Where To Stay In Paros – 2023 Best Areas & Hotels

Are you heading to the Cyclades and wondering where to stay in Paros?

Located in the Aegean Sea just off mainland Greece’s southeast coast, this enchanting island is brimming with stunning beaches, bustling restaurants and nightlife spots, historical sites, a vibrant culture – and more.

But before you can enjoy all the amazing sights and experiences this island has to offer, there’s one important question you need to ask yourself: where will I stay? To make your decision easier, we’ve created this guide on the best areas to stay in Paros.

We love Paros and visited the island on multiple occasions, and we are going to help you choose the best place to stay, so you can make the most of your trip.

Where To Stay In Paros – Quick Guide 

Looking for a quick answer to where to stay in Paros Greece? Below, you’ll find a quick summary of the best places to stay in Paros, including top hotel picks.

OTHER LOCATIONS:

⭐ PARASPOROS BEACH – stunning quiet beach location, luxury hotels, a 9-minute drive from Parikia ➡️ TOP HOTEL ➡️ Paros Bay.

⭐ ALYKI – a small town with a beach, excellent for families, south coast and a 16-minute drive to Parikia ➡️ TOP HOTEL ➡️ Acoya Suites Paros.

⭐ PISO LIVADI – a remote fishing village on the eastern coast, a 30-minute drive from Parikia ➡️ TOP HOTEL ➡️ Aspries Suites.

⭐ LEFKES – authentic village stay in the central part of the island, good for hikers, a 16-minute drive from Naoussa ➡️ Villa Byzantino.

⭐ ANTIPAROS – off-beaten track island ➡️ Lagadia Village.

⭐ DRIOS – a quiet town near the famous Golden Beach ➡️ Drios Luxury Studios.

🛳️ Parikia Paros – Where To Stay In Paros For First Time  

BEST FOR | Convenient stay close to all amenities, families, great base for exploring the island, excellent nightlife & restaurant choices. 

Paros Parikia is one of the most popular places to stay in Paros Greece, and a great base for exploring the rest of the island. It is the port town of the island, so anyone arriving in Paros starts from Parikia. 

Parikia boasts a charming historical part where you can get lost in the narrow alleys amongst whitewashed Cycladic buildings and cute blue and white churches. It has a few beautiful churches, including the Church of Agios Konstantinos, from where you can watch the best sunset on the island!

For the history buffs, there are ruins of the Frankish Castle, and for the rest, many super cute cafes hidden around the historic part of the city and cool boutique shops.

Parikia stretches along the coast and has a few beaches within walking distance of the town. The best beaches are Livadia and Parikia, situated north of the Paros ferry port. Parikia is also close to some of the best beaches in Paros, a short (up to 30 min) drive away, that are perfect for a day trip. One of my favourite ones is Monastiri Beach. 

Parikia also has a few cute historic windmills that stand along the coastline.  

Staying in Parikia is super convenient because it will mean you can literally walk from the ferry to your Paros accommodation. Moreover, Parikia has an excellent bus connection with the rest of the island. So, if you don’t want to drive, definitely stay in Parikia.

The town of Parikia is also excellent for a wide range of amenities such as grocery stores, superb restaurants and chilled bars, tour operators and car & ATV rental shops. Due to its convenience, Parikia is also the best area to stay in Paros with kids and families. 

THINGS TO DO IN PARIKIA PAROS GREECE

Best Hotels in Paros Parikia 

🥂 Naoussa Paros – Where To Stay In Paros For Chic & Luxury Experience. 

BEST FOR | Luxury stays, boutique shops, cute marina, superb dining, great beaches 

Naoussa Paros is situated on the northern coast of Paros, 15 minutes drive from Parikia. Naousa is way more upmarket than Parikia. You will find here more luxurious accommodation Paros is known for, fancy restaurants and chic boutiques selling cool clothes and fashion accessories.  

Naoussa boasts a picturesque marina with colourful ships and yachts parked by the shore and a variety of seafood restaurants that offer al fresco dining at the seafront. There is also a regular boat service that can take you to various beaches daily, such as Monastiri Beach and Kolymbithres Beach. 

There is a decent beach in town, but Naoussa is also close to some of the best beaches on Paros, such as Santa Maria, Lageri and Monastiri, and it would be a shame not to visit them. An excellent idea for a day trip from Naoussa is renting a car and exploring one of the gorgeous Paros beaches.

If you are a wine lover, there is also a great winery nearby called Moraitis Winery. 

Where to stay in Paros Parikia or Naoussa?

If you’re looking to spend your holidays in Paros Greece in style, including staying in the best hotel in Paros Greece, eating in the best restaurants in Paros with a view and want to stay somewhere lively, choose Naoussa.

If you’re more of a budget traveller, don’t care about stylish restaurants or hotels, but you’re primarily after convenience, stay in Parikia. 

