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Travel Guide to Paros, Greece

Paros, the elegant beauty of the Aegean Sea is a Greek island located in the center of the Cyclades islands.

It is the most likable of the Cyclades, as it charms the surfers and the hikers, the elderly Greek couple and the young backpackers, the nudist and the modest beachgoers, the wallflower and the party animals.

Combining modern and traditional elements in the most unique way, Paros is a mix of traditional Cycladic architecture, vivid nightlife, enchanting rural villages, magical beaches, and historical monuments offering something to everyone, families, couples, kiters, windsurfers, boaters, and many others.

Paros is also extremely well connected and easy to reach. From the charm and bustle of historic Parikia, the idyllic beauty and nightlife of Naoussa, kite-surfing in Pounta, stunning and beautiful beaches to the charm of boutique shops and secluded beaches of Antiparos, and the ancient temple at Despotiko makes this Greek island a perfect destination for every kind of traveler.

Whether you opt to stay in a luxury villa with an infinity pool, stay in a boutique hotel or simply rent a room, you will sample a glimpse of the Cyclades at its very best. You will experience a holiday and a way of life that remains eternal.

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Important Facts When Traveling To Paros, Greece

Capital: Parikia

Official language(s) and general knowledge of English: Greek. English is semi-widely spoken

Official religion: Greek Orthodox

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Climate: Mediterranean with mild rainy winters and warm, sunny summers

Power voltage and socket type: 230V, plug type C and F

Safety rating: Paros is a safe travel destination but do not wander alone in the night.

Female solo traveler: Paros and the other Greek Islands are very safe for female solo travelers with low chances of insult and sexual harassment.

Do I need a Visa to Travel to Paros, Greece?

Fast Track: Get Schengen visa for Greece in advance

Greece is one of the participating Schengen countries that have agreed to allow free movement of their citizens within Paros and other Greek Islands as a single country. A Schengen Visa is issued by the authorities who are interested in traveling to and within the Schengen Area.

The entry requirements for Greece differ from country to country, so, it is advised that before you leave, check with your government and the nearest Greek embassy or consulate to know about the travel requirements.

Citizens of the European Union, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia do need a visa to travel to Paros if they stay up to 90 days.

However, a passport valid for three months and issued within the past 10 years is required by all the nationals except the EU nations. They just need a national ID to gain entry into Paros, Greece.

If you are traveling to Greece from other countries not mentioned above you need a visa. Check with your nearest Greek embassy.

Visa Types and Cost – Schengen visa single-entry costs around €80 and the price for children aged 6 to 12 is €40 each, while for children younger than 6 years of age it’s free.

Accommodation in Paros, Greece

Paros has plenty and a wide range of holiday accommodations to choose from, such as luxury hotels to family-run small hotels, plenty of self-catering studios and apartments, and several good campsites. If you are wondering where to stay in Paros, there are plenty of options!

Budget: Low in the budget? Don’t worry at all. Budget visitors have plenty of cheap rooms to choose from, as Paros is a favorite with student backpackers. Paros is also an excellent island for campers. Besides, you can also find student hostels that offer all the necessary amenities. The cost per night can go up to Euro 50. – Check hostels in Paros, Greece

Mid-Range: Hotels in Paros are affordable. The road from the ferry port to Livadia beach is lined with various hotels offering sea views and easy beach access. The old town hotels are great, but they can be noisy at night unless they are in a quiet back street. To stay in a hotel, per night you may have to pay around Euro 100 to Euro 150. – Check rates for hotels in Paros

High-End: For high-end options, you can go to luxurious hotels and resorts. Resorts in Parikia, the capital city, are busiest, especially in summer, when island-hopping visitors pour into the port for a ferry connection. There are also hotels and rooms to let at the pretty village of Lefkes, high in the hills and an ideal base for walkers.

Piso Livadi on the east coast and the famous Chryssi Beach nearby also has plenty of excellent accommodation. For this you may have to spend around Euro 250 per night. – Check luxury hotels in Paros

Best Time to Visit Paros, Greece

Paros and other Greek Islands have a Mediterranean climate making it a year-round travel destination.

The travel seasons are divided as below:

Spring (March to May): Spring brings with it the freshness that no other season offers. The average temperature is 15°C to 22°C, which is pleasant to swim or enjoy other beach activities. Some religious festivals like the festival of Agios Ioannis Theologos in Drios, Festival of Agios Georgios in Agairia, Good Friday and Easter are celebrated during this season.

