Paros in 3 days: our top 12

Visiting Paros in 3 days seems to us to be the minimum to enjoy its treasures! We’ve prepared our top 12 below, to be read as a 3-day guided itinerary. Paros is located in the heart of Greece’s Cyclades, about 3 hours by boat from Santorini. We highly recommend a stopover on this island with its many villages and sumptuous beaches.

Paros in 3 days: where to sleep, where to eat?

Before starting this top 12, have you already booked your accommodation? We recommend that you stay overnight in Naoussa, where there is plenty of reasonably priced accommodation. And strolling through the streets of Naoussa in the evening from your hotel is a real pleasure! If you’re looking for something a little less touristy, you can also check out Piso Livadi.

You’ll find all our recommendations for accommodation and transport in this article.

1. Parikiá: the port of Paros

Parikiá is where your ferry will dock on your first day in Paros. Ideally, choose a ferry that docks around midday, so you can settle into a tavern as soon as you arrive. You’ll then pick up your rental car, which is essential for discovering the must-see sites on Paros!

Things to do in Parikiá

• the Basilica of Panaghia Ekatontapyliani, dating from the 6th century and impressively well-preserved(see map)
• stroll through the maze of alleyways
• climb above the ruins of the old castle to admire the waterfront and the charming little church of Agios Konstantinos(see map)

Where to eat in Parikiá

You can eat at Mira restaurant, just down the road from Agios Konstantinos church. The prices are right, the service excellent and the products fresh and rather refined(see on the menu).

2. Butterfly Valley

Refurbished in 2021, the terrace at La Vallée des papillons(see map) is sure to please! A huge pergola covered with climbing plants, a fountain and a lovely spring-water basin, a bar coiled in the rock, a couple taking care of every detail. Your stay at Butterfly Valley is not just about taking a stroll around the site, it’s also about enjoying the comfort of a place sheltered from the sun.

Depending on the weather, Butterfly Valley can be more or less full of butterflies. It’s basically the same butterfly species found throughout the park, so don’t expect to see many different colors. Admission is charged, but if there are no butterflies on the day you come, it will be free.

3. Kolimpithres Beach: a Seychelles-style beach

Kolimpithres beach(see on map) is a cove decorated with numerous polished rocks similar to those found in the Indian Ocean on the magnificent beaches of the Seychelles. Enjoy delicious turquoise water and a unique setting to refresh before hiking in Paros Park.

4. Paros Park and sunset at the Paros lighthouse

Paros Park, located in the north-west of the island, is an ideal spot after Kolimpithres Beach to admire the surrounding nature. The walks are easy but not tree-covered. Wait until 7pm to go, otherwise you’ll get very hot. Park here and set off in the direction of the lighthouse. The path is fairly well marked. The lighthouse is here, so stay there until the sun goes down.

5. Náoussa: our favourite Paros town

Strolling through Náoussa in the evening is a feast for the eyes. The streets are reminiscent of Mykonos, but less crowded and a little more select than its neighbor. Shops are usually open until midnight, and restaurants at the foot of the harbor are quite expensive. Be sure to check the cards to avoid scams. For our part, we recommend eating at the Palia Agora tavern(see map). There may be people waiting outside, so announce yourself and be patient – it usually goes quite quickly!

If you’re looking for something a little more chic, we’d definitely recommend dinner at Daverona(see map). Prices are reasonable for a restaurant of this quality (€50 for 2). Don’t forget to book, as it’s a favourite with gourmets.

Naoussa and its harbor are also the ideal starting point if you’re looking to explore the island’s surroundings on board a sailboat. For this, we recommend Click and boat, which offers sailboats and catamarans by the or by the week, with or without skipper.

6. From Lefkés to Prodromos: the Byzantine route

For your 2nd day of our 3-day guide to Paros, we recommend a short, easy hike! It’s an old road dating back a thousand years (1000 AD) and links the beautiful village of Lefkés to the equally picturesque village of Prodromos. Don’t wake up too late to enjoy the fresh morning air! Once in Lefkés, park your car here, walk down the staircase opposite the road, then grab a snack after wandering around the village. You’re now ready for the Byzantine road: go back here to the starting point. The walk is about 6km long (2h round trip), and you can see the sea and the island of Naxos in the distance. As you walk, observe the floor, often studded with marble slabs dating back to Byzantine times. This marble was taken from the Lakkoi quarry on the island of Paros.

Stop midway for lunch in Prodromos at Byzantino (very warm welcome and delicious food, try their incredible imam and orange cake). Or, if it’s still too early, take a stroll around Prodromos, then walk to the nearby village of Marmara and stop off at the Family Taverna. You’ll find excellent dishes at incredibly low prices (€11 for two people). Say hello to the boss, and he’ll make you a glass of raki before you hit the road again.

7. Golden Beach or Glifa

In the afternoon, you have two options: the famous Golden Beach or Glifa beach further down. If you like windsurfing or you’re not afraid of the sun, head for Golden Beach(park here and walk down to the sea), where the water is magnificent and conditions ideal for windsurfers. For rentals, our favorite is Force7, immediately to the left as you arrive on the beach. Spiros, the renter, is very friendly and willing to help!

The Glifa beach(see map), located further south, has several trees offering shady spots for your towel!

8. Piso Livadi and Logaras Beach

After windsurfing at Golden Beach or relaxing at Glifa Beach, stop for a moment in the beautiful coastal village of Piso Livadi. It’s a good opportunity to have a snack before moving on to the next part of the program! Take advantage of your visit to Piso Livadi to observe the fishing boats and the coastal road that links Logaras beach to this pretty little fishing port in just 5 minutes on foot.

The old Fyssilanis establishment offers low-cost catering and free sunbeds from the very first drink… it doesn’t get much better than that! Piso Livadi is a favorite vacation spot for Greek families.

9. Kalogeros Beach Clay

Now that you’ve had a little break at Piso Livadi, head over to Kalogeros Beach to get covered in clay. Park your car here, then as you enter the beach, turn right and you’ll find grey clay at the far end. Some walls can also be scraped to obtain green clay. Catch the laughter, watch the clay-covered people, and head for those areas!

10. The village of Drios

When you want to visit Paros in 3 days, you often forget about the south of the island. It would be a shame to miss the beautiful coastal village of Drios. With its many trees, this village is also known as the Garden of Paros. Park here and walk towards the coast – it’s the most interesting part of the village!

11. Dinner at Aliki

Arrive before sunset for dinner at Aliki. A charming little fishing port nestled in a bay, where you can enjoy a magnificent sunset. We recommend dining at ΤΟ ΜΟΥΡΑΓΙΟ after parking here. The restaurant is located on the harbor, with tables overlooking the west. Don’t forget to book if you want the best table at the end of the pier!

12. Antiparos: small island off the coast of Paros

For a 3-day visit to Paros, a stopover in Antiparos is a must. Getting there is an experience in itself! Meet at the port of Pounta, where boats rotate continuously and the crossing takes around 5 minutes. You can and must take your car with you on the boat. Observe the hustle and bustle on the boat, the speed of the port agents, it’s a real spectacle!

Useful information for the boat Pounta (Paros) <> Antiparos

• Please note: the boat is taken from Pounta, not Parikiá (there are 2 ports on Paros).
• Rates
  • 2€ / person / trip
  • 7.3€ / car / trip
• Here you can access the boat timetable between the port of Pounta (Paros) and Antiparos.

For more information, see all our articles on Paros or read these:

• Cyclades vacations: Paros and its treasures
• Transport in Paros, where to sleep in Paros?
• and also the beaches of Paros

^{Article written by Thomas Gesland}