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Are you planning a trip to the beautiful island of Paros in Greece? Or are you looking for inspiration for a Greek island holiday where you won’t need to drive?
We’ll share a 7 day itinerary from our September trip, exploring some of the best things to do on Paros. From sandy beaches with crystal clear waters to breathtaking hikes through charming villages, Paros has something for everyone. What’s more, you can still explore the island and have a memorable trip, even if you don’t hire a car, so this itinerary is ideal for anyone who will be relying on public transport.
Watch our video of Paros if you can’t wait to see the island for yourself!
Things to Do On Paros, Greece: a Suggested 7 Day Itinerary
This itinerary consists of:
Where to stay without a car
If you plan to use public transport then we recommend basing yourself in either Naoussa or Parikia. We split our 8 nights evenly between Naoussa and Parikia (first 4 nights in Naoussa, second 4 nights in Parikia) but you can follow this itinerary based in either location.
Learn more about where to stay on Paros.
Accommodation (Where We Stayed)
Villa Isabella, Naoussa // This was a gorgeous apartment complex. A great option as long as you aren’t looking for somewhere with a swimming pool.
Hotel Zannet, Parikia // A really good price, friendly owner and our balcony had a fab view of the sea. The downside was the bathroom, it was small and dated
You can find the Paros bus timetable here
Day 1: Explore Naoussa
Transport from Naoussa: none — only your feet!
Transport from Parikia: bus
Naoussa Village
Spend your first full day on Paros exploring Naoussa — an extraordinarily pretty village nestled on the northern coast of the island.
Naoussa is the perfect place to wander without a set plan. Once a sleepy fishing village Naoussa is now a cosmopolitan hub of port-side cafes, swanky bars and boutique shops. There’s even a winery at the edge of the village! The historical pedestrian-only part of the village is perfect for aimlessly exploring and getting lost.
Mosey around the quaint port, where you can watch the small boats bobbing back and forth and listen to the gentle lapping of the waves.
From there you can wander out to the remains of a small venetian castle. This 14th century fort was used to help protect Naoussa from pirates. Just be warned, you have to walk along the wall to get there, so if the waves are rough, you might get a little wet!
While exploring this village if you look up you’ll see Kimisis Theotokou Church — the third largest church on the island — perched on top of a hill. Take a walk up to the church and stroll around the grounds, taking in the stunning views.
Moriatis Winery
Just a short walk away lies the family run Moriatis Winery, and it is well worth a visit. The winery is over a century old and has underground cellars and organic vineyards.
We did a one hour guided tour of the winery, which was really interesting. We learned all about the history of the place and how they make their wine.
And then, of course, came the best part: the tasting. We got to try three different wines – a white, a rosé, and a red. Now, we’re definitely not wine experts but we actually really enjoyed all three. Even the rosé, which is usually not our thing.
If you want to visit the winery, I’d recommend booking in advance. We did it a few days before our trip and just emailed them. Easy peasy. The below information was correct at the time of our visit, but when you email the winery to make your reservation you can double check the current tour details and pricing.
Tip: If you don’t have time for the full tour then they have a wine bar in the center of Naoussa where you can still sample their wines or you could grab a bottle from the supermarket. Just as delicious!
Spanakopita
If you’re hungry after the winery, pop into a bakery to grab a spanakopita. This Greek savory pie, made of flaky filo pastry, spinach and usually feta, is always on our “must eat” list when we visit Greece. We bought ours from Ragoussis Bakery for €3.
Naoussa village beaches
Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at one of Naoussa’s two village beaches — Piperi beach or Agii Anargyri.
We chose Piperi beach as it was just steps away from our accommodation.
Piperi beach is just a few minutes’ walk from the port and, to be honest, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. It’s a small, unorganized beach that’s sandy and a bit pebbly. When it’s windy the waves can get pretty rough, so keep that in mind if you like the water to be a little calmer.
