The Best 3 Days In Paros Itinerary For Summer 2024
Are you island hopping the Cyclades this summer and looking for the best 3 days in Paros itinerary?
You came to the right place!
Paros is one of my favorite Greek islands, as it offers the quintessential Cycladic experience with whitewashed seafront houses for a fraction of the price of the more popular islands.
I loved exploring Paros so much that I even extended my stay on the island!
With 3 days in Paros, you will get a taste of island life, explore Paros beaches, and even have time for a day trip to the neighboring island of Antiparos.
If you are ready to plan what to do in Paros for 3 days, let’s jump right in!
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Overview: Paros Itinerary 3 days
DAY 1 – Explore Naoussa And Cycle North Of Paros
- Morning stroll of Naoussa
- Afternoon swim at Kolymbithres Beach
DAY 2 – Discover Parikia And Swim On Paros Beaches
- Morning exploring cobblestone streets of Parikia
- Afternoon beach day at Marcello beach
DAY 3 – Day Trip Day
- Day trip to Antiparos from Paros
- Day trip to Lefkes
- Sailing along the coast of Paros
DAY 1: EXPLORE NAOUSSA
Morning in Naoussa
Start your first full day on Paros by exploring the fishing village of Naoussa. Even though it used to be a fishing village, today, it is the most high-end town on the island, gaining popularity as the alternative to Mykonos.
I recommend spending the previous night here, so you see the town in the morning when it is not crowded.
The best way to explore Naoussa is to get lost in the cobblestone streets and see what you will run into.
Some of my favorites are the ruins of the Venetian castle and the old port of Naoussa. A popular spot for pictures is the Linardo Bar and Come Back Bar for a waterfront view.
If you’re worried is Paros expensive to visit, there are always budget-friendly options available!
Instead of a seafront restaurant, grab a quick vegan lunch in Allas Souvlaki before continuing with sightseeing.
Afternoon in the north of Paros
You can spend the afternoon on Naoussa Beach or rent an electric bike to explore the northern part of the island. If you’re backpacking Europe in summer, refresh in one of the many Paros beaches.
Santa Maria Beach on the northeast of the island is a seemingly endless sandy beach. This side of the island tends to be windy, so I suggest skipping this beach on windy days.
Kolymbithres Beach is the most unusual beach on the island, as it is made up of small coves embedded between big rocks. You don’t need to bike to get here, as you can take a taxi boat from Naoussa.
Hike up to the Mycenaean Acropolis for the best view of the island. Make sure to return your bike before sunset because public lighting is close to nonexistent on the roads!
End the day by grabbing dinner and a drink back in town and discovering Naoussa nightlife.
Put on your best outfit because Naoussa gets fancy in the evening. Notice how different the town is during the night.
If you want to have a cocktail in a waterfront bar and enjoy the nightlife without paying Mykonos prices, Naoussa is the best place to go! You can choose between charming bars inside the center or waterfront bars around the old port.
Where to stay in Naoussa, Paros?
While you could stay in either Naoussa or Parikia, I stayed in both so I can compare them.
Naoussa is a small fishing town, so wherever you decide to stay you won’t be far from the centre. Yet, I recommend staying as close to the center as possible, as the roads are not very well-lit outside of the city!
I stayed in Hotel Madaky, and I loved it! The location was perfect, right next to the entrance of the old town and close to the bus station.
DAY 2 – VISIT PARIKIA
Morning in Parikia
Start your day by exploring the city center of Parikia. The historic center of Parikia is small, but there are many picturesque streets, Cycladic architecture, and hidden spots around the town.
You could easily spend the whole day strolling the winding backstreets and admiring the town.
The entire center area is for pedestrians only, so you can enjoy wandering around and soaking in the Cycladic ambiance.
Grab lunch or brunch in Distrato in the city center.
Afternoon on Marcello Beach
Spend the afternoon of your second day on the beach. If you want to stay close to Parikia, the best beach close to the town is Marcello Beach. It is outside the city center, so getting there will require some effort.
