Paros Greece
3
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Three days in Paros reveals one of the most perfectly formed islands in the Cyclades, its extraordinary combination of the finest marble in the ancient world, remarkable Byzantine heritage, the most beautiful Cycladic old town at Parikia and the extraordinary fishing village of Naoussa giving an island of remarkable contrasts and exceptional natural beauty. This route covers the essential Paros experience: the extraordinary Parikia old town with its remarkable Ekatontapyliani church, the finest early Christian basilica in Greece, the beautiful Naoussa fishing harbour, the ancient marble quarries at Marathi, and the finest beaches from Kolymbithres to the hidden coves of the northeast coast.
Best Time To Visit
May to June or September to October
Getting There
Ferry from Athens (Piraeus) 4 to 5 hours, or fly to Naxos and ferry
Getting Around
ATV, scooter or local bus. Old towns best on foot.
Budget Per Day
Approx 90 to 170 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, mostly walking and beach
DAY 1
PARIKIA
MORNING
PARIKIA OLD TOWN AND EKATONTAPYLIANI
Parikia is the most extraordinary Cycladic old town in the Aegean, its remarkable labyrinth of whitewashed alleyways, blue-domed churches and the extraordinary Venetian kastro built from ancient marble giving the finest small-town heritage in the Cyclades. The Ekatontapyliani, the Church of a Hundred Doors, is the finest early Christian basilica in Greece dating from the 4th century. Church entry free. Drive: Walk through old town
MIDDAY
THE KASTRO AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The Parikia Kastro is the most extraordinary Venetian fortification in the Cyclades, built entirely from ancient marble blocks taken from a 5th-century BC temple giving the most unusual castle construction in Greece. The remarkable round tower contains extraordinary ancient inscriptions. The Archaeological Museum nearby houses the finest Archaic sculpture from the island. Museum entry approx 4 euros. Drive: Walk to waterfront
AFTERNOON
PARIKIA WATERFRONT AND SUNSET
The Parikia waterfront at sunset is the most extraordinary evening scene in the Cyclades, the remarkable windmill above the ferry port and the extraordinary ancient cemetery of Parikia giving the finest combination of Cycladic atmosphere and Aegean light in the islands. The remarkable early Christian cemetery contains the finest ancient grave monuments in the Cyclades. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary ancient cemetery of Parikia on the edge of the old town contains the finest collection of ancient grave monuments in the Cyclades, including remarkable Archaic marble stelae and the extraordinary tomb of the poet Archilochos. Almost entirely unvisited despite being next to the main road. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in the Parikia labyrinth Greek coffee and fresh pastries in the most extraordinary Cycladic alleyway setting in the Aegean. | Lunch: Taverna in Parikia old town Outstanding Greek lunch with fresh fish and local Parian wine in the finest Cycladic labyrinth. | Dinner: Restaurant on the Parikia waterfront Outstanding dinner watching the extraordinary Aegean sunset from the finest waterfront in the Cyclades.
DAY 2
NAOUSSA AND NORTH COAST
MORNING
NAOUSSA FISHING HARBOUR
Naoussa is the most extraordinary fishing village in the Cyclades, its remarkable harbour of colourful wooden boats below the ruined Venetian castle giving the finest small harbour scene in the Aegean. The extraordinary narrow alleyways behind the harbour, filled with boutiques and excellent tavernas, give the finest traditional Cycladic village atmosphere in Paros. Free to explore. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
KOLYMBITHRES BEACH
Kolymbithres is the most extraordinary beach in Paros, its remarkable granite rock formations sculpted by millennia of wind and water into extraordinary rounded boulders creating natural swimming pools of vivid turquoise water. The extraordinary combination of white granite, golden sand and Aegean turquoise gives the finest rock beach landscape in the Cyclades. Accessible by boat from Naoussa or by road. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
MARATHI ANCIENT MARBLE QUARRIES
The Marathi marble quarries in the Paros interior are the most extraordinary ancient industrial site in the Cyclades, the source of the finest white marble in the ancient world used for the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory and the temple friezes of the Parthenon. The extraordinary underground quarry tunnels, still containing ancient chisels and unfinished blocks, give the finest ancient industrial heritage in Greece. Entry approx 3 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Byzantine Road from Lefkes to Prodromos is the finest ancient paved path in the Cyclades, its remarkable marble-flagged kalderimi route through the Paros interior giving the finest rural walking on the island. The 4km walk passes through extraordinary terraced olive groves with views over both coasts. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Bakery in Naoussa Outstanding fresh Cycladic pastries and coffee in the most beautiful fishing village in the Aegean. | Lunch: Fish taverna at Naoussa harbour Outstanding fresh octopus and seafood at the finest harbour in the Cyclades. Order the grilled octopus. | Dinner: Restaurant in Naoussa Outstanding dinner in the extraordinary Naoussa village. The finest Cycladic cuisine and Parian wine.
