PAROS
A LE COLLECTIONIST DESTINATION GUIDE

Between boat trips along the coast, sunsets facing the Aegean Sea and hikes among the olive trees, Paros offers a wealth of don’t-miss activities for intrepid travellers. Here are our favourite spots to best enjoy the Cycladic sun!

Set sail for a boat trip across the legendary waters of Paros, an unforgettable way to discover the island and its islets. Between hidden coves and intimate beaches, swim in crystal-clear waters, break out your mask and snorkel for some snorkelling, or stretch out on deck to perfect your tan.

As the day breaks, slip on your most comfortable and sturdy shoes to set out on the island’s trails, weaving between traditional villages, olive groves, and cliffs while admiring the exceptional panoramic view over the Aegean Sea — the bravest of you could even watch the sunrise!

Sunsets in Paros are absolutely not to be missed. The radiant colours on the horizon, golden reflections on the sea, and last rays over the hills create a truly unique atmosphere. Marvel at this spectacle from the beach, a local taverna, or the comfort of your private villa.

Paros’s local tavernas are famous for their traditional cuisine. Here, you can savour delicious dishes like tzatziki, moussaka, or grilled squid. Settle on a sun drenched terrace to enjoy the breeze and the sound of waves with an ouzo-based cocktail in hand.

They say “sound mind, sound body,” so take some time for yourself in Paros. In the morning, do your sun salutations during a yoga class on the beach or in your villa’s Mediterranean garden. Then, end the day in beauty with an oil massage under the shade of the olive trees.

Naoussa is the ideal spot to enjoy the traditional Greek spirit and a lively nightlife. Its little fishing harbour is still guarded by the ruins of a Venetian castle, and it’s the perfect base for the beautiful beaches of Santa Maria and Kolymbithres.

Capital and main port of Paros, Parikia is bursting with life. Wander its whitewashed lanes to the Panagia Ekatontapyliani, the “Church of a Hundred Doors” and one of the oldest in Greece, then up to the 13th-century Frankish castle, built with marble from ancient temples. The perfect starting point from which to discover the rest of the island.

Nestled in the mountains in the centre of Paros, Lefkes is a calm and picturesque village. Come here to discover traditional architecture and whitewashed chapels. It’s also the perfect spot for hikers: the marble-paved Byzantine Path starts here and winds down to Prodromos in about an hour, through terraces and olive groves.

A typically Cycladic fishing village on the east coast, Piso Livadi charms with its little harbour, seafood tavernas and sandy bays: everything conspires for a perfect family holiday. Its pier is also the departure point for day cruises to Naxos and the Koufonisia islands, while Antiparos is just a short ferry ride from Pounda.

To fully appreciate Paros, visit in April or May. The island is calmer and carpeted with wildflowers, and thinner crowds make it easier to experience the island authentically, glass of raki in hand. The sea is still bracing (around 16 to 19°C), so save long swims for late June to early October, when the water reaches 22 to 25°C.

From June to August, Paros is in full swing, with warm, sunny days and a festive atmosphere across the island. Don’t miss 15 August, when processions fill Parikia for the feast of the Panagia Ekatontapyliani, or Naoussa’s Pirate Night in late August, with boats, fireworks and dancing in the harbour. Summer in Greece is also the season for water sports: the meltemi wind makes Golden Beach and Pounda two of the best windsurfing and kitesurfing spots in the Cyclades.

Autumn is the best time to visit Paros if you’re trying to avoid the summer crowds while still enjoying the pleasant climate of the Cyclades. In September and early October the sea is still around 22°C, perfect for lounging on quieter beaches, and it’s a lovely time to discover the island’s flavours through the olive harvest and the last of the wine harvest. By late October, many beach clubs and tavernas close for the season.

This is the low season in Paros, with cooler and sometimes rainy weather. Tourists are scarce, but if you choose to visit at this time you can enjoy a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. It is important to note, however, that some tourist sites and restaurants may be closed.

Boat trip to Antiparos or Despotiko

A boat trip to Antiparos or Despotiko is an unforgettable experience for all. Take this opportunity to marvel at the beautiful Aegean Sea and the rocky formations on the coast of Paros. Once you dock in Antiparos, explore the island’s famous cave, known for being one of the most beautiful in Greece. In Despotiko, soak in crystal-clear waters, frolic on the beach, and admire archeological remains throughout the island.

For more adventurous families, there’s nothing like spending the day fishing at sea. Learn the traditional fishing techniques of Paros, and discover the Aegean Sea’s many varieties of colourful fish. You might even get to spot dolphins.

