This beautiful Greek island is as pretty as Mykonos and Santorini but with way less tourists.
Paros is part of the Cyclades island group in the Aegean Sea. It has a population of 14,500 with neighbours in its sister islands Antiparos and Naxos.
It was included in the Times’ list of the five secret European destinations to explore this summer.
The newspaper described it as the perfect place to “escape the tourist trail with beaches free from hordes of TikTokers and tavernas that don’t charge a fortune”.
Parikia is the capital town and main port of Paros, home to authentic Cycladic architecture. There are small boutique shops, centuries-old churches, ruins of the Frankish castle, multiple museums, and the Panagia Ekatontapiliani monastery.
Another must-visit is Naoussa, the second-largest town on the island and the buzzing centre of nightlife, with fine restaurants and luxury hotels.
It can get busy in the evenings, so it is recommended to visit during the morning to see hundreds of colourful fishing boats and the blue-domed chapel of St. Nikolas
Paros has numerous beaches including Chrissi Akti, Kolymbithres, Santa Maria, Naousa Bay, Marcello and Agia Irini.
Visitors can rent boats or go on boat tours of the island, which offers the chance to see Paros’ nooks and crannies, with views of clear blue waters, seaside villages and even a sunken plane.
Dotted throughout the island’s towns, villages and beaches are places to eat. Tavernas, bars and cafes offer traditional cuisine and more with a focus on fresh seafood. There is also a vineyard open to the public.
Historically, Paros was known for its fine white marble, which gave rise to the term “Parian” to describe marble or china of similar qualities. Today, abandoned marble quarries and mines can be found across the island
Those wishing to visit cannot fly directly to Paros, with only domestic flights landing on the island. This leaves the option of flying into mainland Greece and getting on a plane or ferry to the island.
Paros has many accommodation options including hotels, bed and breakfasts, Airbnbs and holiday villas.
