What To Do in Paros – The Greek Island That Has It All

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Last updated on February 13th, 2026 at 05:14 pm

If you’re planning an escape to the Greek Islands, knowing exactly what to do in Paros will definitely make you add this gem of the Cyclades Islands to your itinerary.

Do you enjoy partying during your summer holidays? Or are you just interested in soaking up the sun on pristine beaches? Perhaps an active holiday with a bit of hiking here and some water sports there is your thing.

No matter what type of traveller you are, Paros Island is the ideal destination for an amazing getaway.

Paros is one of the easiest islands to get around and you have your recipe for a fantastic trip like no other. So, here’s what to do in Paros, one of the most popular Greek Islands.

Where Is Paros?

Paros is a small Greek island in the Cyclades between Sifnos and Naxos. The main port of Paros is Parikia, and along with Naoussa are the island’s main towns.

Paros is dotted with picturesque whitewashed villages in the mountains, and its coastline features numerous sandy beaches with crystal-clear waters.

Paros also has a small sister island, Antiparos, which is accessible from the port of Pounda on the west coast.

How Long To Stay in Paros?

With so many unique things to do in Paros, it’s essential to set aside time for self-pampering.

We recommend spending four to five days exploring Paros’s main attractions and relaxing on the beach.

If you’re not sure how to plan your trip to Paros and the Cycladic islands, book a 60-minute call with us to answer all your questions, or fill out this form to create the ideal Greek-island hopping itinerary according to your needs.

Best Time To Visit Paros Island

When planning a trip to Greece, you should avoid visiting most of the Greek islands in July and August.

The same goes with Paros. During the high season, the island attracts youngsters and partygoers, and restaurants, bars, and beaches are packed.

The best time to visit Paros is late May, June and September.

However, if you’re not interested in beach life, one of the best times to visit Paros is during Orthodox Easter. Paros is known for its unique Easter traditions, which take place in the island’s villages.

The most striking among them are the Passion of Christ reenactments in the villages of Marpissa and Lefkes.

How To Get To Paros

By Air

Paros has a small airport that serves only domestic direct flights, mainly from Athens and Thessaloniki.

Paros airport is a 15-minute drive from Parikia port and a half-hour drive from Naoussa.

By Ferry

The best way to reach Paros is by ferry from Piraeus Port. The journey from Piraeus takes around four hours by regular ferry, and a bit less if you take the high-speed ferry.

Paros is well connected to the nearby island of Naxos and to Antiparos. Our complete guide about which Greek island to choose will help you plan the perfect island-hopping itinerary.

A great way to check out ferry routes and timetables, as well as to buy your ferry tickets, is through Ferryhopper.

How To Get Around Paros

By Rental Car

Paros is one of the easiest Greek Islands to get around. There are no dramatic mountain tops nor any difficult dirt roads whatsoever.

Paros is a small island, smooth and flat and very easy to see and enjoy. Driving is the best way to explore Paros because it gives you total freedom to explore everything at your own pace.

The main road connects the two main towns of Parikia and Naoussa. Distances are short. You need about an hour to drive around the entire island.

Pick up your rental car as soon as you arrive at Parikia Port to discover the island’s hidden treasures.

By Public Transport

If driving is not an option, we’ve got good news for you. Unlike other Greek Islands, Paros has a very reliable public transport system.

The local bus will get you to most villages and beaches on the island. Check out bus routes and timetables here.

Where To Stay in Paros

When choosing accommodation in Paros, there are a few things to consider. You need to decide if you want to stay near the sea or in one of the quaintest villages in the mountains.

So, if you’re dreaming of a peaceful beach holiday in Paros and planning to move around with a rental car, maybe you should go for Drios in the south or Logaras on the east coast.

If you prefer a village on the mainland, you might consider a hotel in Lefkes or Marpissa.

On the other hand, Parikia is the best option if you’re not driving, as public transport is convenient for visiting the island’s main attractions. For partygoers, the bustling Naoussa is the best option.

Travel Resources To Help You Plan Your Trip To Paros

What To Do in Paros – 11 Fantastic Things To Do

1. Enjoy The Stunning Beaches

Paros Island is home to so many beautiful beaches that it will be next to impossible to choose your favourite among them. What we love about beaches in Paros is that almost all of them are super easy to reach.

There’s no climbing rocks or driving on scary dirt roads involved to get to even the remotest Paros beaches. And this is priceless.

Hands down, the most impressive of all beaches in Paros is Kolymbithres Beach near Naoussa.

