The Greece that still feels like it belongs to its people.Paros
The Island
Of all the islands we visited on this trip, Paros was our favorite — and it wasn't particularly close.
Think of it as a smaller, less crowded version of Mykonos. It has the beach clubs, the nightlife, the whitewashed streets — but without the overwhelming tourist machine that Mykonos has become. The locals are genuinely friendly and happy to see you, the pace is slower, and the island still feels like it belongs to the people who actually live there.
We'll be honest — that's changing. Paros is gaining popularity fast and you can feel it. The prices are creeping up and the crowds are growing. If you've been thinking about going, go sooner rather than later. Once it tips into full tourist overdrive it will lose some of what makes it special.
The village of Naoussa in the north of the island is not to be missed. During the day it's perfect for wandering — narrow streets, colorful doors, friendly shop owners. At night the restaurants and bars come alive in a way that feels organic rather than manufactured. It's the kind of place you stumble into and end up staying three hours longer than you planned.
We rented a car and explored the whole island at our own pace, which we highly recommend. Paros rewards exploration — get off the main roads and you'll find beaches, chapels, and villages that most tourists never see.
Where to Stay
We stayed at the Parian Boutique Hotel in Naoussa and from the moment we arrived the experience set the tone for the entire stay. Every member of the staff greeted us and welcomed us with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine — a small touch that made an immediate impression. The suite was spacious, spotless, and comfortable. Exactly what you want after a day of travel.
The hotel is tucked in close to Naoussa village — a short 5 to 8 minute walk to the main strip — which turned out to be the perfect location. Close enough to walk to dinner and the waterfront, far enough to feel removed from the noise when you're ready to wind down.
Naoussa has no shortage of boutique hotels and we'd recommend staying in this area over anywhere else on the island. You're well positioned to explore by car during the day and walk to everything you need at night. We'd absolutely stay in Naoussa again — and would consider the Parian Boutique Hotel a first call when we return.
What to Do
Paros kept us busy in the best possible way. Here's what we'd put on your list:
Greek Cooking Class — don't skip this. Hands down one of the highlights of the entire trip. Our chef was hilarious, warm, and had everyone participating from the first minute. She set the tone perfectly and turned a cooking class into a genuine experience. Unlimited wine helped. At the end of the class she emailed all 60+ of her recipes to every participant — we're still working through them. Jennifer has already made two dishes at home and they were outstanding. Book this early, it fills up.
Rent a car. Non-negotiable. Paros rewards exploration and you won't see the best of it without wheels. The main roads are easy and the island is small enough to cover in a day.
Cabana Beach Club. Great vibes, great food, great music. A perfect way to spend a relaxed day by the water. The service was excellent and the setting is exactly what you picture when you think of a Greek island beach club.
Day trip to Antiparos. Take the rental car on the 7-minute ferry crossing to the neighboring island of Antiparos. From there drive to Soros Beach on the far end of the island — isolated, stunning, and worth every minute. We spent a couple of hours there and it was one of those unexpected travel moments that stays with you.
Lefkes village. A quieter, less visited village inland on Paros that's well worth an hour or two of wandering. Beautiful architecture, fewer tourists, and a pace that feels genuinely unhurried.
Nightlife. Paros has a vibrant bar and club scene that punches above its size. Our two top spots were Comeback Bar and Axinos — both delivered good music, good energy, and a great crowd.
Where to Eat
Paros was the best eating of the trip — and that's saying something given how well we ate everywhere. Honest take: there was nowhere we'd tell you to avoid. Every place we tried was good or better than good. Avoid the trends on Social Media they can be misleading. Ask the locals.
Siparos — make a reservation. A short drive from Naoussa but absolutely worth it. The food was fantastic and the sunset view is stunning. This is a popular spot for good reason — book ahead, don't show up hoping to walk in.
Axinos — for a night you won't forget. We listed this under bars too but dinner here deserves its own mention. The energy in this place is unlike anything we experienced on the trip. White napkins spinning, people standing on their chairs, the whole restaurant singing along to ABBA. It sounds chaotic and it is — in the best possible way. Go hungry, stay late.
Pita Franks — a surprise standout. Don't let the name fool you. The line for the gyros is long and it moves slowly. Get in it anyway. Some of the best gyros we had on the entire trip. Worth every minute of the wait.
Paradosiako — Greek donuts. A must stop. Fresh, warm, and absolutely fabulous. Find it, eat them, thank us later.
Balconi Tou Aki in Aliki — for the seafood. A seaside restaurant in the village of Aliki where the seafood is fresh, plentiful, and delicious. The setting is beautiful and the food matches it. A perfect lunch spot if you're exploring the southern part of the island.
Getting There & Around
Getting to Paros: We flew from Athens to Paros — a 30-minute flight that barely gives you time to settle in before you're descending. By the time you're up in the air you're already coming down. The views from the plane over the Aegean are incredible and worth the window seat. Highly recommend flying over the long ferry from Athens if your schedule allows.
Airport to hotel: Have your hotel arrange airport transfers. Ours handled it seamlessly — comfortable, easy, and one less thing to think about on arrival. Taxis and rideshares are hard to come by in Paros so organizing this in advance is the smart move.
Getting around: Rent a car. We've said it before and we'll say it again — the rental car was our best decision on this island. No waiting for taxis that may or may not show up, no Uber, no schedules. We went where we wanted when we wanted. It's the only way to properly see Paros, get to Antiparos, find the hidden beaches, and explore villages like Lefkes and Aliki at your own pace.
In Naoussa: Leave the car at the hotel. Naoussa is completely walkable and best explored on foot. The streets are narrow, the scenery is beautiful, and wandering without a destination is half the point.
Plan Your Trip
Ready to book your Paros trip? These are the tools we used and trust. Book your hotel, find tours and experiences including the Greek Cooking Class, and explore day trips to Antiparos below.