We began and ended our catamaran adventure on the Island of Paros. It’s easy to see why that island was chosen…after our cruise around the Cyclades Islands with Yacht Getaways, Paros ranked high as one of our favorite Greek islands! Gorgeous mountain landscapes, lush valleys and rolling hills, picturesque whitewashed villages dotted with blue-domed windmills, small churches and monasteries, and shimmering turquoise beaches epitomize everything symbolic of Greek Islands.
The Greek island of Paros in the Aegean Sea is a popular destination welcoming thousands of tourists every summer into its cosmopolitan and lively villages.
Easily reached from Mykonos, Naxos, Ios, and other islands, Paros has everything you could want for a perfect Greek vacation… from seafood to sunsets, and stunning beaches to traditional villages, there are a ton of opportunities to make lasting memories.
Paros at a Glance
- Area: 76 mi²
- Size: 13 mi. long x 10 mi. wide
- Pop: 12,000
- Area code: 22840
- Administrative region: Southern Aegean
Weather on Paros
The best time to visit Paros is in May, June, September, and October with pleasant and dry average temperatures between 68°and 77°F. The coldest month is January with an average maximum temperature of 57°F and is also the wettest.
Paros experiences ‘Meltemi,’ a strong wind that blows through the between July and September. It can be very powerful but is also very cooling.
We highly recommend renting a car to explore Paros. It’s inexpensive, and there’s so much more to see than just strolling around either of the two ferry ports.
Here are my ten favorite experiences in Paros from my catamaran tour of the Cyclades:
10 Ambelas Village
Ambelas is an attractive fishing village about a 10-minute drive from the port of Naoussa. It’s quite windy but bordered by a seawall that keeps the water relatively calm.
Note: I strive to bring you truthful information. Surprisingly, we stopped to get a bite at Chistianta Taverna which we did not like. I will say, the scenery could not have been better – our table was juxtaposed almost right over the ocean. But the food was not up to par with other Greek food we’d eaten. I had to send my moussaka back three times because it was served cold, my baked feta bouyioudi was served topped with mushy chopped canned tomatoes (instead of fresh, thinly sliced) on top, and Kary’s seafood salad tasted commercial, not fresh. I would recommend avoiding this restaurant.
9 Panagia Ekatontapiliani
Panagia Ekatontapyliani (“Our Lady of a Hundred Doors”) is a spectacular 4th-century Byzantine landmark in the port town of Parikia. It is considered one of the most important sacred sights in Greece. Legend has it that 99 doors have been found in the church which was allegedly founded by Constantine’s mother, Saint Helen during her pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and the 100th door will be discovered only when Constantinople (Istanbul) is returned to Greece again. The icon of Panagia in the church is considered miraculous.
8 Lefkas
Built on a mountain slope for fear of pirate invasions, you will fall in love with the picturesque medieval mountain village. It is built in an amphitheater shape with many beautiful, neoclassic white houses adorned with blue doors and pink Bougainvillea spaced out along a labyrinth of narrow alleys and tiny cafés.
We spent a relaxing morning ambling through the village, stopping at the main square with the white marble Church of Agia Triada, a Lefkes landmark with rare Byzantine relics inside. Lefkas is a great spot to see locals’ homes and learn about the Aegean culture.
We ended our visit in Lefkas with a frappe (coffee with milk and crushed ice) in a tiny café at the top of the village with unmatched views of the mountainside village below, and the island of Naxos on the horizon beyond.
To get to Lefkas, take the Byzantian Route. On the way, you’ll pass along Marathi Marble Quarry where the famous Paros’ marble comes from. Many Greek masterpieces such as the Venus from Milo have been sculpted in this finest marble variety.
7 Lageri Beach
Lageri is a beautiful, remote beach with dunes, calm water, and a bit of cherished shade. Because it’s very hard to find, it is uncrowded.
Note: the far end of Lageri Beach is a nude beach, so if that’s not your thing, do not opt for a long walk on the beach.
6 Parikia
The capital, Parikia, sits on a bay on the northwest side of the island. In the old town, picturesque houses are built and decorated in the traditional Cycladic style, with flat roofs, whitewash walls accented by blue-painted doors, window frames, and shutters.
