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An Overview of Paros

If you’re planning on visiting Greece, Paros is a destination you should consider adding to your list!

Paros is part of the Cyclades Islands and is the third largest island in this chain. It’s a beautiful place with white buildings, beautiful beaches, and delicious food. There’s a lot to do on this island, including the beach, marble sculpting, and horse riding.

How to Get to Paros

To get to Paros, you will need to either take a ferry or take a place. The ferry can easily be caught from Athens, with snacks and comfortable chairs available. 

However, if you take a plane, be sure you are booking to Paros and not one of the neighboring islands. The airport in Paros is very small and flights typically leave from Athens.

Getting Around Paros

There are a few ways to get around the island, which are included below.

Bus: 

This was the first time my friends and I used the bus system and it was really easy! We bought a ticket from the main port area. For a trip to Naoussa. It cost us a little over 5 Euros total for three people. The bus is a coach bus, so it will fit luggage (but there are no bathrooms).

Car:

Traditionally, my friends and I have rented a car on the islands. Before renting a car, be sure to check the following:

• Choose a car that isn’t too big: The streets in Greece are very small. In Corfu, we rented a big van since we had a lot of people. It was very hard to get around.
• Get an international driver’s license: A European license should be fine, but if you are an American, you will need an international driver’s license, alongside your American license. You can get these very easily if you have a AAA membership (about $20 and a 15-minute appointment).

Taxi

If you’re not planning on driving a lot, this can be an easy alternative (since you won’t need to find parking). Taxis between Naoussa and the airport cost us about 50 Euros.

What is the Best Time to Visit Paros?

The shoulder season is the best time to visit (September, October, April, and May). The weather is still really nice and things are still open, but the island is less crowded.

How many days in Paros is enough?

How many days you spend in Paros is dependent on what you are looking to do on the island. 5 days is probably a good number to fully experience the island. However, Paros is still worth seeing, even if your plan is to hop from island to island.

10+ Recommendations for Paros

If you’re looking for what to do when you get to the island, look no further. Below is a list of recommendations for you to consider:

Take a Sunset Boat Ride

Unfortunately, we didn’t have the chance to do this when we were in Paros, but my friends and I did this on Corfu. It’s an amazing way to soak in the sunset and enjoy the beauty of the island. Naoussa in particular makes this very easy to book. Just go to the boat docks and book directly there.

Take a Marble Sculpting Class

This is a unique experience offered by the sculptor, Jean Baptise. The class starts out with you learning the differences between marbles. He then shows you some of his own work and lets you leaf through some of the books. Once you’ve selected what you’d like to do, he shows you how to use the tools and you’ll have a few hours to complete something.  This was a very unique and cool experience. 

Be sure to bring a mask for the class (so you don’t inhale marble dust). Gloves and goggles are provided by Jean Baptise. 

My friend working on her marble sculpture

To book, click here.

Go out in Naoussa

Naoussa is a charming town, with boats and turquoise water surrounding it. The downtown is pedestrian-only, with pitceresque white buildings lining the cobblestone streets. 

The views in Naoussa

Visit the Venitian Fortress

The Venitian Fortress (Ενετικό Κάστρο)can be found along the waterfront. The Venitian Duke of Naxos built this structure in the 15th century. It previously consisted of two towers with a chain hanging between them. The goal was to prevent pirates and other unwanted ships from invading or entering the city.

Once downtown, you simply climb the walls and walk over. There are pretty views on the walk-over. Once at the end, you can step inside and check out the ruins.

Walking over to the Veneitan fortress

Take a Tour of Moraitis Winery

Moratis Winery is a short walk from the city center in Naoussa (Please note: There are two locations here: one is the ship and one is the vineyards). Manolis Moraitis founded this vineyard in 1910. This vineyard is relatively small, producing only between 100,000-120,000 bottles a year. However, their focus is on high-quality wine.

The vineyards of the Moraitis Winery

With the tour, they show the process of how the wine is made, followed by a tasting paired with delicious cheeses. 

Wine tasting at Moratis Winery

Closeup of the cheese, because cheese is amazing 

Explore Parikia

This is the oldest and biggest city in Paros. It’s where the port is located and is the capital of the island. There’s plenty of shopping and fun restaurants to check out.

Get Some Drinks at a Windmill Overlooking the Ocean

Located right on the coast is the Alexandros Cafe. It sits on top of a hill with a beautiful view of the city and the ocean. The windmill itself is over 200 years old and in 1998 opened its doors for the first time as a cafe and bar. They serve cocktails, coffee, and ice cream.

Alexandros Cafe

Get Dinner at the Waterfront

We went to Mira for food, which was delicious (though many places here are). Getting dinner on the waterfront is such a fun way to enjoy a beautiful city and the sea breeze.

My friends and me at Mira

Explore the Downtown

Like Naoussa, the downtown is beautiful and pedestrian friendly. There are flowers everywhere, lining white walls. It’s beautiful and the shopping is amazing.

Go to the Beach!

The beaches are beautiful in Paros. We went to a few near our Airbnb, but Golden Beach is among the most famous on the island.

Check out the other Neighboring Islands

Other islands are a quick ferry ride away if you have time. Antiparos and Naxos are both close by, but there are also ferries to Mykonos and Santorini. 

Final Thoughts

Paros is an amazing island to visit, filled with great nightlife, beautiful architecture, and views. Have you been to Paros? Anything we missed? Let us know in the comments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which island is better Santorini or Paros?

Which island is better is dependent on the type of vacation you are looking for. Paros is typically less touristy, but both islands are beautiful.

Is it expensive in Paros?

Paros is more expensive than small towns in mainland Greece, but is cheaper than more popular tourist destinations such as Mykonos and Santorini. However, if you are looking to travel to Paros cheaply, there are ways you can save money while traveling. This could include booking during the shoulder seasons and avoiding touristy areas for restaurants.

Is Paros Overcrowded?

While Paros can get crowded, particularly in the on-season, it’s not as crowded as more popular tourist destinations such as Mykonos or Santorini.

Do I Need a Car in Paros, Greece?

No, you don’t need a car. There are buses between cities that will get you to your destination. You can also use taxis to get around the island. When in the towns themselves, most are very walkable and pedestrian-friendly, making it easy to get around without a car. 

Are There Ubers in Paros?

No, there are no Ubers in Paros. However, there are taxis you can use to get around the island.