5 Best Things to Do in Paros

​Paros is sometimes called Mykonos' little brother. Despite the fact that thousands descend on Paros each summer, the island has managed to maintain an authentic Greek island atmosphere which makes it more relaxed than its neighbour. Not only that, but it has so much to offer. In this blog we’ll narrow Paros’s many delights into a top 5 of things to do and places to visit on the island. 

How to get there
Paros does have an airport but you can’t fly directly into it from the UK as it is for domestic flights only, therefore you have to fly from Athens or in the summer, Thessaloniki and Heraklion. Flights from Athens only take around 40 mins. Alternatively you can take the ferry to get to Paros, not only is it one of the largest islands in the Cyclades but it is also one of the main ports and therefore is usually one of the first stops on the route. Its also great if you’re wanting to island hop as it has great links with other islands in the Cyclades. 

1 - Parikia
The islands main port and capital town, Parikia should be high on your list of things to do when on Paros. Full of the typical whitewashed houses you expect from the Cyclades, it makes for stunning scenery. As well as these, there are the remains of the Kastro (castle) which was built by the Venetians in the 13th century. Parikia is filled with close streets bustling with cafes and tavernas that stretch all the way down, and along the waterfront providing a scenic spot for food. If you want to be in the middle of everything that is happening on the island Parikia is a good place to stay, and it is very accommodating to tourists with all the amenities you could need such as banks and supermarkets. Parikia is also home to one of the places you should definitely visit when on Paros, Panagia Ekatontapiliani, a church which is one of the most important Byzantine monuments in all of Greece. If you’re on the island on the 15th August then you’re in luck as it is the feast day for the Dormition of Our Lady, to which the church is dedicated and there is a huge celebration on the island. 

Parikia

2 - Visit the Beach 
You could easily fill this top 5 with just beaches that you should visit on Paros as there are so many and each has their own distinctive look. One such beach is Kolymbithres, not far from Naoussa, its striking features are the granite rocks which lie on the beach and have been weathered over time into many strange shapes. So much so that some can be used as platforms for sunbathing.  If you’re looking for watersports, then Golden Beach is the one for you. Just to the south of the village Piso Livadi on the central eastern coast, it is home to some accommodation and tavernas as well as the aforementioned watersports facilities. At Golden Beach you can take part in anything from kayaking to windsurfing all at price which is reasonably inexpensive, however it depends on the time of year that you go. Other great beaches you should visit are Lageri, Santa Maria and Faragas. 

Kolymbithres Beach

3 - Naoussa
Located in a protected bay in the north of the island, Naoussa is the 2nd largest settlement on Paros.  Unlike many places on the main Greek islands, Naoussa is still primarily a fishing village. This doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have a lot going on and it has a thriving nightlife with many cafes and tavernas around its harbour area. Within its bay are many beaches, some of which we’ve discussed above, the best way to get to these is by boat. If you want history and sightseeing then Naoussa has an orthodox church, a Venetian castle and a few museums all of which are worth checking out. 

Naoussa

4 - Lefkes
Unlike the towns and villages we’ve mentioned already Lefkes is in the centre of the island. The centre of Paros is mountainous and much of the land is taken over for agriculture. The village is in a small valley in the mountains and whilst there is some accommodation here, most people come for the day via bus from either Naoussa or Parikia. Lefkes has no end of small eateries in the village and there are also some hiking trails which can take you around the nearby hills and provide you with a great view of the village.  

Lefkes

5 - Go Wine Tasting
As we said earlier much of the centre of Paros is given over to agriculture, with a lot of this being vineyards. These vineyards produce reds, whites and roses. The best place to find most of the wineries on the island is Naoussa, with two in the town and one on the outskirts. These are Moraitis Winery, Moraitico and Koukos. When you’re in Naoussa they are well worth a visit.
 
We hope this has helped you see what Paros has to offer and has helped you decide to why Paros could be your next holiday destination or should be added to your island hopping itinerary. To find out more about the rest of Greece, take a look around our website or call us on 01157843388. If you know where you’re looking to book call us, email [email protected] or fill in our contact form with what you’re looking for. Don't forget to follow us on social media to find out the next Destination of the Week and for all your Greek Holiday needs. If you've been to Paros, where was your favourite place? What was the best thing you did or do you think we missed anything? Let us know in the comments or on social media, just click the buttons below which take you to our social pages

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