Whitewashed village above the Aegean on Paros, a typical setting for things to do on the island

Things to do in Paros and Antiparos

Paros is small enough to see a lot in a week and varied enough to fill it. A morning in Parikia's 4th-century church, a walk on the Byzantine Road from Lefkes, a swim among the granite rocks of Kolymbithres, then a boat to the coves of Antiparos. Our Naoussa team plans the days and books the parts that need booking.

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4th c.Ekatontapiliani church
3.5 kmByzantine Road
411steps into the Antiparos Cave
€1,200private boat, half day

Old town lanes on Paros, the kind explored on foot in Parikia and Naoussa

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Parikia and Naoussa: the two old towns

Start in Parikia, where the ferries arrive. Panagia Ekatontapiliani, the church of a hundred doors, dates to the 4th century and has a Byzantine museum in its courtyard. A few lanes away, the Frankish Kastro of 1260 was built with marble from ancient temples. In the evening drive 15 minutes to Naoussa: the old port with its fishing boats and the ruins of the 15th-century Venetian fortress at the harbour mouth. Walk up through the lanes, then stay for dinner by the water.

Ekatontapiliani and its Byzantine museum
The Kastro walls in Parikia
Sunset at Naoussa's old port

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Inland Paros landscape with hills and stone walls, the setting of the Byzantine Road walk

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Lefkes, the Byzantine Road and the marble quarries

Lefkes, the island's former capital, sits in the hills at the centre of Paros. Cars stay outside, so you walk its lanes to Agia Triada, the marble church with two bell towers. From the edge of the village the Byzantine Road, an old paved path about 3.5 km long, runs mostly downhill to Prodromos in 45 to 60 minutes. Close by at Marathi are the ancient quarries that supplied Parian marble to sculptors. We can have a driver waiting at the end of the walk.

Agia Triada in Lefkes
Byzantine Road, 45 to 60 minutes
Marathi quarries nearby

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Private Axopar 37 motorboat at sea, used for boat days around Paros and Antiparos

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A day on the water

Much of Paros is best seen from a boat. A half day takes in the granite coves of Kolymbithres and the beaches of the north bay. A full day crosses to Antiparos, the sea caves on its coast and the clear water around Despotiko. Our boats leave from Parikia port and range from the Technohull GT7 RIB at €1,200 for 4 hours to the Azimut 56 flybridge for up to 12 guests. Skipper, fuel, drinks and snacks are included. Add Delos and Rhenia for €1,000.

Half day 4 hours, full day 8 hours
Skipper, fuel, drinks and snacks included
Delos and Rhenia add-on +€1,000

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Motorboat moored in a harbour, ready for a trip to Antiparos and Despotiko

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Antiparos: the cave and Despotiko

Antiparos is about 7 minutes from Pounta by car ferry. Its cave is about 8 km from the village: around 411 steps lead down to a depth of about 85 metres, past stalactites and inscriptions left by visitors over the centuries. It opens in season, usually until late October. To the south-west, the uninhabited islet of Despotiko holds the remains of a sanctuary of Apollo. You see it from the water and swim in the bays around it; guided visits with the archaeologists run only on set dates.

Pounta to Antiparos in about 7 minutes
Cave: about 411 steps, 85 m deep
Despotiko by boat

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Highlights

Ten things worth your time in Paros and Antiparos

Panagia Ekatontapiliani
One of the oldest churches in Greece, founded in the 4th century, with a Byzantine museum in the courtyard. Cover shoulders and knees.
Parikia
The Frankish Kastro
Walls built in 1260 from the marble of ancient temples, with column drums still visible. In the old town, a short walk from the port.
Parikia
Naoussa old port and Venetian fortress
Fishing boats, waterfront tables and the 15th-century fortress at the harbour mouth. Best at sunset.
Naoussa
Kolymbithres
Smooth granite rocks forming small pools and coves, under 5 km from Naoussa. A seasonal water taxi runs from the old port.
North bay
Paros Park
Marked trails on the Ai-Giannis Detis peninsula to the Korakas lighthouse, about 2 hours in total, with Monastiri beach by the entrance.
Near Naoussa
Lefkes and the Byzantine Road
Car-free lanes in the former capital, then about 3.5 km of old paved path, mostly downhill, to Prodromos.
Centre
Marathi marble quarries
Ancient galleries where Parian marble was cut for statues such as the Venus de Milo.
Marathi
Valley of the Butterflies
A green valley about 5 km south of Parikia where Jersey tiger moths gather in summer.
Petaloudes
Antiparos Cave
About 411 steps down to around 85 metres, with inscriptions from visitors over the centuries. Open in season.
Antiparos
Private boat trip →
Kolymbithres, Antiparos and Despotiko by RIB or motor yacht, with skipper, drinks and snacks included.
from €1,200

Need wheels for the day? Self-drive cars from €45 a day, or a car with driver from €600.

Where we are

Our office in Naoussa

We work out of Naoussa, the harbour town on the north coast of Paros. Parikia port is about 15 minutes away by car, the airport around 25, and Pounta, for the Antiparos ferry, is an easy drive. Pickups, boardings and flights are all coordinated from here.

Naoussa, 844 01 Paros, Greece

Directions in Google Maps

Questions

Things to do in Paros: questions guests ask

What are the best things to do in Paros?

The essentials are Parikia's Ekatontapiliani church, Lefkes and the Byzantine Road, the Kolymbithres rocks and an evening at Naoussa's old port. Add a boat day to Antiparos and Despotiko and a visit to the Antiparos Cave. Five days cover all of it at an easy pace.

What can you do in Paros on a windy day?

On a windy day, head for the sheltered side of the island or go inland. When the meltemi blows from the north, the coves on the south and west coasts are usually calmer. Walk the Byzantine Road from Lefkes, see Parikia's Ekatontapiliani church or visit the ancient marble quarries at Marathi. See our Paros itinerary.

How do I get from Paros to Antiparos?

Take the car ferry from Pounta, which crosses in about 7 minutes and runs often in summer. In season, passenger boats also sail from Parikia. We can arrange a transfer to Pounta, or a private boat straight to the Antiparos waterfront, priced on request.

How many steps are in the Antiparos Cave?

There are about 411 steps down to the deepest point, at around 85 metres. The climb back up is steady, so wear trainers and allow about an hour. The cave is about 8 km from Antiparos village and opens in season, usually until late October.

Can you visit Despotiko from Paros?

Yes, by boat. Despotiko lies just south-west of Antiparos, a short run from Agios Georgios. You see the sanctuary of Apollo from the water and swim in the bays around the islet; guided visits with the archaeologists run only on set dates. A full-day private boat from Paros covers Despotiko and Antiparos.

What is the Byzantine Road in Paros?

It is an old paved path of about 3.5 km between Lefkes and Prodromos. Walked from Lefkes it is mostly downhill and takes 45 to 60 minutes. Go early in summer, carry water, and arrange a car or driver to meet you at the end.

Can I visit Delos on a day trip from Paros?

Yes, on a private boat with the Delos and Rhenia add-on, which is €1,000 on top of the boat rate; site tickets are not included. You visit the archaeological site of Delos, swim at Rhenia and return to Paros the same evening. A full day on the Axopar 37 is €3,000.

Can you visit Antiparos in a day from Paros?

Yes, Antiparos is an easy day trip from Paros. The car ferry from Pounta crosses in about 7 minutes, which leaves time for the cave, a walk through Antiparos town and the evening at Sunset Beach. For more freedom, take a private boat from Parikia.

What we do

What we arrange across Paros and Antiparos

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