Paros, Greece: The Complete 2026 Travel Guide (Beaches, Beach Bars, Antiparos & More)

Paros has officially had its moment. Travel + Leisure named it the top island in the world for 2025. Where it used to be the “affordable alternative” to Mykonos and Santorini, 2026 has it being talked about as the new go-to Cyclades island in its own right, with new luxury hotels landing in Naoussa and Agia Irini, a steady stream of boutique openings, and travelers actively seeking it out instead of settling for it as a backup. The charm that made it special hasn’t changed though. It’s still the most laid-back version of the Cycladic postcard: whitewashed villages, low-key beach clubs, and an island that doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard.

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.

When 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. Since then, I’ve been back planning honeymoons and client trips here, and Paros keeps proving itself as one of the easiest islands in the Cyclades to fall in love with. In this guide, I’m sharing our favorite places to stay in both Naousa and Parikia, along with tips on beaches, boat trips, and must-see villages around the island.

Number of Days to Stay: 3-4 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 we had missed some of the big party spots when visiting in 2016, which it has exponentially grown since then.

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:

• Mario Restaurant, Parikia ($$-$$$):  Paros’ premier dining destination for over 20 years, now relocated to Parikia with Chef Markoulis Giannis at the helm. 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 due to its lovely, seaside views of the sunset and delicious meals! This is one of my go-to honeymoon dinner bookings on the island, and clients consistently tell me it’s one of their favorite restaurants of the whole trip. Note: there’s a 15-minute grace period before they give your table away, so don’t be late!

• Sigi Ikthios, Naousa ($$):  Right on the harbor, this fish restaurant (“The Silence of the Fish”) also does vegetarian and gluten-free. A favorite among locals and tourist!

• Yemeni Wine Restaurant, Naousa ($$) – Seasonal, local dishes (some from their own farm) in an unpretentious setting that feels like dining in someone’s home.

• Barbarossa, Naousa ($$$$) – The most famous restaurant in Paros for its “White Napkin Party,” a shift in energy around 11pm when the music intensifies and the whole restaurant starts dancing with white napkins, tables included. You won’t be served the most refined food here, but if you’re looking for high vibes and a good time, this reservation is non-negotiable.

• Axinos Seafood Restaurant, Naousa ($$$) – The new alternative to Barbarossa that includes the iconic napkin twirling. Right on the old port, Axinos is the move if you want elevated seafood without the chaos. Think fish and shellfish prepared with a Mediterranean twist, a stunning rooftop sushi and cocktail bar overlooking the harbor, and a wine list heavy on Paros and Greek labels.

• Bountaraki (To Bountaraki), Parikia ($$) – A popular, traditional family-run Greek tavern, no reservations and usually a line for a table. Get here early to beat the wait.

• Yiannoulis Taverna, Naousa ($) – Traditional dishes and the kind of Cycladic blue-and-white decor you’ll want to photograph along with your food.

• À Table Paros, Parikia ($$) – Great for homemade food, takeaway, and a quick bite. Unmatched hospitality.

• The Secret Garden Bistro, Parikia ($$) – Tucked away from the busy waterfront, this bistro serves creative Greek cuisine in a quiet, lush setting.

• Almond, Naousa ($$): One of the best restaurants in Naousa that also has great cocktails and vegan options!

• 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)

Vegetarian/Vegan Recommendations:

• Cuore Rosso, Parikia ($$)
• Mira Restaurant , Parikia ($$) – 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 Naousa, the most developed beach on the island with sunbeds, bars, and watersports. Great for families.
• Kolymbithres Beach/Bay – Near Naousa, known for its unusual wind-and-wave-sculpted granite rock formations between coves of soft sand.
• Golden Beach – Great for water sports, especially windsurfing and kitesurfing.
• Kalogeros Beach – A clay beach, where you can cover yourself in natural clay before rinsing off in the sea.

Top Beach Bars

• Monastiri Beach Bar & Restaurant (near Naousa) – Tucked into a striking bay backed by red rock formations, this is one of the most scenic beach clubs on the island and a go-to sunbed reservation for my clients. Mediterranean menu, full bar, and an easy day-to-night flow.

• Santa Maria Beach Bar (near Naousa) – Long stretch of golden sand, shallow calm water, and a livelier, younger energy. Sunbeds, watersports rentals, and a menu that covers everything from souvlaki to seafood pasta.

• Cabana Beach Bar (Kolymbithres, near Naousa) – Set right at Kolymbithres’ famous granite rock coves, this one’s as much about the scenery as the cocktails.

• Rebel Beach Bar (Golden Beach) – My pick if you’re chasing watersports by day and a laid-back beach bar vibe by sunset. Golden Beach is also the island’s windsurfing hub, so expect a more active crowd here.

• Zazala Beach Bar & Restaurant (Parasporos, near Parikia) – Set on a long, sandy stretch shaded by tamarisk trees just minutes from Parikia. A great lower-key option if you want a beach day without straying far from town.

• Faragas Beach Club (south coast) – Quieter and more refined, with clear turquoise water and a shaded terrace. Worth the drive if you want a long lunch without the crowds. Also associated with Barbarossa Restaurant.

Punda Coast (Pounda) – The most famous party beach on the island. If you want the closest thing to a Mykonos beach day, an international DJ lineup, and a real scene, this is it.

Activities

• Shop around Naousa or Parikia: There are so many local shops and fashion boutiques to treat yourself or bring home to loved ones.

