Things to Do in Paros: A Complete Guide

By Anthia Vlassopoulou
Co-founder and CEO of Greece Insiders, writing about Greek travel since 2012

There is a good selection of things to do in Paros. A mix of harbor towns, quiet marble villages and beaches will provide many options for couples, families and young travellers. Paros rewards people looking for more than just the usual postcard type experience, like exploring hidden tavernas, ancient quarries, and quiet villages.

This guide will take you through a journey to Naoussa, Parikia Lefkes and a few lesser known locations. We will discuss the best beaches, family activities and unique experiences. Lastly, we will see what not to miss and how many days to spend on this lovely Greek Island.

What Is Paros Best Known For?

Paros is best known for the dazzling white marble, quarried on the island for centuries. The marble of Paros was used for the Venus de Milo, parts of the Arc de Triomphe of Napoleon and other famous sculptures. Today Paros is also famous for the Naoussa fishing harbor, the Byzantine Church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani in Parikia and the beaches. The last ones range from small quiet coves to long wild sandy beaches.

Paros has the beauty of Santorini and the lively character of Mykonos, but without the crowds or high prices. This is why Paros is such a popular destination, especially with repeat visitors.

Top 10 Things to Do in Paros at a Glance

If you’re short on time or just want the highlights, here’s a quick-reference list of the best things to do in Paros.

1. Watch the sunset over Naoussa harbor
2. Visit the Church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani in Parikia
3. Wander the marble lanes of Lefkes
4. Walk the Byzantine path from Lefkes to Prodromos
5. Explore the ancient marble quarries of Marathi
6. Swim at Kolymbithres beach
7. Take a boat trip to Antiparos
8. Go wine tasting at Moraitis Estate
9. Try windsurfing or kitesurfing at Golden Beach
10. Eat at a hidden taverna in Naoussa’s backstreets

Best Things to Do in Naoussa, Paros

Naoussa is the prettiest harbor town in Paros. After a few days of exploring the island and its beaches, Naoussa is the place to go to for an evening of dining and entertainment. The town’s whitewashed streets, fishing boats and restaurants by the harbor make the perfect base to explore the island’s north coast. Here’s what to do when you get there.

Watch the Sunset Over Naoussa Harbour

Arrive an hour or so before sunset and take a seat at one of the many restaurants that line the harbor. Fishermen bring in their day’s catch as the sunlight fades to gold, one of the more romantic scenes on the island for a honeymoon in Greece. Naoussa transforms into a more sophisticated town. Naoussa transforms into a more sophisticated town. A place and time to indulge in some of the finest food and drink, while the town and its many restaurants come alive. Return on successive evenings for a different perspective. The changing light of the seasons takes on a life of its own.

Explore the Venetian Castle Ruins

The Venetian Kastro of Naoussa dates back to the 13th century. The Venetians, using ancient marble from other sites, built a fortress to protect against the pirates. Today the Kastro is an archeological site, with impressive views of the surrounding area. The site is open to visitors all day long, and you can easily explore it within 20 minutes. It is a great opportunity to spend a couple of hours, and then have dinner or have a sunset drink at one of the waterfront bars in Naoussa.

Eat at a Taverna Away from the Waterfront

The restaurants on the harbor side of Naoussa are nice for an occasional meal, but generally do not offer the best value for money. Head into the narrow streets that run off the harbor, and look for small family-run taverns. The outdoor seating areas of these establishments often spill out from the tables onto the cobblestones. They create a lovely setting to enjoy a delicious fresh seafood meal or other traditional Greek dishes. Be sure to book ahead in high summer, as they can fill up quickly with diners.

Go Wine Tasting at Moraitis Estate

Located just outside of Naoussa, the Moraitis Estate has been producing wine using indigenous Paros grape varieties for over 100 years. You can take a guided tour of the estate and a wine tasting, including access to a small on-site museum. The wine tasting includes a selection of local whites served with local cheeses. It is an unhurried activity that offers a different perspective on the island of Paros.

Browse Naoussa’s Boutique Shopping Streets

Handmade, locally designed and hand-crafted in Greece, independent boutiques and shops line the cobbled lanes behind Naoussa’s seaside harbor. A store can remain open late into the evening and shopping can form a natural part of a pre-dinner or post-dinner stroll around the harbor’s window displays. Even if you’re not going to buy anything, budget an hour or two here and see why Naoussa’s shop window displays form such a big part of the town’s charm.

