21 Best Things To Do in Paros, Greece

Paros is an island in the heart of the Cyclades Islands in Greece with over 10,000 inhabitants and 120 kilometers of coastline. Serene landscapes, fertile valleys, and rolling hills are dotted with small churches and monasteries, complemented by endless sandy beaches with azure blue waters. Not only is the natural landscape stunning, but there are … Read more

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

Not only is the natural landscape stunning, but there are numerous things to do in Paros to keep you entertained. This is one of the best places to visit in Greece.

We visited Paros last year for 8 days and can say that wow, this island truly is stunning! Definitely rent a car to explore, make sure to stop off at little beaches and coves, visit wineries, and eat incredible seafood.

On Paros island, you’ll find 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 reasonable prices, excellent tourist facilities, and friendly people who know the true meaning of hospitality. It’s easy to see why many regard Paros as the quintessential Island for any Greece travel itinerary.

They say Paros is like Mykonos was 20 years ago. It has all the charm and atmosphere but without the heaving crowds and steep prices which is one of the main reasons why my partner and I fell in love with it.

So much so, we have been back 4 years running now and really consider ourselves to be amongst family when we visit.

There are so many things to do in Paros, and it’s just the right size. It really does tick all the boxes and there truly is something for everyone. Here is some practical information for Paros. If you’d like to skip this and jump to the Things To Do in Paros section, click here.

When to Visit Paros Island

Ideally, the best time to visit Greece is between May and October, and the same is true for Paros. The weather is good and the ‘season’ is open — many places close for business during the other months.

The peak season is July and August when the Europeans take their holidays and it can be both hot and windy then too. Personally, we love June or September when it is still lively enough but not so busy.

The ‘Meltemi‘ is a strong wind that blows through the Cyclades down from Turkey usually between July and September. It can be very powerful and for this reason, Paros is very popular with avid windsurfing and wakeboarding fanatics but it’s also easy to find a protected bay, street, or quiet corner so the wind can be manageable.

How to Get to Paros Island

You can get to Paros by boat or plane. Due to its position and importance, Paros is connected not just to Piraeus (the port of Athens – one of the busiest passenger ports in the world!) but also to Rafina which is closer to the airport.

Paros is often the first stop in the Cyclades for many of the ferries and is the stopping-off point on the way to Mykonos, Naxos, Ios, Santorini, and all the other Cyclades Islands, as well as linking with routes servicing the Dodecanese and Crete.

It’s only 3 hours from Piraeus to Paros on the fast ferry and there is now a new train link direct to the port from the airport.

The airport on the island was completely rebuilt in late 2016 and there is now a new small terminal and a longer runway. There are countless possibilities both on the island and to destinations beyond. For information about the ferry routes and to book tickets we recommend Ferry Hopper. 

Getting Around Paros Island

Paros has a great public bus system that can take you to most beaches and towns on the island. This is especially convenient for anyone on a budget as the bus ride is only 1.80 Euro ($2.09 USD). You can find a timetable here.

There are also plenty of rental places around the island where you can rent cars, quad bikes, and scooters. Be warned they can book out quickly in the peak season so plan ahead if you are visiting in Summer.

We booked our car through Discover Cars and definitely recommend having your own wheels to explore Paros. Click here to see the latest rates on rental cars with Discover Cars.

Paros has started issuing fines if you are driving without an international driver’s license so it pays to travel with one.

When it comes to quad bikes and scooters, make sure you check your insurance. Many people find out the hard way that they are not covered and accidents on the islands can be difficult to manage, not to mention, expensive.

Best Things To Do in Paros, Greece

Let’s get into it. For such a small island, there really are many things to see and discover in Paros. Here are the 21 best.

1. Visit Parikia

The capital and main port of the island, Parikia is also the commercial and business hub. There are many restaurants and cafes along the waterfront and through a maze of alleys in the old town.

In true Cycladic style, it’s a labyrinth of narrow whitewashed streets and a great place to stay if you want to be close to everything.

All of the major banks and services are located here as are laundries, supermarkets, the hospital, and various tourist services.

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

2. See Panagia Ekatontapiliani

This is one of Greece’s most important Byzantine monuments. Built originally in the 4th century it’s also known as the Church of a Hundred Doors.

Legend has it that 99 doors have been found in the Church and that the 100th will be discovered when Constantinople (Istanbul) is returned to Greece again.

Entrance here is free, and opening hours (at the time of publication) are 7am‑9pm. In the low season: 7am‑2pm and 4pm‑8pm.

Address: Ekatontapiliahs, Paros 844 00, Greece. Find the church on the map, here. 

3. Explore the Fishing Village of Naousa

Located in the North of the island about 20 minutes drive from Parikia, this lively fishing village is where we prefer to stay. It’s a little quieter than Parikia during the day but really comes alive at night when it can be quite the party town.

It’s still a fishing village at heart and much of the nightlife revolves around the small compact harbour. This area is the most expensive, but it’s also possible to get a cheap and cheerful meal in one of the many winding back streets. Click here for directions.

Goats On The Road Note: We stayed in Naousa and highly recommend it. There are lots of guesthouses around. We stayed at Irini Rooms and can recommend it. Click here to book.

4. Visit the Town of Lefkes

A small 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 vibrant pink Bougainvillea. A trip here is one of the best things to do in Paros.

It’s a lovely town to visit for a day and you can find some excellent handmade local pottery, jewelry, and other crafts, as well as things such as honey and figs sold by the road.

Some people love to stay here every year and it’s possible to find some very inexpensive rooms on Booking.com, or just by wandering through the village.

5. Explore Piso Livadi

A small and picturesque fishing port on the southeast of the island, Piso Livadi has a number of charming tavernas famous for their local seafood dishes. Don’t miss Ouzeri Halaris!

Sampling the regional cuisine is one of the best things to do in Greece — make sure you don’t miss the mussels here! 

Once a very small and quiet bay, it has become more popular in recent years and is the main port to embark on sailing adventures over the Small Cyclades islands or to Antiparos. Click here for a popular sailing trip.

6. Golden Beach (One of the Top Things to do in Paros if You’re Feeling Active!)

A little further south from Piso Livadi is Golden Beach, considered by many to be one o