Paros is the perfect destination for a mix of relaxation and adventure, offering everything from tranquil beaches to charming villages filled with bougainvillea. The island really checks all of the boxes of everything you think of when you picture a Greek Island – the white cobblestone street villages, bright pink bougainvilleas, crystal-clear waters, and even a bit of a party scene for those looking for some fun! And, you can see a good amount of the island with this 3-days in Paros itinerary!
It’s truly one of the most beautiful islands in the Cyclades, and with 3 days, you have plenty of time to indulge in the island’s highlights. From exploring Naoussa’s picturesque streets to lounging on secluded beaches and cruising to Antiparos for a day on the water, Paros is really a paradise.
Whether you’re visiting Paros as your main destination or adding it to your island-hopping adventure, this 3-Days in Paros itinerary will ensure you make the most of your time on this dreamy Greek island!
Planning your own Greece trip? Check out my complete Greece Travel Guide or dive into more Paros coverage with my Complete Naoussa Guide for a deeper dive into one of my favorite neighborhoods in Paros.
Where to Stay in Paros
We found Naoussa to be undoubtedly the best place to stay while exploring Paros. It’s a beautiful & charming town right on the water, and offers the perfect mix of laid-back island vibes and vibrant local culture. And, there are plenty of very reasonably priced hotels & Airbnbs all within walking distance of town.
Known for its picturesque harbor, narrow streets lined with whitewashed buildings, and lively atmosphere, Naoussa is the heart of Paros. It’s a hub for some of the best restaurants, cafés, shops, and nightlife. And everything is a 5-10 minute walk away.
The town is also centrally located, making it easy to explore the rest of the island. You’ll be just a short drive away from some of the most stunning beaches and other villages like Lefkes and Parikia.
Want to find out more about where to stay in Naoussa? Check out my blog post, Your Complete Guide to Naoussa, Paros.
Getting to Paros
Paros is easily connect to the other major islands in the Cyclades and mainland Greece, making it easy to include in your itinerary when island hopping.
- From Athens to Paros:
- Ferries are the most common way to get in from Athens, since there are many routes running daily. Pending the ship, it can take anywhere from 3-5 hours.
- You can also fly from Athens to Paros in about 40 minutes, with flights operating frequently throughout the year. We chose this route since it was much shorter, and actually the same pricing as the ferry! But beware, it’s a small prop plane, and the airport in Paros is super tiny!
- From Other Islands:
- You’ll be able to find a ferry from all of the major island, with most routes including a stop at the island! Islands like Mykonos, Santorini, and Milos are all under 2-hours by ferry, while Crete can take almost 8-hours to get to.
How To Get Around: Car, ATV, or Motorbike?
Getting around Paros is relatively easy, and you have a few great options to explore the island at your own pace. Depending on your comfort level and what kind of adventure you want, you can rent a car, ATV, or motorbike.
- Renting a Car
- We chose to rent a car during our stay in Paros, which turned out to be the most convenient and cost-effective choice. Luckily, my boyfriend can drive stick shift because the price difference between manual & automatic on the islands is quite dramatic. Plus, having AC was amazing!
- We were able to have our car ready for pickup right at the Paros Airport when we arrived. Plus, we were able to drop it off at the Parikia Port, where we were catching our ferry to Milos, which saved us a lot of time!
- ATV or Motorbike Rentals
- If you’re a bit more adventurous, renting an ATV or motorbike is another great way to get around! It will give you the freedom to zip through narrow streets and reach more remote areas, especially if you’re looking to explore less-traveled spots. Plus it’s a ton of fun!
- If you’re planning on driving an ATV or motorbike, make sure you’re comfortable with the roads. For shorter distances and more accessible areas, it’s definitely a great option. We saw plenty of people on them throughout our trip!
- Public Transport
- Public transport on Paros is also available though less frequent. You can easily hop on the buses that connect main towns like Naoussa, Parikia, and Lefkes, but schedules can be limiting, especially if you’re tight on time or looking to adverture off the beaten path.
Overall, we found renting a car to be the best option for exploring Paros efficiently and comfortably, but if you’re after a more adventurous experience, ATVs or motorbikes are a great way to go!
3-Days in Paros Itinerary
Day 1: Settle In & Explore The Island
9AM: Breakfast at Almond & Explore Naoussa Village
Pop into town on your first day in Paros and head to Almond for a healthy breakfast. It’s a really beautiful restaurant right on the heart of Naoussa with a Tulum vibe. They have plenty of healthy options like smoothie bowls, a great cup of coffee, and other light bites. You can take a sit in their pretty courtyard or even grab a smoothie to go.
