Paros is a beautiful Cycladic island, with picturesque whitewashed villages and pristine beaches. Two of the prettiest villages to visit on Paros are Lefkes and Prodromos – and they’re connected by an ancient hiking trail. This route is called the Byzantine Trail, and this hike is easily one of the best things to do on Paros!

What to Know About the Byzantine Trail Hike

The hike from Lefkes to Prodromos is approximately 2.3 miles, and took me 1 hour and 10 minutes to complete. The trail is easy to follow and has several markers/signposts along the route. However, it can be tricky to find the starting point in either Lefkes or Prodromos. I’d recommend hiking boots if you have them, although I did this walk in trainers and managed just fine. Make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat – there is no water available, and no shade for the majority of the hike. I’d also recommend doing this hike in the morning or early evening, when the temperatures are cooler and the sun isn’t blazing quite as much.

How to Get to Lefkes

For my trip on Paros, I stayed in Paros Backpackers in Parikia, and took the bus from Parikia to Lefkes. It costs €10 for an all-day ticket that covers all the bus routes on the island. Otherwise, a single ticket from Parikia to Lefkes will cost €2-3. You can find the bus schedules for Paros here. You can also drive and park in Lefkes or Prodromos, and do this hike both ways. Lefkes is a beautiful village – I spent longer than expected just wandering around here and photographing all the pretty streets and buildings!

Hiking the Byzantine Trail to Prodromos

The Byzantine Trail starts on the edge of Lefkes village. I recommend pinning the exact starting point on Google Maps here. There is a large sign to mark the start of the route. Simply follow this track out of the village, and stay on it! Most of the walk between Lefkes and Prodromos is on stone slabs or a well-trodden footpath, so it’s very easy to navigate. The trail is sometimes marked “Byzantine road” or [1] on signs throughout the walk.

There is a bit of an uphill climb as you follow the trail around the edge of the hill. Then you’ll be treated to a stunning view over Paros, and over to Naxos! This was definitely one of my favorite parts of the hike.

Arriving in Prodromos

Before you know it, you’ll be approaching paved roads, houses, and the pretty buildings of Prodromos. There are a few cafes/restaurants here, so you can stop and have a rest. I didn’t spend too much time here, but it’s a beautiful little village.

If you’re leaving Prodromos by bus, the bus stop is on the main street. I took the bus from Prodromos to Naoussa, which was really convenient for me on my island adventure on Paros!

My Itinerary: Hiking the Byzantine Trail via Public Transport

As I did this hike via public transport, I wanted to give the exact timings for buses that I used, based on the summer KTEL bus schedule (subject to change in the future). I took the bus from Parikia to Lefkes, departing at 10:00. It arrived in Lefkes around 10:30, and I took my time to wander around the village, photographing everything to my heart’s content!

I set off for the hike (leaving the main trail marker in Lefkes) at 10:50, and arrived at the bus stop in Prodromos at 12:00. This is when the bus to Naoussa was supposed to come through, but thankfully it was delayed by a few minutes. I think the next bus to Naoussa would have been around 12:50. I got to Naoussa around 12:30, had time to explore the village, and then caught the bus at 13:35 to Kolymbithres. It worked out great for me – the benefits of having unlimited rides with my day bus ticket!

Planning Your Trip to Paros

Paros is a beautiful island in the Cyclades – the easiest way to get there is by ferry or by flying. I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. I visited Paros by taking the ferry from Santorini, and flying back to Athens. You’ll definitely want to stay overnight in Paros if you’re hiking the Byzantine Trail. I stayed in Paros Backpackers in Parikia, which was a great budget option on the island!

If you’re looking for more accommodation – that isn’t a hostel – these are a few places I’d recommend looking at (all in either Parikia or Naoussa, for easy access by public transport):

• Budget: Ayeri Hotel – clean, simply furnished rooms in a Cycladic-style in Parikia
• Budget: Madaky Hotel – comfy rooms, some with a balcony, in the center of Naoussa
• Mid-range: Adonis Hotel Studios & Apartments – lovely rooms, studios, and apartments just a short walk to the center of Naoussa
• Mid-range: Argonauta Hotel – a beautifully decorated three-star hotel, with a popular on-site resturant in Parikia
• Luxury: Saint Andrea Seaside Resort – four-star resort accommodation at Kolympithres Beach
• Luxury: Kallisti Paros – elegant luxury accommodation in Naoussa, with sunbeds and cabanas around a welcoming pool

Use the map below to search for more options!


Booking.com

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The Byzantine Trail between Lefkes and Prodomos is one thing you can’t miss on Paros. The route is easy to follow, has incredible views over the island, and includes visits to two charming villages. I hope this post helps planning this hike on Paros!

Have you hiked the trail between Lefkes and Prodromos on Paros? What was your experience like?

You might also like my posts:

A Quick Guide to Paros, Greece: How to Spend 36 Hours on Paros

A Budget Guide for Visiting Athens

Santorini on a Budget: A Thrifty Guide to the Greek Island

All of my hiking posts!

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