PAROS — Destinations-Alle Abroad

It’s hard to pick favorites when it comes to Greek islands - each has its own flavor, vibe, and unique sights but if FORCED to pick, from all the islands I’ve visited - Paros would be hands down be my favorite island in Greece.

I’m not sure if it was the fact that it felt less crowded and touristy than other islands we’ve visited or whether it was the natural beauty or just the overall laid back atmosphere but it was that little spark of something uniquely magical about the island that earned it Travel and Leisure’s title of the best island in Europe in 2020

I left knowing that this would be an island I return to year after year and MAYBE (manifesting this now) spend a few months of the year living and working here.

CHECK OUT MY TOP 10 THINGS TO DO ON PAROS VIDEO BELOW

EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PAROS

QUICK FACTS

It is the third-largest island in the Cyclades
The island was also famous for the high quality of its marble which became a popular material for sculptors and architects and one of the islands main exports
It takes about 30 minutes to drive from one end of the island (north to south) to the other
Paros was first inhabited around 3200 B.C. and was later settled by the Cretans, who gave it the name Minoa

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT PAROS

The best time to visit Paros if you are looking for warm weather, great swimming, sunbathing, sailing, and hopping nightlife is between late June and early September. But if you like to travel on shoulder season and if swimming and hot weather are not your top priorities, then you might consider visiting in April, May, or October.

WHAT IS PAROS KNOWN FOR?

Paros is known for its great beaches, lively nightlife, and its charming, white-washed authentic towns. Many describe it as a perfect mix of Mykonos’s nightlife and Naxos’s fantastic beaches and authentic vibes.

HOW TO GET TO PAROS

Paros is part of the infamous Cyclades group of islands which of course includes Mykonos and Santorini and getting to Paros is really pretty simple.

We took a short flight from Athens (which I recommend if you’re tight on time and don’t mind spending a little extra). We were on the ground in about 40 min.

PRO TIP: flights will sell out much sooner than ferries, if you find a flight that works for you, book it ASAP.

You can take the ferry (longer & cheaper) from Athens or the surrounding islands. FerryHopper.com is the best site to use to buy tickets, check timetables and costs.

WHERE TO STAY ON PAROS

PARILIO - This small luxury boutique hotel is perfectly located just a short drive from the charming town of Naousa and is an architecture lovers paradise. A member of Design Hotels, the atmosphere is serene, the crowd is luxe and the service is warm and welcoming (a staple of the greek culture).

Parīlio, is derived from ‘Paros’ and the Greek word for the sun ‘ilios’.

I have to admit the stark white buildings and perfectly manicured desert landscaping took my breath away each and every day that we walked to and from our room.

And speaking of, the hotel’s 33 suites are minimalist in style but extremely spacious. The room’s signature neutral tones were always so soothing to come home to after a long day in the sun.

Other important things to know about the hotel:

The hotel’s pool is the ultimate relaxation destination
Mr. E is an all-day dining restaurant & next to the pool is where you will find Circe Bar where you can sip on yummy cocktails & enjoy little nibbles
There’s an onsight spa (we didn’t try any of the treatments)
There are four different room categories all of which are suites

WHAT TO DO ON PAROS

EXPLORE NAOUSSA - I recommend starting your Paros adventure by wandering around in Naoussa - it’s by far one of the most popular traditional villages on the island. You’ll easily be charmed as you wind your way through the narrow streets filled with shops, delicious restaurants, and spots to grab cocktails.

Be sure to check out:

Electric - bold, colorful clothing sourced from around the world
Wake up to catch the sunrise at Naoussa Harbour
The remains of a Venetian fortress - you can access this via the stone walkway in the harbor
Snap a photo at the bright pink Linardo bar

SPEND A MORNING OR AFTERNOON IN LEFKES - this small town is quiet, serene, and full of white-washed buildings with bougainvillea spilling from the roofs. Set your GPS to Agia Triada to take you to the historic church and along the way, you’ll pass by beautiful homes covered in bougainvillea which make for a great photo opp.

FUN FACT: This village used to be the capital of Paros because of its strategic location as the highest part of Paros.

Be sure to check out:

Ramnos Cafe - great for a refreshing drink, a bite to eat and fabulous views of Lefkes
Hike the Byzantine road which is the oldest trail on the island (dates back to the Byzantine era, 1,000 AD), and connects Lefkes to Prodromos. The Byzantine Road starts at Louki's café in Lefkes and is just over 2 miles long.