It definitely wasn’t the most beautiful beach we visited on Paros, but it still had that gorgeous crystal clear water and there were trees along the back of the sand for anyone in need of some shade. Plus, it’s really convenient if you don’t want to go too far afield. Perfect for a quick dip after walking around the village.
Places to eat in Naoussa
After the sun goes down the picturesque port is bathed in the warm glow of the street lamps and the winding alleys are packed with restaurants, bars and cafes for you to choose from.
Here are a few places we ate that we would recommend:
Day 2: Beaches and Hiking
Transport from Naoussa: boat
Transport from Parikia: bus and boat
Kolymbithres Beach
On day two you can visit Kolymbithres beach, Monastiri Beach and Paros Park. Of course if you want a slower paced itinerary then you could just choose to spend the day at one of these beaches.
Catch the first boat of the day from Naoussa harbour and enjoy the 15 minute ride across the water.
Kolymbithres beach is one of the most well known beaches on Paros and for good reason. The beach is characterised by its strange and smooth rock formations rising from the sea – the whole area looks pretty otherworldly.
There are sunbeds for hire here although they are pretty pricey (€30-50 per day for two beds). As we weren’t spending the whole day here we left our stuff by a rock and spent a couple of hours wading in the turquoise shallow water, looking for fish.
The beach is dotted with a few small cafes, restaurants and a beach bar suitably playing rock music.
Boat tickets
If you plan to visit both Kolymbithres and Paros Park or Monastiri beach in one day then you can buy a return ticket. As the same company operates the boats to and from both locations,
the return ticket is valid for either destination.
For example, we caught the boat out to Komblythres first then caught the boat back from
Paros Park using the same return ticket.
Monastiri Beach
At this point you may decide you want to stay at Kolymbithres beach for the day. However if you’re keen to explore further, follow the main road for around 20 minutes to Monastiri beach. There is no pavement so be careful.
As you get closer you will pass the Monastery of St. John’s of Deti, perched on the rocky coast.
This tranquil 17th century monastery is absolutely beautiful, with its white-washed walls, blue domed roofs and breathtaking panoramas of the sea.
From here drop down to Monastiri beach. You can rent loungers at the upscale beach bar but like Kolymbithres beach they are quite expensive (up to 60 euros for two people). The water here stays shallow for a really long way so is a good option for families with children. You could either stay here, or hiking fans could enjoy a quick dip before continuing to the neighbouring Paros Park.
Paros Park
Paros Park covers 80 hectares of rocky cliffs, hidden coves and rugged walking trails. We hiked along one of the well marked walking paths to get a view of the lonely lighthouse. The hike itself was relatively easy, but the terrain does consist of loose rocks and spiky plants, so watch your step!
When you’re ready to head back to Naoussa you can catch one of the regular boats back to the village that depart from the vicinity of Monastiri beach.
Day 3: Golden Beach
Transport from Parikia/Naoussa: bus
Golden Beach and The Beach Project
Take the pleasant 30 minute bus ride to Golden Beach on the south eastern side of the island. Here you will find a long stretch of soft warm sand and bright clear waters set to a stunning backdrop of rolling hills. perfect for relaxing in a lounge chair and letting the tranquillity wash over you.
If you’re feeling a little more active, you’ll find plenty of water sports on offer, particularly windsurfing which Golden Beach is renowned for.
This peaceful coastal strip is lined with beach bars, so take a walk up and down the beach first to decide which one appeals the most to you.
We quickly settled on The Beach Project, drawn in by it’s rustic decor, healthy food options and comfy looking lounge chairs. We paid 10 euros for the day for chairs on the second row, but that coveted front row cost more at 20 euros. It was still a lot cheaper than the loungers we had seen the previous day at Monastiri beach.
