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Paros Island
The following assessment of the island is based upon our own experiences and therefore description given here necessarily contains an element of subjective opinion, which may not reflect your own experience on another occasion.
About Paros
Paros is the third largest of the Cycladic Islands after Naxos and Andros Islands and over past three decades it has became one of the most popular tourist destinations of the Cyclades. The most popular tourist destinations on Paros are Parikia - the island’s capital and port - and Naoussa - one of the prettiest villages in Cyclades.
Paros Highlights
Paros has everything a Cycladic Island has to offer. You will find here:
- Lots of good taverns and restaurants serving local cuisine
- Nice local people - very friendly towards tourists
- Excellent ferry service - frequent connection with Athens and other islands
- Romantic atmosphere in Parikia old town
- Very good quality, busy, sandy beaches
- Remotely located - quiet, sandy nude beach
- Picturesque landscapes
- Typical Cycladic architecture - white houses with narrow lanes
- Great weather - it can be very windy sometimes
Arriving on the island
If you are coming to Paros by the sea - on ferry from Athens or other islands your first steps on the island will be in small Parikia port. A ferry stops just in front of a windmill - famous Paros’ landmark. At each time a ferry arrives on the island the hotel owners gather beside the port terminal exit gates and offer their rooms for arriving tourists. So, if you have not booked a room in advance, this is a perfect opportunity to do so. Once you agree the details, the owner will take you to the hotel.
Where to stay
If you decide to stay in Parikia - just like we did - you may try small and not expensive Hotel Helliniko (tel. +30 2284021429) run by very friendly Manolis Fokianos. The hotel is very conveniently located - just around 10 minute walk - along beautiful costal street - to the port. It is located about 70 metres - 4 minute walk to very good sandy beach (Livadia) and to other tourist amenities. The location is very useful especially if you want to explore other islands. If your ferry leaves early in the morning or during the night you may easily walk to the port to catch the ferry so you do not need any means of transport. We would definitively visit it again.
Where to eat
There are plenty very good places to have a meal in Parikia. However, in our opinion the best places are Katerina Restaurant and Taverna Akrogiali located in Livadia - northern part of Parikia. They serve very good fresh food and are not overpriced. Both restaurants have lovely sea view and great atmosphere.
Published on 4th January 2010
By Arek Zasowski
Photographs by Viola and Arek Zasowski
Vehicle, driving and visiting neighbouring islands
If you would like to fully explore Paros you should consider hiring some vehicle. A regular car is usually useful for main road driving. However, if you would like to go further up the mountains you should hire a 4x4 or a motorbike.
If you would like to visit neighbouring Antiparos Island you may take a ferry from Pounda. Pounda offers not expensive and very frequent ferry service in the summer. The ferry leaves almost every 20 minutes. The actual timetable is listed in the marina. You will pay the fare for the crossing on the board so you do not have to book or purchase tickets in advance.
If you have hired a car or a motorbike usually the owners will allow you to take it to neighbouring islands, however, you they will not provide a breakdown service as opposed to Paros Island. Therefore, if you take the vehicle with you you will be on your own. Should something unexpected happen you will have to deal with the issue.
Daily excursions from Paros
There is a number of daily cruises you can choose from Paros to other islands. The tickets are sold by numerous travel agents located in Parikia - beside the windmill.
Santorini - the cruise starts at around 8 a.m. from Piso Livadi and finishes about 7 p.m. During the excursion you will have 6 hours stay on Santorini Island.
Delos - Mykonos - we really recommend especially this one, it is a very pleasant day on the sea combined with exploring ancient monuments on Delos Island and enjoying the scenery of Mykonos Island. The ship leaves Paros (Naoussa) around 8.30 a.m. and returns around 6.30 p.m. During the cruise you will have approximately 3 hours stay on Delos Island and 3 hours 15 minutes on Mykonos Island.
Koufonissia - Iraklia - the excursion starts at 10 a.m. from Piso Livadi and finishes around 6.30 p.m. During the cruise you will have approximately 1 hour stay on Iraklia Island and 4 hours 30 minutes on Koufonissia Island.
As an alternative to the above excursions we recommend that you check the timetable and ferry destinations. Paros is centrally located and offers excellent ferry links between the islands, therefore you may buy tickets for a regular early morning ferry service to Santorini and return the same day in the evening. It may be a bit cheaper than organised cruise and you will have more flexibility.
