Is Antiparos Worth Visiting In 2025? TOP Reasons To Visit
Are you planning your Cyclades itinerary and wondering if is Antiparos worth visiting?
I visited Antiparos, so I’ve got you covered!
Antiparos is a small island situated off the west coast of the larger and more popular Paros.
I loved my time on this charming island, with plenty of opportunities to escape the crowds and immerse myself in island life.
From pristine beaches to charming cobblestone streets, it is a destination that offers a perfect blend of tranquility and local vibrancy.
Let’s see if you should add Antiparos to your itinerary too!
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Is Antiparos Worth It?
Yes, Antiparos is one of the most charming Greek islands in the Cyclades and well worth visiting!
If you’re already visiting Paros, taking a quick ferry and visiting Antiparos on a day trip is a fantastic idea.
Antiparos is a great place to escape the crowds and enjoy the authentic small Greek island vibes.
The island boasts incredible beaches and charming cobblestone streets in the city center. You’ll find plenty of restaurants for a freshly cooked meal and cocktail bars to grab a drink at night.
Also, Tom Hanks has a house on Antiparos where he loves to spend summers hosting his celebrity friends.
I’m just saying, if it’s good enough for Tom Hanks!
Should You Spend A Night In Antiparos?
While Antiparos is well worth visiting for a day trip, should you also spend a night there?
Honestly, it depends only on your Cyclades itinerary and how much time you have.
Antiparos is a fantastic place to escape the crowds and enjoy authentic Greek island vibes, especially after day trippers from Paros and various boat tours leave for the night.
As the sun sets, tourists and locals flock from the beaches to the cobblestone streets of Antiparos city center.
A night in Antiparos is a perfect blend of lively and tranquil – depending on what you’re looking for!
Restaurants, serving fresh and delicious dishes, invite you to sit down for dinner, while the lively chatter of locals and tourists in numerous bars, accompanied by lounge music, permeates the air.
It is the epitome of summer island life!
I was in Antiparos in September, once the high season had ended. It was quieter than it would be during summer but still lively.
Where To Stay In Antiparos?
Prices in Antiparos are similar to prices in Paros, so you can find affordable accommodation if you book in advance or visit during the shoulder season.
Naturally, there are fewer places to choose from, so book in advance to have the most options!
Budget Option: Pavlos Place
Pavlos Place is a typical Greek family-owned apartment in the heart of Antiparos Chora.
The rooms are bright and spacious, and the location is fantastic, with friendly staff and a Greek taverna on-site.
Mid Range Option: Antiparos Homes
Beautiful holiday homes, just a short walk from Antiparos Chora. The property features a pool and spacious, fully furnished apartments.
It is a great option if you’re traveling in a friend group or family, as it is quite a budget-friendly option when split among travelers.
Most Unique Option: KAMEO, Antiparos
Escape the crowds and enjoy a perfect Greek island getaway in KAMEO suites. This property is located on the southwestern end of the island, so you’ll probably need to rent a car if you want to get to the city.
However, it is one of the most beautiful properties on the island, with stunning views and a complimentary continental breakfast.
How To Get To Antiparos?
To get to Antiparos, you first have to get to Paros.
Getting to Paros can be as simple as taking a flight from Athens or, more commonly, opting for a ferry journey to the island.
You can get a ferry from Athens or many other islands in the area like Naxos, Santorini, or Mykonos.
If you don’t want a classic day trip experience, you can also visit Antiparos on a sailing tour from Paros!
Sailing tours are a fantastic way to discover harder-to-reach beaches and hidden gems away from the crowds.
This full-day Antiparos cruise takes you along the coast of Antiparos and Despitko, a smaller island on the southern end of Antiparos.
What To Do In Antiparos?
If you visit Antiparos on a day trip from Paros, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the island.
While you don’t need a car, having some kind of vehicle will be useful.
You can rent a scooter or bicycle once you’re on the island too!
I didn’t have a car in Antiparos, so I stayed close to the port in the city center and the nearby beaches.
1. Explore Antiparos Chora
Antiparos Chora is the main, and realistically the only, town in Antiparos. Situated right around the port, it is where most of the action happens.
I found Antiparos Chora to be one of the most picturesque old towns.
You get to stroll the cobblestone streets lined with vibrant pink bougainvillea trees and whitewashed houses with typical blue windows.
Walk through a small tunnel in the streets to Saint Nicholas Central Square. Named after the adjacent church, the square is lined with bars and tavernas with wooden table sets waiting for guests to arrive.
2. Discover Antiparos Castle
You’ll find the ruins of Antiparos Castle behind Saint Nicholas Central Square.
To be honest, there’s not much of the castle left, and I walked right past it before realizing that’s what I’m looking for.
Still, it is a nice example of an old Venetian castle, which is typical in the Cyclades area.
The castle is currently undergoing renovations, so I hope it will soon take on a more impressive form!
3. Rent A Bike To Get Around The Island
If you don’t want to rent a car, you can also rent a bicycle in the city center of Antiparos.
