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When most people think about a romantic getaway to the Greek islands, it seems like their choice is always stuck on Santorini or Mykonos. But with an estimated 6,000 islands, Greece has a ton of choices for couples looking for a romantic Greek Island vacation. And the Cyclades have a great choice, including one of our favorite discoveries, Paros! Paros is the cutest little island in Greece, and one of the most popular ones of the Cyclades. It’s at the heart of the Aegean Sea, and perfect for romantic Greek Island getaway for couples. So here is our guide to Paros including what to do in Paros, where to stay, where to eat and when to visit this beautiful island!

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A little bit about Paros, Greece

Paros is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea, right next to Antiparos (a tiny island) and Naxos (slightly larger!). Paros is known for its beautiful beaches and traditional villages (but more on that later).

Parikia, the bayside capital, is a boating and transportation hub for the Cyclades region. It’s where you get into when you take a ferry here. Paros is also home to the Panagia Ekatontapiliani, a Byzantine church from the 4th century A.D., not as old as the churches in Armenia, but it will do! The north coast’s Kolimbithres is a beach where naturally sculpted rocks form swimming coves. And Lefkes is a beautiful traditional village at the top of its hill. Trust us when we say there is a good amount of things to do in Paros, and there’s truly something for everyone!

How to get to Paros, Greece

There are two ways to get to Paros, either taking the ferry or flying in.

The first is a more eco-friendly choice, it’s to take a ferry from Santorini, Naxos, Athens or Mykonos. Basically, any island in the Cyclades, or the mainland! We opted for the Blue Star Ferries which travel to a bunch of Greek islands. Though we warn you, be patient with the boarding and disembarking processes. They are somewhat chaotic! Basically, you wait in a huge line until they open the gates, then people manually check your tickets as you get on the boat.

You can book your tickets at a travel agent’s office or online. We found tickets were usually quite cheaper through a travel agent than online. These little booths and offices are all over the center of any island. 

Ferry from Santorini to Paros

We took the ferry from Santorini and the ride was about 3.5 hours long. We booked our tickets the day before and had no problem with availabilities. We were there in mid-September, so the tourist season was dying down. Obviously, if you’re going around during a busier period of the year, you may want to book ahead of time.

Ferry from Naxos to Paros

We actually did the opposite route to go from Paros to Naxos, but it’s all pretty much the same. The ferry in Naxos will leave from Chora port and arrive in Parikia. The route is about 1-hour long, and it is quite a popular route, so you may want to reserve ahead of time, especially in the high season.

We didn’t have trouble getting our tickets in September, but the boat was more full than the other ferries we took.

Once you get to Paros, you’ll get here through Parikia, which is where the port is. A pretty good bus system will help you get around from one place to the next. We recommend staying in Naoussa, where you have tons of hotels, restaurants, and beaches.

Flying from Athens to Paros

Another way to get into Paros is to fly in from Athens or Thessaloniki. The airport in Paros opened in 2016, so flights have been available, though the planes are smaller, and a little bumpier.

Where to stay in Paros

Depending on if you’re looking to enjoy the nightlife, or take it easy, there are two areas that are perfect for couples who want to see the best of Paros.

Why stay in Naoussa

We opted for Naoussa when we were looking for where to stay in Paros. Our reasons were simple. We wanted to be at the heart of the island while having everything easily accessible to us. Naoussa is in the north of the island, about 20 minutes by bus from Parikia, and 30 minutes from the airport. It’s also easy to get to the other beaches from Naoussa.

Beyond that, Naoussa is home to some of the best bars, taverns, and restaurants on the island. It’s not as big or lively as Parikia, which means that you can get some downtime as a couple. Plus, they have some amazing options of hotels, ranging from the very fancy to homier.

Why stay in Parikia

If you enjoy nightlife and a busier feel, then Parikia is where to stay in Paros for you! It’s the capital of Paros, home to 3,000 people, and the main port of the island. Expect to see a lot of movement here! It’s also the commercial heart of Paros, so this is where you’ll find banks, travel agents, churches and museums.

You’ll still find your typical Greek architecture, with narrow roads, secret alleyways, and whitewashed buildings. There is also an ancient castle at the highest point of the town near the windmills. And we can’t forget one of the most important Byzantine churches in all of Greece, Panagia Ekatontapiliani (Our Lady of a Hundred Doors).

