Paros Greece
5
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Five days in Paros gives you the complete experience of one of the most perfectly balanced islands in the Cyclades, from the extraordinary Parikia old town and the remarkable Naoussa harbour to the ancient marble quarries of Marathi, the hidden villages of Lefkes and Marpissa, the extraordinary beaches of the south coast and the remarkable Antiparos island with its extraordinary cave. This route covers the full Paros: the extraordinary Parikia old town and Ekatontapyliani church, the remarkable Naoussa fishing harbour, the ancient marble quarries, the hidden village of Lefkes, the extraordinary beaches of Kolymbithres, Golden Beach and Santa Maria, and a day trip to the remarkable Antiparos island and its extraordinary stalactite cave.
Best Time To Visit
May to June or September to October
Getting There
Ferry from Piraeus 4 to 5 hours or from nearby Cycladic islands
Getting Around
ATV or scooter essential for beaches. Bus connects main villages.
Budget Per Day
Approx 90 to 170 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy , beaches, villages and a boat trip to Antiparos
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 and the extraordinary Venetian kastro built from ancient marble giving the finest small-town heritage in the Cyclades. The Ekatontapyliani, Church of a Hundred Doors, is the finest early Christian basilica in Greece dating from the 4th century. Church entry free. Drive: Walk
MIDDAY
KASTRO AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The Parikia Kastro built entirely from ancient marble blocks is the most extraordinary Venetian fortification in the Cyclades. The Archaeological Museum houses the finest Archaic sculpture from the island including the remarkable Parian Chronicle, a 3rd-century BC marble inscription listing the most important events in Greek history. Museum entry approx 4 euros. Drive: Walk
AFTERNOON
PARIKIA WATERFRONT AND ANCIENT CEMETERY
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 tomb of the poet Archilochos. The remarkable windmill at the port and the extraordinary Aegean sunset give the finest evening in Parikia. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Parian Chronicle in the Parikia Archaeological Museum is the most extraordinary ancient document in the Cyclades, a 3rd-century BC marble inscription listing key events in Greek history with precise dates. One of the finest ancient historical documents in existence. Included in museum entry. Approx 4 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in the Parikia labyrinth Greek coffee and 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 give the finest traditional Cycladic village atmosphere in Paros. Free to explore. Drive: 20 min boat or drive
MIDDAY
KOLYMBITHRES BEACH
Kolymbithres is the most extraordinary beach in Paros, its remarkable granite rock formations sculpted into extraordinary rounded boulders creating natural swimming pools of vivid turquoise water. The combination of white granite, golden sand and Aegean turquoise gives the finest rock beach landscape in the Cyclades. Accessible by boat from Naoussa. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
SANTA MARIA BEACH
Santa Maria is the finest windsurfing beach on the north coast of Paros, its remarkable exposed position catching the Meltemi winds giving the finest wind sports conditions in the north of the island. The extraordinary turquoise water and the remarkable white sand give the finest natural beach on the northeast coast. Free beach.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Naoussa Venetian castle ruins in the harbour are the finest medieval remnant in Paros, their remarkable partially submerged walls and tower giving the most atmospheric harbour fortification in the Cyclades. The ruins are best viewed by swimming around them or from the harbour fish tavernas. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Bakery in Naoussa 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. | Dinner: Restaurant in Naoussa Outstanding Cycladic dinner in the extraordinary Naoussa village. Parian wine and fresh fish.
DAY 3
INTERIOR VILLAGES
MORNING
LEFKES MOUNTAIN VILLAGE AND BYZANTINE ROAD
Lefkes is the most extraordinary village in Paros, its remarkable mountain position giving the finest views over the Aegean in both directions. The extraordinary Cathedral of Agia Triada built from Parian marble is the finest church in the interior. The remarkable Byzantine marble-flagged road from Lefkes to Prodromos gives the finest rural walk in the Cyclades. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
MARPISSA AND THE SOUTHEAST VILLAGES
Marpissa is the most extraordinary traditional village in the southeast of Paros, its remarkable position on a hilltop above the east coast giving the finest views over the Naxos channel and the extraordinary Cycladic landscape. The remarkable monastery of Agios Antonios above the village and the traditional marble-paved streets give the finest village heritage in east Paros. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
MARATHI ANCIENT MARBLE QUARRIES
The Marathi marble quarries 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 and the Winged Victory. The 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 through the Paros interior giving the finest rural walking on the island. The 4km walk passes through extraordinary terraced olive groves. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Village kafeneion in Lefkes Outstanding traditional Greek coffee in the finest mountain village square in Paros. | Lunch: Taverna in Marpissa Outstanding traditional Cycladic lunch in the most extraordinary hilltop village in east Paros. | Dinner: Restaurant in Parikia Outstanding dinner in the extraordinary old town labyrinth.
