Forget Santorini, there’s a secret island in the Cyclades where crystal-clear waters whisper tales of ancient caves and Tom Hanks walks barefoot in the sand. Welcome to Antiparos, your escape to laid-back luxury.
Let’s dive straight in to the most frequently asked question: How many day’s should I spend in Antiparos? This totally depends on you and what you are looking for out of your holiday but here are my thoughts and questions that will hopefully help you make a decision.
- Do you prefer to relax and explore slowly, or pack in as much as possible? If you want to relax and explore slowly, you can spend as much time as you’d like in Antiparos. Whether you’re a beach bum, history buff, adventure seeker or a foodie there is something for all of you to do on this little island and you can easily spend up to a week here, hence I think it’s perfect island for families. However if you are “pack in as much” traveller like me, a day trip is more than enough for you to get a glimpse of this beautiful island.
- How much time do you have? Are you island hopping? do you want too see many islands as possible on your trip? If you are trying to visit a few islands on your visit to Greece then I’d suggest doing a day trip to Antiparos, there are frequent ferry rides taking just 10 minutes from Paros. You can explore Chora, visit the Cave of Antiparos, and relax on beach all in one day. If you have more time, you could spend 2-7 days here which is ideal for soaking up the island’s atmosphere, enjoying some beach time, and exploring the main attractions.
I hope this helped you make a decision, there’s no right or wrong answer to how long to spend in Antiparos. It all depends on your personal preferences and travel style. If I had enough Annual Leave I’d totally spend at least a week there!
There is lots to do in Antiparos, and in this ultimate guide, I share all my tips on:
- Best time to visit
- Getting to Antiparos
- Transportation in Antiparos
- 4 Things to do in Antiparos
If you are looking for a Paros Travel Guide view this blog
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Antiparos and Greek islands in general is between May and October. If your goal is to swim in warm water, sunbathe and nightlife the best time to visit would be between July and August which are the hottest months, but also high season which means more visitors on the island. If you are looking for weather that’s pleasant enough for sightseeing and swimming with less crowds, the best time to visit is between April and May or Mid-September to October. I visited in mid-September, and while it was bustling, it didn’t seem nearly as crowded as it would have been in the peak months.
Getting to Antiparos
The easiest way to get to Antiparos is through Paros. You can get to Paros either by airplane or ferry. Only domestic flights within Greece land in Paros, so if you’d like to fly into Paros you’ll have to stop over in Athens or other local airports. Best way to figure this out is by using skyscanner which is so easy to use to compare flights. However, if you are planning to Island hop within the Cyclades, you can do this easily using the local ferry’s. I used ferryscanner to book our tickets from Athens to Paros and it was easy and convenient to use. Highly recommend booking the ferry’s ahead of your trip, especially during high seasons.
To get a ferry from Paros to Antiparos you need to go to Port of Pounta. We also took our car that we rented in Paros to Antiparos which made travelling around Antiparos a lot easier (note: check with your car rental that this is fine – most of the time it’s totally ok)
Also ferry tickets to Antiparos are only sold inside the boat and cannot be pre-booked. We could only pay in cash and credit/debit cards was not accepted so remember to bring euros with you. (this was in 2022, so it might have changed).
Budget:
Ferry Tickets One Way: €1.50 for adults, €0.75 for children and € 2.00 per scooter and €7.30 per car.
Transportation in Antiparos
The easiest way to get around Antiparos in my opinion is with an ATV/Scooter. We took the car we rented in Paros with us to Antiparos and we found that the main/well-done roads did not lead the way to all the beaches. We tried to take some of the narrow off-beat roads which led to the beaches and lets just say they were not easily accessible with our car.
Budget:
Manual Car Rental: £100 for 3 days
4 Things to Do In Antiparos
1. Beach Hopping in Antiparos
If you are in Antiparos one thing you have to do is beach hopping. There is an array of dazzling beaches each with its own unique charm. Here’s a quick rundown of some must-visit paradises:
- Soros Beach: This one of the most popular beaches in Antiparos, nestled amidst rolling hills and vineyards, this sun-drenched beach offers powdery sand, calm turquoise waters, and stunning views.
- Psaraliki Beach: This lively beach is perfect for families. Think crystal-clear waters, soft golden sand, and a vibrant buzz with sun loungers, cafes, and watersports galore.
- Glifa Beach: Kayak or hike to this unspoiled paradise tucked away in a secluded bay. You can expect pristine sand, turquoise waters teeming with marine life. Perfect for snorkelling, swimming, and soaking up the untouched beauty.
- Vathis Volos Beach: If you’re a sunset lover you have to witness the magic of a sunset at Vathis Volos. This charming cove comes alive as the sun dips low, casting a golden glow on the calm waters.
This is just a small list, there is many more beaches waiting to be explored. Best way to find the non-touristy locations are to ask the locals for their hidden gems, and create your own unique beach-hopping adventure in Antiparos!
2. Explore Chora
Chora is the captial and the only village in Antiparos, and you can easily explore it in an hour. If you love cobbled streets, whitewashed greek houses and bougainvillea you will enjoy walking through this picturesque village. This is also the only place you are like to buy souvenirs to take home so don’t miss it on your visit
3. Visit the Venetian Castle
Did you know that Antiparos used to be a major attraction to all pirates in the Aegean Sea. So in 1440, the Venetians built this castle to protect the residents of this town. This has also given Antiparos its other name, Kastro, which means castle in Greek. Although the castle is very much in ruins it’s definitely worth the visit when exploring Antiparos.
4. Explore the Cave of Antiparos
This is one of the most famous places to visit in Antiparos and it cannot be missed on your trip! You’ll be amazed by the variation of stalactites and stalagmites formations which are among the oldest in Europe. I’d also suggest visit here in the morning to avoid crowds.
Opening Time: Daily 10:00 – 16:00
Ticket Price: Adult – €5.00 , Children – €2.50 . The tickets can be purchased at the gate of the cave
Note: For your safety entry is not allowed for those with heart diseases, breathing problem, special needs and pregnant women
Conclusion
Antiparos may be a small island, but its charm leaves a lasting impression. From the sun-kissed beaches to the whitewashed villages, it’s a place that has tales of ancient mythology and invites you to slow down and savour the simple things and it should not be missed when island hopping in the Cyclades.