If you’re looking for more budget-friendly options, then this is the place for you!

Things to do in Paros for couples

Staying in Naoussa, you are well-located enough to easily see and do what you want. We didn’t rent a car or scooter here, though most people do. We found using the bus was convenient (and eco-friendly) enough for us.

1. Walk around Naoussa

Let’s start exploring the island from where you’re staying (and let’s hope you’ve chosen Naoussa)! There are tons of delicious restaurants and boutiques all around Naoussa. We would recommend taking a morning to walk around and check out all the little alleys. You can spend hours getting lost here, which is perfect because there are a ton of little boutiques you can stumble into if you’re looking to get something locally handmade.  

The streets and alleys in Naoussa are super photogenic, so walk around (while it’s not too hot) and take some pictures. Enjoy this beautiful part of the island. Revel in the beauty and simplicity of island living!

2. Check out the Venetian Castle of Naoussa

While you’re going around Naoussa, you can’t miss this odd structure right on the water. You’ve made it to the Venetian castle. This is a structure that dates back to the 15th century. It was built by the lord of Paros island way back when it was a pivotal commercial port. In those days, Paros was constantly threatened by the Ottoman Empire and had to guard its waters. Unfortunately, Paros still ended up falling to the Empire, even after the fort was built.

To get to the Venetian castle, you can simply walk there, although be careful as the tide sometimes rises and splashes quite a bit. While you are there, you can look through the firing positions, and even walk out on the rocks behind it. Again, watch out for the tide!

3. Check out where to eat in Paros

When the sun sets, head out to find some delicious food. We stuck around Naoussa for all our meals. Our favorite restaurants on this island were:

• Konstantza Cafe: A great little spot for breakfast. You can have one of the delicious and affordable set breakfast menus. We loved the Greek omelet here. We warn you, we love feta, so you’ll see a reoccurring theme here!
• Soso: A wonderful tapas restaurant. Their salad tester is out of this world, as well as their vegetarian quiche with feta and grilled veggies.
• Allas: This was Derek’s favorite spot.  He would have eaten here all day, every day. He loved the chicken souvlaki. Make sure you try the Naxos cheese rolls, the fries and the layered salad with tomatoes, cheese, and bread. Yum!
• Minoa: A classical Greek restaurant, set in a beautiful patio. You can’t go wrong here. Derek had the moussaka and I had the imam bayildi.  We shared the tzatziki and fried zucchini. Everything was super delish!

4. Chill out at Piperi Beach, one of the best beaches in Paros

There is a cute little beach right in Naoussa called Piperi beach. It’s not anything crazy – there are a few parasols, a restaurant, and hotels there, but what we loved about it was that it was quiet, and had shade… free shade!  You’ll notice that most beaches will charge you 10-15 euros for a parasol and some lounge chairs. 

Most of the time, the parasol will not even provide enough shade, so we would recommend skipping them! Piperi is easy to get to, with clear and calm water, so it was our #1 choice on the island.

5. Head out to Kolympḗthres beach, another one of the best beaches in Paros

From Naoussa, you can hop on a short ferry that will take you across the bay to Kolympḗthres beach. One really cool thing about this beach is the funky rock formations that are all around the coast. They are seriously out of this world!

The water is crystal clear here, but the sand space is limited and covered with parasols. Yup, expect to pay between 10-15 Euros for those parasols and chairs. We wouldn’t recommend them as they barely provide shade!

There’s also not much natural shade available and it does tend to get crowded. If you head here, we would recommend you go in the morning. That’s when it was the least crowded, and we were able to secure a naturally shaded spot.  

6. Visit the old town of Lefkes for a romantic stroll in Paros

Lefkes is in the middle of the island, high up on the mountains of Paros. It was also the first capital of Paros. Today, it’s a pretty popular spot because it’s so so cute! 

You can walk around the narrow streets, admire the old whitewashed houses, the adorable homes with bougainvillea and take in the gorgeous view of the sea and Naxos. You just need 1-2 hours to take it all in, unless you really want to take your time.

There are churches and museums to visit in Lefkes, cute little boutiques and restaurants all around. You can just walk around as we did. We recommend putting down your GPS and getting lost in the beauty of this village.

