Greece is a country that will forever hold a special place in my heart. I’ve been to Greece five times now, and I swear I fall more in love every visit. On our last trip to Greece, we decided to check out the island of Paros and I’m so thankful that we did because it quickly became one of my favorite Cycladic Islands.
There is SO much to do on this island: from wandering around the traditional villages to enjoying crystal clear waters and beautiful beaches. I think three full days is enough time for your trip (though you could easily spend much longer!).
With this 3 day Paros itinerary you’ll get a great taste of what the island has to offer.
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Paros 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1:
Explore Naoussa
When you think of Greece, you likely think of whitewashed buildings, cobblestoned streets, and splashes of blue. That is exactly what Naoussa looks like and trust me when I tell you that you will fall in love with this picturesque village. Exploring Naoussa is the best way to start off your first day in Paros.
I recommend getting here in the morning as it can get quite crowded during high season.
Start by strolling along the port and then enter the winding, narrow streets of the village. Once a fishing village, Naoussa is now a vibrant town with so much to offer. It especially comes alive after sunset so don’t worry, we’ll be returning here when the sun goes down as well.
For me, Naoussa is one of those places where you throw away the map, so to speak, and simply wander around. Spend a few hours walking around the port and village. There are plenty of shops to pop into, quaint cafes and traditional tavernas to grab a bite for lunch at, and picturesque streets to meander down. Be sure you don’t forget your camera, there’s no shortage of photography opps.
Grab a beer at Paros Microbrewery 56 isles
This microbrewery is located a little outside the main center of the village. While you could walk there, I don’t recommend it. We did the walk and it was along the side of a busy highway with no sidewalks.
If you’ve rented a car or an ATV, there is free parking outside of the brewery or, if you want to indulge and not worry about driving, grab a taxi for the short drive to the brewery. If you have trouble finding a taxi, your hotel can help.
If you’re into craft beers, this is a great spot for you. My fiance obsessed with beers and he was really impressed with their brews. Plus, the staff is really friendly and this is pretty off the beaten path so you won’t find it swarming with tourists.
Don’t want craft beer or want to venture out of the center? You could do a wine tasting at Moraitis Winery. We didn’t get a chance to visit the winery but it’s ratings and reviews look great and offers tours and tastings.
With its proximity to the bustle of Naoussa, I imagine it gets pretty crowded so be sure to book in advance, especially if you’re looking to do a tour. Moraitis Winery is only open from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm and is closed on Sundays.
Watch sunset on the bridge
After you’ve sampled some craft beer or local wines, you are going to head back to the port of Naoussa to catch the sunset from the bridge. There is truly nothing like a Greek sunset and grabbing a seat on the bridge with everyone else is a free and easy way to enjoy your first sunset in Paros.
Cocktails at Come back
After sunset, grab a pre dinner cocktail at Come Back. This quaint spot is located right next to the water so you can sip your cocktail while enjoying the last of the colors as the sun continues to set. I highly recommend ordering their coffee negroni. It was truly one of the best negronis I’ve ever had.
Depending on the season and the wind, it can get a little chilly right next to the water, so you might want to bring a sweater or light jacket with you. If the weather is really windy, Come Back might be closed, but luckily there are plenty of other cocktail spots nearby. Trickster Bar and Kosmos Cocktail Bar are both great options, too, but nothing beats that coffee negroni.
Dinner at Minoa
Just a few minute walk from Come Back, you’ll find Minoa. Grab a seat outside and order some traditional Greek food. We loved this spot because they were very vegetarian friendly.
We ordered a traditional Greek salad, zucchini fritters, halloumi, dolmades, and a trio of dips all of which were delicious.
Not feeling Minoa? There are plenty of other great restaurants in Naoussa you can check out.
Grab Loukoumades for dessert
Be sure to save a little room for dessert because after dinner you’re going to grab loukoumades, which are fried Greek dough balls, typically soaked in honey and topped with cinnamon or other toppings.
