Sep 25, 20235 min read

Guide to Paros, Greece

Updated: Oct 3, 2023

This is a bold claim, but Paros was one of my favorite places I have ever visited! It had the perfect amount of old charm, warm locals and reasonable prices. I would go again in a heartbeat. Paros is a must-visit for any Greece trip! It is still a popular place to visit, but it is much less touristy, and cheaper than Mykonos or Santorini. It has a very boho feel and the typical Greek aesthetic, but without the crowds.

For the day-by-day itinerary of my whole trip, check out my 10 Days in Greece blog! This is one of my favorite trips, and one of my most requested itineraries to share. I went to Mykonos, Paros, Naxos and Athens. The Greek islands definitely live up to the hype and will not disappoint. This was my first time to Greece, but definitely not my last.

When to Go

I went in May of 2022 over Memorial Day through the first week of June and traveled with my mom! I would definitely recommend visiting at the end of May/beginning of June. The Greek islands' “tourist season” goes from May to September. Outside of these months, the islands are mainly shut down and most of the locals go back to the mainland in the colder months. Given there is such a short travel season, it can tend to be busy, but we were fortunate to travel early in the season and miss the crowds. I would highly recommend missing the peak of the season mid-June through August if you want to avoid the crowds. It is also cheaper! I have read that in September/October is also cheaper but that it can get very windy on the islands during this time.

Tip: We spent at least 3 nights on each island during our trip and I would not recommend staying shorter than that in each place. I would do at least 3 nights in Paros, but there is so much to do, you could definitely stay up to 5 nights and still be very entertained. My travel philosophy is: I would rather see less places and really get to know them, rather than packing my bags every day to see every stop and not fully enjoying any of them.

How to Get There

I flew from LAX to Mykonos with one layover in Vienna. I was eager to get to the islands, so I was very excited when I found a flight directly into Mykonos. Most people fly into Athens and then take a ferry or short regional flight to the islands from there. I personally was not super enthusiastic about visiting Athens and wanted to only stop through there on the way home. From Mykonos, we took a 30 min ferry to Paros, which was super cheap (~$30) and easy!

Where to Stay

Naoussa is a picturesque fishing village with whitewashed buildings, flowered houses, and winding alleyways. In the center of town, there are port lines with colorful boats where you can dine at the waterfront or take in the sunset. I would recommend staying here over Parikia, as it is a bit more catered to vacationers and encompasses everything you could want on a Greek island stay. It is also a hub for restaurants, shopping and more!

St Andrea Hotel (Naoussa, 4-stars): This is where I stayed and I absolutely loved it. The location was perfect, only 5 mins from the town of Naoussa. The staff onsite was very attentive and helpful with making arrangements for taxis, transfers, or rental cars. The pool was stunning and a wonderful place to relax during the day. The hotel also has an awesome free breakfast with a lovely ocean view which we enjoyed. For the price, I believe this hotel is great value (we paid about $160 a night, but this depends a lot on what time of year you go).
Parilio (Naoussa, 5-stars): Parilio is close to the St Andrea, but is a more luxury option, and thus more expensive. It is a stunning property also just minutes from Naoussa. Rooms start at about ~$400 per night.

There are so many beautiful hotels for every budget! In general, the hospitality and service in Paros was incredible, so you can find comfort at many hotels.

Where to Eat:

Yemeni: Dinner at Yemeni was probably my favorite of the trip! This is a quaint restaurant in the heart of Naoussa with a handwritten wine list. The seabass here is one of the best things I have ever had. I seriously still think about it. It fills up, so I would recommend a reservation.
Anastasia: This was a lovely restaurant on property at the Saint Andrea hotel. The restaurant overlooks the pool and the ocean. The staff at this property is so attentive and cares deeply to make sure you are comfortable!
Cuore Rosso: If you get tired of Greek food and want some delicious Italian, this is the spot! This little pizza garden is the cutest thing ever and the food was to die for! It is also a great excuse to see the town of Parikia if you have only spent time in Naoussa.

What to Do:

Shopping and Wandering Naoussa: Carve out some free time to just wander the streets of Naoussa. There are so many little alleyways with adorable shops, and a plethora of spots for a waterfront drink.
Boat Tour with Micheal Zeppos: It might have been one of the best days/experiences of my life. The tour went from 10am-5pm, with a fresh lunch (and not to mention a good lunch - I am a foodie and was impressed by it). They take pride in keeping the groups small and intimate. There were only 6 other people on the boat with us, which we made friends with and kept the tour relaxing. We spent the entire day boating around Paros and Antiparos. We would stop to swim and the water was the most clear, blue water I have ever seen in my life. In order to get to the tour from our hotel, we rented a car and then drove 30 mins. I drove and honestly I felt pretty comfortable, so don't be afraid to rent a car here!
Kolymbithres Beach: It was one of the coolest beaches, and I highly recommend making a visit! It is known for its unique rock formations and the water is calm to swim in. There are beach loungers you can pay for that are set up on the sand, or there is room to lay out your own towel. We were able to walk there from our hotel in about 30 minutes.
Shopping at Artisun: A highlight this amazing local jewelry shop we found! The owner was so kind and knowledgeable. Their prices were reasonable and it is a great stop for a souvenir for yourself or loved ones! I still love my pieces from here.
Margarita Studios Cooking Class: Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to do this cooking class, but I wanted to include it because I have heard great things! It is 85 euros and you will learn 4-5 recipes with a souvenir cooking apron included. I love Greek food, and wish I had done a cooking class so I could bring a taste of it home with me.