Try going early in the morning, or toward the evening, because it gets pretty hot up there. We simply walked to the bus stop in Naoussa and took the bus up to Lefkes. It’s a short 30-minute ride, and the view is spectacular all around!

7. Visit Antiparos for a day

Antiparos is just a short ferry ride from Paros. A cute little island you can visit on a day trip. There are many sailboat trips available from Paros that will also stop there, so if you have some time to spare, we would recommend you head there for a nice day trip.

8. Check out the famous Panagia Ekatontapiliani and other churches of Paros

We mentioned this spot earlier, as it’s a true testament to the history of Paros. Panagia Ekatontapiliani is also known as “The Church of a Hundred Doors”.

This church dates to the 4th century and is said to have been founded by St Helen, the mother of Constantine when she stopped on the island during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. This makes the church one of Greece’s outstanding early-Christian monuments, with architecture mostly from the 6th century.

There is a ton of beauty to admire within the church, from the iconostasis in front of the apse to the painting of the Virgin of Ekatontapiliani, the baptismal font, and much more.

There are a ton of other beautiful churches on the island that you can also admire. Each is more beautiful than the next!

9. Find the best beaches in Paros

If the two beaches we recommended aren’t enough, you can always check out all the other beaches on Paros and find the perfect one for you. They’re accessible by local ferry or by bus. And even if we were in Paros in September, we found the weather was perfect for beach-hopping.

• Monastiri beach: This one is probably the most popular of the island. But we can’t blame anyone! It’s crystal clear waters, small waves, tons of sun, and lots to do around. We would recommend you bring your own food and drinks as the restaurants nearby tend to be overpriced!
• Molos beach: Located on the east coast, about 10 km south of Naoussa, you can head to Molos beach, which is probably the least touristic beach. In fact, don’t expect to find much here, and come prepared with food, drinks, and shade, because nothing is provided! You can check out the strange granite rock formations, climb Kefalos hill (an extinct volcano) and check out Agios Antonios, a 16th-century monastery.
• Santa Maria: If you’re looking to party, this may be the beach for you. Parasols and lounge chairs line the beachfront. Music blares from the speakers of nearby bars and restaurants. It’s great for people-watching, taking in the sun and enjoying the clear waters.
• Chrissi Akti or Golden Beach: The name says it all! This sandy beach is located in the southeast of Paros. It’s lined with bars and restaurants, and again, you can rent out parasols and lounge chairs. It does get quite windy here, which is perfect because this is where you’ll find windsurfers and kite-surfers.
• Marcello beach: Located 10 minutes off the bay from Parikia, most say that this is the best beach on the island. With white sand, pool-like waters and full waiter service, it’s an awesome beach that’s not even that busy!

10. Discover the museums of Paros

If you love to learn about the history of a place, there are a few cool museums to check out in Paros:

• Museum of Cycladic Folklore: Located in the southern town of Aliki, this museum pays homage to all things about the Cyclades. In the garden, you will find a little city of Cycladic landmarks like the Panagia Ekatontapiliani, the Venetian Castle of Parikia, the Monastery of Hozoviotissa on Amorgos, the Tourlitis Lighthouse on Andros, the Ancient Theatre of Milos. A cool place to discover if you like model ships and Cycladic history. What makes this place cooler is that everything was built by one man, Benettos Skiados. Pretty impressive!
• Archaeological Museum: If you’re a history buff like Derek, and love all things Ancient Greece, this is a must-see in Paros. Although the museum is small, there is quite a lot to see. From sculptures, pottery, and so many other items that date back to Neolithic and Roman times.

11. Take in the nightlife in Paros

Finally, if you’re looking for some action (yes, couples are allowed to go out and party too!), check out the nightlife in Paros. Depending on who you ask, you will get different responses as to where to head to for a good party!

Parikia is considered the most lively spot of Paros all year round, according to tourists. Often, Naoussa will be a close second. But the truth is, Greeks consider Naoussa the hot spot of the island! Just follow the music to find a spot that suits you. Just beware, as prices are quite inflated during the high season!

12. Catch a beautiful sunset in Paros

There is something seriously magical about the sunsets in Greece. They light the sky up in the most incredible way possible, with vibrant colors that instantly take your breath away.

