A stone’s throw away from its bigger and bustling neighbour Paros, from which it derives its name, Antiparos stands out for its peaceful and idyllic Greek atmosphere. This small Aegean island will charm you for its traditional yet elegant vibe, pristine beaches and interesting history. It has long stayed off the radar but is gaining popularity as more and more people explore it or decide to stay there for the summer.
In this short guide of Antiparos, I’ll take you on a day trip to this small yet stunning island to explore the best it has to offer, from golden sandy beaches to its magnificent cave, Venetian castle and picturesque old town.
While you can definitely stay longer to explore the island, to me Antiparos was the perfect daytrip destination from the nearby island of Paros, and a full day was perfect to explore the island and relax a bit there.
Best things to do in Antiparos – 1 Day Itinerary
With this one-day itinerary, you will start from the nearby island of Paros in the morning and have breakfast or brunch on Antiparos, then you will explore the main sights of the island, have some time to relax at the beach in the afternoon, then either have dinner there or return to Paros.
All the useful information regarding how to get there or how to get around are at the end of the post. Depending on the time of the year you are going there, the ferry schedule may vary, so always check it before planning your day!
Head from Paros to Antiparos in the morning
Instead of having your breakfast or brunch in Paros, take the ferry boat from Parikia that will lead you to the main town of Antiparos. You can wander around already or go straight for a nice meal in one of the many cafes or restaurants you will find along the main street. We opted for pancakes at Bougainvilles, but there are plenty of options to choose from!
Walk around the main town
Antiparos has gained a reputation of being a holiday destination for some Hollywood stars, and I think you can see it straightaway from the shops, restaurants and cafes and the well-maintained aspect of the main street.
While you wander about cute alleys and whitewashed houses with blue shutters and pink bougainvillea trees all around them, you’ll definitely feel like you’re in a movie! I’d recommend leaving the shopping for later if you don’t want to carry your bags around during the day though!
Learn about Antiparos’ history in the Venetian Castle
After wandering about the main town and its shops, you’ll reach within a 5-minute walk the Venetian Castle. Don’t be fooled by its name and expect a proper castle though, as you will only see what remains of it: parts of what used to be its fortified walls.
The castle was built in the mid 15th century and protected the island from pirates. It had a main tower, defensive walls and houses. While you can’t see all of that now, its gateway has survived through time, and the interesting constrat between the medieval style of the castle and the typical Greek whitewashed houses it still an interesting sight.
Seeing this part of the town will probably not take you more than 10 minutes, depending on how long you want to read about its history, so you’ll soon be ready for your next step! Since you’ll be leaving the main town and there will be less food options, I’d recommend grabbing something to eat or snack on now if you think you’ll be hungry, unless you plan on going to a beach that serves food (though it will most likely be expensive).
Go back in time at Antiparos cave
From the main town, head to the bus station and hop on a bus that goes to the Antiparos cave. You can usually buy the tickets directly on board.
Located around 8 km away from the main town, the Antiparos cave is a spectacular natural wonder that you simply have to visit when you are in Antiparos. It is the only vertical cave in Europe with around 85 meters depth and contains many stalactites and stalagmites, including the oldest stalactite in Europe.
The cave was used to provide shelter in the Neolithic period and later to worship the goddess Artemis. It has remained an important place, with people such as Alexander the Great and Lord Byron visiting it, and it even hosted a Christmas mass.
The view from the entrance of the cave over the surrounding nature is also beautiful, as you can admire the countryside with its Mediterranean flora and the sea stretching all around.
Useful information
How to reach Antiparos cave? If you don’t have a car, there are many buses that regularly leave the main town
- Make sure to check the opening times on this website before going. It usually closes during the winter period and only opens for the “high” season.
- The descent in the cave includes many stairs and can be a bit slippery, so make sure to wear appropriate footwear (or to be extra careful). I’d say that you need to be in a fairly good physical condition, especially when climbing up all the stairs on the way back.
- It can get pretty chilly inside the cave, and the contrast in temperatures will be especially important in the summer.
- The admission ticket usually costs around 6 euros, and it also gives you access to the Folklore Museum
The tour of the cave will probably take you less than an hour, so once you have finished visiting it, just go back to where the bus left you and hop on another one. You can either take one that will take you straight to one of the beaches, or go back to the main town and head to the beach from there (see a list of public-transport-accessible beaches below).
If you don’t have a specific place in mind and just want to enjoy the sea and sun, I’d recommend going straight to one of the beaches with the bus (we went to Soros) to save more time.
Enjoy one of the island’s stunning beaches
Antiparos is especially famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, so going to at least one of them is absolutely a must-do when you are there. Wherever you’ll go, you’ll find fine golden sand an turquoise waters, the perfect scenery for a relazing afternoon on your daytrip to Antiparos.
