12 Must-Visit Attractions on Paros Island for an Unforgettable Greek Getaway!
Paros Island is a stunning gem in the heart of the Cyclades. It is a perfect blend of beautiful beaches and rich cultural heritage. The following 10 must-visit attractions on Paros Island promise an unforgettable Greek getaway!
Paros Island is rated as one of the best among Greek Islands. It is considered as an alternative island escape to the more popular Milos, and Santorini. Both of them are neighbors to Paros.
It is a smaller island among its Cyclades neighbors, measuring a little less than 50 sq. km. Only about 3500 people live on Paros Island.
How can you enjoy such a small island amidst other bigger Greek Islands that promise numerous things to do and places to see?
Let us pour over what to do on Paros, how to reach, what to eat, where to stay, and how to move around the island.
Where is Paros Island?
It is part of the Cyclades group of islands and occupies the central part of the Cyclades.
Notice the Piraeus port, north of Paros. It is one of the major ports in Athens. From Piraeus, Paros is only 160 km south.
The proximity to Athens makes the island, a cheaper weekend getaway for the Athenians.
Is it right to call Paros Islands?
Yes! It consists of two islands namely Sphaeria and Kalaueria, the southern and northern parts of Paros respectively. Interestingly, a bridge over a small isthmus in Saronic Gulf connects the two islands.
How to reach Paros?
Ferries take you to Paros from Piareus, Athens. The voyage takes a little less than 4 hours.
If you are already touring the Peloponnes peninsula, you can reach Paros in the same way as you departed from Piraeus. The travel time will be only around 3 hours.
Incidentally, be aware that the island is floating in Saronic Gulf.
Where to stay on Paros Island?
Being closer to Athens, the island pulls quite a lot of local tourists who bring their guests to this small island that has all the charms of any Greek Island.
As such, three expensive hotels are good picks which I give below.
- Sire Blue Resort
- Xenia Paros
- Panorama Apartments
These are the top picks among the places to stay on Paros. In addition, you have more than 20 properties to look into through any hotels booking site.
My favorite travel search engine to book hotels is booking.com because, it also mentions cheaper hotels in its search results.
In this instance, it lists New Aegli Resort in Paros as the cheapest hotel costing around $50 only per night but still offering a fantastic Aegean Sea view.
Ilios Aprtments is cheaper than New Aegli Resort. You end up paying only $40.
Please be aware that prices of hotels in Geek Islands are mercurial.
What to eat on Paros Island?
At the outset, let me advise you one thing as a seasoned travel writer. Prefer street food stalls when you travel abroad.
In Greece, taverns are the best bets to eat and drink. They also serve chilled beer which is a must on fuming Greek islands.
- Horiatiki
It is the most widely eaten Greek salad. Among the vegetables, and fruits in a Greek Salad, olives will be generously added.
Feta cheese is another predominant ingredient. Feta cheese is churned from goat’s milk. Caper berries, which may be new to the majority of the visitors, are also added along with cucumber, tomatoes, and green capsicum.
- Lamb Kleftico
The name says it all and it has received positive feedback from the western tourists. I wonder why ‘lamb’, and why not ‘mutton’?
Contrary to the modern cooking speed, this particular local specialty is cooked slowly. Finally, it is served as wrap and a special kind of paper is used to wrap the roasted lamb.
Sounds truly exotic to me. By the way, doesn’t the word, ‘kleft’ mean, ‘steal’?
- Lemanodasos-obviously it is a lemonade made from the ample lemon orchards that the islanders cultivate.
- Retsina is local wine
I read the drink is infused with Pine Resin. What a combination!
Interestingly, the Romans have been drinking Retsina since 2000 years!
- Amygdaloto-this is an exclusive Paros sweetish cookie made of almonds.
- Ouzo-this is a flavored liqueur.
It is a sort of digestifs that emanates a distinct aniseed flavor. You add ice cubes and also fill up the glass with water and drink.
- Mezes
Ah, a very attractive spread-right? These are all appetizers that are served with, when you order Ouzo. I think these snacks are complimentary, just like ‘tapas’.
Well, looking at the range, I would rate it as a full course meal! In that case, I think, only one such plate containing mezes will be placed in front of your bar table.
A typical plate of mezes includes a piece of fresh fish, fete cheese, olive fruits, and French fries. Yes, that small plate itself is like a meal.
Trivia:
Interestingly, on Lesvos Island (another Greek island that I intend to cover shortly), there is a museum on Ouzo! Yes, I am really curious to see a museum on a liqueur!
I read this museum displays bottles of Ouzo with more flavoring herbs including cloves, cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, and even fennel seed!
What to buy in Paros?
Feta cheese is what every other tourist buys. Some favor the local olive oil. Amygdaloto cookies make good edible souvenir.
A bottle of Ouzo can be considered buying as an edible souvenir.
Local weavers sell curtains, and bed spreads. They are good for gifting.
How to move around the island? Is there any local transportation or do you have to bring your own car in a car ferry from Athens?
Tourists are recommended to depend on their feet while exploring the island.
The island’s diverse seascape and landscape urge you to walk and enjoy the nature.
There are ten trails that are earmarked for the visitors to hike.
