Lefkes Paros – A Guide to the Hidden Gem of Paros

Charming whitewashed alleys adorned by blossoming bushes, sleepy byzantine squares and quaint churches with blue domes – this is Lefkes Paros – quintessentially Cycladic village. Lefkes village is a true hidden gem of Paros, and your Paros holidays would not be complete without seeing this beauty! 

Lefkes Greece is one of the best places to stay in Paros for the authentic Cycladic vibe! Other awesome choices on the island include the chic town of Naoussa Paros boasting a picturesque marina and excellent nightlife and conveniently situated Parikia Paros – Island’s Port with a myriad of tourist amenities and well-priced Paros hotels. 

This post is a complete guide to Lefkes Paros Greece that includes inspiring images, best things to do on Paros Lefkes village, best Lefkes restaurants, Lefkes hotels and beautiful things to see in Paros near Lefkes.  

Where is Lefkes Paros?

Lefkes village is situated 18 km east of Parikia Paros ferry port in the centre of the Greek Paros island. The town is perched on the hill and boasts panoramic views over the surrounding greenery and even the sea. The nearest beach to Lefkes is Piso Livadi – one of the best beaches on Paros.  

Lefkes on Paros Greece Map (click on the map for an interactive version)

Lefkes Paros Quick Guide

Paros Lefkes – Introduction

Lefkes Greece was the capital of Paros in mediaeval times, and today this is visibly in its architectural heritage, especially the many beautiful churches that date back to medieval times. If you want to experience the authentic Cycladic village, the charming Lefkes village Paros is the best place to stay in Paros.

And the best way to experience its beauty and charm is to stay a few nights. During the late morning to early afternoon of the high season, Lefkes may fill up with tourists coming for a day trip, but not many people actually stay in Lefkes outside of the ‘rush hours’, so you can have this cute place entirely to yourself! 

The historic centre of Lefkas Paros is entirely pedestrianised. Wake up in the morning and stroll its whitewashed alleys. Sit on the Byzantine square and drink a fresh orange juice. Lefkes is also a paradise for all photography lovers. Every street is picture-worthy, so don’t forget to charge up your camera!

The most iconic landmark of Paros Lefkes is its beautiful Parekklesio Church perched on a hill. 

Lefkes is also the best place to stay Paros if you’re planning to hike the Byzantine Road, which is a spectacular 3.5 km hike to the village of Prodromos. 

 Things to do in Paros Lefkes Village

#1 Morning stroll through Lefkes Paros  

The best way to enjoy Lefkes village is to wake up early in the morning and leisurely stroll the sleepy whitewashed alleys. Lefkes in the morning is truly magical and I can’t recommend enough staying for at least one night to experience it. Lefkes historic centre is entirely pedestrianised with no motorised vehicles (even scooters that can be super annoying) allowed whatsoever.

In the early morning, you will be able to really absorb the magical Cycladic aura and if you’re lucky meet some locals and definitely lots of beautiful cats. What a treat! You don’t need a map, allow yourself to get lost in the network of narrow alleys. 

#2 Take lots of photos 

Be sure to bring your camera fully charged with you, as Lefkes Paros is a real eye-candy full of charming corners, quaint Cycladic churches and cute sugar-cube houses with colourfully painted doors. I’m leaving below some of the photos I’ve taken in Lefkes for your inspiration.  

#3 Visit Church of Agia Triada

Perched on the highest hill in Lefkes, there is the majestic Agia Triada (Holy Trinity) Church built in 1830. This beautiful Byzantine church has two bell towers on both sides of the main facade and an archway entrance. The temple is the second largest church on the island of Paros and you can really see it from every corner of the village. 

The church is situated only a few minutes walk from the Byzantine square and when you get there, you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view of Lefkes. Don’t forget to take a peek inside to see the church’s intricate ceiling frescoes depicting Saints and its grand, crystal and gold chandeliers. 

Location | Agia Triada Church 

#4 People watch at the Byzantine Square 

Life in Paros Lefkes village is slow and the best way to savour the vibe is sitting in one of its cafes and people-watching from the cutest square in the village. The Byzantine square I’m talking about is the most picturesque, vibey place in Lefkes (in my modest opinion). Sit in one of the few cafes on the square and enjoy the view.