Best Things to Do in Parikia, Paros

Parikia, the capital of Paros, is a little different from the rest of the island. It has its own old town, some wonderful archaeological sites, and the significant 6th century Byzantine church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani, one of the country’s most important. Also very different from the more lively Naoussa, Parikia has a very local, and in many ways, a more typical Greek island feel.

Wander the Old Town and Kastro

Head a few streets back from the waterfront cafes in Parikia’s old town. A few short, whitewashed streets are lined with small squares and walls covered in bougainvillea. Don’t miss the ancient Kastro, a 13th century Venetian fortress, constructed using marble columns, and other building materials, lifted from an ancient temple. Allow an hour for a walk around the narrow streets of the old town.

Visit the Church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani

A historical monument of the 4th century, the Church of 100 Doors is one of the oldest and most important Byzantine monuments in Greece. This complex of buildings for worship consists of three churches, a small museum, and an early Christian baptistry. The best time for photography is in the morning. Entry is free but donations are welcome. It will take you 30-40 minutes to explore the site and more time if you also want to see the museum.

Watch the Sunset from the Harbour

The harbor of Parikia has its own version of sunset, with fewer crowds around. Find a seat at one of the waterfront bars as the evening ferries arrive and enjoy the pink hues of sunset above the water. It is a more subdued version of the classic Cyclades experience. A perfect setting for a quiet evening out, for people staying in Parikia or for travelers who are heading to another island on a ferry.

Best Things to Do in Lefkes, Paros

Lefkes once was the capital of Paros. It was built inland, hiding from the coast where pirates used to raid. Today, it is a charming and tranquil town in the heart of the island. A complete contrast to the coastal towns of Paros. Visitors usually bypass it on their road trips, but it is definitely worth a visit.

Walk the Byzantine Marble Path to Prodromos

An old marble trail connects Lefkes to Prodromos, passing through olive groves and small churches. Trees shade many parts of the trail. It is mostly gentle and takes about 45 minutes to an hour to complete. It is one of the few occasions you can see the island slow down and enjoy the beautiful views from the top of the hill. Proper footwear is necessary, as the centuries old marble slabs can be uneven and slippery in some places.

Explore the Marble-Paved Lanes of the Old Capital

The houses and the stone paved streets of Lefkes are made entirely of Paros’ local marble. This gives the village an ethereal, soft, white color. You can explore the central square of the village, rest and drink coffee, and visit the Byzantine church. Most people only give Lefkes an hour. It is definitely worth 2 – 3 though, to properly enjoy it. If quiet villages like this are what you’re after, explore our Greece vacation packages or request one built around Paros and beyond.

Marpissa and Aliki: Paros’s Quietest Villages

Most people will visit Naoussa, Parikia and Lefkes, but Marpissa and Aliki offer a genuine, quieter side of Paros. The two villages sit on the southeastern coast of Paros, not too far from each other. While other travel guides tend to ignore these two places, we can only recommend them, because that’s what Paros looked like before it became one of the more popular islands in the Cyclades.

Things to Do in Marpissa

Marpissa is a pretty hillside village with old whitewashed houses, narrow stone streets and a few old windmills. On the edge of the village there is the Monastery of Agios Antonios. The walk up to the Monastery is short but steep. It is best to do it early in the morning or late in the day, when the sun is not too strong. After the Monastery, you can wander the back streets of the village.

Things to Do in Aliki

The little fishing village of Aliki, on the southern coast of Paros, is a working harbor. It is also home to the island’s airport. Otherwise, it is surprisingly low key, with a few tavernas by the harbor serving fresh fish. Have lunch at one of them, and then take a leisurely walk along the harbor, an easy pace that suits Greece tours for seniors well. It’s an easy, unhurried stop on a wider island loop.

Best Beaches in Paros

Paros offers a variety of beaches. All of different types such as sheltered coves for families, long windy beaches for water sports, and even a few with beach clubs. Here is a quick comparison of the beaches, followed by a more in depth look at our favorites.

