Paros sits right in the heart of the Cyclades, halfway between Athens and Santorini — and in the last few years it has quietly become many travellers' favourite Greek island. It has the whitewashed villages and blue-domed churches you came to Greece for, but with better beaches than Santorini, better food than Mykonos, and a far more relaxed pace than either. This guide covers everything you need to plan a trip to Paros, Greece: getting there, where to base yourself, what to see, and how to get around.
Where is Paros?
Paros is a Cycladic island in the central Aegean Sea, about 160 km southeast of Athens. Its neighbours are Naxos (a 30-minute ferry east), Antiparos (a 10-minute ferry west) and Mykonos and Santorini within easy reach — which is exactly why Paros works so well as a base for island hopping in the Cyclades.
How to get to Paros
You have two options from Athens:
- Ferry from Piraeus: 3 to 5 hours depending on the boat, with several departures daily in summer. Conventional ferries are cheaper and steadier; high-speed boats save 1–2 hours.
- Flight to Paros Airport (PAS): around 40 minutes from Athens, with multiple daily flights in season.
We compare both options in detail — times, typical prices, and which to choose — in our Athens to Paros guide. Coming from another island? See the Mykonos and Santorini ferry guides.
The main towns: Parikia, Naoussa and the east coast
Parikia is the capital and ferry port — a lively town with a long waterfront, the 4th-century Panagia Ekatontapiliani church (the "church of 100 doors"), a Venetian castle quarter and plenty of tavernas. Naoussa, on the north coast, is the island's postcard: a tiny Venetian fishing port ringed by cocktail bars and some of the best restaurants in the Cyclades — read our full Naoussa guide. On the quieter east coast, Piso Livadi and Golden Beach are relaxed, family-friendly bases by the water.
Inland, don't miss Lefkes, a marble-paved mountain village that was once the island's capital — covered in our villages guide.
The beaches
Paros has more than 30 named beaches, and the best are spread around the whole coastline: the sculpted granite coves of Kolymbithres in the north, the long sandy sweep of Golden Beach in the southeast, Santa Maria's clear shallows, and wilder southern spots like Faragas. See our ranked list of the best beaches in Paros — including which ones you can only reach with your own wheels.
When to go
Paros is at its best from late May to early October. July and August bring the biggest crowds, the highest prices and the meltemi wind; June and September offer warm seas and a calmer island. Full breakdown in our month-by-month guide.
Getting around Paros
Paros is a fairly big island — about 21 km top to bottom — and its highlights are scattered along every coast. The public bus connects Parikia, Naoussa and the main resorts in summer, but villages, quieter beaches and viewpoints are out of reach without your own transport. Most visitors rent a car, and roads are good by Greek island standards; see do you need a car in Paros? and our driving tips. If you'd rather feel the wind, an ATV or quad is a popular option for beach-hopping.
Car Hire Paros has 12 pickup points across the island — including the airport and Parikia port — with a fleet of 50+ cars, SUVs and quads. Browse the fleet and prices here.
Day trips
The one day trip everyone should make is Antiparos — a 10-minute car ferry from Pounta takes you (and your rental car) to a smaller, sleepier island with a famous cave and superb beaches. Here's the full Antiparos day trip plan. With Paros's central ferry connections you can also day-trip to Naxos, Mykonos or even Santorini.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paros worth visiting?
Absolutely. Paros offers the classic Cyclades experience — whitewashed villages, great beaches, excellent food — without Santorini's crowds or Mykonos's prices. It suits couples, families and groups equally well.
How many days do you need in Paros?
Three days covers the highlights; five to seven days lets you add Antiparos, the mountain villages and proper beach time. See our 3, 5 and 7-day itineraries.
Is Paros expensive?
Paros is mid-range for the Cyclades: cheaper than Mykonos and Santorini, slightly pricier than Naxos. A taverna meal runs €15–25 per person, and car rental starts around €42/day.
Which is better, Paros or Naxos?
They're different characters — Paros is more polished, Naxos bigger and greener. We compare them honestly in Naxos vs Paros.
Cover image: Tommybee89, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.