The cafes sell delicious homemade cakes and homemade lemonade. I sat in Agiazi Cafe, which was great but there also was a super cute tinny cafe with a charming old lady serving the guests fresh orange juice and pies. 

The most beautiful building on the square has a vibrant yellow facade with blue ornaments. Don’t forget to take a few shots of it or simply, enjoy the view of it. 

Location | Agiazi Cafe

#5 Visit a Silver Workshop in Lefkes Paros

Lefkes village is famous for its high-quality silver workshops. If you have the time check out their collections. A piece of silver jewellery can be a great souvenir from your Paros vacation or a unique gift for your loved ones. 

Location | Scarabee Jewellery Shop

#6 Shop for Souvenirs

Lefkes has also a few nice souvenirs shops perfect for having a browse. Here, you can find typical Greek souvenirs such as fridge magnets, home ornaments, hanging decorations, small paintings and pictures and of course, jewellery!

You can find the shop from the photo at the entrance to the historic part of Lefkes, which is pedestrianised. I’m leaving a link to the location below. 

Location | Aerikolefkes Lefkes

#7 Hike the Byzantine Road from Paros Lefkes

Byzantine Road is a historic trail that dates back to 1000 A.D. and connects the village of Lefkes with Prodromos. It is a truly scenic walk. The trail is mostly downhill apart from the initial ascend in Lefkes. On route, you will be able to see the island of Naxos and Molos beach in the distance. The path is very well preserved and still paved with Parian marble dating back to the Byzantine era. 

The walk is 3.5 km long and takes around 1 hour being suitable for any level of fitness. On the way back, you can walk the same way back or take a bus from the village of Prodromos to Lefkes. 

#8 Dine at Lefkiano Lefkes Restaurant

Have lunch at one of the best Lefkes Paros restaurants – Lefkiano! This family-owned restaurant serves traditional Greek food and delicious seafood. Try their seafood risotto with cuttlefish ink, grilled mostello cheese or fava with caramelised onions accompanied with a Mediterranean salad. This could just be the best food in Paros you have tried on your holiday! If you have the time, I also recommend making a booking for an evening meal. They have a really cute rooftop seating area, perfect for the sunset hour. 

Location | Lefkiano Restaurant 

#9 Eat at the bakery 

Before exploring Paros Lefkes, stop at Stratis bakery to get some goodies to enjoy while walking around the old town! If you arrive early in the morning, you will find the best local baked bread and pastries in this small shop. Try a mouth-watering sweet cheese and lemon pie or a traditional Greek Spanakopita, which is a spinach and feta pie in a puff pastry. 

Location | Stratis Bakery 

#10 Visit Marpissa Paros

If you’re up for wandering through even more quiet and authentic Cycladic villages of Paros, make sure you check out Marpissa which is located only a short drive from Lefkes. Marpissa has a super gorgeous old town with whitewashed alleys and charming sugar-cube houses. There is also a small square with a quaint church at the centre of the village that is just such eye candy! Don’t forget to check out Porte Rose which is an Instagram worthy spot featuring a fairy-tale like house with a pink door and Marpissa Mills. 

Marpissa village Paros is situated a 10-minutes drive from Lefkes, which is only around 5 km. You can either drive here or take a public bus from Lefkes. 

Location | Marpissa Village 

Best Beaches near Lefkes Greece

Chrissi Akti Beach 

Golden Beach also called Chrissi Akti Beach is one of the best beaches in Paros with golden sand (as the name suggests) and a calm sea perfect for all sorts of water sports. Chrissi Akti is famous for great beach clubs Paros where you can hire sun loungers and umbrellas and get served drinks all day long!

Next to Chrissi Akti Beach, there is another beach that is famous for windsurfing competitions! Golden Beach Paros is situated southeast of Lefkes, about 15 minutes drive.

Location | Chrissi Akti Paros  

Piso Livadi 

A small fishing village of Piso Livadi is situated 7 km southeast of Lefkes. Piso Livadi has a small beach in town that is perfect for families, and it’s a short walk from Paralia Logaras (Logaras Beach), situated 500 meters from the town marina. The beach features sun loungers and umbrellas that belong to a couple of taverns. If you order a drink or a meal, you can use them free of charge. There is also a children’s playground right by the beach in Piso Livadi to entertain the little ones. 