The northern part of Antiparos is quite flat and the roads are paved, so cycling is easy and enjoyable. With a bike, you can visit slightly further beaches like Glyfa Beach.
I suggest opting for an electric bike if you want to visit Antiparos Cave, which is about 8 km from the port and on the top of a hill.
4. Visit Antiparos Cave
Antiparos Cave is one of the main tourist attractions of the island. This impressive cave is situated at the top of a hill about 8 km from Antiparos port.
The entry fee is quite affordable, and you can buy the tickets at the entrance.
The rock formations within a cave are beautiful, especially when you look at them climbing up. Be aware that you’ll have to climb about 400 stairs up from the cave!
Also, the view of the island from the cave entrance is fantastic!
5. Enjoy Antiparos Beaches
You can’t miss the beaches when visiting Greek islands, and Antiparos has plenty to offer!
If you’re visiting on a day trip without a car, there are several beaches around Antiparos Chora.
Some of the best beaches are only accessible by sea, so you should consider joining one of Antiparos sailing tours!
I visited two beaches on the island: Paralia Psaraliki, with a view of Paros, and Paralia Sifneiko, also known as the sunset beach.
The sand was not as fine compared to Marcelo Beach on Paros, but the sea was calm and the water was warm in September. Both beaches are within a 5-10 minute walk from the city.
If you have a car or a bike, you can reach the more remote beaches in the south. Renting a quad could be the best idea for beaches like Faneromeni Beach on the southern tip of the island.
6. Watch The Sunset From Sifneiko Beach
Sifneiko Beach on the west coast of Antiparos is one of the most popular beaches on the island.
Even if you’re not swimming there, it is worth coming here to watch the sunset.
The best sunset spot is slightly above the beach, as the beach is in a cove so it might cover the sun at certain times of the year.
7. Take a trip to Despotiko
Despotiko is a small, uninhabited island situated on the southern end of Antiparos. It is a popular day-trip destination.
Not many people know that this island is nicknamed “the second Delos” as it is packed with antiquities.
The easiest way to get to Despotiko is on a boat tour or simply organizing the day trip yourself by taking a boat over to the island from Agios Georgios.
8. Hike Along The Northern Antiparos Coastline
Antiparos is a great destination for casual hikers. Rather than scaling remarkable mountain tops, you’ll get to walk along the coast, enjoying the sea breeze and picturesque landscapes.
There are several hiking routes in Antiparos, but the Oliaros hiking route is the most popular.
It is a circular route around the northern part of the island, covering about 5 km. It will take most hikers less than 2 hours to complete, but you can stop for a dip halfway at Sifneiko Beach.
9. Enjoy Antiparos Nightlife
Antiparos is not a party island like Mykonos or Ios, nor does it have the renowned upscale Paros nightlife.
Still, Antiparos offers a plethora of options to choose from for a night out in the city!
BOOGALOO and Limer Bar are the most popular cocktail bars in Antiparos. Both offer immaculate island vibes, with lounge music, delicious cocktails, and a lively atmosphere.
However, you can just stroll the streets and find a place that looks inviting. There are endless options.
Antiparos has two nightclubs that are open until early morning hours – La Luna and Dancing Club Mill. Both are a bit outside of the city center, but that’s where everyone goes
La Luna is the iconic Antiparos nightclub, playing music from the 80s/’90s and early 2000s, situated north of the Chora.
Dancing Club Mill is situated on the southern end of the Chora, and they either play Greek music or mainstream club music. I guess it’s a surprise!
FAQ:
Start your day in Antiparos by exploring Antiparos Chora. Stroll the cobblestone streets and visit typical blue and white churches. The two main tourist attractions on the island are Antiparos Cave and the ruins of Antiparos Castle. Spend the rest of your time on the island enjoying the beaches. End the day by watching the sunset from Sifneiko Beach.
Antiparos’ coastline is about 57 kilometers long. The island is quite hilly, especially the rocky southern end of the island. While you could walk along certain parts of the coastline, there is no dedicated walkable route around the island.
You can see all the main tourist attractions in Antiparos on a day trip from Paros. However, if you want to enjoy the smaller island vibes, you could spend 1-3 nights on the island before continuing your Cyclades itinerary.
Antiparos Chora is the main town in Antiparos and the best choice for most travelers. Other towns on the island are merely villages, with not much to do. Agios Georgios is another option if you want to escape the crowds and enjoy the best beaches on the island.
Final Thoughts: Is Antiparos Worth Visiting?
Yes, Antiparos is worth visiting, especially if you’re already in Paros.
Antiparos is just a short 5-minute ferry ride from Paros, making Paros to Antiparos day trip a fantastic idea!
You should also consider staying in Antiparos if you’re seeking a quieter island in the Cyclades.
The island offers a perfect blend of calm and tranquility, featuring stunning beaches and a picturesque city center.
If you find yourself in need of more action, simply hop over to Paros and enjoy many different things to do in Paros!
