Paros, Greece is a Greek island in the Cyclades archipelago in the Aegean Sea, located south of Naxos and northeast of Santorini. With an area of approximately , it is the third largest island of the Cyclades and one of the largest islands in Greece. In 2011, Paros was voted as the best island to live on in Greece by all island Greeks across the world (the category included Corfu and Crete). Paros has many beautiful beaches, including Chrissí Aktéa Beach, and several ports from which ferry services operate to Piraeus and other islands.
Getting there
If you’re flying into Athens on a direct flight from North America or Europe, it is just a short ferry ride away. Alternatively, you can fly into Santorini and take a ferry boat to Paros (which will take 3 hours). If your flight into Santorini is late at night and you don’t want to deal with ferry lines early next morning, we recommend taking a speedboat that makes several runs per day.
Fly into Athens and stay overnight before your flight to Paros. This gives you an opportunity to explore a city rich with history (and nightlife). Many vacationers opt for Mykonos instead of visiting Athens on their trip but we recommend giving it a try—just book your accommodations early as rooms sell out quickly during peak season. Once you’ve landed, take a half-day tour around Athens’ Acropolis and Parthenon.
Where to stay
There are numerous hotels, apartments and rooms for rent throughout Paros. If you’re planning on sticking around a lot of your trip and want a place that’s easy to access from all areas of the island, book yourself into a hotel or guesthouse located on one of Parikia’s main streets (Kastro-Dheftero or Iroon Polytechniou).
Activities
A hot day on a sun-drenched beach. Sipping wine under a lemon tree at sunset. Wandering along a picturesque cobblestone path. Gorgeous scenery and vibrant culture: These are just some of the things that make Paros so special—and what makes it one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations. Here are five ways to experience island life to its fullest on your next trip there
Restaurants
The menu items at Greek restaurants are typically heavy on meat and seafood. Keep an eye out for fried zucchini or eggplant, grilled octopus and shrimp saganaki (fried with garlic) at any restaurant—they’re all delicious examples of Greek cuisine.