Summer (June to August): Summer months see a lot of tourists here and also make it a fantastic beach holiday. The temperature soars to 28°C. It is a high tourist season, so you will find activities like beach parties and more options for hotel accommodations. During this time, the festival of Pirates and many religious festivals are celebrated. There are also a lot of live outdoor performances, food & dance festivals.

Autumn (September to November): September is one of the best months to visit Paros, as during this time the weather is still warm but with lesser crowds. A lot of beach resorts start closing in October. In November the temperature dips to 18°C, but, still pleasant to enjoy a lot of activities. Some of the festivals celebrated during this time are Trata, Ochi Day, and other historical remembrances.

Winter (December to February): While Paros makes for a great holiday all year round, winter can be a fairly slow tourist season. The water can be too cold to get into and the average temperature is around 15°C with 10 days of rain per month. A carnival feast is celebrated early in the year and also the Epiphany sporting event.

Transportation in Paros, Greece

Getting There

By Air – There are no international airports on this little Greek island, but a small airport that gets direct flights from the Greek cities of Athens and Thessaloniki.

So, if you are traveling from other countries like Germany, Belgium or Spain, you need to travel to Athens and take the onward flights. There are many international charter flights during the peak tourist season that fly to Paros airport directly – Check flights to Paros, Greece here

By Sea – The best way to reach Paros is by the sea. Many ferries leave from Piraeus port in Athens daily. These ferries make a round trip of the Cyclades and stop at many of the islands taking about 4 hours to reach Paros from Athens. – Book ferries to Paros here

Getting Around – Paros is a popular tourist destination, so it is well equipped with public transport which is the best way to get around the island.

There are frequent bus services from the city center that take you to the beaches and villages around the island and back. It is a convenient way to explore the island.

You can also use Water Taxis which are frequent during the summers that take you to different beaches. One can also prefer to rent Quad Bikes, Cars, and Bicycles to explore the island at their leisure.

Read: EXACTLY how to get to Paros, Greece

Food in Paros, Greece

One of the delights of traveling is tasting the cuisine, and this is even more delightful when the cuisine is something as exciting and tasteful as that of Paros, Greece.

There are restaurants throughout the island offering familiar menus to the tourists, but if you want a more authentic cuisine, you can find many Greek and seafood restaurants and taverns serving a delicious selection of local cuisine and delicacies.

The best places to eat are in Parikia and Naoussa, where you can find enough Greek food and seafood like Gouna (Roasted Mackerel), Kakavia (soup made of fish and vegetables), Karavalous (boiled snails with garlic sauce), and other dishes made of squid, octopus, snails, etc.

Not all Greek cuisine is meat, there are vegetarian options as well which include Petimezinia (pumpkin pie), and Mizithra (white cheese). Other traditional Greek dishes include Moussaka, Souvlaki, Kolokithokeftedes, Dolmadakia, Greek Salad, etc available at all taverns.

There is a various selection of wines as well which include Souma (local raki) and wine mainly Manolis Moraitis (local wine brand).

Best Things to Do in Paros, Greece

Do a Winery Tour – If you like drinking wine, then a winery tour and wine tasting should be first on your list. Paros produces lovely wines, red, white, and rose.

There are many wineries around the island, but Moraitis Winery in Naoussa is a popular one to visit. They also have some light meals and snacks to go with your wine and overall you will have a wonderful experience. – Check the best tours in Paros

Go for Water Sports – Golden Beach located a little further down from Piso Livadi is the most active beach on Paros Island and is well known for its watersports. You can rent surfboards, wakeboards, stand up paddle boards or kayaks and go off on your adventure. The rental shops are right on the beach along with some awesome restaurants and other curio shops. – Check the best activities in Paros

Beach Hopping – Paros is full of exotic beaches, so tour some of the popular beaches like Kolymbithres, Santa Maria, Piperi, Krios, Agios Fokas, Ambelas, Livadia, and Monastiri which are located towards the northern half of Paros. Some popular ones in the southern half include Parasporos, Pounta, Golden Beach, Aliki, Logaras, Delfini, Messada, and Platia Ammos.

Related: Best Things to do in Paros