandy beach with beach beds for rent. The water is beautiful and clear. It’s a very relaxing place to spend the day.
Kolympethres Beach
Kolympethres beach is our personal favorite on Paros Island. The sandy part with beach beds and umbrellas is small, but right next to it, you find rocks where you can chill and jump into the crystal-clear blue water of the Aegean sea.
Kalogeros Beach
Kalogeros beach is for those who like adventurous and empty beaches. It’s located on the east side of Paros. There are no beach beds here. It’s an all-natural and beautiful beach. Bring your snacks and drinks.
Faragas Beach
Faragas beach is located in the south of Paros and is super beautiful. Golden sand and turquoise water are what make it popular. There is a fancy beach club where you can have Lunch or rent a beach bed if you want to spend the day here.
Have Lunch in the cute mountain town of Lefkes
A must-do when visiting Paros Island is coming up to the mountain town of Lefkes for Lunch. The drive here is beautiful, and you can enjoy the landscapes of Paros. Once you reach the town, park your vehicle and get lost in the beautiful narrow lanes of Lefkes. If you dream of postcard-perfect greek villages with flowers, cute taverns, cats everywhere, and small shops. This is the place to go.
Stroll around picturesque Prodromos town
Not far from Lefkes, you find another cute town called Prodromos. Don’t miss it when you are in the area. It’s super picturesque and authentic. Perfect for those who love to take photos and get lost.
Go for a tour at Petra Farm
For those who like to do something different on their holiday, we recommend visiting Petra Farm. Not far from Naousa, you will find this organic farm where you can learn more about sustainable farming and local artisanal products. If you don’t have time to go, there is a small farm shop in Naousa where you can buy local organic gifts for your family and friends.
Enjoy the Sunset and drinks at the harbor of Naousa
Now you already know that we love Naousa. Even if you stay in another, more quiet part of the island, it’s a must to come to Naousa for Sunset drinks and dinner. It starts to get busy in town at Sunset, but the vibes are great, and there are many bars with music around the harbor.
Visit the smaller neighboring Island Antiparos for a day
Best places to eat in Paros
Paros was our favorite island regarding food options, especially regarding vegan food. Here are all our favorite places to eat in Paros:
Almond, Naousa Paros
Sousouro, Naousa Paros
Notos Restaurant, Naousa Paros
Allas Souvlaki & More, Naousa Paros
This is the place to go if you look for a quick bite. Allas Souvlaki & More serves delicious Gyros (delicious Vegan option with Mushrooms available) for an excellent price. We also had delicious greek salad here.
Come Back Cafe, Naousa Paros
We loved Come Back Cafe in Naousa. It’s a beautiful cafe right next to the ocean. They have amazing juices, coffee, breakfast, and lunch. Vegan options are available.
Where to stay on Paros Island
We stayed in two different parts of the Island. Choosing where to stay depends on your preference.
When we arrived in Paros, we headed straight to Naousa Town and stayed there for a few nights. It’s a great base to explore, and we loved that we could walk around town in the evenings and didn’t have to drive anywhere. Staying in town means more hustle and bustle, so if you want to relax and have a pool or beach right next to your hotel, you might want to choose another location.
For our last two nights in Paros, we stayed at Paros Bay Hotel, which was lovely and peaceful. The advantage of having a stunning bay right next to the hotel, where you can jump into the crystal clear water, was incredible. Also, the staff was amazing, and the food was as well. And our room had the most stunning ocean view of the bay and the coast of Paros.
How to get around Paros Island
The best and easiest way to explore Paros Island is by renting a car or ATV/Scooter. The freedom that comes with riding your vehicle is priceless. Paros has a lot to offer, so it’s worth having a car or scooter to see most of the Island. We rented our scooter from Ride Moto and had a great experience with them. In addition, we recommend Discover Cars to get the best prices for car rentals.
The roads on the Island are excellent, and it’s easy to drive here. If you don’t feel comfortable driving or want to spend that money, you can explore the Island by bus alternatively.
Budget for traveling in Greece
The following budget helps you to plan your trip to Naxos and island hopping the Cyclades islands. Of course, the costs can vary depending on the accommodation, for example.
- Price per night for accommodation: 60.00 – 150.00 Euro per night (budget to midrange)
- Cost for two meals per day for two people: 60.00 – 80.00 Euro per day (for lunch and dinner)
- Cost of scooter rental in Paros: 30 Euro per day
- Ferry Ticket to get to Paros: around 50 Euro per person (depending on which island you are coming from)
Travel Tips
Internet Access in Paros
We recommend buying a local SIM card for the cheapest and most reliable Internet connection while in Greece. We sometimes had bad connections in our Airbnbs.
The most convenient option for travelers is the eSim Card (digital SIM card) from Airalo. You can download and install a digital data pack and get connected anywhere in the world as soon as you land, so there is no need to waste time looking for a local plastic SIM card.
Conclusion
Paros Island has a lot to offer, from many beautiful beaches to the prettiest little greek towns and harbors. One of our favorite activities was that we could just hop on a ferry for 10 min with our scooter and explore the neighboring island Antiparos with lots of nature and wild beaches. Also, the evenings out in Naousa Paros, the picturesque harbor town, always have such a vibe. We think Paros has something for everyone, and the island should not be missed when Island hopping the Cyclades.
