Discover Paros

Highlights of the island

• Getting there: fly direct from Athens (30 min) or Thessaloniki (1h), or take a high-speed ferry from Piraeus in around 3.5 hours. Conventional ferries take 4–5 hours.

• Best time to visit: May–June and September–October for quiet beaches, pleasant temperatures and lower prices. July–August is peak season — lively, but busy.

• Parikia — the main port and capital. See the 4th-century Ekatontapyliani church, stroll the Venetian kastro and enjoy waterfront cafes and shops.

• Naoussa — a postcard-perfect fishing village in the north with white-washed lanes, excellent seafood tavernas and a buzzing nightlife.

• Kolymbithres — family-favourite beach near Naoussa featuring smooth granite boulders, crystal-clear shallow water and a beach bar.

• Golden Beach (Chrissi Akti) — a long stretch of golden sand on the east coast, one of Greece's top windsurfing and kitesurfing destinations.

• Lefkes — a serene mountain village and medieval capital of Paros. Beautiful stone paths, a Byzantine trail and sweeping valley views make it ideal for a morning hike.

• Alyki — a quiet whitewashed village in the south with a lovely sandy beach and some of the best fish restaurants on the island.

• Marbles of Paros — the island's famous white marble has been quarried since antiquity. Visit the ancient Marathi quarry, the same stone used for the Venus de Milo.

• Local food: fresh grilled octopus, loukoumades (honey doughnuts), gouna (sun-dried mackerel), local Parian wines and aged graviera cheese.

• Key distances from Parikia: Naoussa 12 km (15 min), Golden Beach 20 km (25 min), Alyki 16 km (20 min), Lefkes 10 km (15 min).

• Hidden gems: Monastiri Beach (north, sheltered and quiet), Faragas Beach (south, crystal water), and the village of Marpissa for traditional Cycladic architecture.

• Coolcar delivers directly to Paros Port and Paros Airport — so you can pick up your car the moment you step off the ferry or plane.