What to see and do in Antiparos?

Antiparos is a Cycladic confetti, a small Greek island to the west of Paros. Paros’ little sister has a charm all of its own, with a calm atmosphere and a gentle, pleasant way of life. The island may be small, but it has plenty to offer. We guarantee it: there ‘s never a dull moment on Antiparos!

Here are a few ideas of things to see and do in Antiparos.

You can also find our advice, practical information and good addresses in Antiparos in our article When and how to go to Antiparos, how long to stay, our favorite restaurants, choosing a hotel in Antiparos.

1 – Enjoy the gentle village of Antiparos

The village of Antiparos, also known as Hora or Chroa, is a pretty, postcard-perfect village in bloom Narrow cobbled streets, whitewashed houses with blue doors and windows, chapels scattered here and there, bougainvillea galore, cats lazing in the sun. We’re definitely in the Cyclades!

What’s more, the village is 100% pedestrianized, which makes for a very pleasant stroll.

Take your time to stroll around and soak up the atmosphere.

Not to be missed:

• the main street, Karabia, is an absolute must. You’ll find plenty of restaurants, cafés and stores. Please note, however, that some stores are closed in the afternoon during the hottest part of the day (siesta time). This street leads to Agios Nikolaos Square, where a large tree, probably a hundred years old, is enthroned.
• take a tour of the Kastro, a fortified mini-village within the village of Antiparos. It was founded in 1400. The enclosure is actually formed by the outer wall of the two-storey cottages.
• Finally, if you’re looking for something a little more authentic, we suggest you stray away from the main street to find deserted alleyways leading into the interior of the island (some of them even open onto fields).

The best place to stay in Antiparos is in the town of Antiparos. We recommend Booking who offer several beautiful rentals.

Booking.com

2 – Go to the beach and swim in crystal-clear waters

Although small, the island of Antiparos nonetheless boasts magnificent sandy beaches and secluded coves with emerald-colored waters.

If you don’t have a car, the two beaches most easily accessible on foot from the village of Antiparos (where the ferry arrives from Paros) are :

• Psaralyki (or Psaralikes): three successive sandy beaches on the island’s northeast coast. These beaches are well organized with sun loungers and parasols, water sports facilities and beach bars.
• Sifneiko (also known as Sunset Beach), a long sandy beach in the north of the island. This beach is lined with a seaside taverna and above all offers fantastic views of the sunset.

3 – If you have a car or scooter, head for :

• Agios Georgios, ten kilometers south-west of the village of Antiparos. The bay is very pleasant, with its tavernas, sandy beaches and clear water.
• or Livadi, on the west coast, which is perhaps the most beautiful beach on Antiparos. She has a wild side. There’s no beach bar, so stock up on drinks and food before you leave. Nice waves on windy days.
• Glyfa is a long sandy beach with clear waters on the eastern side of the island. This is one of Antiparos’ most popular beaches, with a wide range of facilities (sun loungers, parasols, water sports, beach bar).
• And Soros Beach, the longest sandy beach in the south-east of the island. A beautiful beach with a variety of services (beach bar, umbrellas and deckchairs, water sports).

Finally, if you’re looking for more secluded beaches, we recommend the beaches of :

• Agios Spiridonas: a long, secluded sandy beach with crystal-clear waters and tamarisk trees. It lies one kilometer north of the village of Antiparos.
• Agios Sostis, a sandy beach in the south-east of the island.
• or Faneromeni, our favorite. This small, sheltered cove is located at the very south of the island. Access is via a dirt track. The waters are crystal clear. It’s superb! Be warned, however, that if you come in July and August, you’ll need to arrive early (the cove is very small and quickly sells out).

If you prefer more intense water activities, Antiparos is the ideal place to try your hand at diving, wakeboarding, windsurfing or stand-up paddling.

4 – Rent a boat and discover the island by sea

This is the perfect way to discover Antiparos off the beaten track. The island is indeed wonderful to discover from the sea. That’s why we recommend hiring a boat to discover the most beautiful beaches and admire the scenery. There are boats without a license that will allow you to make small tours for half a day. It is also possible to join excursions or rent sailing or motor boats requiring a license.

Why not treat yourself to a sailboat cruise? We recommend Clickandboat a sailing yacht and catamaran rental agency, with or without skipper. You can choose to depart for 1 or 2 weeks from the port bases of Paros, Mykonos or Alimos. So here’s to the Cyclades or the Little Cyclades!

5 – Walking by the sea or hiking

If you like walking, you can takethe coastal path from Agios Georgios to Kastro via Livadi to enjoy lovely sea views. The walk takes about 3 hours.

The island also delights hikers, as its small size allows them to cross it from one end to the other, either along the coast or inland.

6 – Discover the stalactite cave (spilia stalaktiton)

Located some ten kilometers south of the village of Antiparos, this is one of the oldest caves in Greece. It is nestled 160 metres underground. The interior is impressive and surprisingly vast. A natural wonder!

And if you’ve got kids, don’t hesitate: they usually love this tour.

The cave can be reached by bus from the village or by boat.

Please note that it closes early in the afternoon (opening times vary according to the season, so check this site before your visit).

7 – Admire the sunset over the sea

Sure, it’s a cliché… but we can’t get enough of it!

So, to see the sunset, we recommend you go to Sifneikos beach, also known as “Sunset Beach” (it’s aptly named). It has the added advantage of being within walking distance of the port.

8 – Enjoy the peace and quiet

If you’re looking for peace, authenticity and tranquillity in Antiparos, then don’t hesitate to get away from the village and explore the coves along the coast. While some beaches are very busy, you can find tiny coves, some of which are almost deserted.

9 – And for lovers of archaeological sites?

Then it’s off to the deserted and uninhabited islet of Despotiko , where excavations have uncovered an interesting and rather well-preserved archaeological site (an ancient temple of Apollo and Artemis). A variety of objects have been discovered, including figurines and vases, semi-precious stones, swords and farming tools.

Boats operate from Agios Georgios beach.

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You can also find our tips, practical information and good addresses in Antiparos in this article: when and how to go to Antiparos, how long to stay, our favorite restaurants, choosing a hotel in Antiparos, etc.

We hope you enjoy your vacation on Antiparos.

Laure M.