Vacation in Paros: the top 5 things to do
What not to miss on the island!
Paros is the fourth largest island in the Cyclades and one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Aegean. It’s famous for its great beaches, water sports options and the fantastic vibe of its main town, Naoussa.
See here the list of the top 5 activities in Paros:
- Enjoy water sports at Golden beach
- Explore the Valley of Butterflies
- Explore the cultural heritage of Paros
- Go hiking at Paros Park
- Hop across to Antiparos
Windsurfers at a beautiful beach with turquoise waters in Paros
1. Enjoy Water Sports at Golden Beach
If you’re a fan of watersports, Chrisi Akti ("golden beach") definitely needs to be on your list of places to visit in Paros. Due to the choppy meltemi winds of the south-east coast, Golden beach has lured windsurfers for decades.
With its crystalline waters and soft, golden sand, it is one of the most beautiful beaches of Paros and is easily accessible by roads (bus transportation, rentals). You can rent windsurfer gear, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and wakeboards at numerous places along the 700m beach. And don't assume you need to be an expert, because there is equipment and certified trainers readily available for all skill levels.
Besides the windsurfing facilities, at Golden beach you will also find beach bars, sunbeds, hotels, beach-inspired shops, and tavernas.
2. Explore the Valley of the Butterflies
Located 5km south of Parikia, near the Monastery of Jesus of Woods, the Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes in Greek) is a truly unique place in Paros.
It's a biotope where every summer, when the valley is verdant, a breathtaking natural phenomenon occurs. The entire valley is covered in Jersey Tiger Moths, a species that is only found in a few locations worldwide.
You will see thousands of them as you stroll around the exquisitely landscaped park and learn more about this unusual phenomenon. A trip to the Butterflies nature reserve is definitely suggested if you love nature. The best time to see the butterflies is between June and September.
3. Explore the Cultural Heritage of Paros
The island of Paros has been inhabited since antiquity and, therefore, it’s incredibly rich in historical sights. If you want to see examples of ancient artifacts collected on Paros and the neighboring island of Antiparos, you can visit the Archaeological museum of Parikia. The ancient cemetery, the sanctuary of Asklepios and the Mycenaean Acropolis are other sites of great archaeological importance.
The marble quarries of Marathi are also worth a visit. In fact, some of the most revered sculptures of Greek antiquity were carved from Parian marble.
Also, numerous crosses, beautiful ecclesiastical items and other Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons are on display in the Naoussa Byzantine museum.
Lastly, you can explore the small Folklore Art Museum in the medieval village of Lefkes if you’re interested in learning more about the local life of the island's recent past.
The small Venetian castle at the port of Naoussa in Paros island
4. Go Hiking at Paros Park
Your next excursion is to Paros Park, which is an environmentally protected area covering 800 acres of the Ai Giannis Detis peninsula. It boasts sports and entertainment facilities and hosts yearly events and concerts with a low environmental impact.
There are 3 well-marked walking trails that will give you the chance to discover a different side of Paros. During your hike you can stop by the pre-Byzantine Ai Giannis Detis Monastery and the Korakas Lighthouse. In fact, the lighthouse at the northern tip is the greatest location to witness breathtaking sunsets.
Throughout the summer, visitors can also see an open-air movie at the Cine Enastron film festival, located within Paros Park.
The beautiful lighthouse of Korakas at the edge of a cliff at Paros Park
5. Hop Across To Antiparos
The neighboring island of Antiparos sits right next door to Paros. A ferry connects the port of Pounda and the island every 30 minutes and the boat ride only takes 10 minutes.
During your stay in Antiparos, stroll along the island’s main village to discover its many shops and restaurants. Then head to the beach and explore Antiparos’ coves. It’s a perfect day trip from Paros, but if you have the time, spend the night there to soak up the special nighttime atmosphere.
With amazing restaurants, beaches and a stylish main town, it’s no wonder why the little island has been attracting many A-listers to its shores the past few years.
Yachts docked at a cove facing Paros in Antiparos
How to get to Paros
There are many ways to get to Paros depending on your starting point. Our personal favorite is traveling by ferry.
Here are more details about direct ferry routes to Paros:
- Ferry from Piraeus to Paros: there are up to 7 daily crossings from the port of Piraeus to Paros. The duration of the trip ranges from approximately 3 to 4.5 hours. Standard tickets start at around €41.
- Ferry from Rafina to Paros: there are at least 2 daily crossings from the port of Rafina to Paros. The trip duration ranges from approximately 4 to 6.5 hours.
- Ferry from Santorini to Paros: ferries from Santorini to Paros travel at least 7 times a day. The crossing ranges from less than 1 and a half to about 4 hours.
- Ferry from Mykonos to Paros: there are up to 7 daily crossings from the port of Mykonos to Paros. The trip usually takes less than 1 hour.
Where to book ferry tickets to Paros
On Ferryhopper, you can find all timetables and book ferry tickets to Paros easily and with no hidden fees. All routes mentioned above as well as additional ones are available on our Map of ferries so that you can plan your trip easily.