There is also a small marina in the heart of town with colourful fishing boats. Also, from this small port, you can take a day trip to the nearby islands such as Naxos, Ios or Santorini. The town is also renowned for its excellent restaurants serving traditional Greek cuisine, seafood, and international dishes and most of them are located along the town’s promenade.  

Location | Piso Livadi Paros

Santa Maria Beach Paros

Santa Maria Paros is located 15 km north of Lefkes or about 24 minutes drive. This beach has a golden, powdery sound and shallow, calm waters with a tantalising turquoise shade. The beach is large with plenty of space to stretch your own towel with a few trees providing shade. 

Further down the beach, you can find plenty of sun chairs and umbrellas to rent out, the prices range from €20 to €40 per day, which is not cheap. There are also a few places to get some snacks and a drink. There used to be Santa Maria Beach Bar, which was pretty famous for its party vibe and great cocktails, but it was closed when I visited in September and according to Google maps, it’s been permanently closed down. But, hopefully, the beach bar will reopen soon.

Apart from soaking up the sun and swimming in the azure water, you can also rent a kayak or a standup paddleboard to explore the shore and get some physical activity done. There is a large free off-road  car park space in front of the beach, where you can leave your vehicle  

Location |  Santa Maria Naoussa

Alyki Paros

Alyki (also spelt Aliki Paros ) is a small fishing village situated 23 km (30 minutes by car) south of Lefkes.

Alyki town has a charming beachfront with a couple of restaurants providing sun loungers, parasols and outdoor dining. Aliki Beach Paros has a chilled, family-friendly vibe, it usually doesn’t get too busy and it’s a perfect destination for a chilled beach day from Lefkes Paros. 

Location | Aliki Paros

Best Lefkes Hotels 

In this section, you can find the best Lefkes hotels for all budgets. 

LUXURY

MIDRANGE

BUDGET

Best time to visit Lefkes Paros Greece

The best time to visit Lefkes is around 8-9 am in the morning when you will be able to experience its charm without the crowds. Many Paros tours visit Lefkes as a part of their itinerary, and at high season, the village may get crowded with day-trippers. That is why I recommend staying for a night or two to fully appreciate this charming little place! 

Morning is also excellent for photography. Morning light is perfect for taking photos and capturing rich colours. Definitely avoid midday which experiences very harsh light. 

Also, travelling outside of July and August is highly advisable! The best time for exploring Paros is the months of June and September when the crowds ease off and Paros accommodation prices are lower. 

Lefkes Parking 

Free Public Car Park in Lefkes is situated on the main road with plenty of space and just a short walk from the historic town. You can find the location here.

It is also possible to park just before Stratis Bakery next to the small square with greenery. If you arrive early in the morning or travel on a scooter, try this parking which is closer to the Lefkes old town.  

Paros Lefkes Restaurants 

Lefkes has some of the best restaurants Paros is renowned for!

Aggelantonis Aegean Coffee Lab |  speciality coffees, smoothies, salads, toasties, homemade lemonade, salads, cakes, pizzas.

Lefkiano Restaurant | for an authentic Greek village experience, traditional hospitality and tasty Lefkes brunch book a table at Lefkiano. The Lefkes menu includes seafood dishes and traditional Greek plates such as moussaka. For a great view book a table at the roof patio! 

Agiazi Cafe | a great charming cafe situated on the Byzantine square in Lefkes. Try one of their homemade cakes – walnut pie or orange cake followed by the greek traditional Freddo espresso! 

Kataifi | this cafe serves the best baklava! Owed by a lovely old lady and situated on the ancient square in Lefkes, Kataifi is a super cute spot to have a break during your visit in Lefkes. 

Kafeneio Marigos | excellent orange pie and homemade lemonade. 

Sweet Smelling Kitchen | Lefkes taverna serving Greek food with pleasant seating on a terrace. 

How to get to Lefkes Paros

Visit Lekfes on a tour 

If you don’t have much time to explore Paros in your own time, take a Paros organised tour that will take you to the best places on the island hassle-free.  

Paros Highlights Private Tour 

Car Hire Paros Lefkes 

The most convenient way of getting around the island is renting a car. Car hire shops are widely available in Paros. You can get a car as soon as you arrive by ferry in Parikia and drive to your hotel. Having your own vehicle will be also super handy if you’re planning on exploring the island. 

