Paros is increasing rapidly in popularity and it would be worth your while to get here while it is still so incredibly charming.
This guide will include everything that we did in Paros… tours that we loved, places we ate, beaches we went to, how to get around, and our favorite parts. The water here is an unreal shade of blue. The only other place we’ve seen water like this was in Milos, Greece.
If you’re interested in reading more about Milos I have a post here —-> Milos, Greece: The Not So Secret Island You Shouldn’t Skip
This guide will also include things we’d have done if we had more time and things that I’d still love to see on this incredible island.
We loved staying in Parikia although many people also like to base themselves in Naousa. Both villages are stunning. The winery here was a highlight for us and if we had more time I’d have loved to visit some of the smaller villages on the island and check out more beaches.
Knowing what I know now, I’d love to do much slower travel on Greek Islands. We generally have spent 2-3 days per Island, and these islands just deserve so much more of your time. So if you have more time, you should absolutely stay for longer. I bet 3-5 days is the sweet spot.
Where to stay
Airbnb in Parikia
We stayed in a lovely airbnb in Parikia. We were able to walk to anything we wanted to do in the town. We were traveling with friends so this spot had 2 full bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, which is very needed. It also had a really nice large living area and a balcony for relaxing. The best part was that they owned and operated a bakery which was right under the apartment. I can’t tell you how many times we stopped in for treats, coffee, snacks, etc. It was perfect!
If the airbnb vibe isn’t for you, I have also spent a considerable amount of time checking out hotel options. Here are a few that stuck out to me.
Lily Residence
Lilly Residence-All Sea View Suites | Adults Only: honestly this looks like an amazing honeymoon or special occasion stay. The rooms with sea views, hot tubs, stunning terraces, etc all look amazing. It looks like quintessential Greece. It also has amazing reviews, a 9.2 on booking.com is hard to come by! This one is in Naousa and it definitely fits the vibe.
Akrotiri Hotel
Akrotiri Hotel: for a more realistically priced option, in Parikia, this spot looks lovely. It has SUCH beautiful views and well decorated spaces. It has a pool that looks absolutely divine. This is 100% a place we’d look into staying if we are returning to Paros. Again, a 9.3 on booking.com is hard to come by and shows how much people really love this hotel.
How to get around
We rented quads on the island for one day and used that day to hit up as many beaches as we could. Quads are so much fun in Greece, especially because you sometimes don’t know what to expect on the roads and the quad can essentially go anywhere. We also took taxis around the island a bit. I would highly recommend a quad or car for getting everywhere you’d want to see! Taxis were useful when we wanted to have some drinks with dinner in the evenings.
If you’re more into a car rental or feel safer in a car, you can check out options here —> Car Rentals
Villages to Know
Parikia Town
This is where we stayed while visiting Paros. I chose this area for a number of reasons. It was easily accessible as the ferry pulled right into the port here, it had tons of shops, restaurants and things to do. It was also easy to rent a quad or car right from the main port area. In researching prior to visiting it gave me a bit more of an authentic vibe than the other main village that tourists visit which is Naousa. If you don’t choose to stay in this area you should absolutely still come visit, it has a lot to offer for a day or half day visit.
Naousa
We didn’t stay in this area. We had one dinner here and visited the winery but I’d love to explore more of this town on a future visit and possibly stay here also. This village is a bit more upscale than some of the other areas of the island and definitely caters to tourists a bit more. This can be a positive or negative depending on what you’re looking for. But one thing I can tell you for sure is that it is absolutely stunning.
Lefkes
I constantly see this village on instagram and read about it too. I would definitely like to make a stop here next time we visit the island. This is an inland village on Paros and it looks incredibly charming.
Things to see/do
Moraitis Winery
We LOVED our experience at this winery. We took a taxi from our airbnb and it was an easy ride. The winery is also walkable into the town of Naousa. We did a wine tasting and tried some charcuterie and cheese. We ended up enjoying hanging out here so much we bought a bottle of rose and sat for another hour with friends. It is a really beautiful spot and a great stop in Paros.
If you’re more comfortable with the idea of being taken around, there are a few wine tours you can check out here —-> Paros Wine Tours
Bebop
We didn’t eat here, we just had cocktails. But the view was so beautiful and we loved that we could watch the sunset and people watch over the promenade. The drinks were great and we really liked the vibe.
Pirate Bar
Pirate Bar: You kind of can’t miss the Pirate Bar when you’re walking around town. We stopped for a cocktail and sat outside in their little cove. It was a nice place and we enjoyed our cocktails!
Nemobar
This place was super cute and we had some large fun cocktails here!
Have a boat day
The water around Paros island is absolutely unreal. Some of the clearest and bluest water I’ve ever seen in my life. If you have the time, getting out on a boat around here is a must do activity. There are so many options for half and full day boat adventures, I highly recommend this activity.
You can find a boat tour option on Paros that works for you here —-> Paros Boat Tours
Where to eat
Mediterraneo
We had a great dinner here! The cuttlefish risotto was one of our favs. Although I would recommend sharing it, actually I’d recommend sharing everything so that you can try a number of options. You really can’t go wrong with seafood by the ocean in Paros!
To Balcony Tou Aki
his was an EXCELLENT lunch! Again, we had tons of seafood here and sat right next to the water. They had fish and octopus hanging outside so of course we ordered both. They even gave us little popsicle treats to end our meal. If you’re looking for a perfect Paros island lunch this place fits the bill!
Mira Restaurant
Yep, another amazing seafood dinner by the water. Isn’t that what Greece is all about. Add this to the list of excellent places that are definitely worth a stop on Paros.
Cuore Rosso
This place just felt really comfortable and like home. We tried a bunch of different things here and shared plates and really enjoyed it!
Taverna Glafkos
This is one of the only places I’ll ever put on an itinerary that I didn’t personally go to. We had reservations here and spent so much time at the winery that we missed them. I have never done that in my entire life. I was so upset that we missed it. I had read SO MANY incredible things about it. The views from the terrace on the sea look incredible. I have added it so that hopefully you don’t miss it like I did. I hope it’s as good as I imagine.
Beaches
Kolympethres Beach
This is a very popular beach on Paros and for good reason. The water is so blue it almost looks filtered. The rock formations are so beautiful and fun to hang out on and also make for great photos. It was quite crowded mid day, but it didn’t take away from how lovely it was. I’d have loved to have gone back in the early morning though to see it in a more peaceful way.
Kalogeros Beach
We easily rode our quads to this beach. We had read that this beach had something really special about it. The rock walls are made of a clay that you can wet in the ocean and rub on your body for your own personal spa treatment. People rub this clay/mud all over themselves and then after it dries out, take a dip in the ocean. Of course we had to do it too and it was a very fun and entertaining experience.
Tripiti Beach 2
We rode our quads here when beach hopping and it was definitely a bit of a quieter beach which we liked. It was beautiful and there were some boats stopped here. We spent a few hours here enjoying the scene.
Overall, you can’t go wrong when visiting Paros. It is such a lovely island and you will enjoy it so much! We took a ferry to Paros from Naxos, which was very easy and enjoyable.
During this trip we also visited Andros & Syros Islands. I have a post about them if you’re interested, you can find it here —–> Underrated Greek Islands You Should Visit
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