DAY 3
INTERIOR AND SOUTH COAST
MORNING
LEFKES MOUNTAIN VILLAGE
Lefkes is the most extraordinary traditional village in Paros, its remarkable position in the mountains at the centre of the island giving the finest views over the Aegean in both directions. The extraordinary Cathedral of Agia Triada, built from local Parian marble in the 17th century, is the finest church in the Paros interior. The remarkable marble-paved streets give the finest traditional village atmosphere in the Cyclades. Free. Drive: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
GOLDEN BEACH (CHRYSSI AKTI)
Golden Beach is the finest long beach on Paros, its remarkable stretch of golden sand and extraordinary turquoise water giving the best windsurfing and kitesurfing conditions in the Cyclades. The extraordinary Meltemi wind that arrives reliably each afternoon makes this the finest wind sports beach in the Aegean. The beach itself is extraordinary even for non-surfers. Free beach. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
ALYKI VILLAGE AND THE SOUTH COAST
Alyki is the most extraordinary traditional village on the south coast of Paros, its remarkable position around a natural harbour giving the finest fishing village atmosphere in the south of the island. The extraordinary ruined Early Christian basilica above the village, the largest in the Cyclades outside Parikia, gives remarkable ancient heritage. The Alyki beach is the finest sheltered beach in south Paros. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Pounda beach on the southwest coast of Paros is the finest kitesurfing beach in the Cyclades, its remarkable position in the channel between Paros and Antiparos channelling the Meltemi into the finest kite wind in the Aegean. Even non-kitesurfers will find the extraordinary beach and channel views remarkable. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Village kafeneion in Lefkes Outstanding traditional Greek coffee in the finest mountain village square in Paros. | Lunch: Taverna at Golden Beach Outstanding fresh fish lunch at the finest long beach in Paros. Local Cycladic wine. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Parikia Outstanding final dinner in the extraordinary Parikia old town labyrinth.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Parikia, Nights 1 to 2 The finest base for the whole island. Old town hotels from 80 to 200 euros. Walking distance from everything. Naoussa, alternative The finest harbour village. Boutique hotels from 90 to 200 euros. 15 minutes from Parikia by bus. Budget option Guesthouses in Parikia from 50 euros. The old town is compact and walkable from anywhere nearby.
Top Tips
1. Naoussa harbour is best before 10am when the fishing boats are still in and the alleyways are quiet. The harbour fills completely with tourists by midday.
2. Kolymbithres rock beach is extraordinary but the best swimming pools between the granite boulders are only accessible on foot or by boat from Naoussa.
3. The Ekatontapyliani church legend states it has 99 visible doors and one hidden door. Finding the hidden door is the finest heritage quest in the Cyclades.
4. The Marathi marble quarries are the source of the finest white marble in the ancient world. The underground tunnels still have ancient tool marks in the walls.
5. Parikia old town is best at sunrise and after 8pm. The extraordinary labyrinth is entirely empty at 7am and completely full by 10am.
6. Parian cuisine: order fresh grilled fish, revithokeftedes (chickpea fritters), local goat cheese and the extraordinary Parian white wine at every meal.
Total Budget
90 to 170 euros/day