You can also prearrange car hire online with the car pick up at the ferry terminal in Parikia port or Paros airport, which is an extremely convenient option and will spare you having to shop around for a reputable car hire Paros shop. Booking your car online is also a wise move if you’re visiting Paros during the peak months of July and August. 

I usually use DiscoverCars to search for the best car rental option and always opt-in for the full insurance cover to save myself unpleasantries such as paying an excess fee for damages. 

Best Car Rent Paros Deals

Lefkes Paros Bus 

Paros has excellent public transport with buses Paros frequently running between most popular tourist destinations. If you’re planning to use buses in Paros instead of a car to explore the island, staying in Naoussa or Parikia will be the most convenient as both towns have the best bus connections. It is also worth remembering that buses are way less frequent off-season. 

Paros Bus Timetable

Taxi Paros

Another way of getting around the island of Paros Greece is catching a taxi. This is obviously the most expensive way of travelling as taxi drivers seem to always charge foreign visitors a premium for their services. However, if you decide to use taxis, makes sure you agree on the price before getting into the car or ensure the taxi meter is switched on. 

ATV Rental Paros

Riding an ATV vehicle is also a popular form of exploring the island. ATVs are easy and fun to drive, and they are good at riding off-road. The downside of renting an ATV is they are almost as expensive as car rental Paros and may be unpleasant to drive in windy conditions. 

How to get to Paros 

Flights to Paros 

A convenient way to get to Paros is to take an Athens to Paros flight. Paros airport is situated 10 km south of its ferry port and town – Parikia. It’s a super small airport that mostly serves Athens to Paros flights.  

A few airlines fly to Airport Paros, including Aegean, Sky Express, and Olympic. Use a flights comparison website such as KAYAK to search for the cheapest flight to Paros. 

Paros Ferries

The most common way of getting to Paros is taking a ferry either from Athens or, if you’re island hopping in the Cyclades, from another island. Several companies service the route between the Cycladic islands in Greece: Seajets, Blue Star Paros, and Aegean Speed Lines. 

If you want to save some money on the ferries that can be costly, especially if you’re island hopping, I recommend booking your fares way in advance. I always use Ferry Scanner to look for the best tickets. If you’re planning your trip to Paros at peak season, booking your ferry in advance makes even more sense, especially if you’re not very flexible on dates. If you book online, Ferry Scanner offers an extended free cancellation period in case your plans change. 

When searching for tickets, you will also notice that slower ferries can be a lot cheaper, so if you don’t mind a 2-3 hours longer trip, booking a slower ferry can be a good way of saving some money. 

Travelling on ferries is an experience in its own right! Remember to arrive early as the boarding process and loading the vehicles is swift, and boats don’t wait around and usually leave on time. Also, always check ahead of time if your ferry is scheduled to go on time. Ferry services rely on good sea conditions, and cancellations are common, especially in September and October when there are more chances of strong winds. 

Ferry Athens to Paros

Athens to Paros ferry is the most popular route and the most frequent service. Ferries Athens to Paros leaves multiple times a day from Piraeus or Rafina ports to Parikia. Depending on the ferry, the journey takes anything from 3 to 5 hours. For ferry schedules and prices, check Ferry Scanner. 

Ferry Mykonos to Paros

A ferry Mykonos Paros is another popular route with multiple ferries scheduled daily. The trip takes from 45 minutes to over an hour, and during summer holidays, ferries get booked out quickly, so consider booking online if you’re travelling during that time. 

Ferries Santorini to Paros

The same applies to ferry Santorini Paros. The journey takes 2 to 5 hours, and online booking is recommended for travels between July and August. 

Ferry Naxos to Paros

Naxos is another superb island worth visiting if you like gorgeous beaches! Ferries Naxos to Paros frequently leave during the day and the journey time is super short – between 30 and 50 minutes. 

Crete to Paros Ferry

If you’re looking for how to get to Paros from Crete, there is a ferry operated by Seajets that leaves from Heraklion to Parikia once a day with a journey time of 5.5 hours. 

Ferry Sifnos to Paros

Sifnos is also a super easy island to get to from Paros. The trip only takes 50 minutes, and it’s one of the best day trips from Paros if you’re short on time. 

Like me? PIN me for later! 🙂