Day Trip To Paros From Naxos: Fun And Easy!
Paros and Naxos are two Cycladic islands located about 20 km from each other. This proximity makes taking a day trip from Naxos to Paros, or the other way around, a fantastic idea!
I stayed on both islands while island hopping around the Cyclades, but if you prefer to choose one of the islands as a base, the other is less than an hour ferry ride away.
So, how do you get to Paros from Naxos?
You can join a tour, embark on a sailing trip, or organize the day trip yourself by ferry.
Let’s find the best option for you!
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Naxos To Paros Day Trip Options
A day trip from Naxos to Paros is one of the easiest island day trips in the Cyclades.
When you look at a map, you’ll see that the distance between Paros and Naxos is just 20 km.
With frequent and affordable ferries between the two islands, it is also one of the best day trips from Naxos.
If you prefer a more relaxed experience without worrying about the ferries, there are many organized tours you can join.
Here are your options to visit Paros from Naxos:
- Take a ferry on your own
- Join an organized tour
- Go on a sailing tour
1. Self-Organized Day Trip From Naxos To Paros
Let’s start with a budget-friendly option: organize the day trip yourself by taking a ferry from Naxos to Paros.
A ferry ride from Naxos to Paros takes about 45 to 55 minutes.
In the high season, the first ferry from Naxos departs at 7 AM and the last one comes back around 10 PM.
As you browse the ferries in Greece, you’ll notice that the prices vary wildly for the same trip.
I suggest booking with Ferryhopper, as they will show you all the operators in one place.
The ferry ride typically takes 45 minutes to 1 hour, and there’s minimal difference between choosing an express or a regular ferry.
Opt for the most affordable option and save money for a delicious meal in Paros.
How To Spend 1 Day In Paros
The ferry will leave you in Parikia, the main town in Paros.
You don’t need a car in Paros, and you can easily visit Parikia and Naoussa in one day by public transport!
However, if you’re seeking more freedom to explore the island, renting a car in Paros or taking one on the ferry is a viable option.
Let’s start with the public transport option!
Day Trip To Paros Without A Car
You’ll probably only have time to visit Parikia and Naoussa without a car.
If you take an early ferry, you’ll also have time for a quick dip on one of Paros’ beautiful beaches!
You can start by visiting Naoussa or Parikia first.
I like Naoussa better, and the beaches in the north are different from the beaches in Naxos, so I suggest starting with Naoussa.
However, if you want to experience Paros nightlife in Naoussa, you can visit Parikia first and end with Naoussa.
Explore Naoussa And Go For A Dip
If you’re starting with Naoussa, head to the bus station. The port is just a short 5-minute walk from the island’s main bus station.
Check the bus timetable, there should be a bus to Naoussa every half an hour or so during summer.
The bus takes about 20-30 minutes, and it leaves you in the city center of Naoussa.
You can grab a quick breakfast and coffee in Almond, it’s delicious with many vegan options.
Alternatively, you can head to Come Back close to the Old Port, which is one of the famous Naoussa seafront bars!
Naoussa is quite small, so you can see everything in about an hour.
While the city doesn’t have many specific tourist attractions apart from the ruins of the Venetian Castle, it offers the opportunity to wander cobblestone streets and simply admire the surroundings.
I wasn’t that impressed by the beaches in the city center of Naoussa, but I loved the unique Kolymbithres Beach.
You can easily grab a water taxi from Naoussa to Kolymbithres Beach and spend an hour on the beach before heading to Parikia.
Once you’re back in Naoussa, take a bus back to Parikia.
Stroll The Cobblestone Streets Of Parikia
You should be in Parikia by 5 PM, which gives you enough time to explore the Old Town before sunset and a ferry back to Naxos.
The Old Town of Parikia is compact, and you can see all the main attractions in a leisurely 2-hour stroll.
Some places to visit in Parikia are the Holy Temple of Zoodochos Pigi, the 13th-century Frankish Castle Paroikia, and the Church of the Virgin Mary Ekatontapyliani.
Restaurants in Parikia are slightly more affordable than Naoussa, so this could be a perfect time for a dinner with a sunset view!
I loved vegan moussaka in Mouragio, one of the restaurants along the seafront with stunning sunset views.