There were people coming out to your loungers throughout the day or you could go to the bar yourself if you prefer self service. To give you an idea of prices we paid:
- Greek salad: €9
- Seabass ceviche: €16
- Greek lager: €4
- Cocktail: €10
They did play music at this beach bar which some people will love, some people won’t. I fall into the category of people who are happy either way as long as the music isn’t overbearing. We found the music playing to be pretty low key and while you could hear it on the beach it certainly wasn’t loud. Again, whether that is a good or bad thing will be entirely down to your personal preference.
Day 4: Explore Parikia
Transport from Parikia: none, just your feet!
Transport from Naoussa: bus
Parikia
Parikia is the main port town on Paros and, like so many charming villages on Paros, is known for it’s maze of winding streets lined with traditional whitewashed buildings and colourful flowers.
There are several interesting sights in Parikia, with one of the most well-known being the church of 100 doors… which actually doesn’t have 100 doors. This stone church (Panagia Ekatontapiliani) is considered one of the oldest and most important Greek Orthodox churches in Greece and is an important site of pilgrimage.
Other notable sights in Parikia include:
- the small Frankish Castle, which was built by the venetians in the 1200s.
- the Chapel of St Constantine, with it’s blue domed roof and spectacular vantage point.
- the ancient cemetery.
- the port, complete with windmill.
Chapel of St Constantine is a great spot for sunset- Frankish castle ruins
Enjoy an Amazing Parikia Sunset
As Parikia faces west you will be treated to the most spectacular sunset views.
To watch the sun disappear with a cocktail then head to Bebop. This modern rooftop bar serves high quality cocktails with the perfect view of the warm sun setting over the sea. It’s understandably a popular spot, so while we found we easily got a table without a reservation we did arrive at least 30 minutes before sunset and it wasn’t long until the bar was full.
Tip: If you don’t want to visit the bar you could grab a spot along the coast or in front of the Chapel of St Constantine to still experience the sunset view for free.
Places to eat in Parikia
From upscale restaurants to traditional street food, you won’t go hungry in Parikia. Here are a few places you could consider:
Day 5: Butterflies, Beach or Day Trip?
Optional 1: Valley of the Butterflies
Transport from Parikia: Bus
Transport from Naoussa: Bus (change at Parikia)
If travelling from Naoussa you will need to change bus at Parikia. To be honest, I think unless you are travelling by car or are just a big fan of butterflies, then given how small the reserve is I’m not sure it’s worth it from Naoussa.
Around 5 kilometers south of Parikia lies the Valley of the Butterflies. Well, these butterflies aren’t actually butterflies, but Jersey Tiger Moths. A plethora of these striking black and cream insects with red underwings migrate to the valley each summer.
Follow shady trails through this serene oasis and observe these moths in their unique, natural habitat. The area is only small but is very tranquil; visitors are asked to be very quiet so as not to disturb the resident insects. As you walk along the winding trails, the only sounds you’ll hear are the gentle footsteps of other visitors, the soothing trickle of a nearby stream, and the cheerful chirping of cicadas.
After exploring the trail stop at their lovely little cafe where you can enjoy snacks, juice or coffee under a canopy of trees.
About Your Visit
As day six is going to involve plenty of walking, I would recommend spending the rest of day five relaxing at a beach of your choice.
Option 2: Beach, beach and more beach!
If butterflies aren’t your thing, then I would recommend spending day five taking advantage of one of Paros’s beautiful beaches! After exploring Parikia yesterday and with an active day planned for tomorrow, you might prefer to spend a day relaxing on the sandy shores, listening to the soothing waves, and sipping on an ice-cold drink.
Option 3: Day trip from Paros
Alright, I know not everyone needs a day to recharge. Sleep is for when you get home! For those who don’t want a rest day, I salute your boundless energy and suggest a day trip instead.
Day 6: Lefkes to Piso Livadi — Hiking the Byzantine Road
Transport from Parikia/Naoussa: bus
The hike I am suggesting for day six of your trip to Paros was one of our favourite activities on the island. This route consists of five idyllic villages, the rolling Greek countryside, a small relaxing beach and the oldest road on Paros.