THINGS TO DO IN NAOUSSA

Best Naoussa Paros Hotels 

 

🏖️ Chrissi Akti Paros (Golden Beach) – Best Beach Stay

BEST FOR | Beach holiday, water sports such as SUP, kayak and windsurfing

Chrissi Akti (or Chrissi Atki) is situated on the southeastern side of Paros, a 20 km or 30 minutes drive from the port of Parikia and 17 km from the Paros Airport. The area centres around Chrissi Akti Beach, also known as Golden Beach Paros.

Golden Beach is famous for its powdery golden sand that glistens in the sun and calm sea that stays shallow for a long way out, making it a safe beach for families with young children.

This area of Paros is also popular with windsurfing and kite surfing, and a little away from the Golden Beach, there is Nea Chrissi Akti, a place where the World Cup by Professional Association of Windsurfing takes place. The conditions on that beach are perfect for windsurfing, and there are several schools where you can try this fantastic water sport.

Apart from windsurfing, all the best beach clubs in Paros are situated in the area of Golden Beach as well as a few cool beach bars. Golden Beach is also the best place to stay in Paros Greece, for kayaking and stand up paddleboarding (SUP).

BEST RESTAURANTS IN CHRISSI AKTI

 

Where To Stay Paros – Chrissi Akti

🐈‍⬛ Lefkes Paros – Best Place To Stay In Paros For An Authentic Experience

BEST FOR | Authentic experience seekers, away from the tourist crowds, photographers and outdoor lovers. 

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

Lefkes 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 town of Lefkes 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 hour’, so you can have this cute place entirely to yourself! 

The historic centre of Lefkas is entirely pedestrianised. Wake up in the morning and stroll its whitewashed alleys. Sit on the Byzantine square and drink 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 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 LEFKES

BEST RESTAURANTS IN PAROS GREECE LEFKES  

Best Places To Stay In Paros Greece – Lefkes

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Piso Livadi Paros – Best Town To Stay With A Family

BEST FOR | Families, a quiet stay by the beach away from the crowds, excellent dining with the marina view, well-priced rooms. 

Piso Livadi is a small fishing village that in recent years has been transformed into a low key seaside resort, especially favoured by families with kids. Piso Livadi boasts an excellent selection of well-priced accommodation. 

Piso Livadi is situated 17 km southeast of Parikia and 12 km southeast of Naoussa. 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. Golden Beach (Chrissi Akti) is 4 km away. 

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. 

Piso Livadi has 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.  Even if you decide against staying in Piso Livadi, we reccommend coming here for dinner.

THINGS TO DO IN PISO LIVADI

PISO LIVADI RESTAURANTS

Best Piso Livadi Hotels

🏖️ Parasporos Beach – Where To Stay In Paros For A Quiet Beach

BEST FOR | Staying close to a superb beach in a quiet location but minutes drive from lively Parikia.

Parasporos Beach is situated on the south-western edge of Parikia, 3 km from the ferry port. Parasporos is a gorgeous beach with turquoise, crystal clear water and powdery, golden sand surrounded by rugged hills. A few tavernas on the beach provide parasols and sun loungers for rent, cold drinks, and light meals during the European summer (and high season). 

The sea is relatively shallow, and the shore is a little stoney and uneven, so it is recommended to wear water shoes.  

Nearby, there is a campsite that is popular with backpackers. During the months of July and August, the beach gets busy and lively, with the backpackers and beach tavernas organising beach parties. Outside of the summer holidays, the beach is super quiet. 

Parasparos has a good range of luxury resorts, small hotels and apartments scattered amongst the hills and overlooking the peaceful bay. If you’re looking to stay in a quiet location Paros but within a super short drive to the nightlife of Parikia, Parasparos could be the perfect match. 

THINGS TO DO

Best Parasparos Hotels

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Alyki Paros – One Of The Best Places To Stay In Paros With Kids

BEST FOR | Peaceful family holiday, well-priced accommodation. 

Alyki (also spelt Aliki Paros ) is a small fishing village situated 13 km (20 minutes by car) from Parikia and the ferry port and 5 km from Paros airport, on the island’s southern coast. 

Alyki town has a charming beachfront with a couple of restaurants providing sun loungers, parasols and outdoor dining. The beach has a chilled, family-friendly vibe, and it usually doesn’t get too busy. Aliki is definitely a family destination looking for a quiet location and fair accommodation prices. 

Apart from the Aliki Beach (Paralia Aliki) situated in the heart of the town, there are two more nearby beaches, both within walking distance from Alyki. Piso Aliki Beach is 650 meters to the south, and Agios Nikolaos Beach is 750 meters to the northwest. 

