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Are you planning a trip to Paros as part of a Greek island hopping itinerary? This compact island delivers some of the best local wineries in the Cylcades, gorgeous beaches, and charming villages. Basically, the recipe for a perfect Greece trip!
When Aaron and I visited Paros, it took us a moment to put our finger on what made this small island special. Why should someone choose Paros over the myriad of other stunning Greek islands?
In the end, we decided that it was this island’s resort town feel. While you’ll find traditional villages on other islands, you won’t find the same number of beaches with baby calm water and soft golden sands. In the evening, it’s easy to find a sophisticated restaurant with both style and delicious local food.
To help you get the most out of your Paros trip, I’ve put together this fun-filled 2 day itinerary, which features plenty of beach time. Paros brings good vibes and will leave you totally relaxed; I can vouch for this even after hobbling around on a blood blister the whole time!
Paros Itinerary: How to Spend 2 Days
For this two-day Paros itinerary, it’s easiest to base yourself in Parikia for optimal airport and ferry access, especially if you’ll be getting around by bus. If renting a car, you can stay just about anywhere on this small island and reach most places within 30 minutes.
Arrival Day
Layover in Athens
If flying to Paros, you will probably arrive into Athens first. Here are the things Aaron and I always do upon arrival into an international airport:
- Go through immigration line; get passport stamp
- Find an ATM in airport to take out some cash. For two of us we took out $200 euros
- Get your bags from baggage claim (if you checked any)
- Recheck bags to Greek islands, if necessary
- If you are flying to Paros from Athens, you will need to go through security again
- Find an airport lounge. With our Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card, we have free access to airport lounges all over the world
What to do when you get to Paros
From Athens, you will board another flight to reach Paros, usually on Olympic Air or Sky Express. The flight should be pretty short, lasting only twenty or thirty minutes. I recommend choosing a window seat so you can take in the view!
On arrival, you’ll need to:
- Grab a taxi from the airport to your hotel or get your rental car at the airport
- Check in to said hotel
- Go grocery shopping for essentials like water and sunscreen. Tap water is not safe to drink on Paros
Also Read: Real Cost of a Trip to Greece
Walk Parikia’s Waterfront + Dinner
On arrival, take a walk along the waterfront in Parikia. Facing the water, turn right and walk past all the little tavernas and beach bars towards Livadia, the town’s long, sandy beach.
If you walk in the other direction along the water, passing the windmill near the port, you will be well-situated for an excellent sunset view.
Aaron and I dined at a sunset-facing seafood restaurant called Mythos Plaza after being ushered in by the elderly host. The September evening was windy and chilly, so a big plastic curtain and busy pizza oven helped keep the otherwise open-air space toasty. We shared flavorful plates of whole seabream, grape leaves, and warming moussaka.
Paros Itinerary: Day 1
Day one will begin with a scenic morning walk through Paros’s old town, followed by some beach time and an authentic wine tasting.
Best Bakery in Parikia
Wander the winding back streets of old town Parikia as you make your way to Aliprantis Bakery. This is where my husband and I ate some of the most delicious baked goods in Greece.
The pastry selection is huge and pairs nicely with a punchy cup of bitter Greek coffee. We liked the apple tart so much, we returned the next day to have it again.
Explore Old Parikia
On your way back from the bakery, visit these awesome Paros sights, which should only take 1-2 hours total:
- Holy Church of the Virgin Mary Ekatontapyliani (opens 7am): Built atop marble temple ruins and called the “Church of 100 Doors”, visit this 4th century Byzantine house of worship to learn about its consecrator, Saint Helene.
- Paros Archeological Museum (opens 8:30am, closed Tuesdays): for just 3 euros per person (2 during low season) come see ancient inscriptions, pottery, sculptures and other artifacts found on Paros and its surrounding small islands.
- Frankish Castle: View the exterior of this 13th century castle, which was built with marble from ancient Greek temples.
