Nestled in the heart of the Aegean sea, surrounded by turquoise waters, lies the beautiful island of Paros. Far from the crowds of other more well-known Greek islands, but still popular enough to have a lively atmosphere, Paros is famous for its stunning beaches, laid-back vibe during the day and vibrant nightlife. There are plenty of things to do in this beautiful Cycladic island, but it is in its picturesque villages that you will find the quintessential Greek atmosphere.
From bustling port towns to little villages that overlook the countryside, you will love Paros’ white-washed houses, bright blue shutters, narrow streets and typical Cycladic architecture. While they may seem similar from the pictures, all of these beautiful villages have their own story and history, making them absolutely unique.
Whether you’re planning your next vacation or simply seeking a virtual escape, here you’ll find a list of the most beautiful villages of Paros, the ones that I liked the most and that I think are really worth seeing.
The most beautiful towns in Paros island
Parikia
Parikia is the island’s capital , its largest town and its main port. It is where your ferry will arrive if you are reaching Paros island with a ferry boat, and it also has many cafés, restaurants, shops and services that cater to tourists. There, you will also find plenty of places to rent a car, ATV or scooter, and it is also where most of the buses depart. But it is also a charming and typical Greek town with its cute streets and flowery trees. I especially loved its waterfront, dotted with pretty restaurants and cafes, where you can literally eat with your feet in the sand!
Don’t miss in Parikia:
- Panagia Ekatontapiliani church, which means the “church with a hundred doors”. It is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and is said to be one of the oldest churches in Greece.
- The beaches of Paros are also great if you need some rest after exploring all day!
Naoussa
Located in the North of Paros island, Naoussa is a beautiful fishing town that became a popular tourist destination for its vibrant nightlife, its fancy restaurants and boutiques, paired with the traditional Cycladic whitewashed houses, local fish tavernas and cute harbour. There are also many things to see and do nearby, with stunning beaches, many hiking trails and cute Greek churches. Despite being one of the most popular destinations in Paros island, it has maintained its authenticity, wile having a more cosmopolitan vibe to it.
Don’t miss in Parikia:
- Kolymbithres beach, an a stunning beach with turquoise water and huge blocks of granite that have been shaped and smoothed out by the sea over centuries.
- The Venetian Fortress, an impressive 15th-century fortress offering stunning views of Naoussa and the sea.
Lefkès
Lefkès is a must-see mountain village of Paros island. Sitting at the top of a hill in the heart of the island, surrounded by the smell of oregano and thyme, it offers a stunning view on the island and the sea, while keeping its unique Cycladic charm. It is one of the prettiest towns in Paros and its narrow winding streets and beautiful stone houses are still untouched by the mass of tourists. It used to be Paros’ capital and you’ll find there cute shops, a folk museum and some pretty nice restaurants.
You can easily reach Lefkès by bus from Parikia, though there aren’t many buses, so check the schedule before, and plan your day accordingly. You can also combine Lefkès, Prodromos and Marpissa (see the next villages) in a stunning hike!
Don’t miss in Lefkès:
- Explore the village by foot and wander around its charming streets and alleyways.
- The Church of Agia Triada, with its stunning architecture, beautiful frescoes and the gorgeous views on the surrounding countryside.
- The Byzantine Road, a paved path dating back to the Byzantine era, that will take you to Prodromos, Marpissa and to the sea.
Prodromos
Prodromos is a beautiful hidden gem of a village, featuring the most typical Cycladic cube houses, with narrow alleyways covered by bougainvillea trees and geranium flowers. It is a very small town, so you won’t have many tourists or many restaurants and cafés, but you will probably stumble upon one or the other as you wander through the beautiful quiet courtyards. Less known than Lefkès, this was definitely one of my favourites for all the beautiful pink flowers, white houses and blue shutters!
Prodromos is located around 6km from Lefkès, and you can easily reach it by taking the Byzantine Road. There are also buses stopping there, but not many, so make sure to check the schedule and be prepared for possible delays!
Don’t miss in Prodromos:
- Slow down and wander around Prodromos, stopping in one of the traditional cafés.
- The Byzantine Road, that goes from Lefkès to Prodromos (or the other way round), and that can also stretch all the way to Marpissa and the sea.
Marpissa
A bit further away from Prodromos, the beautiful village of Marpissa is another one of Paros’ most beautiful villages. Built around a low hill, this cute and picturesque town is characterised by its Cycladic white houses, little white chapels and windmills. It dates back to the 16th century and has kept its charm, as it feels a bit like an unspoilt paradise, away from the tourists.