We made sure to catch the sunset every single night in Paros… and on all the romantic Greek islands we visited. Our favorite viewpoints were either at the port of Naoussa or overlooking Piperi beach. Grab a beer, or a fancy cocktail and spend some quality snuggle time with your lover!

How to be eco-friendly in Paros

As always, we want to be sure everyone travels in the most eco-friendly way possible! That’s why we want to share these few little tips with you to make your stay in Paros as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible.

1. Bring reusable water bottles that filter your water: Tap water in Greece is not drinkable, but that doesn’t mean you need to buy plastic water bottles. Instead, opt for a Lifestraw Go that filters any freshwater and makes it safe to drink!
2. Eat as local and vegan as you can: We’ve said it time and time again, the food in Greece is delicious. Their produce is just amazing, especially in the summer and fall months. So eat as much of it as possible, and especially, eat all the vegan options you can! It’s a delicious and easy way to reduce your environmental footprint.
3. Pick up trash and speak out: Unfortunately, littering is still alive and thriving in Greece. And sadly, it is more prevalent on beaches where people forget to take their trash home with them. When you can, bring yourself an adventure bag and pick up the trash you see. And when you see people littering, don’t be shy to nicely tell them to pick up after themselves.
4. Bring your own bags and refuse plastic bags: Like most places, they still offer plastic bags in grocery stores, and at various shops. So bring your own bag and do your little step to save our beautiful planet!
5. Walk around or take public transportation: Naoussa and Parikia are both highly walkable. And if you want to get from one part of Paros to the next, they have an awesome bus system that is cheap to use, convenient and efficient. So when you can, walk around. If not, take the bus. There is no need to rent scooters or cars on this island!
6. Wear reef-safe sunscreen: There are a ton of beautiful beaches in and around Paros, which is why this tip is important. Make sure you always wear reef-safe sunscreen, whether you’re sunbathing or out on a sailing trip. It’s much better for the health of our oceans!

The best time to visit Paros

The weather varies quite a bit in Paros. The hottest months, as well as the busiest and most expensive, are June to August. Expect temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius and tons of humidity!

Temperatures, crowds, and prices tend to drop in the shoulder seasons before and after the summer months. In April and May, temperatures are around 20-22 degrees, and in the later months, from September all through November, you can still see highs of 25 degrees, although the water does get considerably colder.

It doesn’t rain much on Paros, except in March and November, when there is a little rainfall, but nothing too crazy.

What to expect in Paros in September

We were in Paros in mid-September and had a great time. The weather was sunny and warm the whole time we were there. The water temperature was also lovely. It was still warm enough to swim but cool enough to be a refreshing break from the heat. At night, it would get a bit cooler, but not enough to need a warm jacket. A simple throw was enough to be comfortable.

We also found the island was not very crowded, which meant tons of room on the beaches, and no problems walking into restaurants to eat. The accommodations we found were also well-located and reasonably-priced. We didn’t need to book anything in advance, which was really nice!

How long to stay in Paros

We stayed on Paros for four nights, arriving in the late afternoon on the first day. We found it was the perfect amount of time to slowly explore the island. We do admit that we really took it easy while we were here, slipping into the local’s chill vibes!

If you are stretched for time, you can easily do three nights at a leisurely pace. It’s a small island, and can easily be explored without rushing.

To recap, here is what to do in Paros in September for couples

1. Walk around Naoussa
2. Check out the Venetian Castle of Naoussa
3. Chill at Piperi beach
4. Eat all the amazing food in Paros
5. Head out to Kolymbithres beach
6. Stroll around Lefkes
7. Visit Antiparos for a day
8. Check out the famous Panagia Ekatontapiliani & other churches
9. Go beach hopping on Paros
10. Discover the museums of Paros
11. Take in the nightlife in Paros
12. Catch a romantic sunset

Paros was really a beautiful island to discover as a couple. Beyond the romantic things to do in Paros, the laid-back feel and small village vibes made it perfect for us. It wasn’t crowded, and the weather was perfect for lounging around on beaches, while still allowing us to walk around comfortably. We loved every single thing about our four days in Paros.

If you’re looking to get a little bit off the beaten track when it comes to the Greek islands, Paros is a must! Let us know if you have any other questions in the comments, and tell us what you love to do as a couple!

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