After breakfast, enjoy the morning air and explore the streets of Naoussa. Spend some time wandering through the narrow white cobblestone alleys, shopping for unique souvenirs at some of the most charming boutiques, and watching the fisherman on their boats in the harbor. Maybe you’ll even find a few kitties that will join in on your stroll :).
There’s plenty of instagramable spots on every corner – including the iconic Linardo pink door you’ve probably seen all of social media! It’s so calm in the morning, which is a stark difference from nighttime, so enjoy the peaceful moments!
11AM – 2PM: Exploring Parikia & Lunch at Symposium Cafe
Time to head out of Naoussa to explore some other villages on the island! First, make your way to Parikia, the capital of Paros. The town has similar vibes to Naoussa, but since it’s the main ferry port, just feels a bit busier.
Spend some time strolling around the main town and popping into the local shops for some unique handmade goods.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head over to Symposium Café for a little lunch break. The food is light & refreshing, and the patio is a perfect place to spend a few hours. But, it’s really known for the multiple resident cats who couldn’t be more excited to join you in your meal.
Get an Aperol spritz (always a must while in Greece) and the classic Greek salad! Enjoy the people watching from their outside patio, while you make friends with the kitties! We had a little cutie jump up on the empty seat at our table and sit with us for our whole meal!
2PM – 4PM: Lefkes, The Most Beautiful Mountain Village
Next, make your way to Lefkes, one of the most picturesque villages on the island – and one of our favorite little gems! The village is famous for its narrow streets lined with bougainvillea, with a more traditional Greek village vibe. Make sure to take photos at Bougainvillea Corner House, one of the prettiest locations & a perfect Instagram-worthy spot.
We didn’t have a set plan of what to explore here, and ended up just weaving through the streets, which brought us to the main church in town. There’s a beautiful courtyard area, where a small cafe has seating spread all around to enjoy.
It was so quiet here, that we almost didn’t even know if the cafe was open, but we started up a convo with the man inside & ended up ordering 2x glasses of wine to enjoy outside. We spent some time chatting with him and found out his family lived across the street! His dad is actually the person who planted all the bougainvillea!
We ended up staying here longer than anticipated because it was just that lovely. It was one of those perfect moments where we sat beneath the bougainvillea, gazing up at a beautiful church, chatting with the friendly man who grew up here. We could’ve easily spent the rest of the afternoon there!
We had actually planned to stop by the neighboring mountains town Maripissa, but were running behind schedule after spending so long in Lefkes – but it was 1000% worth it. If you do have the time, I’ve heard it’s worth popping into Maripissa, too!
7:30PM: Sunset Drinks at Come Back
After a day of exploring the villages, make your way back to Naoussa to get ready for a drink at Come Back. It’s located right on the beach, with some of the most stunning sunset views. Sip on your drink and watch as the sky turns vibrant shades of orange and pink. And look out for the little cats roaming the beach to say hi.
We also ended up ordering a few apps before dinner since we were getting quite hungry (these late European dinners were hard to adjust to!). I’d actually recommend not eating here, though – we weren’t impressed with any food we ordered. But the cocktails were perfect!
8:30PM: Dinner at Sigi Ikthios
After you finish up with drinks, head over to Sigi Ikthios for dinner. It’s a fantastic Greek restaurant right on the water in Naoussa. We had the most incredible meal there – definitely one of our favorites on our entire trip! It’s much more reasonably priced compared to the insta-famous spot Barbarossa.
The octopus is a must order – we may have had octopus 10 times on this trip, but this one was by far our favorite. Super tender & melt in your mouth. And split the fish of the day, which is normally your choice between seabass and seabream. Lemony & fresh!
They don’t take online reservations, so make sure to put your name down on the list early in the day. We did when we got back from the villages, and they already had tons of names ahead of us. The guy working the list did us a HUGE favor, and was still able to secure us a table, though :).
10PM: Nightcap at Sante Cocktail Bar
If you’re looking to keep the night going, end your evening with cocktails at Sante Cocktail Bar. Down a few cobblestone corners, you’ll find the bar in a beautiful courtyard, with open seating all around. It’s very laid back vibe, with incredible cocktails! And, they had a great selection of tequilas.
Day 2: Boat Day & Sunset Walks
9AM: Coffee & Pastries at Tserki
Make a quick trek into town for coffee at Tserki, an adorable cafe with the best freddo cappuccino (iced cappuccino) we had all trip! The pastries are delish, and they also have plenty of fresh, grab & go sandwhiches, which we picked up for our boat day later.
