Best Things to do in Paros!

Updated on 01/01/2024. Paros is an island that changes every year. Every time that I visit Paros Island, I discover even more things to do and see!

See also our dedicated travel guides about Paros!

Best beaches in Paros!

Best Hotels on Paros!

Best areas to stay on Paros!

Paros island! A complete guide to this beautiful island!

Mini guide on hiking in Paros!

So, let’s start with the list of the best things to do in Paros!

What to do in Paros

1 #Visit Paros Park
Hike at paros park
Paros Park ©secretgreece

This is one of my favourite areas, as it gives you a wide range of options.

First of all, you can hike in this beautiful park! Three well-mapped-out footpaths go around the peninsula and provide you with terrific pictures and landscapes. There, I have watched the best sunsets on the island, next to the lighthouse! Really beautiful and special!

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Also, the park has a small theatre (“Archilochos” amphitheatre with its excellent acoustics and design) and hosts many different events, movies, etc., every summer.

You can find more information about the events that take place in the park on their website here.

You can even get married at the picturesque monastery of Ai Yiannis Detis, an exceptional sample of traditional Cycladic architecture!

And finally, you can swim and enjoy your coffee or meal at beautiful Monastery beach!

The park is free to enter, and it is open 24-hours a day all year long. Note that you can reach it by car, bus (30′ walk from the Kolymbithres Beach bus stop), or even by water taxi from Naoussa port! You have many choices!

2 #Have a look at the Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani
Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani paros
Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani ©secretgreece

The famous and historic Byzantine Church, Panagia Ekatontapiliani church, is located in Parikia village and was built in the 4th century!

This church is known as the “Church with 100 doors” and is one of Greece’s most important preserved churches!

A local legend claims that 99 doors have been found in the Panagia Ekatondapiliani church, but the 100th will be discovered only when Constantinople (Istanbul) becomes Greek again! But this is just a legend, and the door has never been found! You can look at it for that if you want!! You never know! To be frank, with you, the church hasn’t anywhere near 99 doors!

3 #Stroll around Naousa village!

This was an old fishing village that has transformed the recent years into a cosmopolitan and picturesque place!

You will find there narrow alleys painted with the traditional white color, amazing little shops and boutiques with local products, great restaurants with top local and international cuisine, fantastic bars and clubs, and many but many churches!

Just stroll around without any planning, and you surely pass by the old port, where all the magic happens! There you will find the half-sunken Venetian castle!

If you stay there and prefer easy access to the beach, Naousa has three beaches (Piperi, Piperaki, and Agioi Anargyri). Find more on our dedicated post about the best beaches in Paros.

Naoussa is located about 9 km from the ferry port in Parikia (20′ by bus) and about 20 km from the airport.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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4 #Don’t overlook Parikia town
parikia best things to do in paros
Parikia harbor ©secretgreece
parikia harbor paros
Parikia town ©secretgreece

If you come by ferry, you will arrive at Parikia port, which can be really busy during the ferry arrivals&departures. But, allocate some of your time to walk around the town as it has become in the past years extremely beautiful and personally, I think it now has a unique character that it didn’t have before.

The choices in Parikia are many, and you can find more later on! Checking all the elegant boutiques, visiting the Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, or watching a movie on the summer open theatre Rex!

You may see the Frankish Castle ruins included on the top things-to-do list on some travel guides, but personally, it is not worth looking for it. It is not as impressive as it sounds!

Parikia is the island’s main harbor, and it is ~10 km away from the airport.

5 #stop by Lefkes village
Lefkes village what to do
Lefkes village ©secretgreece

Lefkes is probably the most famous mountainous village on Paros island, and really it’s worth spending some time wandering the alleys! This village keeps the serenity and the traditional color of an era that has been passed!

Don’t forget to visit the Church of Agia Triada (Holy Trinity), built in 1830, and you will notice it!