However, even if you don’t like or want to hike I would still strongly suggest visiting Lefkes, which is the first stop on today’s itinerary.
Distance: 7km
Duration: 4-5 hours+ (depending on how long you spend in each village)
Difficulty: Moderate
We started by catching the bus from Parikia bus terminal (which is just next to the ferry port) to Lefkes. You can actually start the trail in Parikia if you want a much longer hike.
You can follow the full hiking route here or do what we did and pick it up at Lefkes.
Lefkes
Catch the bus inland to Lefkes – this highest village on Paros. This traditional cycladic village is surrounded by olive groves, pine forests and rugged hills. This was the capital of Paros during the middle ages, with it’s protected position meaning it was a good place to avoid the relentless pirate attacks.
Stroll the narrow streets and admire the grand Agia Triada Church, built by local craftsman using the esteemed marble of Paros, and relax with a coffee at one of the little cafes.
Byzantine Road
From Lefkes you can hike 3.5 kilometres along the Byzantine Road. This renowned marbled paved path is the oldest road on Paros and connects Lefkes with the equally beautiful village of Prodromos.
Prodromos
From Lefkes you can hike 3.5 kilometres along the Byzantine Road. This renowned marbled paved path is the oldest road on Paros and connects Lefkes with the equally beautiful village of Prodromos.
Marmara
The next village – Marmara – is around a 15 minute walk away. Look out for the windmill!
Marpissa
It’s only another 15 minutes walk to the lovely winding streets of the picturesque village of Marpissa. Not many other walkers must have continued as far as Marmara and Marpissa, as we felt as though we had these villages almost to ourselves.
Piso Livadi
From here the final stretch of the hike takes you down to Piso Livadi, where you’ll find a charming little harbour with a small but clean and sheltered beach. There’s a handful of cafes and restaurants overlooking the water if you’re ready to eat, or you could relax on the beach before catching the bus from Piso Livadi back to Parikia.
Day 7: One Final Beach Day and A Top Notch Dinner!
Transport from Parikia/Naoussa: It depends on the beach you pick! But if you would like to visit Krios Beach as we did for day 7 you can:
a) take a boat from the port in Parikia, or;
b) walk from Livadia beach.
If you are staying in Naoussa you will first need to catch the bus from Naoussa to Parikia. I would therefore choosing a beach closer to Naoussa – there are plenty of other great ones nearby!
Krios Beach
After a full day of walking on day 6 we decided to spend the last day relaxing on another one of Paros’s lovely beaches.
Krios beach is a small bay just 3 km from Parikia, and shares the same beach line with the also popular Marcello Beach.
With its tranquil waters and powdery sand, Krios Beach is the perfect spot for swimming and relaxation while enjoying views of the passing ferries.
We spent our day at Pedros where we paid 15 euros for a comfy pair of sunbeds and an umbrella for the day. They also served food and drink if you don’t bring your own. There was no music at this beach bar, although the sound of the music from the next bar over was really loud which you might not enjoy if you prefer natural beach sounds while you sunbathe.
While there are beaches closer to the port (e.g. Livadia Beach), Krios beach is still easy to get to and we found the sand softer than the more conveniently located beaches.
To get to Krios beach, one option is to take a boat from the port in Parikia, or you can walk there along an enjoyable trail from Livadia beach. Just keep following the coastline for around 20 minutes before dropping down to Krios beach.
The Final dinner (this was a good ‘un!)
We wrapped up our day with one last stunning Parikia sunset before heading over to Bountaraki for dinner. This cosy restaurant was another where we had to wait in line to get a table, but again the queue was totally worth it.
The food was amazing and authentic Greek fare, and the staff were super welcoming. It all came at a great price too! It was the perfect way to end our week on the enchanting island of Paros.
Ready to plan your trip?
You can read our handy Paros travel guide next, answering questions like when to go, where to stay, should you take cash, and more.
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