• Visit Lefkes Village, the island’s old inland capital, with its marble-paved streets and quiet, traditional charm

• Moraitis Winery: a family-run vineyard near Naousa with tastings on a stone terrace

• Visit Panagia Ekatontapiliani Church, one of the oldest and most significant churches in Greece

• Boat trip around Paros: Exploring hidden coves, swimming and snorkeling stops, and a Greek-style lunch on board. This is one of my favorite ways to see the island, and there are full-day options that combine Paros with an Antiparos stop too.

• ATV & Buggy Tour – A 3-hour mixed off-road tour out of Parikia that hits the island’s cultural and natural landmarks, with scenic photo stops and a swim break at one of the most iconic beaches in the Cyclades. This is the same tour I book for my honeymoon and group clients, and it’s always a hit.

• Sunset Horseback Ride – A small-group evening ride starting in Kakapetra, winding through Parasporo and Aspries, with a stop at Agia Irini Beach and panoramic views over Parikia Bay at sunset. A beautiful, low-key way to see a side of the island most visitors miss.

• Farm Cooking Class with Sunset Dinner – A hands-on evening on a traditional farm just outside Parikia, picking ingredients straight from the garden, cooking a full Greek spread, and sitting down to a sunset dinner with local wine and live music. One of my favorite recommendations for couples and foodie clients.

• Pottery Workshop – A relaxed, hands-on ceramics class covering both hand-building and the pottery wheel, taught by a local artisan. A nice slower-paced activity if you want a break from beach days.

• Watercolor Workshop in Parikia – A 1-hour class tucked into a garden on Parikia’s traditional market street, where a local artist walks you through painting two Greek-themed scenes. A sweet, easy souvenir to bring home

*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend experiences I genuinely stand behind.

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 3am, with the exception of a couple, which I’ll call out below.

• Come Back Bar (Naousa) – If you do one thing for golden hour in Naousa, make it this. Right on the harbor with front-row views of the boats and the sunset, and the natural first stop of the night.
• Sante Cocktail Bar (Naousa) – Where the night starts to pick up after dinner, with a more energetic, social, cocktail-forward vibe.
• Fotis All Day Bar (Naousa) – Laid-back luxury on the waterfront that transitions seamlessly from artisanal coffee and brunch to golden-hour cocktails and late-night drinks. Curated playlists, a front-row seat to the Aegean, and an absolute must if you’re visiting Paros.
• Akanthus (Naousa) – After 2:30am you’ll notice they switch to playing Greek music inside and American music outside.
• Drinks at Alexandros (Windmill Bar) (Parikia) – A beautiful sunset view next to a windmill, family-run with very friendly staff.
• Sommaripa Consolato (Naousa) – One of the biggest clubs in town.
• Dubliner (Parikia) – Open until 6am, broken into four sections each playing different music.
• DODO (Naousa)
• Methystra Bar (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
• Kosmos Cocktail Bar (Naousa)

Transportation:

Getting To Paros

Airplane– You can fly to Paros from Athens, within the Aegean islands, or internationally depending on where you’re coming from, but the airport is in the southern part of the island, which makes traveling more of a hassle, especially if you’re staying near the port or the more popular villages. If you’re on a tight budget, it may cost more to get to your accommodation from the airport than from the ferry port. Flying in from another Greek island can run over 100 euros, so it isn’t the most budget-friendly way to island hop, but it’s great if you don’t mind spending a bit more for extra island time.

Ferry- Ferry is the way I travel in Greece, especially island hopping in the Cyclades, since it’s faster and cheaper than flying between islands. You can take a Ferry or Fast Ferry from Athens’ ports, Piraeus Harbor or Rafina Port, or from a neighboring island’s ferry port on that route. Paros is one of the first islands on the Cyclades route, so travel time from Athens is about 3 hours on the fast ferry and 4 hours on the regular ferry. When my family and I were island hopping, Paros was only a 35-minute fast ferry ride from Mykonos! All ferry tickets can be booked on seajets.com, and I’ve also booked through directferries.com, though I’d suggest booking directly from the source if it’s your first time.

While aboard the ferry, you can purchase bakery items, sandwiches, snacks, coffee, beverages, and alcohol. Depending on the weather, the top deck is a nice spot for fresh air and a last look at the port before departing. Once you arrive, taxis are available to take you to your accommodation if you don’t already have a transfer booked, and it’ll cost around 25-50 euros depending on the village.

While in Paros

Public Transportation – There’s a bus in Naousa Town, about a three-minute walk from the center. It’s the cheapest and easiest way to get around the island. I have linked the KTEL Bus map and timetable for you to check out for this season.

Taxi/Uber/Private Car Service – There’s a taxi stand at the entrance of Naousa, with prices ranging from about 15 euros to the nearest beach and 25-50 euros from the port. It’s best to schedule taxis ahead of time for pickup and drop-off so you’re not waiting around in the summer heat.

Renting Cars/ ATVs / Scooters – There are plenty of rental options around the island. If you’re not staying long, a rental isn’t strictly necessary since taxis are easy to come by and Parikia and Naousa are both walkable. That said, renting is a great way to explore the island at your own pace and visit different beaches and villages for dinner. Just be mindful that most roads in Greece, especially on the islands, wind a lot and have very little lighting at night.

Paros has earned its spot as one of the most in-demand islands in the Cyclades, and with new hotels and restaurants opening every season, that’s not slowing down anytime soon. If you want all the charm of Mykonos and Santorini without the price tag or the crowds, and you’re ready to island hop, relax, and enjoy some nightlife along the way, it’s time to book that flight and ferry to Paros, Greece. Who knows, maybe you’ll spot a celebrity or two driving by on their yacht while exploring Antiparos.

Until Next Time,

Paros