Also, Lefkes begins and passes many hiking trails to Lagada, Drios, aspro Horio, Agkaria Kamari, etc.,

We did the most famous one, the Byzantium Path, a 3.5 km path paved with slabs and Parian marble, and the history of this path goes back to Byzantine times (1000 AD).

The route is generally downhill, except for 150 to 200 meters, lasts about 45 minutes, and I think it would be ok for families with children and teenagers.

You will end up at the small and beautiful Prodromos village, and you can have a drink or eat something from the “Tsitsanis” tavern or – my favorite – the traditional Kallitechniko kafenio (find the location here!)

Get lost in the white color of the village and take as many photos as you want from the stunning white and blue churches! The name of Prodromos village comes from the temple of Agios Ioannis the Baptist, and every summer, on June 23rd, one of the most important festivals of Paros takes place here!

Lefkes prodromos trail hiking
Lefkes – Prodromos trail ©secretgreece
6 #Drink some local wine and visit an excellent winery!

The third-generation winemaker – since 1910 – produces high-quality wine and has created a beautiful winery, which you can visit and taste this distinctive local wine and be guided to the small museum with various old winemaking tools, old photos, etc.

You will find famous Greek varieties, including Assyrtiko and Malagouzia, and local indigenous varieties like Monemvasia, Mandilaria, Aidani Black, Vaftra, and Karampraimi. My favorite wine that I tasted was Malvasia and Amma, both sweet and unique.

It is open from Monday to Saturday (10:00 – 18:00) for tastings, and it is situated in Naousa village, next to Agioi Anargyroi Beach. You can visit their website here!

Moraitis winery best things to do
Moraitis winery ©secretgreece
7 #Enjoy Water Sports

If you like water sports, then Paros is an excellent choice for you, as you can do a wide range of sports,  like surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing, kayaking and canoeing, kiteboarding, etc.

Some of the best beaches for water sports on the island are considered Golden Beach, New Golden Beach, and Santa Maria.

Especially in New Golden Beach, the Professional Windsurfing Association’s (PWA) World Cup is held since 1993, and it is regarded as one of the tops in the world!

Pounta Beach is also a perfect spot for kite surfing!

8 #Visit Antiparos island

Antiparos was an island for total isolation and relaxation, but the recent years it has changed a little bit as it attracts more tourists every year!

Still, it is a picturesque island located very close to Paros, and it is ideal for a one-day trip or more! It is up to you! Many excellent restaurants, cafes, and bars have opened the recent years giving a new vibe and energy to the island!

From the port of Antiparos you can walk to the main village, the 15th-century Venetian castle and seven beaches, Psaraliki 1 and 2 (the second beach has the Fanari beach bar), Snifeiko, Livadia, Agios Spiridonas, Panagia beach (~20 – 30′ walk) and the Camping beach which is also nudism friendly!

The best beaches are Agios Georgios and Faneromeni, but you will definitely need a car!

Ferries from Paros to Antiparos depart very frequently from Parikia or Pounta. Pounta might be a preferable choice, as it has more frequent ferries, it lasts just 10,’ and you can get a vehicle with you (not entirely necessary for a day trip). Here, you will find the timetable from Pounta and here from Parikia.

9 #Daily trip to fantastic Small Cyclades 

daily trips from paros island

Small Cyclades are 4 small and amazing islands with wonderful beaches and great energy! You can visit them from Paros and get a taste of their beauty.

Paros: Full-Day Sailing Cruise in the Small Cyclades offers a daily trip to Iraklia and Schinoussa or Koufonisia, where you will swim in the crystal and amazing waters of Small Cyclades islands.

10 #Go Hiking!

As we mentioned above, Paros has an excellent network of trails of about 35 km. Along the routes, you will find stunning landscapes, beautiful old and white houses, little farmhouses, windmills, watermills, wells, etc.! Just pick one and enjoy the serenity and the change of colours and images.