Kolymbithres Beach is close to Naoussa. The granite boulders at this beach have created a number of secluded swimming coves, offering a peaceful and tranquil experience. Visit early in the morning before the boat trips start to depart from Parikia. Close by, Monastiri is another sheltered bay, with a beach bar and calm water.

Santa Maria Beach is a long sandy beach with calm and shallow water, ideal for swimming and light water activities. Golden Beach on the east coast of Paros is famous for its consistently windy conditions. Here, you can practice windsurfing and kitesurfing, while enjoying the beach club with bars, restaurants and other facilities. Just south of it, New Golden Beach catches the same wind and draws the same windsurfers.

If you are looking for something a little more low key, then consider Faragas on the south coast of Paros. Faragas is a quiet, peaceful beach with a single beach bar and no crowds.

Further up the east coast, Piso Livadi, Logaras and Pounda sit a short walk apart, so one bus ride covers all three. If the wind blows hard on the north and east coasts, head for the bay of Parikia instead: Livadia is a walk from the port, while Krios and Marcello sit across the bay, a short water taxi ride away.

Best Things to Do in Paros with Kids

Paros works well for Greece family vacations. The beaches are gentle, the distances between towns short, and public transport efficient. There is always the option to rent a car though.

The south-facing beaches of Faragas and Piso Livadi are calm and ideal for younger swimmers. Santa Maria too is an excellent beach for families, with shallow waters and plenty of space.

The village of Lefkes offers another easy family day out. The flat marble-paved lanes of the village make for great strolls. The village square, with its cafes, is a great place to stop for a rest.

Naoussa harbor is another great place for kids as they watch the day’s catch return to harbor at the end of the day. As the sun sets, families and tourists alike can enjoy a wonderful sight. Families can also take a short ferry ride to the island of Antiparos. The water is calm and there are fewer people as the island is not as popular as the main island of Paros.

Fun and Unusual Things to Do in Paros

If you look beyond the beaches and the harbor towns, Paros has a few experiences to offer that rarely make it into other guides. These are the sorts of things that add substance to your trip. They provide interesting stories and even more interesting photographs than the usual sunset shot. There are ancient quarries, an open-air cinema, and other experiences of a similar kind.

Visit the Ancient Marble Quarries of Marathi

The Ancient Marble Quarries of Marathi supplied marble for the famous Venus de Milo statue, as well as segments of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Although abandoned for centuries, the galleries and tunnels are largely intact. In places, the old quarries have been cut out of the hillside, and you can see the old marks of the chisels. They make for excellent and atmospheric exploration. You will need a flashlight to wander into the deeper tunnels.

Take a Boat Trip to Antiparos

From Pounta or Parikia, a short ferry ride takes you to Antiparos, a quieter island that rewards a slower day trip than most visitors give it. Many boat trips include visits to places for cliff jumping and swimming in sea caves. On board they serve lunch. A perfect one day trip. Note that on peak season days, the most popular boats fill up quickly, so book in advance.

Try Windsurfing or Kitesurfing at Golden Beach

The summer winds at Golden Beach are very reliable and that’s why it is one of the best spots for windsurfing and kitesurfing in the Cyclades. Several schools offer lessons and equipment for beginners and experienced riders, making it a fun, active day out for friends travelling together in Greece. Even a two-hour lesson is enough to get up and move on flat water. The strongest and most constant winds are in the afternoons. Still, it’s better to go in the mornings if you need practice.

Catch a Film at Naoussa’s Outdoor Cinema

Naoussa’s open-air cinema screens films under the stars all summer long. A perfect spot for a simple, low-key evening in Naoussa. The temperatures cool off and you can grab yourself a drink and some popcorn from the concession stand. The screenings start at varying times, so check out the schedule in advance.

Conclusion

There are so many things to do in Paros, rather than just wandering around the Naoussa harbor, although it’s a great starting point for your island explorations. You can walk through picturesque marble villages, swim in family-friendly beaches, go to ancient marble quarries and enjoy an atmosphere quite different from Santorini or Mykonos. Paros is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway, a family vacation or as part of a longer island-hopping tour through the Cyclades.

If you’d rather not piece together the logistics yourself, Greece Insiders can build a tailor-made Paros itinerary around exactly what you’re looking for, from where to stay to which villages deserve a full day. Get in touch to start planning your trip.