There are several ones you can go to, depending on the time you have or what you are looking for. Here are some of the most famous that you can reach easily reach even if you don’t have a car (make sure to check before departure though, as schedules and routes might change):
- Soros – located close to Antiparos Cave, you can easily reach it by bus from the main town or the cave. It feels quite exclusive and there are sunloungers and a fancy bar that serves cocktails. The beach itself is also pretty large so you don’t have to stay close to the bar and music and can relax on the sand or under the nearby trees for some shade.
- Agios Georgios – located on the Southern part of the island, it is a quiet bay that faces the nearby island, Despotiko. It is more isolated and has many tavernas and quiet spots nearby.
- Psaraliki – within walking distance from the main town of Antiparos, this is probably the most popular beach on the island. It is perfect if you are afraid to miss the ferry back to Paros but still want to enjoy a quiet relaxing moment.
- Panagia – a few km away from the main town, you’ll have a beautiful sandy beach lined with trees for shade, as well as an easy access to the nearby taverna for food and drinks.
- Gylfa – a very quiet spot, ideal for families, where you also have the option to rent loungers and umbrellas.
Back to the main town and end of the daytrip
After a relaxing few hours at the beach, head back to the main town, grab a coffee or snack in a cafe if you wish, or go around the shops if you want to buy a few things, then you can either grab a ferry back to Paros and have dinner there, or find a nice place to eat in Antiparos. If you decide to do so, keep in mind that Greek dinner time might be later than your usual one (you most likely won’t find great dinner options before 7 or 8 pm), and be mindful of the ferry’s schedule.
Daytrip in Antiparos – Useful information
How many days should you stay in Antiparos?
Opinions diverge on the matter of deciding how much time is perfect to spend in Antiparos, but in my opinion it all depends on the type of holiday you want to have.
If you are more of an explorer and want to see many different places, while still relaxing from time to time, I think that staying in Paros and going to Antiparos on a daytrip is the best solution – and what I personally did. You’ll have plenty of time to see many things in Antiparos, without the hassle of taking a ferry with your suitcases and maybe even car.
If you want to spend a few days (or longer) in a very quiet and relaxed place, beach-hopping every day, then you can of course stay longer than a day in Antiparos. There will still be some activities and things you can do if you feel a bit restless. Keep in mind though that Antiparos is much more quiet than Parikia or Naoussa in Paros, and not every part of the island is reachable by public transport.
How to reach Antiparos?
You can easily reach Antiparos from the nearby island of Paros. There, you have two options:
- from Paros’ main town Parikia, a small ferry takes passengers in for around 7 euros and brings them to Antiparos in about 30 minutes. Keep in mind that this is for passengers only and you cannot bring your car. I would recommend this option if you are staying in Parikia and don’t have a vehicle, as it is much simpler. However, if you tend to be very sea-sick, you’ll feel the waves much more on this smaller ferry so you might want to go for the second option.
- from the port of Pounda, to the south of Paros, a ferry can get you to Antiparos in less than 10 minutes, allowing visitors to take their car as well. This is the only option if you want to go to Antiparos with your car. It will cost around 1.50 euros/person and 7.50 for your car (prices may vary) and you will most likely have to pay by cash directly on the ferry or at the port.
The differences in time are due to the fact that the Pounda port is basically in front of Antiparos, while Parikia is a bit further away.
Important note: please check the time schedules of the boats, especially on your way back, as you don’t want to be stranded on one or the other islands. The ferries usually operate quite late as well, but make sure the weather conditions allow for it at the point of departure. You can check the time on this website, but I’d recommend asking directly at the port too, just in case.
How to get around Antiparos? Do you have to rent a car?
You can either get around with a private vehicle, either by taking one you had in Paros, either by renting one directly in Antiparos – though I am not sure you’ll have a huge selection to choose from.
As for many other Greek islands, you can also rent an ATV or scooter to allow you to quickly go around the island.
If you are only staying for a daytrip and don’t have a car, then I’d just recommend relying on public transport as it will be much easier. Again, just make to sure to check the schedules and be there on time. Greek buses can be a bit unreliable at times, so I would also recommend keeping the number of a taxi company at hand, just in case.
A bit more time in Antiparos?
If you have time to spare in Antiparos because you got through this itinerary very quickly or because you stayed for longer, here are some other things you can do in Antiparos.
- Go to the nearby island of Despotiko from the port of Agios Georgios and explore the ruins of several temples
- Explore the sea caves by boat on the Southern part of Antiparos
- Watch the sunset at Sifneiko beach
Antiparos is truly a little gem in the Aegean sea, and a must-do when you are in Paros for a few days. Since the two islands are so close, Antiparos is perfect for a daytrip, and its elegant and exclusive vibe, paired with the traditional charm of Greek towns will definitely charm you!
