Naoussa is the reason half of Paros's visitors book their tickets: a tiny Venetian fishing port where caiques bob against a half-ruined sea castle, backed by a maze of whitewashed lanes that turn into one of the best food-and-drink scenes in the Greek islands after dark. Here's the complete guide to the island's showpiece town — including the practicalities (yes, parking) that make or break a visit.
The old port and the kastro
Start where everyone starts: the miniature harbour, where fishing boats outnumber yachts and octopus dries on lines outside the ouzeries. Walk the stone breakwater to the Venetian kastro — the 15th-century sea fortress, half-sunk at the harbour mouth — ideally at sunset, when the whole port glows. It's a 90-second walk that ends up on more camera rolls than anything else on Paros.
Into the lanes
Behind the port, Naoussa's old town is a deliberate labyrinth — bougainvillea, marble slabs, chapels wedged between boutiques. Aim vaguely for the main church square and let yourself get lost; the whole quarter is ten minutes across. Boutique shopping here is the island's best (linen, jewellery, ceramics), at prices a notch below Mykonos.
Eat and drink
- Fish tavernas on the port: order the local specialty gouna — sun-dried mackerel grilled over coals — with a carafe of Parian white.
- Modern Aegean dining: Naoussa has collected a cluster of genuinely ambitious restaurants in the lanes; book the big names a day or two ahead in season.
- Wine: the Moraitis winery on the edge of town has tastings of Paros's PDO wines — the Monemvasia white especially.
- After dinner: cocktail bars ring the port and hide in the alleys; things peak from 11pm. It's lively-chic rather than club-loud — for actual clubs, Parikia's waterfront takes over late.
The beaches around Naoussa
Naoussa sits on a huge bay with beaches on both arms: Kolymbithres and Monastiri to the west (10 minutes' drive or a taxi-boat from the port), Santa Maria and Lageri to the east (10 minutes' drive), and little Agii Anargyri walkable from town. That spread is why staying in Naoussa without wheels means either boat timetables or missing the best of it — see the full beach guide.
Practicalities (read before you drive in)
- Never drive into the old town — the lanes narrow into staircases and August tow-trucks are real. Use the big free car park above the town (signed, 5 minutes' walk down) or the lots near the river mouth.
- Getting there: 10 km from Parikia (15 minutes) on the island's best road; the Parikia–Naoussa bus runs frequently in summer until late.
- Staying here: the most fashionable (and priciest) base on Paros — compare with Parikia and the east coast in where to stay.
- Timing: Naoussa in June or September is the town at its best — see when to visit. August evenings are a happy crush.
Frequently asked questions
Is Naoussa worth visiting?
It's the single most atmospheric town in the Cyclades outside Mykonos — and many prefer it precisely because it isn't Mykonos. Even on a one-day Paros itinerary, Naoussa is non-negotiable.
Naoussa or Parikia — which is better?
Naoussa for romance, dining and boutique stays; Parikia for value, ferry logistics and a more local feel. They're 15 minutes apart, so you'll enjoy both regardless of where you sleep.
How do I get to Kolymbithres from Naoussa?
Ten minutes by car around the bay (free parking, arrive early in August) or the little taxi-boats that shuttle from the old port in season. Details in the Kolymbithres guide.
Cover image: Bgabel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.