- Ancient cemetery (view from outside): Excavated as recently as 1983, you can view the outside of this cemetery with a short detour right off Parikia’s waterfront. Tombs date between the 8th century BC and 3rd century AD.
Santa Maria Beach
On any visit to Paros, one should take full advantage of the many gorgeous beaches on this island.
Combine some relaxation time with lunch at Santa Maria beach, but avoid buying the donuts sold by wandering vendors. They look better than they taste!
The chairs are a little pricey at 40 euros for two, but the beach service is attentive and the colors in the mild waves are a dream.
Also Read: The Perfect 3 Days in Santorini Itinerary
Laid Back & Local Wine Tasting at Katikia
Get off the beaten path and learn about local wines at scenic Katikia Winery, which boasts views out to the sea. The winery is run by one man who does everything himself, including growing the snacks used for the tasting on his family farm.
Aaron and I shared the tasting with a group of four friends from Switzerland. We hit if off with them, while trying around eight different wines made from grapes and other products grown on the surrounding land. The owner was also apparently a musician, and played us several songs on his guitar-like instrument while we took in the evening ambiance.
The winery does not have a website, so call +30 697 497 1752 to schedule a tasting.
Dinner at Traditional Greek Taverna
The owner of Katikia sent the six of us on our way to Marathi, a traditional taverna about ten minutes away. Although we had a little trouble finding it (Google maps was slightly off), we were glad to have followed his recommendation.
We found ourselves rather off the beaten path and surrounding by very few tourists. While the menu was heavily meat-focused, the vegetarian in our group was still able to find some menu options. Not able to commit to just one choice, several of us opted to split a platter of different meat preparations.
Paros Itinerary: Day 2
Day two of your Paros itinerary will consist of beach hopping and a wander through the super cute hill village of Lefkes.
Kolymbithres Beach
Kolymbithres beach is one of the most iconic beaches on Paros for its beautiful rock formations and views of Naoussa across the bay. This rugged beach is very popular, so it’s best to arrive early in the day to find a good spot.
There is not much shade at this beach, so you’ll need sunscreen and may not want to linger for too long. Springing for a chair and umbrella may provide the most comfort, but it’ll cost you about 45 euros for two people.
I was good with a quick walk about the rocks to take in the view, but preferred to find a more comfortable beach elsewhere.
Lefkes
The adorable white-washed village of Lefkes was hands-down our favorite stop in Paros. Although a popular tourist area, Lefkes retains an authentic local feel and you can see the remnants of windmills on the hills beyond the village.
Take a stroll up and down the inclines of Lefkes, grabbing a coffee and popping into little shops along the way. The showstopper church that sits before the tangle of streets, Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, is worth a short visit before making your way back up the hill for lunch.
For fresh and authentic Greek food with breathtaking panoramic views, dine on the terrace at Chrisoula Mezes Taverna. The perfect place to take in the view with a glass of Greek wine and hummus snack, this was my personal favorite restaurant on Paros.
56 Isles Microbrewery
Are you a craft beer enthusiast (or married to one)? Then the 56 Isles microbrewery is worth a stop for a tasting after you leave Lefkes. My IPA loving hubby enjoyed a flight of islandy brews, but I’m not as into beer and passed on drinking anything.
Choose (at least) One More Beach
Time permitting, choose between either Golden Beach or Faragas Beach to end your day. If you have time for both, even better!
We personally only went to Golden Beach on day two, but squeezed Faragas in the next morning before our flight.
Golden Beach
Golden Beach is one of the top beaches on Paros and is super popular for wind-surfing. Going in with this knowledge, I expected the water to be choppy with the wind. However, this was not the case.
This aptly-named golden sand beach is lengthy, and offers plenty of space to bring your own towel or chair. There are also plenty of chair and umbrella rentals available, with an adjacent beach bar serving food and drinks.
We did not go into the water because we had windy weather that was making me too cold. However, it was a beautiful low-key spot to sit and people watch for a while.
Faragas Beach
Of all the beaches Aaron and I visited, Faragas was the poshest. Sadly, we only spent a short time here before heading to the airport.