The waterfront is awash in restaurants and cafes. Although it’s often overlooked in favor of more posh Naoussa, the Old Town of Parikia is worth exploring, hosting a maze of whitewashed streets, a castle, boutique shops, and narrow alleys to explore.
One of the best spots to enjoy one of Paros’ legendary sunsets is from the Frankish Castle in the old town.
5 Day Trip to Naxos or Santorini
Paros is a more economical island than some of the other Cyclades Islands, but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit them. It’s a three-hour ferry ride to get to Santorini and one hour to Mykonos.
Naxos is a fabulous island only 20 minutes away from Paros and is both fascinating and fun. Lucky for us, our Cyclades catamaran tour took us to Naxos before Paros, so we didn’t have to bother with ferry schedules. Naxos is a gorgeous island with lots of things to do and especially amazing history and ancient Greek architecture.
4 Santa Maria Beach
Located about a 10-minute drive east of Naoussa, we found Santa Maria Beach quite by accident. This is one of the reasons why you have to rent a car in Paros – you’ll stumble upon beautiful places that are not listed in any travel guides! While driving, this beach that came into view was so stunning that I cried out to Kary to “stop!” He pulled over and we spent a little while at this gorgeous beach. It was crazy windy so we didn’t swim or sunbathe but loved this beach all the same.
3 Anti Paros
Picturesque and posh Antiparos is only about a 10-minute boat ride from Paros. Because we were on a yacht sailing, we stopped there right after arriving in Paros, but there’s also a ferry with frequent departures.
Antiparos is one of those Greek islands that has managed to remain authentic, at least for now. The island is known locally for its crystal-clear aquamarine beaches and Agio Ioannis, a cave lined with stunning stalactites and stalagmites that are 45 million years in the making.
FYI, this island is where Tom Hanks has a holiday home, which says something about the appeal.
2 Naoussa
Located in the north of Paros, Naoussa is easily the most colorful and chic town on the island and visiting is one of the best things to do on the island.
There are tons of bustling upscale seaside restaurants and bars to have a sundowner, and of course the ubiquitous whitewashed, flower-strewn buildings and narrow cobblestone alleys in the old marina town.
This was our favorite place to enjoy cocktails with friends at the (windy!) edge of the marina as the sun changed from yellow to orange, to red, and then eating a delicious dinner of fresh local seafood.
There’s also an enchanting 15th-century Venetian Castle just a short walk from the port. Built as a watchtower to alert the inhabitants of an imminent pirate attack, the castle now serves as a tourist attraction and a historical site.
Between the Cycladic architecture, the blue sea with bobbing fishing boats, the brilliant sunset, castle, and labyrinth of passages, Naoussa is the fantastic Instagram spot for photography enthusiasts.
1 Kolymbithres Beach
Arguably the most famous beach on the island, Kolimbithres is certainly the most magnificent. Million-year-old granite rocks jut out from the crystal-clear water’s edge to create an ethereal, dreamy image. It was far-and-away my favorite beach that I visited on my catamaran cruise around the Cyclades.
Some of the boulders have been worn smooth over the centuries on which people take advantage to sunbathe… or perhaps channel their inner mermaid! The unique rocks also create small swimming pools to swim in or lounge.
What to Eat
Naturally, the local seafood is fresh and wonderful: octopus, squid, mussels, shrimp, and swordfish.
Beyond seafood are the delicious baked feta bouyioudi, tzatziki, moussaka, and baklava.
Where to Stay
View from Golden Sunset Paros
We loved Paros so much that after debarking from our catamaran, we opted to stay longer and highly recommend Golden Sunset Paros. It’s located high on the hill above Parikia Port with truly spectacular sunset views over the Aegean Sea. And the owner, Michael, could not have been more friendly or accommodating. And best of all, it did not break the bank. A win/win in all ways.
Paros is one of the best Greek Islands for the reasons above and more. I wish we could have stayed longer, and would love to return. Whether you visiting Greece for the first time or the tenth time, make sure Paros is on your itinerary.
All photos ©Kary Kern unless otherwise indicated.
Click below to PIN so you can find important info on Paros again:
Disclosure: The author was honored to be the guest of Yacht Getaways during her stay, but as always, the opinions, reviews, and experiences are her own.
About the Author
Patti Morrow is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.
Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.
Leave a reply