Paros is a Greek island in the Cyclades with all of the traditional, whitewashed villages, dazzling beaches and waterfront tavernas that you could want from an island holiday in Greece, without the extreme crowds of nearby Santorini and Mykonos. This itinerary for 3 days in Paros includes time spent in the islands three major villages; Parikia, Naousa and Lefkes, as well as some of Paros’ best beaches like Parasporos, Kolimpithres, Molos and Santa Maria, and most impressive historic sights.

How to get around Paros

There is a local bus service on Paros, which makes it easy to get between Parikia, Naousa and Lefkes, but it is worth hiring a car for at least one day for the freedom your own wheels allow. You’ll need an International Drivers Permit to hire a car, so make sure to arrange that before you leave home.

Day 1: Parikia

Livadia Beach Club

My favourite way to start the day in Paros was lazing around at the beach. I recommend staying in Parikia in Paros, which has its own beach, Livadia. Head down to the beach first thing in the morning, and you’ll probably have it mostly to yourself. The beach club here is cheaper than most on the island, with a charge of 10 euro per day for a pair of beach chairs. It’s not the most beautiful beach on Paros, but the water is calm and clear, and it’s conveniently in the heart of town.

Breakfast & shopping in the old town

Walk back a few blocks from the beach to find the old town, which is a great spot for a late breakfast. If you make it there before 10:30 or 11am, you’ll get to the cafes before the day’s ferries start arriving. Parikia’s old town has lots of shops, especially for accessories, shoes, jewelry and beachwear, so if you’ve got room in your suitcase, spend an hour or so wandering between boutiques. The shopping here is much better than on nearby Sifnos or Milos, and you can still find genuine craftsmen who make every product they sell.

Ancient sites in the afternoon

There are a couple of interesting ancient sites in Parikia that are very easy to visit. First, the Panagia Katapoliani (AKA Church of 100 Doors), a Byzantine church complex that was build in 326 AD. The complex houses a major chapel, two minor chapels and a bapistry believed to have been built by St Helen, who was the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. The leafy courtyard is very pretty and peaceful, and there’s a small onsite museum which has artifacts from the 18th century.

Afterwards, walk up to the highest point of Parikia to see the Frankish Castle and the Chapel of St Constantine. The Frankish Castle was built in the 13th century by the Venetians, and is built from striking, bold geometric bricks in different shapes which make it look quite unlike anything else you’ll find in Paros. The view from the Chapel of St Constantine over the Aegean Sea is one of the best views in Paros. There’s a bar and restaurant up here with a deck, so stop to enjoy the view over a glass of Greek wine if you have some spare time.

Sunset at Parasporos Beach

Hop in the car or catch the bus to nearby Parasporos Beach, regarded by locals as the best beach in Paros. If you’re here near the end of the day, the price of beach chairs drops dramatically as the beach club nears closing time. You can have the beach to yourself for the last hour of the day, during which you’ll pay less for a beach chair and enjoy a spectacular Greek sunset over the ocean.

Dinner on the water

Head back to Parikia for dinner on the waterfront. There are dozens of restaurants to choose from, and naturally some are better than others. I liked Ephesus, which offers Greek and Turkish cuisine. It’s near the end of town, with a beautiful outdoor dining area shaded by trees and waterfront tables. If you’re looking for more options ask the host at your B&B or apartment for tips.

Drinks in the old town

Head back into Parikia’s old town at night to try some of the town’s best bars. My favourite is Pirate Bar, which is a tiny, cozy bar lit by candelight with impressive cocktails.

Day 2: Naousa & northern Paros

For your second day of your 3 days in Paros, explore some of the most beautiful parts of the northern part of the island, including the gorgeous waterfront town of Naoussa and a local winery.

Kolimpithres

Start the day at Kolimpithres beach (sometimes Kolymbythres), a pretty beach on the northern coast of Paros. The beach is surrounded by a ring of boulders, which are the perfect spot for a vantage point across the small bay. The waters are calm and protected, and there’s a beach club, should you fancy a sunchair.

Lunch & wine tasting at Moraitis Winery

Hop in the car after lunch and head to Moraitis Winery, the most prominent winemaker in Paros. You’ll see Moraitis wines all over the Cyclades islands, and if you’re not yet a fan of Greek wine, you will be once you’ve finished the tasting. Here, the wine tastings are brought to your table one at a time, and served with some cheese. At each tasting, the friendly staff spend a few minutes discussing the wine, before leaving you in peace to taste it on your own. It’s one of the nicest and most relaxed wine tastings I’ve done, anywhere. I highly recommend staying for lunch!

Santa Maria Beach Club

Santa Maria Beach is tucked away on the northwestern tip of Paros. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches we saw in Paros, but also the busiest. The Santa Maria Beach Bar has more of a party vibe, due to the campground behind it. Due to its popularity, the beach club is a little more expensive than elsewhere on Paros, with a set of chairs for 20 euros. There’s also a free beach right beside the beach club, if you’re on a budget. The water here is gorgeous, and you can see the hazy outline of neighboring Naxos on the horizon.

Dinner in Naousa

Naousa is Paros’ second-largest village and one of the prettiest on the island. It’s popular with well-heeled visitors and cashed-up clubgoers. Luckily, the clubs are on the outskirts of town, away from the picturesque harbour. Arrive a couple of hours before dinner, and put your name down for a table on the waterfront. I recommend Sigi Ikthios! The food here celebrates traditional Parian and Cycladic cuisine, using fresh, local ingredients and a varied Greek wine list.

While you wait for your dinner reservation, explore Naousa. Wander through the charming, winding alleyways, walk out along the seawall to the crumbling Venetian fort and have a pre-dinner drink overlooking the harbour at Agosta. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you can’t miss the legendary traditional Greek bakery, Ragoussis.

Day 3: Lefkes & eastern Paros

For the final day of your 3 days in Paros, explore quieter parts of the island which are tucked away from the tourist trails.

Lefkes

Lefkes is one of the most beautifully-preserved traditional Cycladic villages I’ve seen in any of the Greek islands. It’s hidden away in the hills of the island, which made it the perfect capital in medieval times because it was easier to defend from pirates. If you arrive before 10am, before the buses start running for the day, you’ll have the place almost to yourself. It’s so beautiful and peaceful in the morning, it’s well worth an earlier start.

If you’ve driven, park in the car park outside the entrance to the town. The narrow medieval streets were not built for cars! Wander through the town to find the beautiful Church of Agia Triada, which has a Byzantine-style basilica. Stop for a fresh lemonade at Marigo’s Kafenion, which is in the square at the foot of the church.

Lunch in Prodromos

Prodromos is a tiny, tiny village that doesn’t see many tourists, which makes the taverna here such a wonderful find. O Tsitsanis is a friendly taverna serving traditional Parian cuisine, with a beautiful sun-soaked courtyard. Lunch here with my boyfriend was one of the most blissful meals of my life – if you’ve hired a car, I highly recommend stopping in.

Molos

A short drive from Prodromos is the beautiful, peaceful beach of Molos. Located on the western coast of Paros, doesn’t have a beach club, so it attracts less tourists. I loved our afternoon spent relaxing in the water here, away from the crowds. The beach curves around a small bay, so the water is very calm and the setting is beautiful.

Have you been to Paros? Would you like to? What is your favourite island? I’d love to hear what you think, in the comments!