So, you’ve decided to visit Paros? Excellent choice! We adore this sun‑kissed Cycladic island and think it’s one of the best Greek islands to add to your Greek islands itinerary, even if it’s often overshadowed by its glitzy neighbors like Mykonos and Santorini. With its blend of lively harbors, pretty villages, and relaxed beaches, Paros really offers a bit of everything without feeling overwhelming.
After spending plenty of time exploring Paros, we’ve fallen for the whitewashed lanes of Naoussa and Parikia, and the charming mountain village Lefkes.
Good news: there’s more than one way to reach this beautiful Cycladic island—whether you go from Athens to Paros by plane, by ferry from Piraeus or Rafina, or by hopping over from a neighboring island like Syros or Mykonos.
Here’s an overview of the different ways to get to Paros, with pointers to the most useful routes and tools for planning—tested and approved on our own trips to Paros.
Where is Paros located?
Paros is one of the Cycladic islands in the heart of the Aegean Sea, roughly in the middle between Athens and Santorini. It sits just west of Naxos and close to other popular islands like Mykonos and Milos, with the smaller island of Antiparos lying immediately off its southwest coast and connected by a short local ferry.
Parikia, the main town and port of Paros, is where most ferries arrive and depart, while Naoussa in the north has grown into a chic yet still charming fishing village. Because of its central location and great connections—including easy day trips to Antiparos—Paros is often one of the easiest Cycladic islands to combine with others on the same trip.
General travel tips for Paros
Paros is a year‑round island, but it really comes alive from late April to October, when most hotels, tavernas and beach clubs are open and ferry schedules are frequent. July and August are the busiest (and windiest) months, while May, June, September and early October are perfect if you prefer warm weather with fewer crowds.
The island is quite compact, so you can easily combine beach days, village strolls and short hikes like the Byzantine road in Lefkes in a single stay. Many visitors choose to stay in one or two bases (usually Parikia and/or Naoussa) and explore the rest of the island with buses, a rental car and boat trips.
Read more: Car hire in Paros: a complete guide to renting a car in Paros
The classic: take the ferry from Athens to Paros
For most travelers, the classic way to reach Paros is by ferry from Athens. Ferries depart mainly from Piraeus (Athens’ main port) and Rafina (closer to the airport), with several sailings a day in high season and at least one or two daily connections for most of the year from Piraeus.
Depending on the route and type of vessel, the journey takes about 3–5 hours. Blue Star Ferries and similar large conventional ships are slower but more comfortable and stable, while high‑speed ferries such as SeaJets and Golden Star Ferries are faster but can be pricier and more sensitive to wind.
You can book tickets online via platforms like Ferryscanner, or directly on the ferry companies’ websites. In summer and on weekends, it’s safer to reserve in advance, especially if you need a car space or prefer specific seats.
The fast lane: take a flight from Athens to Paros
If you want to get to Paros as quickly as possible, flying is the fast lane. Paros has a small domestic airport served by several daily flights from Athens International Airport, especially between late spring and early autumn.
Flight time is around 35–40 minutes, so you can be on the island in less than an hour once you’ve boarded. Aegean/Olympic and other Greek carriers operate these routes with smaller aircraft, which means that seats can sell out quickly in peak season.
On arrival, the airport is only a short taxi or bus ride from Parikia, and you can usually be checked into your accommodation in under half an hour. If you’re planning a tight itinerary or you’re prone to seasickness, this is often the most comfortable option.
The adventurer’s route: take a ferry from a neighboring island
Thanks to its central position in the Cyclades, Paros is a fantastic stop on a Greek island‑hopping route. There are frequent connections from Naxos, Mykonos and Santorini, as well as seasonal routes from islands like Ios, Milos and Syros.
Some of the shortest and most popular hops are:
- Naxos → Paros in under an hour on many ferries.
- Mykonos → Paros in about 1–1.5 hours on high‑speed services.
- Syros→ Paros in roughly 1-2 hours
This “adventurer’s route” is perfect if you want to string together several islands with different vibes: mix Paros’ relaxed villages and beaches with cultural life in Syros or the nightlife of Mykonos.
Getting around Paros
Once you’ve arrived, getting around Paros is pretty straightforward. The island has a decent public bus network connecting Parikia with Naoussa, Lefkes, Piso Livadi, Aliki, and several beaches, especially in summer.
For more flexibility, many visitors rent a car in Paros, or a scooter or quad bike to explore smaller coves and hilltop villages at their own pace. Distances are short—crossing the island north to south only takes about 30–40 minutes by car—so you can easily plan half‑day outings and still be back in time for sunset drinks in Naoussa or Parikia.
Boat taxis and excursion boats also link Paros with Antiparos and some remote beaches, adding a fun seaside element to getting around. It’s best to book these boat trips in advance.
Where to stay in Paros
You’ll find a good mix of accommodation spread across Paros, from simple studios to boutique hotels and villas.
- La Mer Seaside Apartments (Drios): The accommodation is fantastic. It is in a wonderful location with ocean views and walking distance to restaurants and bars
- Argonauta Hotel (Parikia): Wonderful location, very generous, delicious breakfast, lovely room, very warm welcome.
- Paros Villas Nereids (Parikia): close to the ferry, the views are breathtaking, and the sunsets are truly unforgettable.
- Augusta Studios & Apartments (Naousa): close to the beach and the city center of Naousa. The front apartments have an ocean view.
- Cavo Piso Livadi: this place is close to the harbor and the beach. Beautiful swimming pool. And a very good breakfast.
What to do in Paros
Paros packs a lot into a relatively small island: whitewashed villages, beaches, coastal walks and boat trips.
Some of the best things to do in Paros include:
- Wandering the lanes of Naoussa and Parikia, with their white alleys, bougainvillea and waterfront tavernas.
- Visiting the hill village of Lefkes and walk the Byzantine Road for views, traditional houses and quiet cafés.
- Spending lazy days on beaches such as Kolymbithres, Golden Beach, Monastiri or the coves near Aliki and Drios.
- Taking a boat trip to Antiparos and the Blue Lagoon area for swimming in incredibly clear water.
- Enjoying sunset from the harbor, a seaside bar or one of the small chapels overlooking the sea.
You can easily fill 3–5 days on Paros without rushing, especially if you mix sightseeing with slow, relaxed island time.
Read more: Best things to do in Paros: a complete guide
Final tip: plan with a pinch of flexibility
Ferries and flights to Paros are generally reliable, but the Aegean can be unpredictable, especially when the meltemi wind blows. Build a little flexibility into your Greek island itinerary—avoid very tight same‑day connections with international flights, and keep an eye on schedules in the days before you travel.
Having one “buffer day” at the start or end of your trip in Athens or on another island can save you a lot of stress if a ferry is delayed or rescheduled. With a bit of margin and an open mindset, getting to Paros becomes part of the adventure rather than a race against the clock.