The Complete Paros & Antiparos Travel Guide (With My Exact Hotel & Food Picks)

Paros ended up being one of those places I didn’t expect to love this much on our round-the-world honeymoon. It’s got a bit of everything, beach days, really good food, pretty villages, but without the chaos of some of the other Greek islands such as Santorini.

What I liked most is how easy it is to keep things simple here. You don’t need a packed itinerary or constant moving around. Pick a good base, plan a few key days and let the rest fall into place and embrace island time!

I’ve put this guide together based on exactly how I’d plan 3-7 days, including where I’d stay, the beaches I’d go back to and why the little sister island of Antiparos is 100% worth adding.

Planning a Trip to Paros? Here’s Where I’d Stay

If you’re unsure where to stay, this is the quick version:

Naoussa

This is where I’d stay. Everything is close, there are plenty of good restaurants, and it has the nicest overall feel in the evenings. It’s lively but not overwhelming.

Best Hotels in Naoussa:
Cove Paros: Best overall (design + location)
Adonis Hotel: Best value for money
Avant Mar Paros: Amazing luxury stay

Parikia

More convenient than aesthetic, especially if you’re arriving by ferry, plus you’ll usually find better value stays here. Good option for shorter trips.

Best Hotels in Parikia:
Pandrossos Hotel: Best for views + relaxed stay
KOKOON: Best value for money

Beach Areas (Golden Beach or Aliki)

Quieter and more spread out. Golden Beach is great for watersports, including windsurfing and Aliki is great for families if you want a slower pace, but if you choose either of those two, you’ll rely on a rental car to get anywhere else.

Best Hotels:
Golden Beach Hotel (in Golden Beach): Best overall beachfront hotel for couples & families
KIANO SUITES (in Aliki): Best value with amazing water views

If you’re still deciding where to stay in Paros, I go into more detail here.

My exact 3-5 Day Paros Itinerary

This is how I’d plan it without trying to squeeze too much in:

Day 1: Arrive, check in, then head straight out for sunset in Naoussa. Easy dinner, nothing overplanned.

Day 2: Beach day with a few stops. I loved Kolymbithres for something different, Monastiri for an easy swim or Santa Maria away from the crowds.

Day 3: Take a day trip to Antiparos. Slow morning, ferry over, explore, long lunch, sunset drinks – absolute perfection!

Day 4-5: Keep it flexible. Slow mornings, then pick a couple of villages like Lefkes or Parikia to wander through. Add a beach in the southern parts, like Faragas if you feel like it.

Best Beaches in Paros (I’d go back to)

• Kolymbithres: Probably the most unique, easy to reach from Naoussa and worth seeing at least once. Has beach beds and umbrellas for rent and lovely Greek people bringing you cold drinks and Greek salads and pastries from the nearby taverna.
• Monastiri: Calm, organised and very easy for a relaxed swim
• Santa Maria / Mikri Santa Maria: Best all-round option if you want to stay a few hours
• Golden Beach: Windier, better for water sports
• Faragas: More of a beach club setup if you want that vibe

Villages in Paros That are Worth Exploring

• Naoussa: Hands down the most popular and great in the evenings, it has nice mix of shops, restaurants and harbour views
• Parikia: Slightly more local feel, but can still be busy, good for a wander
• Lefkes: Small, traditional village in the hills, very quiet and lots of cats to pat!
• Aliki / Piso Livadi: More low-key, coastal spots

If you can, rent a car for at least a day, it makes seeing these much easier! I recommend

Where to Eat in Naoussa

• Souvlakia Kargas: Casual and reliable
• Pita Frank: Quick, affordable, easy lunch
• Ragoussis Bakery: Popular spot, go early, it sells out
• Almond: Favourite breakfast spot
• Sigi Ikthios: Food for a seafood dinner
• Christo Gastro Bar: Slightly more elevated
• Piperaki Paros: Beautiful setting, modern Greek
• Gyros Mylos: Easy, cheap takeaway option

Best Things to Do in Paros

Paros isn’t a place where you need a long list of highlights checkes off. It’s more about a few good days, beach time, wandering through beautifully whitewashed villages and eating well.