DAY 4
ANTIPAROS ISLAND
MORNING
FERRY TO ANTIPAROS ISLAND
ferry Antiparos is the most extraordinary small island accessible from Paros, its remarkable traditional Cycladic character almost entirely unchanged by the development that has transformed its neighbour. The extraordinary Antiparos old town with its remarkable medieval kastro gives the finest unspoilt Cycladic village experience in the Paros area. Ferry from Parikia or Pounda. Approx 2 euros. Drive: On the island
MIDDAY
ANTIPAROS CAVE
The Antiparos Cave is the most extraordinary stalactite cave in the Cyclades, its remarkable 85-metre deep cavern descending through extraordinary formations to a massive underground chamber. King Otto of Greece celebrated Christmas here in 1840. The extraordinary graffiti carved by ancient and more recent visitors including Lord Byron give the cave a remarkable human history. Entry approx 5 euros. Drive: Return to village
AFTERNOON
ANTIPAROS VILLAGE AND SOROS BEACH
The Antiparos old town and kastro give the finest unspoilt medieval village experience in the Paros area, entirely free of the boutique tourism of its neighbour. The extraordinary Soros beach on the east coast of Antiparos gives the finest swimming on the island. The remarkable sunset back on the ferry to Parikia with the Cyclades spread across the Aegean is extraordinary. Free beach.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The uninhabited island of Despotiko opposite Antiparos contains one of the most significant ongoing archaeological excavations in the Cyclades, its remarkable Archaic sanctuary of Apollo giving extraordinary finds each season. Day trip boats from Antiparos run in summer. Approx 15 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast before Antiparos ferry Early start for the first ferry to Antiparos. The island is extraordinary before the day trippers arrive. | Lunch: Taverna in Antiparos village Outstanding traditional Cycladic lunch in the finest unspoilt village in the Paros area. | Dinner: Restaurant in Parikia or Naoussa Outstanding dinner back in Paros after the extraordinary Antiparos day.
DAY 5
SOUTH COAST
MORNING
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 Meltemi wind that arrives reliably each
MIDDAY
DRIOS FISHING VILLAGE
Drios is the most extraordinary fishing village on the southeast coast of Paros, its remarkable natural harbour and traditional tavernas giving the finest authentic fishing village atmosphere on the island. The extraordinary Drios beach and the remarkable views over the Naxos channel give the finest lunchtime setting on the southeast coast. Free to explore. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
ALYKI AND THE SOUTH COAST
Alyki is the most extraordinary traditional village on the south coast, its remarkable natural harbour giving the finest fishing village atmosphere in the south. The extraordinary ruined Early Christian basilica above the village is the largest in the Cyclades outside Parikia. The Alyki beach gives the finest sheltered swimming on the south coast. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Pounda channel between Paros and Antiparos is the finest kitesurfing spot in the Cyclades, the Meltemi wind channelled perfectly through the narrow strait giving world-class conditions. Non-surfers can watch from the extraordinary beach while the kites fill the sky above the turquoise channel. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before south coast drive Early start for Golden Beach. The beach is extraordinary in the morning before the Meltemi wind arrives. | Lunch: Fish taverna in Drios Outstanding fresh fish lunch at the finest fishing village on the southeast coast of Paros. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Naoussa Outstanding final dinner in the extraordinary fishing harbour of Naoussa. The finest Cycladic cuisine.
Where To Stay
Parikia, Nights 1 to 4 Best base for the whole island. Old town hotels from 80 to 200 euros. Book ahead for July and August. Naoussa, alternative The finest harbour atmosphere. 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 entirely walkable.
Top Tips
1. Naoussa harbour before 10am is extraordinary , fishing boats, empty alleyways, the finest morning light in the Cyclades. It fills completely by midday.
2. The Byzantine Road from Lefkes is the finest walk in the Cyclades. The marble-flagged kalderimi path to Prodromos takes 1.5 hours and passes through extraordinary scenery.
3. Antiparos Cave is best before 11am before the tour groups arrive from Paros. The enormous underground chamber at the bottom is extraordinary.
4. The Marathi marble quarry underground tunnels still have ancient chisels embedded in the walls and partially finished blocks. One of the finest hidden sites in Greece.
5. Golden Beach Meltemi arrives at exactly 2pm each afternoon in summer. Arrive in the morning for calm swimming; return in the afternoon for the kite show.
6. The Parian Chronicle in the Parikia museum is one of the most extraordinary ancient documents in existence , a marble inscription of Greek history with exact dates.
Total Budget
90 to 170 euros/day