Cyclades
Paros
The Cyclades island that gets the balance right — pretty, connected, and relatively sane.
Getting around
Scooter friendly
Cost
€€€
In peak season
Busy in peak
Best months
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
From Athens
Flight or ferry
In pictures
Paros
Paros earns its popularity honestly. The old town of Parikia, with its ancient windmill above the harbour and marble-paved lanes winding around a 6th-century Byzantine church, is beautiful without feeling manufactured. Naoussa in the north — a former fishing village now colonised by excellent restaurants and fashion boutiques without losing its character — is one of the most genuinely enjoyable towns in the Cyclades. The island produces some of the finest white marble in Greece, quarried here since antiquity and used for the Venus de Milo and Napoleon's tomb; ancient quarry workings are still visible. Golden Beach and Pounda are major windsurfing destinations. As the central ferry hub of the Cyclades, Paros is also the ideal island-hopping base — Naxos, Antiparos, and the Small Cyclades are all a short hop away.
How it scores
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
- Culture
- Nature
- Family
- Accessibility
- Value for money
The catch
Can feel like a watered-down Mykonos in August. Gets very crowded despite not having the big-name cachet.
Hidden gem
The marble quarries near Marathi — where the Venus de Milo's marble was cut. Still empty, still extraordinary.
Where it sits
Cyclades, Greece
Paros — frequently asked
- When is the best time to visit Paros? +
- The best months to visit Paros are May to October. Avoid late July and August if you can — the island is crowded in July and August.
- How do you get to Paros from Athens? +
- Paros has an airport, so you can fly direct from Athens in under an hour or take the ferry (about 5 hours).
- Is Paros good for couples? +
- Paros is a charming pick for couples, especially shoulder season.
- Is Paros good for families with kids? +
- Paros is a great choice for families — calm swims, walkable towns, and short transfers.
- Is Paros expensive? +
- Paros is affordable by Greek-island standards — value-for-money is on the weaker side, so set expectations.
- Do you need a car on Paros? +
- A scooter or ATV is the easiest way to get around Paros. Buses cover the main routes but a scooter unlocks the quiet beaches.
- What's the catch with Paros? +
- Can feel like a watered-down Mykonos in August. Gets very crowded despite not having the big-name cachet.