Alternatively, you take the local bus to move around the island.
Private taxis are available but you need to book. There is no way to hail a taxi. Uber cars are not available on the island.
Two wheelers, and bicycles are also offered on hourly rental basis.
Similarly, you can charter a small boat used by fishermen, to go around the two islands.
12 Must-Visit Attractions on Paros Island
What to do when you visit Paros Island?
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Explore Parikia.
Parikia is the capital town. You cannot call it a city. It is just little more than village.
The houses, churches, and the shops are always painted in white and Greek blue.
Taverns are usually full, especially in the afternoon, the time to take shelter.
The streets are narrow and cobbled that are pleasant to walk, Yu will like your own sound on the cobble stone.
Churches are more than a handful in such a small city.
One of the churches on Paros.
Did you notice the lack of usual spires on a church?
It’s indeed beautiful with the typical Greek blue dome.
This Christian temple is called Panagia Ekatontapiliani. It is said to be the all important tourist landmark here.
It’s a complex of buildings that houses even a museum. It is an Ecclesiastical museum.
On Greek islands, churches and monasteries exist hand in hand. There are three monasteries on this Cyclades island. One among them has a strange name for a forest. It is called the Monastery of Jesus of the Forest.
In Parikia, you can enjoy several water sports in Santa Maria Beach. In spite of this facility, you won’t find many adventurists on the beach.
Kite surfing is a preferred adventure over snorkeling, and scuba diving. You can see several taker
s for this game on Antiporos Island.
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Port
The harbor in Parikia is another touristy place to linger around. Watching the movements of ferries, and cruise ships is an enjoyable pastime.
In addition, there are bars facing the sea. Sailors congregate here to exchange pleasantries.
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Windmill
This small windmill that is erected on the roof a building is a curiosity for the onlookers.
The blades of the fan are totally different from a traditional windmill!
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Venetian Castle
There is a remnant of a Venetian Castle that is still attacked furiously by the Aegean Sea waves. If you join an organized tour of Parikia, you will find this antique spot in the itinerary.
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Visiting a few quaint fishing villages
Paros has quite a few fishermen’s settlements that the tourists to the island are taken to.
- Lefkes
- Marpissa
- Marmara
- Prodromos
These villages around Parikia are worthy of visiting for the views and interaction with the Greeks.
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Archaeological Museum
Surprisingly, Parikia has a museum that displays occasional objects that were unearthed during archaeological surveys.
I think there is a vast scope for finding buried history in and around Greece.
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Water Sports
What is the fun in visiting an island if there are not any water sports to indulge in?
Paros does offer a few water-based adventures that include scuba diving, sailing, and the leisurely boat rides.
Sailings are preferred by veterans because they would hire a separate yacht and go to visit nearby Naxos, and Delos islands. Antiparos Island is also a good spot for isolated beaches. Some beaches have backdrops of small hills that add to the dramatic appearance of the beach.
If it comes with a skipper, you can ask him to stop the vessel at places that are good for swimming, and snorkeling.
Skippered yachts are good to take to some more empty islands such as Tigani Island, Drionisi Island, Portes Island, and Gaidurinisi Island.
Insist on setting afoot on a few uninhabited islets. You will be captivated by the silent beaches, and the gentle sound of waves.
Scuba diving is great if you go to organized scuba diving tour shops. They only can take you to vantage diving spots.
Windsurfing is also seen but it is a seasonal sport that depends on the strong wind that comes across from Naxos Island, located northeast of Paros.
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Visiting Marble quarries
Paros is known for marble objects, small figurines, and marble slabs for construction purposes.
Only few quarries are in active business on the island. You can spot a handful of abandoned marble factories.
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Best beaches
Generally, Paros is not a highly crowded destination among Greek Islands.
Therefore, the beaches are not all that noisy. The best beaches on the island include:
- Naousa Bay
A very beautiful port village in Paros. The promenade is dotted with taverns. This is where, you can taste the exotic octopus.
- Parikia Beach
- Golden Beach
This is known for glassy golden sand. The sand sparkles at times because of the very fine quartz particles.
- Alyki Beach
- Love Bay
- Askeli Beach
- Kolympethres Beach
- Vagionia Beach
It is one of the striking beaches and it is a cove.
The water is clear, and the waves are gentle which is ideal for swmming and playing for all age groups.
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Clock Tower
It is built on a small hill overlooking the Saronic Gulf. For a panoramic view of the sea, you can go up the tower.
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Island hopping
You are lucky when you chose Paros as your base for your first exposure to Greek islands. Paros is surrounded by several islands, and islets.
You can choose to join one of several cruise tours that promise, a thoroughly enjoyable island hopping experience.
Hydra, Aegina, and Naxos are some of the highly popular islands you can dream of visiting.
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Birds to see
The majority of the tourists are oblivious of a wetland on Paros. A wetland is the most appropriate place to watch different species of birds.
Egrets are the most common of birds that peck on small insects, and frogs. Competing with Egrets for pray are Cormorants, Herons, and Storks.
Among exclusive seabirds, you cannot fail to spot the noisy Herring Gull.
Several migratory birds also come here for prey.
Paros Island is also an ideal day trip destination from Athens.
