Paros is one of the most beautiful islands in the Cyclades – the stunning group of Greek islands in the Aegean. After visiting Santorini, I headed for paradise on Paros. I definitely could have used more time, but I’m glad I went! If you’re short on time, here’s a quick guide on what to see and do on Paros!

What to Do on Paros

Paros is well-known for its pristine beaches, but the island has more to offer than pretty stretches of sand. I only had a day and a half on the island before I had to leave, so these are my top picks if you’ve only got 1-2 days on Paros.

Kick back at Golden Beach (Chrissi Akti)

You’ll find Golden Beach on the southeastern side of Paros. It’s about 700 meters long, with lots of sunbeds, umbrellas, and beach bars. There’s plenty of space to throw a towel down if you don’t want to buy anything, too. It’s a great spot for wind sports on Paros. There’s a bus that runs from Parikia to Golden Beach; it takes about 1 hour.

Watch the sunset in Parikia

Sunsets in Greece are truly something special. I made an effort to see the sunset every night that I was in Greece. The harbor in Parikia is the perfect spot for watching the sun disappear into the horizon – or go a bit further on to Livadia Beach, or head up to the castle.

Enjoy a morning stroll around Parikia

Beat the crowds, and wander around this pretty town before the rest of the island wakes up. The whitewashed houses and the pretty blue roofs are typical Cycladic architecture – it’s a photographer’s dream! I loved snapping photos around the old town here, it’s just so quintessentially Greek. Make sure you visit the remains of the 13th-century Frankish Castle. Pick up something quick from Ragoussis Bakery if you’re hungry.

Hike from Lefkes to Prodromos

There’s no better way to see these two beautiful villages than by hiking the Byzantine Trail between them. Start in Lefkes, which has a gorgeous church on the hill overlooking the town, then follow the cobblestone, winding streets down to the start of the trail. The hike isn’t overly difficult – it’s approximately 2.3 miles, and took me 1 hour and 10 minutes. I took the bus from Parikia to Lefkes, hiked to Prodromos, then took the bus from Prodromos to Naoussa – it’s definitely doable with public transportation. Read my blog post on hiking the Byzantine Trail here!

Explore Naoussa

Naoussa is another beautiful fishing village on Paros. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and bars lining the water to choose from – and in the evening, the party scene here is apparently poppin’. Walk along the causeway to the ruins of the Venetian Castle here, and snap a few Insta-perfect pics. The view towards the village just past the public toilets (save the Google Maps pin here) is just perfect.

Soak up the sun at Kolymbithres Beach

This was easily my favorite beach on Paros. I ended up spending most of the afternoon here! The beach has huge granite boulders lining the water – you can spend ages just clambering over the smooth rocks here. There are sandy inlets in between the rocks, plus several blocks of sunbeds and umbrellas. If you snag one of the little inlets, you might feel like you’ve got a private beach!

I fully intended to visit at least one or two other beaches on Paros, but Kolymbithres was just perfect. So I missed out on some of the other highly rated Paros beaches – I was planning on going to Santa Maria and/or Monastiri Beach.

Visit Antiparos

I really wish I had had more time on Paros, as I really wanted to visit Antiparos – the small island just off the western shore of Paros. Unfortunately I didn’t have quite enough time, but it’s definitely somewhere I want to return to! There’s a pretty village, beautiful beaches, and even a cave. Tom Hanks has a summer house here! You can get a ferry from Parikia in the summer months, or else the year-round ferry leaves from Pounta.

How to Get to Paros

The main ferry terminal on Paros is in Parikia, and there is a regular service with other popular islands in the Cyclades: Santorini, Mykonos, and Naxos, to name a few. I took a Seajets ferry from Santorini to Paros, which took nearly 4 hours – it stopped in Mykonos and Naxos first. You can also get a ferry from Athens Piraeus port. Paros has a very small airport (there is only 1 departure gate!) with regular flights to Athens. The flight time is just under an hour, and costs were fairly similar between flights and ferries.

How to Get Around Paros

You will definitely see more of the island if you have your own transportation. You can rent ATVs or scooters from many different places on Paros, I definitely recommend shopping around for the best price if you’re doing this. ATV rental was about €40 per day according to most people I spoke to who did this. I chose to get around by bus – which limited what I could do, but was very affordable. You can buy an all-day ticket that covers all bus routes on the island for €10. If you’re buying individual tickets, it’s cheaper to buy them in advance (ie. purchase two tickets, an outbound and a return ticket, at the same time). Check the bus routes and schedules here.

Where to Stay on a Budget on Paros

Paros Backpackers is the main hostel on the island, located in Parikia. It’s extremely affordable – I paid €15 per night for a 4-bed dorm. It’s a bit rough around the edges and grungy, and could do with a deep clean. But for that price, you really can’t complain. The social atmosphere here is really what sets it above the rest – it’s a classic backpacker hostel, and super easy to meet people and make friends. Everyone hangs out on the rooftop bar (which is a great spot to watch the sunset!) in the evenings before partying elsewhere in town. There’s a kitchen, and access to a great pool.

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

Check out other accommodtion options on Paros below!

Booking.com

Planning Your Trip to Paros

I know not everyone wants to stay in hostels, so you can check options for hotels and B&Bs on Paros here. I really enjoyed staying in Parikia. The nearest airport is Paros Airport – I always use Skyscanner to search flights. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Interested in a tour on Paros? Check out the options below!

I definitely didn’t have enough time on Paros, but I’m still glad I went. I can’t wait to return when I have a few more days! If you’re also short on time in Paros, I hope this guide helps plan your trip and maximize your time on this perfect Greek island.

Have you been to Paros before? What were your favorite parts of the island?

You might also like my posts:

Hiking the Byzantine Trail on Paros: Lefkes to Prodromos

A Budget Guide for Athens, Greece

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

How Much Does it Cost to Travel the Balkans for 2.5 Weeks?

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