Lefkes prodromos trail hiking
Lefkes – Prodromos trail ©secretgreece
11 #Swim at Laggeri beach

This is my favorite beach on Paros island. It has beautiful fine white sand, beautiful dunes, and cedars trees, offering the requested privacy for lovers of unspoiled nature!

It has two sides, and it is not straightforward to reach it. A dirt road leads to the right side of the beach, but it is not in good condition. Alternatively, you can leave your car and walk there. Note that it used to be nudist-friendly.

Laggeri best beaches on paros island
Laggeri beach ©secretgreece
12 #Try the local products!

Try Parian cheese pies, sun-dried Gouna (local fish), Paro’s chickpea, octopus pilaf, fava, meatballs with ouzo and mint, chickpea meatballs, tomato salad with xynomyzithra and antrakla, strapatsada, ravioli with fresh mizithra and local honey!

13 #Before leaving Paros, don’t miss to take with you

When leaving Paros, take with you if you can, xynomyzithra and mature cream cheese of Paros, caper leaves, rusks, samota figs, zacharobaklava, macaroons, Parian gruyere, local wines, and local beer from the island!

14 #Visit the fishing villages

Naousa in the old days was a lovely fishing village, but it has been converted to a cosmopolitan little town with a lot of different options.

So, some fishing villages have kept the authenticity and the slow pace.

Piso Livadi has been developed lately, and it has some hotels and rooms and some excellent restaurants and taverns! It has a lovely beach on the small harbor, but I prefer Logaras beach, 400m from Piso Livadi. And of course, a must-eat in Piso village is Ouzeri Halaris, which has some fantastic fish appetizers in a great location right on the sea!

Aliki is another lovely fishing village on the south side. There are three beautiful beaches, Aliki, Piso Aliki, Agios Nikolaos. and plenty of wonderful restaurants.

Finally, Ampelas village. The beach of Ambelas is protected from the weather as it is located in a quiet bay, which is why the fishermen have chosen it to anchor their boats!

15 #Make a day trip to the beautiful island of Naxos!

Naxos, the largest island in the Cyclades, is only 40′ away by ferry from Paros. It is pretty large with various beautiful villages, fabulous beaches, great nightlife, and lovely food! Of course, on a day trip, you won’t have time to explore the mainland of Naxos, which is stunning, but you can have a look at our complete travel guide here!

At the main port, you can discover the beautiful town of Naxos and the fantastic 13th-century Venetian castle, located in the heart of the town. Walk around the alleys, and you will find hidden gems, modern boutiques, and small tavernas and bars. On the port entrance, you will admire – and visit if you like!- the Porta, which is the ruins of an ancient temple devoted to Apollos.

The sunset looking at the ancient ruins is just marvelous!

If you want to check some beaches close to the harbour, Agios Georgios (~15′ on foot) or Agios Prokopios beach (15′ by car, 20′ by bus) are some excellent choices!

 

 
 
 
 
 
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16 #Archaeological Museum of Paros

If you love ancient Greece and history, then this would be an excellent choice for you! The Archaeological Museum of Paros includes various collections of Archaic and Classical sculptures, pottery, sculpture, small finds dating from the Neolithic to the Roman period, and a mosaic floor dating from the Roman period!

The important exhibits of the museum are the Marble statue of Gorgon, the Colossal marble statue of Artemis, and the two marble relief plates!

The museum is located in Parikia (location here!) and is open year-round every day (except Tuesdays) from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Admission is only €2.

17 #Go at Butterfly Park!

Almost 15 minutes away from Paroikia (the port), there is a place known as “Butterfly Park,” an idyllic landscape with dense vegetation. The park is open from June to September from 9 am to 8 pm. During the summer, the butterflies cover the leaves of the trees! It is impressive to see them flying because the color under the wings is bright red, unlike the rest of the body, which is dark! Visitors are amazed by this heavenly place which is relatively uncommon in the Cyclades and dry islands.

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