Paros was by far the most picturesque of all the islands I went to. I loved everything about this island from the bustling town to the low-profile villages. There is lots to do in Paros, and in this ultimate guide, I share all my tips on:
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- Best time to visit Paros
- Getting to Paros
- Transportation in Paros
- Where to Stay in Paros
- 9 Things to do in Paros
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If you are looking for co- ordinates to Instagram photo hotspots in Paros view this blog
If you are looking for a Antiparos Travel Guide view this blog
Best time to Visit Paros
The best time to visit Paros 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 Paros
There are two ways in which 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 and it was easy and convenient to use. Highly recommend booking the ferry’s ahead of your trip, especially during high seasons.
Budget:
Return flight Ticket: £100
Ferry to Paros: €50
Top Tip:
I maximised my savings on the flight ticket by using my Amex card. Keep an eye out for credit cards offering travel programs to help you save on your journeys. Here are two to get you started:
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- British Airways Amex Card – Best for beginners, there are no annual fees and you can use the points you accumulate with British Airways (You’ll collect 10,000 avios if you spend £1,000 in first 3 months and I’ll receive 8,000 avios if you use this link )
- Amex Gold Card – This card has an annual fee but you’ll have access to a variety of travel & entertainment benefits (You’ll collect 30,000 avios if you spend £1,000 in first 3 months and I’ll receive 14,000 avios if you use this link )
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*Please do your own research before signing up to these programs
Transportation in Paros
The easiest and most fun way to see Paros Island is by renting a car or ATV/Scooter. It gives you the freedom to go wherever you want, and trust me, that feeling is priceless! We rented our car from Chaniotis Paros Rental, and they were amazing no hidden charges and returning our car was so easy. The roads on the island are pretty good, and driving around is easy. But, if you don’t want to drive you can also get around the island by bus. It’s another way to explore and see all the cool things Paros has to offer without worrying about driving.
Budget:
Manual Car Rental: £100 for 3 days
Where you stay in Paros totally depends on your budget, preferences and what you are looking to do on your holiday. We booked our hotel through booking.com and we stayed in this beautiful farmhouse tucked away in the heart of Episkopianá – Romantic sunset cycladic house in Sotires. The host was amazing and we loved the view of the Aegean sea from our own terrace. As well as that, this charming village provides a tranquil retreat while still being conveniently close to attractions by car.
A popular area you could stay in is Naoussa – it’s a great base to explore, and you could walk around town in the evenings and don’t have to drive anywhere to explore. Staying in town means more hustle and bustle, so if you want to relax and have a pool or beach right next to you, a hotel by the beach might be better suited for you
Budget:
Air BnB – £300 for 3 nights
9 Things to Do in Paros
1. Catch Sunrise at Molos Beach
Ready for a morning pick-me-up? Head to Molos Beach, where the sunrise and a refreshing swim team up for the ultimate wake-up call! Arrive early, find your sweet spot in the sand, and get ready to watch the sunrise (we had the beach to ourselves). Trust me, it’s a front-row seat to nature’s daily masterpiece. The early morning swim was energising and an amazing experience to swim with such a beautiful backdrop.
2. Visit the quaint little village of Piso Livadi
It was never in our plans to stop here but on our way to Marpissa Village we stumbled upon this beautiful fishing village by the coastline. It’s a great spot to get away from the hustle and bustle and we found this hidden beach perfect for sunbathing and swimming behind the church.
3. Marpissa Village
Given that we woke up at 6am on this day it was super quiet when we got to Marpissa village. It’s a village full of charm and I’m going to let you know now that you better get used to seeing bougainvillea and cats everywhere in Paros (personally think are an amazing bonus). We found this beautiful bougainvillea arch (see this blog for exact co-ordinates) on our stroll and was joined by this cute kitten which only made our photos 1000 times better.
4. Prodromos Village
It’s less than 10 minutes drive from Marpissa Village. It’s a charming village perfect for those who love to take photos and want an authentic feeling of Paros – Narrow cobbled streets, Bougainvillea and whitewashed Cycladic houses are the sights you associate with here. I really enjoyed getting lost in this beautiful village.
5. Lefkes
A must do on this trip is coming up to the mountain town of Lefkes for Lunch, the drive up is breathtaking and you can enjoy the view of rolling hills dotted with olive groves. Also worth noting this is a popular tourist destination and can get busy quickly so if you are here for the Instagram photos, I recommend that you get here early! Nonetheless it’s a picturesque town definitely worth the visit.
fun fact: this charming settlement used to be the capital of Paros
6. Plage Siparos Beach
After an amazing day of exploring Paros we went to Plages Siparos beach for an evening swim. If you’re looking for crystal clear water and sandy beach with very little tourist I definitely recommend this one.
7. Naousa
The way I’d describe Naousa is a “Picturesque Harbour” with small Cycladic fishing boats nestled tightly together. The heart of the town is full of bars, restaurants and souvenir stores and you can explore this pretty town in a couple of hours if you want to. However, make sure to experience this old town both during the day and at night the vibe is amazing!
8. Take a full day cruise from Paros to Antiparos & Despotiko
Enjoy a day trip from Paros to explore Anitaparos & Despotiko whilst enjoying traditional Parian lunch with wine and soft drinks (Included in trips fee). You’ll be making stops at:
- Agios Spyridonas Beach
- Faneromeni Beach
- Agios Nikolaos
- Cave of Antiparos
- Panteronisi
- Despotiko
Enjoy the clear water, sun, food and the vibe!
9. Paros Cooking Class
If you love cooking you and want to learn more about Parian cuisine you have to join this small groups cooking class held my local chefs. You’ll get step-by-step guidance as you make an authentic local meal and savour your finished creations accompanied by local wine
Conclusion
Paros Island has a lot to offer, from the prettiest Greek towns and harbours to sandy beaches. My favourite part of the Paros trip was visiting the quaint villages and swimming in the crystal clear waters. I think Paros has something for everyone and it should not be missed when Island hopping the Cyclades.