I recently traveled to one of the Cycladic islands in Greece, Paros. Located in between Antiparos and Naxos, the island has great villages, beaches, mountain churches, and views of the nearby islands. Of the four Greek islands I’ve been to, Paros was my second favorite (after Milos)!

HOW TO GET THERE

I recommend taking a ferry from Athens. Depending on which boat you choose, it can take around 3-5 hours. There is an airport on Paros, although it’s small and only offers flights on a few airlines. The smaller boats will be bumpier. If you get seasick, consider one of the larger, slower boats.

WHERE TO STAY

While there are of course hotel options, I think Paros is a great place to get an Airbnb. They are very cheap and in prime locations to the main villages. Here’s where we stayed. It was a 15-minute walk from the main port which is full of restaurants, shops, and transport. It was an amazing place to sip some wine and watch the sunset. (Note: it was up a hill so it wouldn’t be a great walking option for people with mobility restrictions).

PAROS PORT

This is where you’ll arrive by ferry. It’s also most likely where you’ll rent a car if you’re doing so (ask your Airbnb host for recommendations). There are classic small, cobblestone streets that twist and turn through the white-painted buildings. Shops, ice cream stores, and restaurants with outdoor seating are abundant. By the water, there isn’t a shortage of bars and restaurants.

RENT A CAR TO EXPLORE BEACHES, NEARBY VILLAGES, AND MORE

Renting a car is an extra cost, but definitely worth it to explore off-the-beaten-path beaches, mountain villages, etc. Note that some beaches are off rugged dirt roads, so be careful with your car/be aware that you might have to go to a Plan B if the road is too rocky for your vehicle.

I highly recommend getting up a little early to explore the village of Lefkes. While many of the coffee shops don’t open till later in the morning, you’ll have the streets to yourself. If you’re into photography, this will be a dream! Lefkes is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Paros and you can park up the hill from the village for free.

TAKE A BOAT OUT FOR THE DAY

This was one of the best things we did. You don’t need a boating license to take your own boat out for the day, although I recommend being familiar with it given the waters can be rough. August is a windy time in Greece. The boating companies will usually give you a map and point out special lagoons in which to drop anchor. These are awesome swimming spots that aren’t accessible without a boat! This is the company we used. It was 200 euros for the day.

THE FOOD REC

There are two food recommendations you should take. The first is a local gyro spot (we could tell it was local because we got a lot of stares..). We loved the chicken gyros and fries with sauce…we went twice. It was delicious, and 9 euros for all three items! The second is a lovely restaurant in downtown called Ela Paros. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. Message them on Facebook for a reservation.

As always, if you go to Paros, drop a comment! Safe travles.

xx,

K