Paros has been gaining popularity in recent years as travelers seek more affordable, authentic alternatives to the well-trodden paths of Mykonos and Santorini. While those islands draw large crowds and a party-heavy atmosphere, Paros is known among locals as a more laid-back escape—offering the charm of the Cyclades without the chaos. Most visitors split their time between two main towns: Naousa, a lively hub with trendy restaurants and nightlife catering to a younger crowd, and Parikia, the quieter port town perfect for a slower-paced stay. Just a short ferry ride away is Antiparos, a smaller neighboring island that remains largely untouched and has quietly become a hideaway for Hollywood A-listers seeking privacy and seclusion.
The first time my family and I visited Paros, we stayed in Parikia. Its calm and scenic setting was a welcome change of pace, especially since Paros was our second stop after the buzz of Mykonos during our four-island Greek adventure. In this guide, I’m sharing our favorite places to stay in both Naousa and Parikia, along with tips on beaches and must-see villages around the island.
Number of Days to Stay: 2-3 Days
Expenses: $-$$$
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Where to Stay:
Paros is an easy island to get around to visit different sites and villages. Below I listed the two main towns to stay in that are near beaches and have many shops, restaurants, and nightlife.
Naousa – This is the main town on the island and where you can find all the best nightlife and restaurants. Like any main town, Naousa can be very loud at night with all the bars and partying, so beware of where you book your accommodation and if it is near any of the popular bars. Many accommodations are a five-minute walk from the center, where it is quieter. My family and I traveled to the main town for a couple of drinks at some cocktail bars, but it seemed to we had missed some of the big party spots. Check out some nice spots to stay at in Naousa.
Parikia – Parikia is a beach village right near the port where ferries arrive from different islands. This is a residential area with some nightlife and many restaurants, so it is quieter than Nauosa. This is the village my family and I stayed in while visiting Paros, as well as a couple of my friends. The locals will tell you that it is a lot calmer than Nauosa, and there isn’t a lot of nightlife. Paraikia is about a 20-minute drive from Nauosa, which, as the island is small. Taxis and public transportation are accessible, especially at the port, making it a quick drive from each town. Below are some of my recommendations on where to stay in the tranquil village of Parikia.
Where to Eat:
- Karino, Naousa ($$) – A good restaurant near the port where you can get everything from sushi to steak and even chicken souvlaki.
- The Foodie Bar, Naousa ($) – a place to get a quick late-night snack once you are done at the bars. Open during the day and very early morning.
- YoLove Dessert Shop, Naousa ($) – The spot in town if you want a sweet or savory crepe! You can also purchase their homemade frozen yogurt (if you are an Oreo or cookies and cream fan, highly recommend getting it)
- Almond, Naousa ($$) – One of the best restaurants in Naousa that also has great cocktails and vegan options!
- Mario Restaurant, Naousa ($$) – If you are looking for a upscale meal on the beach, Mario is a great establishment to dine at and is very highly rated! I booked my clients a reservation here for their honeymoon and they loved it!
- Luaz Sunset Bar And Restaurant, Naousa ($$) – Very popular restaurant in Naousa do to their lovely, seaside views of the sunset and delicious meals! My clients said this was one of their favorite restaurants on their entire 3 week trip in Greece!
- Sigi Ikthios, Naousa ($$)
- SoSo, Naousa ($$)
- Yemeni Wine Restaurant, Naousa ($$) – Traditional Greek restaurant with a warm atmosphere
- Kapari, Naousa ($$)
- Barbarossa, Naousa ($$$$) – The most famous restaurant in Paros for its dance party and napkin waving dinners! You won’t be served the most delicious food her, but if you are looking or high vibes and a good time make sure to make that reservation!
- Taverna Mouragio, Parikia ($$)
- Cabana Beach Bar Restaurant, Parikia ($$)
- Paros Magaya Restaurant ($$), Parikia
- Koutouki, Naousa ($$)
- Bountaraki, Parikia ($$) – This restaurant takes no reservations and usually has a line for a table as it is very popular (for a good reason!) I recommend getting here early to ensure you will get a table and not have a long waiting time.
- À Table Paros, Parikia ($$) – Great for homemade food, take away and grabbing a quick bite. The hospitality here is unmatched and customers
- Yiannoulis Taverna, Naousa ($) – A highly rated restaurant in Naousa that serves favorite traditional dishes and has the Cycladic blue and white decor where you want to take pictures on your food and the restaurant!
Vegetarian/Vegan Recommendations:
- Cuore Rosso, Parikia ($$)
- Mira Restaurant , Parikia ($$) –Â Serves vegan options
- Vanilla Gelateria, Naousa ($) – Vegan Gelato
- Sousouro, Naousa ($$) – Café with vegan breakfast and lunch
- Allas Souvlaki, Naousa ($) – Serves vegan souvlaki
What to Do:
Beaches
- Santa Maria Beach – Near Naoussa
- Kolymbithres Beach/Bay – Near Naoussa
- Golden Beach – great for water sports
- Kalogeros Beach – Clay beach
Activities
- Shop around Naousa or Parikia
- Full day sailing cruise around the island
- Take a ferry to Antiparos for the day
- Visit Lefkes Village
- Visit Moraitis Winery
- Visit Panagia Ekatontapiliani Church
- Day trip to Naxos, Mykonos or Santorini
Nightlife
The nightlife isn’t as big as Mykonos or Ios, but you can definitely find some really great spots in Naousa, some of which have become viral on social media. Most of the bars and clubs close at 3 am, with the exception of a couple, which I will call out below. Here are some recommendations for grabbing a drink or having a night out.