After we stumbled into this place, we came back every morning after! Try the veggie & spinach pies – they are perfect.
10AM – 5PM: Boat Rental at Pounta Port
Our friends had visited Paros a few years back, and had raved to us about renting a boat themselves – we knew we had to experience this ourselves! You are able to book your own private boat, without a boaters license, that you can take out to explore the coast of Antiparos – how cool!
Head to Pounta Port on the opposite side of the island to pick up your boat from the rental group. They’ll walkthrough everything you need to know before going out on the water. After a detailed, step-by-step guide, he let us practice near the port before heading off on our own! Plus, they’ll give you a map and highlight the best route & stops along the way.
The waters here are crystal-clear, and you’ll have the freedom to explore at your own pace, stopping for swims or just soaking in the sun. You’ll stop at the blue lagoon, for the brightest blue waters, and a few other beaches & swim stops that feel so private!
We booked this in advance via GetYourGuide HERE – and at $250 for the day, plus gas ($25ish), it was SO worth it!
7PM: Sunset Walk in Naoussa
After a full day on the boat, take a peaceful sunset walk along Naoussa’s picturesque waterfront. It’s impossible to get bored of this view – the golden-hour light reflecting on the water is just so beautiful!
8PM: Gyros for Dinner at Souvlakia Kargas
Since we were pretty exhausted from the full day on the water, we knew today was going to be a causal dinner. We walked over to Souvlakia Kargas, which we had heard had incredible souvlaki at super inexpensive price.
We sat on cute tables on the streets of Naoussa, and ordered two pork gyros, plus the grilled halloumi. And WOW. This was by far both of our favorite gyros we had all trip. I almost cried at how amazing it was. It’s a must have when coming to Paros – seriously, do not skip this place!
Day 3: Paros Park, Beaches & Last-Minute Adventures
9AM: Morning Walk & Coffee
Start your final day with another relaxing morning walk through Naoussa, stopping by Tserki again for a coffee and pastry. We headed over to Paros Park for the afternoon, so consider bringing a few pastries or snacks from the bakery with you for a snack on the beach!
10:30AM – 2PM: Explore Paros Park
Spend the next few hours at Paros Park, a tranquil area just a 15-minute drive from Naoussa. The park is a nature reserve, filled with quiet beaches, hidden coves, and scenic walking paths. It felt like stumbling upon a hidden gem on the island!
There are 3 different routes you can take, all very clearly marked trails. You can check out the lighthouse on the island, or hike up to the top of the cliffs, but we decided to take Route 3, which focuses on the multiple secluded beaches of the park.
You can park at Monstrasi Beach, where you’ll find the start to all the paths. Take your time admiring the beauty of this place. We stopped at several beaches just for a quick dip, before making it to our favorite location in Paros, Playa de Guijarros – a pebble beach with the clearest waters ever.
Chances are, if you visit early in the season or on a weekday, you’ll have the entire place to yourself like we did. It was absolutely magical. One of my most treasured memories from this trip!
2PM: Lunch at Taverne Vigla
It’s tough leaving Paros Park, but you’ll probably have worked up a big appetite after that walk. Head over to Taverne Vigla, which is on your way from the park and across from the entrance to Kolymbithres Beach (your next stop!).
It’s a traditional Greek tavern with fresh and flavorful food, plus a view of the ocean! We split a gyro portion and had a glass of their house wine – the perfect little bite before making our way back to the beach.
3:30PM: Kolymbithres Beach
After lunch, head down the street to Kolymbithres Beach. The beach consists of huge blocks of granite, shaped over the centuries by wind and sea and a series of sandy coves that follow one another. In peak season, you can rent beach chairs, but during the off-season, it’s the perfect place to find your spot on the rocks and hang. The water is super clear and calm, and also very shallow – so perfect for swimmers at all levels.
If you end up skipping Paros Park and staying in Naoussa, you can also get here by water taxi for a fun, scenic route!
5 – 6PM: Drop Off Rental Car & Ferry
Our ferry was leaving at 7PM this night, so after we finished off at the beach, we made our way back to Parikia to drop of our rental car. We ended up having a little bite in the city, while waiting on our delayed ferry. After such an amazing day, it was really tough to leave the island, but I still was very excited to get to our next stop, Milos!
Until Next time, Paros!
From quiet beaches to charming villages, Paros is the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation! Whether you’re savoring a quiet moment by the sea or immersing yourself in the island’s charm, these three days will leave you with memories you won’t forget. And if you’re like me, I can’t wait to go back!
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