Spectacular rock formations and transparent light-blue waters render Kolymbithres one of the best beaches in the Cyclades.

Other fantastic beaches near Naoussa include Monastiri, Mikri Santa Maria, Santa Maria Beach and Lageri.

If you don’t drive, a boat from Naoussa Port will take you to Kolympithres and nearby beaches.

The east coast of Paros features some of the island’s most popular beaches, such as Punda and Chrissi Akti (Golden Beach).

Alongside those, though, some more laid-back beaches on this part of the island are equally fantastic, such as Kalogeros, Logaras and Piso Livadi, to name but a few.

The beaches on the south coast of Paros are ideal during the summer months, when strong winds blow across the Cyclades. By far the best among them is Faragas Beach.

Last but not least, some of the beaches near Parikia are among the island’s most pristine ones.

Don’t miss the chance to visit Livadia Beach, Krios, Kaminia and, of course, Marcello with its Caribbean-like watersand endless stretches of white sand.

The sandy beach of Marcello is our personal favourite alongside Kolymbithres and Monastiri.

2. Wander Around Lefkes Village

Lefkes is not just our favourite village in Paros. Lefkes tops the list of places we love the most in Greece. Why? Because Lefkes is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful villages in the country.

Built on a mountain slope for fear of pirate invasions, Lefkes resembles an island in a sea of pine trees and magnificent olive groves.

A stroll along the village’s main street is enough to make you fall in love with Lefkes before you even decide to get lost in the labyrinth of smaller streets that will literally take your breath away.

Apart from walking around and admiring the village’s gorgeous traditional architecture, you should definitely make time to sit at one or more of the quaint cafés which are scattered across Lefkes.

These cafés look as though they’re period movie sets come to life. In fact, one of them was actually featured in a Coca-Cola commercial in the past.

It’s hard to choose which of these cafés we like the most. However, To Kafeneio Tis Marigos on the glorious square of Agia Triada Church is unmissable.

The church itself, the second-largest on the island, is also worth a visit in its own right.

3. Stroll Around Naoussa At Sunset

Naoussa is one of the best places to visit in Paros. It’s also the most popular spot on the island.

Although it feels quite touristy at times, the fishing village of Naoussa somehow manages to retain an aura of authenticity that is irresistible.

The best time to enjoy Naoussa is in the late afternoon to catch the sunset.

It is then that the entire village takes on the most spectacular golden hues and gets ready to welcome the night as well as the hordes of people who flock to the Old Port.

You see, above all, Naoussa is the indisputable queen of Paros nightlife.

The postcard-like Old Port is a unique place. It is there that smartly dressed tourists frequenting high-end restaurants coexist with fishermen sitting on wooden stools, chatting the evening away.

This fascinating blend is proof enough that Paros, no matter how popular it is, is still an authentic island that offers glimpses into the wonders of local life.

The best thing to see in Naoussa is definitely the enchanting Venetian Castle. If it’s not too windy, it’s really worth walking all the way to the Castle.

However, make sure you’re extra careful, as the path is always wet and slippery.

Last but not least, don’t leave Naoussa without a stroll around its whitewashed narrow streets. Most of the alleys are lined with souvenir shops where you can find some of the best things to buy from Greece.

4. Feel The Authentic Vibes of Parikia

Parikia is the island’s largest settlement. It is probably the most underrated place in Paros. Home to the island’s main ferry port, Parikia often goes unnoticed.

This is because most visitors arriving in Paros by ferry head straight to Naoussa or elsewhere, without giving Parikia a second glance.

Don’t be these visitors or you’ll miss out on Parikia’s relaxed atmosphere and hidden treasures.

The Old Town of Parikia, this magical maze of whitewashed streets, gorgeous buildings and quaint cafés with friendly locals, is utterly beautiful. If we’re being honest, Parikia is way more authentic than Naoussa.

Strolling around the narrow alleys of Parikia is a unique opportunity to watch local island life go by in the most charming way.

A great spot to enjoy a fantastic sunset in Parikia is the Castle. From there, you can enjoy great views of the port and the Aegean Sea beyond.

Another fantastic time to visit the ruins of the Frankish Castle of Parikia is early in the morning, when the Old Town is sleepy and thus indescribably lovely.

5. Check Out Panagia Ekatontapiliani Church

Apart from its other charms, Parikia is home to one of Paros’s top attractions. Visiting Panagia Ekatontapiliani Church tops our list of what to do in Paros.