Set off to a traditional farm with your children to learn the secrets of typical Greek cuisine. Learn to prepare local dishes like moussaka, Greek salad, or tzatziki. You can also learn to make pita and discover what goes into growing organic vegetables.

Kite surfing at Pounda

Set off as a family to discover charming traditional villages, their narrow cobbled streets, the whitewashed homes, and picturesque chapels. Stop in at Aliki for your afternoon snack before a shopping spree in Naoussa. Finally, end your day watching the magnificent sunset at one of Lefkes’s tavernas.

Near the port in Naoussa, Kolymbithres Beach has everything you could dream of. This fine sand beach is simply an open-air museum, proudly displaying enormous granite blocks sculpted by the sea and the winds. Spend your day splashing in the crystal-clear waters before sipping a refreshing Greek Spritz cocktail in one of the many beach bars.

Lounge chairs, beach umbrellas and chic beach bars: Golden Beach, on the south-east coast, is one of the island’s most beautiful spots. It hosted the Windsurfing World Cup through the 1990s and its schools are still among the best in the Cyclades, so come and test yourself against the waves, or opt for a scuba diving session in its crystalline waters.

Ideal for an afternoon on the beach with family, Lolantonis is a sheltered cove on the east coast that has stayed wonderfully confidential. Swim from the public beach, or settle onto a sunbed at The Cliff, an all-day lounge perched above the bay (May to October), and work on your tan beside a crystal-clear bay.

An endless stretch of sand, Lageri Beach is a preserved gem on the north-eastern coast of Paros, with a breathtaking view of Naoussa’s bay. Facing west, it’s the place to admire the sunset while feeling far from the outside world. There are no facilities, so bring water and shade, or hop on the water taxi from Naoussa harbour, before heading back to lively Naoussa for dinner.

North-east of Naoussa, Santa Maria is one of the liveliest beaches on the island. Lined with sunbeds, bars and water sports, it is particularly suitable for families looking for entertainment. For a calmer swim, head next door to Mikri Santa Maria, with its golden sandbanks and azure water.

You can’t miss Les Amis if you’re after Mediterranean specialties paired with a delicious glass of wine. Simple yet chic, dinners facing the sunset among family or friends are always scored with laughter and wonder.

Near Santa Maria, Siparos has been serving modern Mediterranean seafood by the water since 2009. Settle in the shade of the pines for oysters, crudo and the catch of the day.

Right on the little Venetian harbour of Naoussa, where octopus dries in the sun beneath the trellis, Barbarossa has grown from a simple ouzeri into one of the island’s favourite seafood tables. Order the catch of the day and a cocktail, and watch the fishing boats come and go.

Between two narrow and winding streets of Naoussa’s old town, stop in at Yemeni to sample diverse Greek flavours. Decorated in a charming traditional style and offering excellent rustic cuisine, it’ll be difficult to choose between all the mezze, meats, and fish on the menu!

At this much-loved family taverna near Piperi beach, enjoy the rich, inventive cooking of Yorgos and Karina’s warm welcome. Don’t miss the house specialties like dolmadakia, stuffed vine leaves.

Located on the Ambelas seafront, this family-owned taverna is a rare pearl in the heart of a fishing village. Here you’ll find a generous fish soup, grilled fish fresh off the boat and local specialties like soutzoukakia.

Set off to Ambelas Bay for a lazy afternoon under the Greek sun, then settle in at SeaRocks, almost in the water, for sharing plates by chef Giannis Parikos and fish straight off the grill.

Tucked into a courtyard in Naoussa’s winding lanes, Stilvi serves modern Mediterranean cuisine and well-crafted cocktails in a setting both refined and laid-back, and the evening carries on late into the night.

Ten minutes from Parikia, this is the perfect private beach for setting your colourful beach towel down and savouring a Franco-Greek meal with your feet in the sand. Sip a cocktail from your sunbed under the parasol while the music plays on the beautiful beach of Agia Irini.

On one of the prettiest coves of the south coast, near Aliki, Faragas pairs an elegant beach bar with a seafood restaurant: handcrafted cocktails, fresh fish and sunbeds facing turquoise water. Families love its calm, shallow bay.

Zazala is an intimate beach bar and restaurant with hippy-inspired decor, providing a perfect break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Under the lanterns, come sip on an ouzo-based cocktail while admiring the setting sun’s orange hues.

In a sheltered bay within the protected Paros Park, Monastiri is the island’s most scenic beach club: calm water for paddleboarding, Mediterranean cooking with local produce and cocktails that run until sunset.

Bike ride on Kolymbithres

Meet the fish of the Aegean Sea

Horseback riding on the Paros coast

Spend an evening on a family-friendly farm