You can reach Marpissa from Prodromos or Piso Livadi, and there are also some buses that connect it to Parikia, but just like for the previous two mountain villages, there aren’t many, so make sure to plan carefully!
Don’t miss in Marpissa:
- Hike up to the Agios Antonis Monastery for stunning views of the surroundings and the neighbouring island of Naxos.
- Walk to the Piso Livadi beach, which is only 20 minutes away from Marpissa.
Aliki
Located in the South of Paros, Aliki (or Alyki), is a small fishing village overlooking the island of Antiparos. It is famous for its taverns serving Greek cuisine and also has several nice hotels. It is a peaceful coastal town with a long sandy beach and crystal-clear waters. I could say that this is where we saw the most pristine water for a sandy beach: its light turquoise hues were simply stunning!
We opted to go to lesser-known Aliki instead of the famous Golden Beach and were not disappointed. A bus from Parikia will take you to Aliki every hour or so.
Don’t miss in Aliki:
- Swim in the gorgeous beaches surrounding the village.
- Check out the Skorpios museum with a collection of miniature collection of sailing and fishing boats.
- Taste the local cuisine in one of the many taverns.
Honourable mentions
You have already visited the places mentioned above and want to check out even more? Here are other beautiful villages in Paros that you will love!
- Piso Livadi, a small fishing port located next to many beautiful beaches, with great food and perfect for a sunset drink. Many boat trips leave from here too.
- Drios, a coastal town with a colourful pebble beach, only minutes away from the famous Golden Beach of Paros.
- Marmara, a 500-resident mountain village located across from Prodromos, surrounded by orchards, with a windmill and beautiful houses and churches.
- Kostos, a village built on a hill with a breathtaking view over Paros and Naxos, the neighbouring island.
Don’t forget: Antiparos
Antiparos is a small island located just a stone’s throw away Paros. While it is not a village per se, it is ideal for a day trip from the main island, and you will have there a beautiful and trendy main town with nice boutiques and cute cafés, stunning beaches, and beautiful nature. It is surprisingly lively compared to other villages in Paros,
You can reach it by a quick ferry ride from Parikia or Piso Livadi, and once you are there you can take the bus to reach some main areas, or go on a boat tour that will take you to the best swimming spots.
Useful tips for your stay in Paros
Where to stay in Paros?
There are many different accommodation options in Paros, depending on the type of stay you are looking for: by the sea, in one of the main towns (Parikia and Naoussa), in a smaller village, in the countryside, etc. To find the best option that suits what I want, I usually check the options on Booking and Airbnb – though I tend to avoid the latter to encourage local hotels instead.
If you don’t have your own means of transport and want to move around frequently, I would suggest staying in Parikia, that is the main departure point for buses around the island, ferries and boats for day trips. There are also many restaurants, cafés, cute shops and rentals. Naoussa is also a great place to stay for its lovely atmosphere!
If you are in for a more relaxing and quiet holiday and have a car or scooter/ATV, any other village in Paros will be ideal as they all have a quitessential Greek vibe that you will love!
I stayed in the beautiful Paros Paradise apartments in Parikia, located a bit further from the centre of the town (around 15/20 min walk), very close to a fantastic beach, within walking distance of many seaside restaurants, and with a stunning view over Parikia’s harbour. The friendly owner can come and get you when you get off the ferry, and she can also arrange your rentals for you – provided you tell her with some advance. I absolutely recommend a stay in there!
How to move around Paros?
There are plenty of options to go around Paros and reach all its beautiful towns and beaches.
By bus: There are buses that go to all the most popular destinations and towns, and you can easily hop on a bus for a small fee and reach your destination. Keep in mind that there aren’t many buses, so check the time schedule on the official KTEL website.
By taxi: It is feasible, but it is more expensive as Paros is quite a big island (compared to Milos for example). However, I would say it will always be useful to keep the number of a taxi company on you at all times, in case you need it.
By car: Renting a car in Paros is one of the best options if you want to move around freely without having to worry about bus schedules, though it can be a bit expensive and tricky to navigate some smaller roads and to find a parking spot.
By ATV/scooter: Another of the best option that will give you a complete freedom to go anywhere you want at any time you want, while being easier to drive in smaller roads. It is also much cheaper than the car.
Mix-and-match: If you already have a rough itinerary or a list of where you want to go, a suitable option for you might be to rent an ATV/scooter or a car just for a day or two, and then use public transport to reach other destinations. This is what we did and we found that it worked perfectly for us and our itinerary!