If I returned to Paros, I’d definitely come back to Faragas and spend more time. The water was gentle as could be, and its glassy turquoise color was beckoning to me ever so temptingly. There is also a nice beach club on the property with a full menu full of fresh, healthy eats.
Dinner in Parikia
Even though Chrisoulas was my favorite restaurant on Paros, Aaron and I also had a memorable dinner at Parea Cuisine Paros in Parikia. This was a romantic date night where we dressed up and ate formal courses on Parea’s terrace, which is tucked away on a quiet street.
Even though our dishes came out quickly enough, this was the sort of dinner that you’re meant to pace out while enjoying the atmosphere. Everything we ate was traditional, yet modern and sophisticated, like the sesame-crusted tuna tataki and super tender grilled octopus. We topped it off with Greek white wine and a smooth lemon custard for dessert. The experience was a 10/10 for me!
Be sure to call +30 694 718 8788 for reservations in advance.
Have 3 or 4 Days in Paros?
If you have an additional day or two in your Paros itinerary, there are plenty more places to explore. Here are some suggestions:
- Take the hourly ferry over to tiny neighboring Antiparos to explore the Cave of Antiparos. It is the only vertical cave in Europe and costs 6 euros for admission
- Explore the village of Naoussa
- Visit more beaches on Paros
- Do a few more wine tastings; Asteras Paros Winery is a great option!
- Take a day trip to neighboring Naxos on the ferry
How to Reach Paros
You can reach Paros either by plane or by boat. If you choose to fly to Paros, you will arrive into the island’s tiny national airport, which sits about fifteen minutes from Parikia. Flights leave several times a day from Athens; it is not possible to fly directly to Paros from another Greek island.
You can also get to Paros on the ferry, which arrives and departs from the port in Parikia throughout the day. Ticket prices vary based on the hour, size, and speed of the ferry you choose.
Ferries are the most common way to get between the Greek islands (unless you happen to have a yacht). However, schedules can be altered or cancelled due to high winds and resulting rough seas. It’s always good to double check that your ferry is still going the night before your scheduled departure in case you need to adjust your plans.
I recommend searching for flights to the Greek islands on Skyscanner and checking ferry prices on Ferryhopper.
Getting Around Paros
Paros has a very good bus system that can get you just about anywhere on the island. However, if you want optimal flexibility, then it’s best to rent a car.
Many people also choose to rent ATV’s or motorbikes to get around Paros. If you go for these latter options, be ready to apply sunscreen vigilantly!
Even though we arrived into Paros by ferry from Milos, we chose to rent our car from the airport, since we’d be flying out of Paros on our last day. If you rent a car, be sure to get your international driver’s license from a local AAA before heading to Greece. Rental companies don’t always ask for it, although they did when we went to Santorini on a prior trip.
Although our international driver’s license was technically expired, they still gave us the car, but let us know we’d be on the hook if we were pulled over by the cops for any reason. It’s almost like driving without a license. Of course, make sure you bring your driver’s license from home too because they’ll always ask for that.
Where to Stay in Paros
For a quick, two-day trip to Paros it will be easiest to stay in Parikia, since the town is quickly accessible from both the airport and ferry. Parikia has a lovely waterfront and sunset view, as well as a nice beach and plenty of restaurants to keep you busy during your stay.
Suggested hotel: Marisa Rooms. Not only was this hotel dirt cheap at around $40/night, but it was comfortable and had everything we needed. The host was very friendly too.
Our simple yet tidy room had a cute balcony overlooking a little square. From Marisa Rooms, we were also able to walk just about anywhere in Parikia within ten to twenty minutes.
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Now you are all set for a dreamy 2 day stay in Paros. This is honestly the itinerary I wish my husband and I had going into our trip, as we were a little disorganized with our adventures. Chalk it up to rough seas and unexpected injuries – these things happen!
With chill beach vibes, good wine, and gorgeous villages, Paros deserves a spot on any Greek island hopping itinerary.