- Akanthus (Naousa) – After 2:30 am you will notice that they play Greek music inside and American music outside.
- Salty Cocktail Bar (Naousa)
- Drinks at Alexandros (Windmill Bar) (Parikia) -Has a beautiful view of the sunset and drinking next to a windmill! It is a family run establishment and the staff is very friendly.
- Sommaripa Consolato (Naousa) – one of the biggest clubs in the town
- Dubliner (Parikia) – open until 6 am! It is broken up into 4 main part,s playing different music in each section
- Linardo (Naousa)
- Punda Beach Club – one of the biggest beach parties in Paros
- Island Club (Parikia) – Greek night club
- Paros Island Club (Parikia) – great cocktail bar
- Kialoa Bar (Parikia)
- Vavayia’s Cocktail Bar (Naousa)
- Kosmos Cocktail Bar (Naousa)
Paros Nightlife
Transportation:
Getting To Paros
Airplane– You can fly to Paros by airplane from Athens, within the Aegean islands, or internationally, depending on the country you reside in, but the airport is in the southern part of the island. This makes traveling more of a hassle,e especially if you are staying near the port or the more popular villages. If you are on a tight budget, it may cost you a little more to travel to your accommodation when landing at the Paros airport rather than taking the ferry. If you are traveling from another island in Greece, it could cost you over 100 euros to fly into Paros. This isn’t the preferred way to island hop in Greece if you are on a budget, but it is great if you don’t mind spending extra money to have a little more island time.
Ferry- Ferry is the way I travel in Greece, especially island hopping in the Cyclades, as it is faster and cheaper when traveling from different islands. If you want to save money and enjoy a ride in the Aegean Sea, you can take a Ferry or Fast Ferry from Athens’ ports: Piraeus Harbor or Rafina Port, or the Ferry Port from neighboring islands that is on that route. Paros is one of the first islands on the Cyclades route, which means the travel time from Athens to Paros is about 3 hours and with the regular ferry four hours. If you are island hopping like my family and I traveled Paros was only a 35-minute fast ferry ride from Mykonos! All ferry tickets can be booked on seajets.com and are easy to use (Please note: all ferry times are in military time.) Another website I have booked a ferry ticket on is directferries.com, but I suggest booking right from the source if it is your first time.
While aboard the ferr,y you may purchase bakery dishes, sandwiches, snacks, coffee, beverages, and alcohol. Since my trip from Mykonos to Paros was very quick, I decided to take a nap or read a book as I got on and off the ferry very quickly. Depending on the weather, you can go to the top deck of the ferry to get some fresh air (or for a smoke break) and check out the port the boat is docked in for a moment before departing to the next island. Once you arrive at the port, some taxis will take you to your accommodation if you didn’t have a pickup already planned, and it will cost you 25-50 euros, depending on the village. If you are prone to motion sickness or don’t like a rocky boat, you may take a flight to Paros, but since the trip is quick, depending on the location you are traveling from it may not be necessary.
While in Paros
Public Transportation – There is a bus located in Nauosa Town that is a three-minute walk from the city center. This is the cheapest and easiest way to get around the island.
Taxi/Uber/Private Car Service– There is a taxi stand that is at the very entrance of Nauosa, and prices can vary from the location you are traveling to and from. The prices are reasonable even at peak season, and range from 15 euros to the nearest beach and 25-50 euros from the port. Once you arrive in Paros, it is better to schedule taxis for pick up and drop off, so you do not have to stand waiting in the summer heat.
Renting Cars/ ATVs / Scooters – There are many ATV, scooter, and car rental places in Paros. If you are not staying on the island for long, I don’t think it is necessary for a rental as taxis are easily accessible and villages like Parikia and Naoussa are walkable. This would be a great way to explore the island and travel to visit different beaches as well as go out for dinners at night in a neighboring village, but please be mindful as most of the roads in Greece, especially on islands, and winding and have very little light to see.
Paros is now one of the most popular islands in the Cyclades islands for tourists to visit, especially since it is just as beautiful as Mykonos and Santorini, but doesn’t come with the big price tag. If you plan to island hop to 2-3 islands in Greece, want to relax as well as enjoy some nightlife, and are on a budget, get ready to book and flight and some ferry tickets to Paros, Greece. Who knows, maybe you will spot Jeff Bezos or Matthew McConaughey driving by on their yachts while exploring Antiparos. If you do, tell Jeff he needs to bring Amazon Prime to Greece ASAP so I can order some carroten tanning oil to my Airbnb.
Until Next Time,
Paros
