Let us tell you about Paros and the intense two days we spent on what many call Greece's budget-friendly island. Paros entered our itinerary almost by chance, as the usual affordable companion to Milos.
Why did we include Paros in our trip for two?
As first-time sailors through Greece’s Cyclades, Alice and I chose a less obvious trio: Milos, Paros and Crete. We wanted to break away from the expensive Santorini–Mykonos combination.
Naoussa harbor in Paros
We were looking for somewhere within budget that still felt like a real Greek village. September is our usual strategic choice: summer weather without peak-season crowds. We also wanted nature and relaxation with a little nightlife. Greek friends in Montreal often mentioned Paros as one of their favorites, so we gave it a chance.
What should you expect from Paros?
Paros is known as an accessible island that attracts a younger crowd. It combines white houses with blue doors, stone lanes, lively nightlife and fashionable beach clubs, generally for less than neighboring Mykonos. The question is whether that combination is actually worth your time.
From Milos to Paros: a change of pace
We planned two full days before continuing to Crete. From Milos, the high-speed ferry takes roughly 1 hour 45 minutes; slower conventional services can take around 5½ hours.
Parikia, our base, immediately felt large and busy after quiet Milos. Paros has roughly 13,000–14,000 residents, heavier traffic, more noise and a beach-town energy that reminded us of northeastern Brazil.
Naoussa harbor at night
Two days are not enough to describe the whole island. Our impression was of a young, backpacker-friendly destination where you can travel Greece on a lower budget without giving up the classic Greek-island scenery.
Where we stayed in Paros
Because this was our shortest island stay, we needed a walkable base. We stayed near Parikia’s ferry port and a few steps from Livadia Beach, with bars, restaurants and the town center nearby.
We chose MerSea Apartments, a simple guesthouse that covered the basics. I would rate its comfort 3.5/5 and the owners’ friendliness 5/5.
The beach in front of the hotel
Livadia is an urban beach with good restaurant infrastructure and more peace than the historic center. Swimming there and drinking coffee while watching the anchored boats left us with warm memories.
Livadia Beach in Paros
What to do in Parikia
Parikia’s center is where the classic Cycladic images come alive. We wandered through pedestrian stone lanes between whitewashed houses, blue doors and bougainvillea.
The main sights are:
- The maze of lanes: get lost among craft, clothing and souvenir shops.
- Port windmill: the unavoidable postcard landmark on the waterfront.
- Panagia Ekatontapiliani: the Church of a Hundred Doors, one of Greece’s most important Byzantine churches.
- Frankish Castle: 13th-century ruins whose walls reuse marble from older temples. We only saw it from outside.
At night, the waterfront and alleys fill with charming bars and pavement tables. We ate at Greco Paros Traditional Greek Taverna, paying roughly a third of what we had spent in Milos.
Parikia is busier and less glamorous than more exclusive Cycladic villages, but it is excellent for an affordable evening for two.
Beaches along the coast
We rented a car at the last minute to visit Kolympethres, Monastiri and Naoussa.
Kolympethres Beach
This sheltered bay is known for clear water and unusual rock formations. Beach clubs rent loungers and provide bar service, but we preferred a towel on the sand and a swim. Space is limited, and many people find shade among the shrubs.
Nearby tavernas make a quick gyro an easy, affordable lunch. Our honest review: pleasant and worth seeing, but it felt somewhat urban and was not extraordinary.
Monastiri Beach
Monastiri offered the quieter, younger atmosphere we wanted. The beach lies beneath Agios Ioannis Detis Monastery, a white church with a blue dome set among the rocks.
There is a beach club and private marina areas, but we settled on the rocks. We began our swim almost alone, climbed to the monastery for photos, then returned to the hotel before dinner in Naoussa.
Naoussa: Paros’s sophisticated side
If Parikia is the functional gateway, Naoussa is the island’s crown jewel for couples. The old fishing village mixes wooden boats with discreetly luxurious boutiques and restaurants.
I planned a romantic surprise dinner at Axinos Seafood Restaurant. The bill was less romantic: for us, the food did not justify the price and we felt we were paying mainly for the view.
Naoussa’s highlights include the Venetian harbor, the 15th-century castle ruins, the maze of immaculate white lanes and the marina where traditional Greek caiques sit beside modern yachts.
At night Naoussa feels more exclusive than democratic Parikia. Waterfront tables are fiercely contested and priced accordingly, although you can still find better-value places away from the view.
Day 2: a trip to Antiparos
The ferry to little Antiparos takes only ten minutes and accepts rental cars. We paid €7.30 each way for the car.
Antiparos suits travelers seeking isolation, kitesurfing, caves and a slower atmosphere. One day by car is enough for several beaches and the famous cave.
Soros Beach
Soros is a long beach of coarse sand and pebbles, with clear water that becomes deep quickly. It has some beach clubs but remains more relaxed than Paros. We found free shade beside a cliff and brought our own snacks. Honest verdict: nice, but it did not amaze us.
Antiparos Cave
The mountain view impressed us more than the cave. Legend says Macedonian conspirators who tried to kill Alexander the Great hid here in the fourth century BC and were never found.
Inside, a long staircase descends among stalactites and stalagmites. It is interesting, but skippable if you have visited other major caves. Maintenance also seemed lacking. Admission was €6 for adults, with opening hours from 10 am to 4 pm, May through October.
Livadia Beach, Antiparos
Do not confuse it with Paros’s urban Livadia. This western beach is wild, isolated, windy and has no facilities. We even saw surfers there, and the car access is not great.
Driving around Antiparos sometimes felt as if time had stopped. Abandoned homes and a forgotten atmosphere made us a little sad. Is the island worth the detour? It depends on your taste; for us, it was not memorable.
Our ferry experience
The early high-speed ferry from Milos was calm, although the small vessel had no open deck. We walked about 30 minutes from Parikia port to the hotel with our backpacks.
Leaving for Crete was worse. After checking out around 10–11 am, an expected two-hour wait turned into almost two additional hours of delay. Ferry logistics consumed a meaningful part of our short stay.
Verdict: should you include Paros?
If I could redesign our itinerary, I would skip Paros and add those days to Milos and Crete. We effectively lost almost a full day entering and leaving the island. For only two full days, the effort was not worth it, despite Paros being cheaper.
Travel teaches lessons no plan can replace. If you have more time, slow down: rushing among the Greek islands simply does not work.
Read also
- A Perfect Day in Northern Milos: A Road Trip for Couples
- Greek Islands: How and When to Use Ferries
- Renting a Car in Greece: The Complete Milos, Paros and Crete Guide (2026)
- Greece: Flights and Airports Guide
- Greek Islands: Flights vs Ferries, Which Is Better?
- Chania: The Venetian Side of Crete That Won Us Over
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