This spot is written on Google Maps as Λουκουμάδες “Το Παραδοσιακό” and it’s a no frills spot. There’s a little window that you walk up to where they serve fresh, delicious loukoumades. One order is big enough to share with another person (although if you want your own, I am certainly not judging).
Continue your night in Naoussa
Naoussa truly has some awesome nightlife whether it be cocktail bars or dancing so if you still have the energy, be sure to check out some of the other bars or just enjoy the energy of the village as it really comes alive at night.
Day 2:
On your second day in Paros, you should go on a road trip.
If you haven’t already rented a car, you may want to do so for day two of the trip. It’s easy to decide at the last minute if you want to rent a car or not. Our hotel arranged this for us the day of – and the rental company even dropped it off in front of the hotel for us – so I would save yourself the hassle of trying to contact car rental companies and just ask your front desk for help.
Of course, you can also rent a car at the airport and have it for your entire trip in Paros, which is a very convenient option. If you are flying in, be sure to arrange transportation from the airport ahead of time. We were on the last flight of the day, and our shuttle had to head back and pick up someone who was stranded at the airport. By the time we got back, the airport was dark and the new shuttle passengers were the only people around.
With a car, Lefkes is an easy 15-minute drive from Naoussa, or about 20 minutes from the town of Parikia. If you don’t rent a car, you can also get here by local bus though you may be limited based on the season you’re traveling in and how many buses are running. If you opt for this route, just be sure you check the timetable in advance.
You can park on the side of the winding road up above the town and walk back down to the town center.
Walk around Lefkes
Lefkes is a village you do not want to miss in Paros. It’s got a much more laid back vibe than Naoussa and despite being one of the best things to do in Paros, it’s not too crowded. You could easily spend an entire day here just soaking in all of the peaceful vibes and the people watching from the charming cafes.
Get lost in the alleys
One of the best things to do in Lefkes is wander around the enchanting alleys. Like Naoussa, you’ll find no shortage of great photo opportunities.
Grab a treat at Stratis bakery
Everything in this bakery is worth trying and it’s a great place for a snack. When we popped in, they were baking some fresh spinach pies so we wandered around for a bit and then came back when they were ready and they were unbelievably delicious.
Hike the Byzantine road
This ancient road dates back 1,000 years to the Byzantine era and connects Lefkes and Prodromos. The total hike to Prodromos is 3.5 km and passes through olive groves and farmland, transporting you back in time. It’s up to you how much of the hike you want to do. You could do part of it and turn around and head back to Lefkes or do the whole hike and explore Prodromos and either hike back to Lefkes or continue on to Marpissa where you’ll find a bus that runs every hour and will take you back to Lefkes.
We personally opted to do part of the hike and then turn around as we were a bit limited on time and the sun was intense that day.
There isn’t much shade on the hike so it’s a good idea to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and good walking shoes!
Swim at Faragas Beach
It’s beach time! You’ll find no shortage of beautiful beaches on Paros and it can feel pretty overwhelming to decide which one to go to. I don’t think you can really make a wrong choice. It just depends on how secluded a beach you want and if you want there to be some infrastructure (like beach bars, shops, etc) or not.
Faragas was recommended to us by our hotel and we really loved it. It’s protected from the winds and is beautiful with soft sand and crystal clear waters. There is also a beach bar right there if you want some food and drinks.
Get there in the late afternoon and spend a few hours enjoying the beautiful beach.
Head back to your hotel and freshen up
Say goodbye to the beach and head back to your hotel to get ready for your evening. Dinner tonight is really a treat and is hands down one of my favorite dining experiences I’ve ever had in Greece.
Dinner at Yemeni
To eat dinner at this incredible restaurant, you will need a reservation. Be sure to book this in advance as far as possible. If you didn’t manage to get one, I’d still try your luck by going by and just asking if they’d be able to fit you in later that night. We did this and got a very late reservation which we didn’t mind at all.
Yemeni is one of those restaurants that you’ll truly remember for quite some time from the food to the ambiance to the vast selection of Greek wines.
