If vou’re looking for an island that screams authenticity and is marked by friendly locals, stunning scenery and the famous Greek charm, then get yourself to Paros.
On arrival we were immediately taken by the colour of the water, the white buildings and barren land. The peaceful pace of the locals, access to delicious food and days leaning into slowness, reminded us of our time spent on a farm in Spain.
Accomodation
We stayed in a small apartment in Dryos on the Eastern side of the island. The accommodation was a short walk to a strip of rocky marble beach which we spent hours exploring, swimming and relaxing on. We could not have picked a better area on Paros to base ourselves. The community felt so authentic with many secluded beaches and delicious cafes and restaurants within walking distance.
Our hosts were an elderly Greek couple who spoke very little English. What they lacked in words they made up for in daily cakes, bottles of wine and oozo. We felt so loved on by this couple and despite the language barrier were so sad to leave them at the end of our magical two weeks!
Getting Around
You can get to Paros by catching a ferry from Athens or one of the surrounding islands. There is now also a convenient daily flight leaving from Athens too. Once on the island there is a good bus service, but if you want to get off-the-beaten path, and explore areas away from the main town, you will need to organise a hire car.
There is a rental at the port which makes picking up your car super easy. We had hoped we could hire scooters but very glad we didn’t. The island isn’t small (like some of the Thailand Islands we visited), and with the wind and burning sun a car was much more practical.
Things to do
Exploring the best Beaches on Paros
Dryos Beaches
Given it was so close to our accomodation in Dryos, this strip of rocky marble beach was where we spent the most of our time. While not smooth sand, pebbles in some areas and crushed up marble sand in others, there was alot to explore.
The favourite thing to discover was sea urchins. The girls were at first extremely hesitant to touch these spikey creatures but they soon discovered if you held the whole urchin at once, spreading out the pressure of spikes, it didn’t hurt at all!
Lageri Beach
We found this beach on our hunt to avoid the strong north-easterly winds. The colour of the water and clarity was insane and it was also my first dip in the cool Aegean Sea! Apparently it’s a bit of a nudist beach, but given the many museums and other European beaches we had already visited, it was no problem. People tend to be discreet and keep to their own.
Kalogeros Beach
Ok this beach was seriously fun! The clay cliffs make for an excellent body scrub and mask which we took great delight in. The girls were less thrilled, mostly because they’d then have to get into the cold water to wash it off. They did however enjoy making balls out of clay and playing a game of catch.
There is a warning when entering about the impact of waves when a ferry passes by. Well the sign wasn’t kidding; we saw one of the ferries far in the distance and about fifteen minutes later the waves reached the beach. If the tide had been higher they would have crashed into the rocks, easily knocking you over and soaking all your belongings. A good lesson to be aware of your surroundings and local warnings.
There are hiking trails all over Paros so while the kids played on the beach with Tom, I enjoyed a scramble to the top off the clay cliffs. The views were spectacular!
Tripiti Beach
A tiny little beach to the south-east of the island. You’ll have to walk down a dirt track to get there but the cove is protected from the wind and there was no one else there.
Water Colour Painting Class
In the historical market street of Parikia you can attend a water colour painting class with Cecelia. The classes are intimate and a lot of fun, where you’ll be taught different painting techniques while creating your own special souvenir to take home.
The class went for about an hour and was a great family activity. I loved watching how the girls brought their own creativity and interpretation to their paintings.
Explore Parikia
Quaint cobblestone paths, white buildings, pretty shops and cafes decorated by bougainvillea make the capital and port of Paros a must visit. We enjoyed a morning wandering the streets and window shopping. Mostly its just so beautiful looking at the contrasting vibrant colours against the whitewalls of the town.
Lefkes Village
Exchanging the blue Aegean Sea for olive groves and cyprus forests, Lefkes Village can be found inland. A charming village with plenty of places to stop and have a bite, explore the white washed narrow lane ways and take in the spectacular views.
Be sure to visit the cathedral and try the homemade lemonade served by the cafe opposite the church. The owners family has lived there for 3 generations and their lemonade was absolutely delicious – just ask Isla or Alessia.
Hiking
Byzantine Road
The hike we did on Paros followed an ancient marble pathway between Prodromos and Lefkes Village. Most people begin at Lefkes and take the path downwards first, but knowing we’d be walking back in the midday sun, with two children, we opted to begin in Prodromos.
It’s a beautiful walk and you can’t help but imagine the people who have walked the same path over the last thousand years. The return hike is about seven kilometres and is very exposed, so make sure you bring a hat and lots of water.
Paros Park
A nature reserve on the north-west peninsula of the island with loads of hiking trails and spectacular views. You could easily spend all day here hopping over the huge boulders and searching for hidden coves to take a dip. Stop off at Parko Cafe and grab a take away coffee before you set off!
Things we loved:
- Paros is ALOT slower and more ‘off-the-beaten path’ than many of the other more known islands in Greece, and its for this reason we LOVED it.
- The locals are incredibly friendly. More than once were the girls given extra treats while grocery shopping, at cafes, or just walking along!
- The water is incredibly clear and a vibrant blue. It makes for delightful swimming.
- While not known as a big hiking island there are trails everywhere. Even the scramble down to a hidden beach, off the side of a road, makes for a great adventure.
Honest Thoughts
- Maybe it was just me but I was surprised at how dry, dusty and barren the island was. Between the charming white washed towns was often a lot of ‘nothingness’. The dry weather means perfectly stunning blue skies so I’m definitely not complaining.
- You can’t fly to Paros which means your only option is by boat. From Athens its a 4-6 hour ferry ride and be prepared for the journey to be rough at times.
- If you were after an island packed with adventure and activities from sunup to sundown you’ll be disappointed here. While there is certainly plenty to do, most of our two weeks on Paros was spent enjoying a slow routine of exploring different beaches, enjoying the delicious foods and meeting the friendly locals.
- Paros get the Meltemi winds from the north which is brilliant for windsurfing but not so fun for lying on a beach. Rest assured there are many private, stunning beaches hidden from the wind.
The Whole of Us 
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