These are the things I’d actually prioritise:

• Spend an evening in Naoussa: This is where Paros really comes to life. Walk around the harbour, have dinner somewhere by the water and just take your time. It’s one of those places that’s better without a plan.
• Go beach hopping for a day: Pick 2–3 beaches and keep it easy. Start with Kolymbithres (for something different), then Monastiri or Santa Maria to settle in for a longer swim.
• Visit Lefkes village: An adorably cute, small village in the hills, very quiet and traditional. It’s a nice contrast to the coast and worth doing if you have a car.
• Wander through Parikia: Less polished than Naoussa, good for a slower afternoon, especially around the old town streets.
• Take a boat day (if you have time): Seeing Paros from the water is completely different. You’ll get to smaller beaches and swimming spots you can’t reach by car.
• Do a day trip to Antiparos: One of the easiest and best things to add. Short ferry, slower pace and a nice change from Paros for a day.
• Explore smaller coastal spots: Places like Aliki or Piso Livadi are much quieter and good if you want something more low-key, especially for lunch by the water.

Take a Day Trip to Antiparos (don’t skip it)

Antiparos feels completely different. Slower, quieter and a little less polished in a good way.

It’s very easy to get to by ferry from Pounta, which takes about 7 minutes and runs frequently. You can go by foot or bring your rental car / scooter with you. Pricing is cheap; Adults €1.50, Scooters €2, Cars €7.30. Getting around Antiparos is easy on foot or by bike for short distances to the nearby beaches.

Bring your rental car or rent a scooter over there for longer distances to the southern beaches or the Antiparos Cave.

It works perfectly as a day trip, but if you have time, staying one night would also be worth it.

1 Day in Antiparos Itinerary

Morning: Ferry over, coffee at M.èros or Nautica, then wander through the streets in Chora.

Late morning: Swim at Psaraliki Beach, it’s close and easy.

Lunch: Book a table at Vassilenas Blue, it’s right by the water and ideal for a slower lunch.

Afternoon: Either visit the cave or pick another beach.

Sunset: Have drinks at Sifneiko Beach (Sunset Beach), which is a short walk from Antiparos Town.

Dinner: Kalokeri or Sapou

Best Beaches in Antiparos

Antiparos is more low-key when it comes to beaches. No big scenes, just clear water, easy swims and a slower pace overall.

These are the ones I’d actually go to:

• Psaraliki: Closest to town and the easiest option. Shallow water, calm and perfect if you just want a quick swim without planning much.
• Soros Beach: More of a beach club feel. Think sunbeds, music, lunch and spending a few hours here. A good option if you want something a bit more set up.
• Agios Georgios: Quieter and a bit more spread out. Nice if you want something more relaxed and less busy, especially later in the day.
• Sifneiko Beach: Not really for swimming, but one of the best spots for sunset. Simple, no-frills, just grab a drink and stay for golden hour.

Where to Eat in Antiparos

• M.èros & Nautica: Great spot for coffee and light bites
• Epestrefe: Good brunch option
• Klimataria: Simple, traditional Greek
• Kalokeri: Reliable dinner option
• Sapou: Small, cosy, good for a quieter or date night
• Vassilenas Blue: Right by the water, more of a long lunch spot

Best Things to Do in Antiparos

Antiparos is less about ticking things off and more about slowing down a bit. You don’t need much of a plan here, just a few good spots and time to enjoy them.
These are the things I’d actually do:

• Wander through Chora (main town): This is the centre of Antiparos and where you’ll likely start. Small streets, whitewashed houses, little shops and cafés. It’s easy to just walk around without any plan.
• Have a slow lunch by the water: It’s one of the best parts of Antiparos. Choose somewhere like Vassilenas Blue, right by the water, where you can sit for a while and not rush.
• Beach hop (but keep it simple): Pick 1-2 beaches, not five. Psaraliki is closest to town, easy and calm. Soros has a more beach-club feel, while Agios Georgios is quieter and more relaxed.
• Visit Antiparos Cave: If you want to do something a bit different, this is worth it. It’s quite impressive inside, just be prepared for a bit of a climb.
• Sunset at Sifneiko Beach: One of the best sunset spots on the island. Nothing fancy, just bring a drink and stay for golden hour.

Final Words

Paros is one of those places that doesn’t need overplanning. Once you’ve picked the right area to stay, everything else tends to fall into place, slow mornings, beach days, good food and the kind of evenings you don’t rush.

Adding Antiparos as a day trip or overnight makes it even better. It’s quieter, a bit more laid-back and a nice contrast to Paros without needing much effort to get there. If you keep your plan simple and focus on a few good spots rather than trying to see everything, it’s hard to get your Paros trip wrong. And if you’re still deciding on where to stay, that’s the one thing I’d spend a bit more time getting right.