Commissioned by Constantine the Great, the gorgeous Byzantine church is one of the most historic churches in Greece.

Panagia Ekatontapiliani Church is the second largest Marian pilgrimage site in the Aegean Sea, second only to the Church of Our Lady on nearby Tinos Island.

6. Discover The Lesser-Known Villages

Besides Naoussa, Parikia and Lefkes, there are many other lesser-known villages in Paros which are really worth your time and attention. In this section, we will show you around some of them.

We’re sure you’ll agree they’re among the most beautiful places to visit in Paros.

First of all, no trip to the Greek Island of Paros is complete without a visit to the superb Marpissa. The latter is an all-white dream of a village with breathtakingly beautiful island architecture.

Another village not to miss is the picturesque Prodromos. This is a tiny settlement where brightly coloured bougainvillaeas are the only things to interrupt the almighty Cycladic whiteness.

Similarly, Kostos is yet another scenic village with a picture-perfect café where you’ll want to spend endless lazy hours.

Unlike the three villages mentioned above, the last place on our list of lesser-known gems to discover in Paros is a seaside one. Piso Livadi is an easy-going small fishing village.

The coastal village is home to a pristine, sheltered beach and some of the best restaurants to try some of the best vegetarian Greek dishes with fresh local products.

From Piso Livadi, sailing yachts depart daily for secret beaches and the Small Cyclades.

7. Visit One of The Oldest Wineries in Paros

If you’re wondering what to do in Paros, you should know that Paros has a long wine-making tradition.

This is why you most definitely need to try local wine while there. Better still, the best souvenir from Paros to take back home is a bottle or three of the island’s best wine.

The history of the island’s wine-making will fascinate you and visiting Moraitis Winery is one of the best things to do in Paros.

The latter is one of the oldest and most important family-owned wineries in Paros. This winery’s history dates back to 1910.

Paros produces three DOC wines: red, white and Malvasia, a superb dessert wine.

At Moraitis Winery, you can learn everything about the island’s wine-making history, visit the old cellars, and have a glass or more of the best local wine.

8. Spend a Full Day At Paros Park

The Environmental & Cultural Park of Paros is situated on the peninsula of Agios Ioannis Detis near Naoussa. The park is a multi-purpose open space and a true natural and cultural jewel in Paros.

There are several great things to do in Paros Park. First of all, you can have a swim in the crystal clear waters of Monastiri, one of the best beaches in Paros.

If you’re looking for a quieter place to relax, choose one of the peninsula’s remotest beaches, such as Perikopetra or Tourkou Ammos.

Paros Park is the perfect place to enjoy a day of hiking through a scenic landscape like no other.

There are three easy walking paths to choose from. Walking Path 1 will take you to Cape Corakas Lighthouse. If possible, be there at sunset to witness the most magical golden hour.

From early June to October, you can attend the open-air Festival At The Park, which hosts a series of events, mainly plays and concerts.

Last but not least, you can watch a film under the stars at Cine Enastron, the park’s open-air movie theatre.

9. Take The Ferry To Antiparos Island

Perhaps you’ve never heard of this before, but Paros has a sister island that is much quieter yet equally amazing.

Located just off the west coast of Paros, Antiparos Island is literally a short ferry ride from Paros and one of the best car-free Greek Islands.

Most visitors choose to see Antiparos on a day trip from Paros. However, we recommend spending at least a couple of days there, as there are plenty of unique things to do in Antiparos.

10. Do Water Sports

Although we’re not big fans of water sports, we can’t overlook that Paros is heaven on earth for active holiday lovers.

Windy Paros offers unique opportunities for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The island is a popular destination for scuba diving as well.

11. Indulge in Ferryspotting At Cape Agios Fokas

If you, like us, enjoy spending time doing nothing but watching the ferries come and go, then you should definitely visit Cape Agios Fokas at the entrance of Parikia Bay.

While you wait for the next ferry to spot, you can check out the tiny Agios Fokas church, swim on the small beach that is right next to the church, or explore the stone buildings that keep the area’s lonely lighthouse company.

Watch Our YouTube Video About What To Do in Paros

From relaxing on pristine beaches and hiking amid gorgeous scenery to exploring fascinating archaeological sites and tasting local cuisine, Paros is the perfect Greek island for everyone.

Now you know what to do in Paros, start planning your trip to the beautiful Cycladic island.

WORDS & EDITING: Maria
IMAGES: Katerina