The last ferry from Paros to Naxos is around 10 or 11 PM, but you might want to catch the one at 8 PM if you have plans for the next day.
Paros With A Rental Car
Discover Lefkes And Byzantine Trail
You need at least 2 days in Paros if you don’t have a car. However, if you’re driving you can cover much more ground!
If you’re driving, you can visit the famous mountain village of Lefkes before heading to Naoussa.
So, the only adjustment to your itinerary is the initial drive to Lefkes instead of heading directly to Naoussa.
Lefkes is one of the most beautiful villages in Paros. It is quite small, so you don’t need more than half an hour to visit.
Lefkes is also a starting point of the ancient Byzantine Road, the oldest trail on the island connecting Lefkes and Prodromos.
Byzantine Road is about 3.5 kilometers long and paved with Parian marble dating back 1000 years.
The trail takes approximately 2 hours for a round trip, making it a perfect choice for starting your day with a sporty activity.
After visiting Lefkes, you can make your way to Naoussa and follow the same route as the first itinerary!
Day Trip To Paros Budget
So, how much does it cost to visit Paros on a day trip?
Ferries cost from 15€ to 40€ per person in one direction.
That makes it 30€ to 80€ per person for a ferry.
You don’t need to book months in advance because some operators don’t even sell that far in advance.
But booking a week in advance is a good idea to make sure the tickets don’t sell out, especially if you have a car!
A bus from Parikia to Naoussa is about 2€ in one direction, and so is the bus from Naoussa to Kolymbithres Beach.
So, that makes it about 10€ per person for public transport.
Paros is not expensive, but it is not cheap either. Expect to pay around 10-15€ per meal, 3-4€ for a coffee, and about 12€ for a cocktail.
2. Boat Tour to Paros Island From Naxos
The main advantage of going on a private boat tour is that you don’t have to worry about getting around the island with a tour, and you’ll get to see all the main tourist attractions in Paros!
Also, if you’re traveling with friends or as a couple, it might be more comfortable and affordable to join a private boat tour instead of booking ferry and bus tickets for multiple people!
This Private Boat Trip to Paros Island is a fantastic option!
The trip starts early in the morning from Naxos, and during the 6 hours of sailing around Paros, you’ll get to see Naoussa, Parikia, and Lefkes!
It is a sailing tour, so you’ll also get a chance to swim on one of the secluded beaches along the Paros coastline.
You don’t need to worry about buses to the villages, as all transport is already included in the tour.
3. Sailing Tour From Naxos
Finally, if you’re not that bothered with sightseeing, several sailing tours from Naxos take you to Paros.
As it is a sailing tour, sightseeing is not the main focus. Instead, you’ll get to discover Paros from a different perspective, by swimming on the beautiful beaches.
You can browse different boat trips here, as the sailing routes often change depending on the weather.
Since Naxos beaches are said to be more beautiful than the ones on Paros, most boat tours are actually from Paros to Naxos.
For example, this full-day boat tour takes you from Paros to the Small Cyclades and beaches on the south coast of Naxos.
These tours can be a lot of fun! However, if you’re into actual sightseeing and not just swimming, I’d go for the first two options.
FAQ:
Yes, you can visit Paros from Naxos on your own. There are frequent ferry lines connecting the two islands during summer, starting from early morning until late at night.
A ferry from Naxos to Paros takes on average 45 to 55 minutes. However, keep in mind that you should be at the quay at least half an hour before the departure time, as the ferry does not wait for anyone.
Yes, you can easily organize a day trip from Naxos to Paros. There are several daily ferries connecting the two islands if you want to do it yourself, and you can also join an organized boat tour.
Summary: Naxos To Paros Day Trip
There’s no need to make the tough choice between visiting Paros or Naxos! A day trip to Paros from Naxos is easy to organize yourself or join a tour.
With so many islands to discover in the region, visiting some on a day trip is a fantastic strategy to maximize your time in the Cyclades.
Paros is one of my favorite Greek islands, so whether you opt for a day trip from Naxos or decide to spend several days on the island, it is well worth visiting!
Now that you’ve planned a day trip from Naxos, what other activities are you adding to your Naxos itinerary?
Thank you! This information is so good for me.