Paros
Parikia's marble church, Naoussa's painted harbour, the windsurfing beaches of the east coast and the ancient marble quarries.
Paros is where the Cyclades work best as a complete package. It has Naoussa — the most beautiful fishing harbour in the archipelago, excellent nightlife in Parikia, some of the finest marble architecture in Greece (the Ekatontapyliani church is 4th century), great beaches and easy ferry connections to everywhere. It is the most balanced island in the Cyclades — not the most extreme at anything, but consistently excellent across the board.
Getting there
Small domestic airport opened 2016 (Olympic, Sky Express). Ferries dock at Parikia.
Read full route
Fast ferries from Piraeus ~3h, Blue Star ~5h, multiple daily year-round. Naoussa port handles only seasonal high-speed connections.
Tip: Rafina is sometimes cheaper for Paros — worth checking before you book.
When to Visit
Paros has gotten loud in August — Naoussa is now Mykonos-lite. Late June and the first half of September are the windows. Antiparos is right next door if you want quieter beaches; pop over for a day. Easter in Lefkes is one of the best in Greece.
3-day itinerary for Paros
Day 1: Parikia & the West
- 09:00 · Ekatontapyliani Church
One of the oldest and finest Byzantine churches in Greece — a 4th-century complex attributed to Constantine the Great's mother Helena. The interior mosaics and carved marble are extraordinary. - 10:30 · Parikia Old Town
The capital of Paros — a classic Cycladic town of whitewashed lanes and blue-domed churches, with a Venetian castle built from the marble of an ancient temple. Walk the main market street. - 11:30 · Paros Archaeological Museum
The Parian Chronicle — a 3rd-century BC marble tablet listing the key events of Greek history from the creation of the world to 264 BC — is preserved here. One of the most important ancient documents in the world. - 15:00 · Parasporos Beach
Sandy beach with calm, shallow water 3km south of Parikia. Good facilities, protected bay. One of the best family beaches near the capital. - 20:30 · Dinner — Mario Restaurant (Livadia, Parikia)
Dinner in Livadia, just outside Parikia, at Mario Restaurant & Farm — ★ FNL Best Restaurant Awards 2026 (Seafood). Farm-to-table seafood, lobster pasta, attentive service. For a higher-end alternative, Galazia Hytra at Summer Senses Hotel near Marpissa earned ★★ FNL 2026 (Greek Fine Dining). - 20:30 · Return to Parikia
Short drive back to Parikia (about 10 minutes from Parasporos). The waterfront promenade and the alleys around Ekatontapyliani come alive after sunset.
Day 2: Naoussa & Golden Beach
- 09:30 · Naoussa
The most beautiful fishing harbour in the Cyclades — a Venetian fortress at the entrance, painted fishing boats in the harbour, excellent restaurants on the quayside. Breakfast at a waterfront café. - 11:00 · Kolymbithres Beach
Extraordinary beach near Naoussa where granite boulders have been shaped by the sea into smooth formations, creating a series of sheltered natural swimming pools. Crystal clear water. One of the most unusual beach settings in Greece. - 13:00 · Lageri Beach
Wild, sandy beach north of Naoussa — accessible by a 20-minute boat ride or path. Rarely crowded, excellent water. Nudist section at the far end. - 16:00 · Golden Beach (Chryssi Akti)
The best-known beach on the east coast — long, golden sand with consistent winds making it the windsurfing capital of Europe. The PWA World Cup is held here. Good for swimming when the wind drops. - 20:30 · Dinner — Blue Oyster (Ampelas)
On the way back from Golden Beach, dinner at Blue Oyster in Ampelas — ★ FNL Best Restaurant Awards 2026 (Seafood). Beachfront tables, ceviche, octopus, seafood linguini, sunset views over the bay. - 20:30 · Return to Parikia
Drive back to Parikia (about 25 minutes from Golden Beach). Cross the island's spine through Lefkes if you have time — the marble paving glows in the evening light.
Day 3: Marble Quarries & Lefkes
- 09:30 · Lefkes Village
The highest village on Paros — the island's inland capital during Ottoman times, with superb marble Byzantine churches and the finest panoramic views on the island. Walk the marble-paved Byzantine path to the sea. - 11:30 · Ancient Marble Quarries
The source of the finest marble in the ancient world — used for the Venus de Milo and the Hermes of Praxiteles. The underground galleries are carved 90 metres into the hillside. Bring a torch. - 14:00 · Piso Livadi Beach
Sandy beach in a sheltered bay on the east coast. Good tavernas, calm water, less wind than Golden Beach. A relaxed final afternoon before the ferry. - 17:00 · Parikia — Departure
Ferry from Parikia to Athens, Santorini, Naxos or beyond. Paros is the ferry hub of the Cyclades.
Top beaches of Paros
Kolymbithres Beach
The most distinctive beach in the Cyclades — smooth granite boulders shaped by millennia of sea and wind create a series of natural pools and sheltered coves. The rock formations are extraordinary. Best approached by the water taxi from Naoussa harbour.
- Type
- Sand between smooth granite boulders
- Length
- Multiple small coves
- Depth
- Shallow to medium — crystal clear
- Wind protection
- Northwest-facing — exposed to the meltemi (the dominant summer N/NE wind); often windy on meltemi days
- Facilities
- Good: beach bar, sunbeds, boat access from Naoussa harbour (15 min).
Golden Beach (Chryssi Akti)
The windsurfing capital of Europe — the PWA World Cup is held here annually. Long golden sand, good swimming in the morning before the wind picks up. If you windsurf, this is the reason to come to Paros.
- Type
- Fine golden sand
- Length
- 1.2 km
- Depth
- Medium — good swimming, strong afternoon wind
- Wind protection
- East-facing — mostly sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); can be choppy on the strongest NE days
- Facilities
- Well organised: sunbeds, water sports, two windsurfing schools, tavernas, beach bars.
Santa Maria Beach
A beautiful sandy beach in a sheltered bay near Naoussa — calm, clear water and good facilities, with the added bonus of proximity to the best nightlife and restaurants on the island. The ideal base for exploring northern Paros.
- Type
- Fine sand
- Length
- 800 m
- Depth
- Shallow — calm, family-friendly
- Wind protection
- Northeast-facing — exposed to the meltemi (the dominant summer N/NE wind); often windy on meltemi days
- Facilities
- Good: sunbeds, beach bar, water sports. Close to Naoussa.