It was such a special evening and is easily the best restaurant in all of Paros.
Day 3:
For your last day in Paros, you’re going to explore the main port of Paros, Parikia. I think Parikia can be overlooked as most people head straight for Naoussa and don’t give the port much attention until it’s time to take a ferry. Like the rest of Paros, it truly has its own vibe and is well worth visiting.
Wander around Parikia
Sensing a theme here? The best thing to do in any Greek village is simply walk around and head in whatever direction catches your fancy.
For lunch, try Greco, a fast casual spot right on the water. They have a ton of vegan and vegetarian options. We tried two of their vegetarian gyros and I swear my mind was blown.
Grab a beer at Hops and Colors
I know Greece is known for their wine and I love nothing more than trying as many varieties as I can when I’m in Greece but they also have a growing craft beer scene.
Hops and Colors is a fun bottle shop that has craft beers from all over the country and is definitely worth a stop.
Sunset on the water
From Hops and Colors you actually have a pretty great view of the sunset. You could either choose to remain there and enjoy your beers or if you walk up the street to the water, another great place to watch the sunset is on the rocks right by the water. It’s easy to climb out onto them and find a smooth spot to sit and watch the sunset and the ships coming in and out of the port.
Dinner in Parikia
Grab dinner at one of the many restaurants in Parikia and shed a tear or two because your time in Paros is coming to an end. Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll be back!
If You Have More Time in Paros…
While we’ve only scratched the surface of Paros with this three day itinerary, if you have more time, I would recommend doing a day trip to the neighboring island of Antiparos.
From Pounda, you can take a very short ferry to Antiparos. I think the ride was only about 15 minutes and you can also bring your rental car with you. You just need to reverse it up onto the ferry and follow the crew’s directions. Tickets can be purchased on the ferry after you park.
Once you’re in Antiparos, walk through Chora, the adorable main town of the island.
From there, you can check out the many beaches that Antiparos has or enjoy some food by the water.
The Best Time to Visit Paros
I always recommend that you visit Greece during the shoulder season or even the off season and avoid peak season, if possible. I think it’s truly the perfect time to visit Greece as you’ll find less crowds and the weather is still pleasant. Shoulder season runs from April – June and Mid-September – October.
Where to Stay in Paros
Most people who visit Paros will either stay in Naoussa or Parikia. For this Paros itinerary, I recommend staying in Naoussa.
We personally stayed at Hotel Manto which is a no frills hotel that we loved because the owners were so kind and helpful. Breakfast on the rooftop terrace was also a great way to start the day.
If you’re looking for something with more amenities, there are plenty of other great hotel options in Naoussa.
Wherever you decide to stay, be sure to book your hotel well in advance. We ended up waiting until the last minute and a lot of options were already sold out.
How to Get To Paros
There are two ways to get to Paros: by ferry and by flight. It really is a personal preference depending on where you are traveling from and your preferred method of transportation. If you are traveling from one of the other Greek islands, it’s likely that you will be taking the ferry. From Athens you can choose to fly or grab the ferry.
If you are landing at the Paros airport and you are not renting a car, you will need to arrange transportation in advance because there is typically only one flight at a time and there aren’t taxis waiting around. The airport is a bit out there so you don’t want to leave your transportation to the last minute.
If you are arriving by ferry, you will be in the ferry port of Parikia and it is easier to continue on to Naoussa via public transport or taxi. You can also rent a car from the car rental agencies in Parikia.
How to Get Around Paros
The best way to get around Paros is by renting a car. This will give you lots of freedom and flexibility to explore the island. The roads are really well paved and it’s easy to navigate.
If you don’t want to rent a car, there is a bus system though it will limit where you can go and your schedule. I don’t recommend solely relying on taxis as those can add up quickly!
Bottom Line
There is a reason why Paros has quickly become one of the most popular islands in recent years. I am confident that you are going to fall in love with Paros and this three day itinerary is going to give you a great taste of all this island has to offer.
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