Apart from the nearby beaches, good hotel and apartments options and a few good places to eat, Alyki is super quiet. However, for those that are looking for some interesting activities, Aliki does not disappoint. Check the section below, what’s available in Alyki. 

THINGS TO DO IN ALYKI

BEST RESTAURANTS IN ALYKI PAROS

Alyki Paros Where To Stay 

🏝️ Antiparos – Best Off-The-Grid Location

BEST FOR | A super quiet, off-beaten track and chilled holiday, drinking coffee on your own terrace and looking at the beautiful scenery.

Antiparos is a smaller island located off the southeastern coast of Paros. A frequent ferry service connects the two islands, and the ride takes only 10 minutes. 

What’s special about Antiparos is its local charm and quintessential Cycladic vibe. Here you can stroll through super sleepy whitewashed alleys and experience the local hospitality. The island of Antiparos is as far as it gets from the mass tourism in the Cyclades. 

Antiparos has a few stunning beaches, the historic town of Chora and some super cool caves. What’s interesting, Antiparos is also famous for the holiday villas of some Hollywood celebrities such as Tom Hanks! 

If chilled ‘in the middle of nowhere’ island vibes are your thing, then stay in Antiparos. Here, you can find some limited Paros accommodation options, a few hotels, and taverns. 

THINGS TO DO IN ANTIPAROS

BEST RESTAURANTS ANTIPAROS

Best Hotels In Antiparos

🏝️ Drios Paros – Where To Stay In Paros Off-Grid

BEST FOR | A quiet stay close to the famous Golden Beach.

Drios (also referred to as Dryos Paros) is a super small town situated on the eastern coast of Greece’s Paros island, 22 km from Parikia. Drios is also 2.5 km south of Golden Beach (Chrissi Akti) or a 16-minute walk along the coast.

Despite being in the neighbourhood of the famous Golden Beach, Drios is a much more low-key resort. It has its own beach –  Paralia Drios, a few excellent local tavernas specialising in fish and seafood (of course!) and some excellent Paros apartments, hotels and B&Bs. 

A few kilometres away from the shore, you can spot a small, uninhabited island – Drionisi. Apart from Golden Beach, other nearby beaches include Pirgaki, Lolantoni and Bountari. 

BEST DRIOS PAROS RESTAURANTS

Best Drios Paros Hotels

Where Is Paros? – Paros Map

Paros is a Cycladic Island amongst Santorini, Mykonos, Milos, Naxos, Ios and other smaller islands, situated southeast of mainland Greece.

Paros Greece Map – Click on the blue pins to learn more.

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 serve this connection, including Aegean, Sky Express, and Olympic. Use a flight 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, 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 during 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 of 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. 

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Ferry Athens to Paros

Athens to Paros ferry is the most popular route and the most frequent service. Ferries from 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 the 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. 

How to get around the Greek Island Paros 

Paros Tours 

If you’re looking for what to do in Paros, you’ll be delighted to know that there are tonnes of exciting activities in Paros for all tastes and travel styles. Here are some top pics of the best things to do in Paros: 

Authentic Foodie Tasting Experience with veggie & vegan options! There is no better way of experiencing the Cycladic culture other than to eat your way through the island!

Guided Stargazing Tour + Night Photography. This tour is an excellent activity for all avid photographers and adventurers. 

Photo Walk + Tour of Naoussa. This tour is another excellent activity for photography enthusiasts. Naoussa is one of the cutest places on Paros with tones of photo-worthy spots!

Group Beach Hike from Parikia. This is a fun hike to a hidden, unspoiled beach for all outdoor lovers out there.

Professional Photoshoot in Paros. Are you dreaming of some perfect photos from Paros to share on Instagram, or maybe you would like a professional photoshoot with your partner? Either way, check out this Photoshoot tour with Viator.

Paros Boat Tours

Here are some of the best Paros boat cruises.

Full-Day Sailing Cruise around Antiparos & Despotiko. This cruise is one of the best boat tours Paros is famous for!

Full-day Boat Trip Paros on a Sailing Yacht. This tour takes you to some of the hidden, perfect bays and small islands such as Irakleia, Schoinousa and Koufonissia.

Car Rental Paros

If you rather explore the island at your own pace, you can easily rent a car and drive to the best Paros spots yourself. I found that online car rental costs the same as doing it in person on arrival, and it saves you the hassle of shopping around on the island. It also makes sense to pre book the car online if you’re travelling during the peak season. 

I usually use Discover Cars 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. 

Car Hire Paros Deals

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 as expensive (or more) as car rental Paros and may be unpleasant to drive in windy conditions. 

Buses Paros

Paros has excellent public transport, with Paros buses frequently running between the most popular tourist destinations. If you’re planning to use buses in Paros instead of a car, stay in Naoussa or Parikia, where you get the best connections, and also remember that buses are way less frequent off-season. 

Paros Bus Timetable

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