SHOP MY PAROS LOOKS

MANY OF MY OUTFITS ARE RENTED FROM RENT THE RUNWAY. USE CODE RTRALLEP FOR 40% OFF TWO MONTHS OF THEIR 8 OR 16 ITEM PLANS.

CRUISE AROUND PAROS AND ANTIPAROS WITH SALTY CRUISES - This was hands down my favorite thing we did while on Paros. The crew takes you to the most incredible spots where the water is this electric blue and you can spend your time jumping off the boat, swimming snorkeling, or just working on your tan.

We wound up going to this private cove where we could swim and the crew cooked us the most incredible Mediterranean lunch before we finished off the trip with a bit of cliff jump which didn’t go as planned...click here to see what I mean.

TAKE THE FERRY TO ANTIPAROS - This tiny island is absolutely worthy of a visit and it’s super easy to get to. The ferries run every 45 min and you can buy your tickets once you’re on board.

You can either take your car with you which I’d recommend if you’re spending the whole day or if you’re just walking around and having lunch or dinner in the main town you won’t need it.

The ferry drops you off in the main town where you’ll find these whitewashed alleyways, stone streets, and plenty of cafes and restaurants for you to have a great meal. Click here for more Antiparos ferry info.

Be sure to check out:

Samano - Have lunch or dinner at this beautiful, bougainvillea-covered open air restaurant and be sure to try the soft shell crab sandwich.

FUN FACT: this is the island Tom Hanks has a home on so you know it’s gotta be cool.

TAKE A FERRY TO NAXOS - the ferry ride is just about an hour and well worth the journey to the largest of the Cyclades Islands.

When you arrive off of the ferry into Naxos, you absolutely cannot miss the massive marble frame-like structure aka the Temple of Apollo, which has been standing since the 6th-century BC. Walk up the stone steps to admire the structure and soak in the incredible views of the town and water below.

We headed straight to Tortuga Beach Bar and Restaurant for some inventive cuisine & yummy cocktails. The Tulum vibes are strong and this is easily a spot where you could spend hours relaxing.

HOT TIP - if you’re looking to extend your stay on Naxos - Tortuga is connected to the boutique hotel - Naxian on the Beach - which has 10 luxury suites decorated in beautiful boho style.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO CREATE YOUR OWN CUSTOM GREECE ADVENTURE AND WANT A PROFESSIONAL TRAVEL ADVISOR TO HANDLE ALL THE DETAILS - CLICK HERE TO REACH OUT TO WORK WITH MY MOM’S AGENCY SCORBY TRAVEL.

WHERE TO EAT ON PAROS

SIPAROS - if you’re looking for a fabulous dinner with the absolute freshest seafood make a reservation here! Also, try to snag a table at sunset if you can. Order the cheese pies, the fresh calamari, and honestly whatever the catch of the day is.

MARIO (Naoussa) - if you are looking to eat at the hottest and most beloved restaurant in town - you gotta check this place out and it’s not hard to miss the bright blue chairs smack dab in the middle of the harbor. The menu is constantly changing according to what’s fresh and in season and you might recognize this as the restaurant Justin Bieber was hanging out at this summer.

STATHEROS (Naoussa) - if you’re looking for a more off-the-beaten-path dinner spot you’ve gotta come here for dinner (again try and snag a table at sunset - TRUST ME). Walking by from the main street you’d never guess what’s lying just beyond the front doors - but go inside and out back and you find yourself looking out on the ocean with these tables stuck in the sand.

HENRI G (Parikia)- you’ll find this exclusive rooftop restaurant inside a restored neoclassical mansion built in 1890 and in the center of Parikia’s old Market Street. Before you head up make sure to stop to admire the blue-domed church just next to the restaurant - but just around the corner, you’ll find this tiny staircase that leads you up to this intimate spot in town where you’ll get stunning views of the narrow streets of Parikia.

When I left Paros I made a promise to myself that this would become an island that I return to year after year. Whether you’ve been fortunate to travel extensively through Greece, or this is your first time visiting - Paros would be one of the TOP islands I would suggest visiting. It’s easily accessed from Mykonos and Santorini which makes it the perfect (and more authentic) compliment to these popular destinations.

I really hope that this guide was helpful and if you have any questions on Paros please feel free to shoot me a DM on IG!

If you want to learn more about what it’s like to work with a travel advisor check out this post.