The most scenic way to visit is to hike to the beach. The trail is straightforward, as you have to walk north from the city center and stay on the coastline. Be aware that there is no shade on the trail. The walk takes around 40 minutes from the city center of Parikia.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi boat from Parikia port. The boat takes 15 minutes to reach the beach and costs about 3€ per direction.
If you want to discover other beaches on Paros, how about Aliki Beach? This small fishing village is also a great spot to stay for dinner, and you can easily reach it by bus from Parikia.
For dinner, pick a romantic tavern next to the sea. I loved the Mouragio Tavern, with perfect sunset views and delicious food for an affordable price.
Where to stay in Parikia, Paros?
If you are only staying in Parikia for a couple of days, and you plan on doing a couple of day trips around the island, it is best to stay in the city center.
If you are a solo backpacker and want to meet other backpackers, you might want to stay in Paros backpackers.
I stayed in Bizas rooms and studios and it was a great place to stay in – clean, friendly, and helpful owners and within 10 minutes from the center of Parikia.
DAY 3 – GO ON A DAY TRIP
On your final day in Paros, go for Paros day trips!
Day trip to Antiparos
The first option is to explore Antiparos Island and spend a day on a beach.
To get to Antiparos, you will have to take a bus to Pounta, and then a ferry to Antiparos. A ferry ride takes around 5 minutes.
Check the up-to-date Paros-Antiparos ferry schedule .
You can also visit Antiparos on a boat tour if you want to get to all the best beaches!
Antiparos is a relatively flat island. Therefore, it is possible to discover the island by bike. You can rent a bike in one of the shops close to the ferry port.
However, the city center is walkable. It is small and lovely, with pink bougainvillea trees shading the terraces.
If you love natural wonders, there is an impressive cave on the island you can visit. Otherwise, you can choose between many beaches, and spend a day swimming.
End your day trip to Antiparos with an incredible sunset view, head above the Sifneiko beach for the best views close to the port.
sailing tour from Paros
One of the best things about Paros is how easy it is to take sailing tours from Paros to other islands in the area.
Whether you want to discover bigger islands like Naxos and Mykonos, or you want to swim on secluded beaches of the Smaller Cyclades, going on a boat tour from Paros is an excellent way to do it!
Paros sailing tours don’t need to be an expensive, private boat experience! There are plenty of tours to choose from for every type of traveler.
Rent a small boat (license free)
Alternatively, you don’t need a license to rent a small boat for a day and explore the hidden coves and beaches of Paros yourself!
Day trip to Lefkes and Byzantine Road Hike
The second option is to discover the continental Paros and explore the villages inland.
Start with a visit to a picturesque Lefkes. This charming village was the first capital of the island. The best way to enjoy this village is to walk around and follow the streets that catch your attention.
From Lefkes, go back in time and hike the thousand-year-old Byzantine road from Lefkes to Prodromos. This ancient trail is the oldest on the island, and it is paved with the same thousand years old marble plates to this day.
You can end your hike in Prodromos or continue to Piso Livadi, and go for a dip on Piso Livadi beach.
Remember to check the bus schedule on the KTEL website and plan your day around it. It is possible to take a bus from Parikia to Lefkes and return from Prodromos or even Piso Livadi.
How to get around Paros
I visited Paros without a car, so I used a bus to get around the island.
The island has a reliable and affordable public transport system that connects the whole island.
A bus ticket in one direction will cost you between 1,80 and 3,50€. The price depends on the distance and whether you buy it on the bus or before boarding.
Check the KTEL website for up-to-date ticket prices here.
You do not need to rent a car to visit Paros!
Nevertheless, renting a car makes getting around the island more comfortable, and you can see more things without depending on the public transport schedule.
Is 3 days enough in Paros?
Three days is enough time in Paros to get a gist of the island and to see if you like the vibes or not. If you follow my Paros itinerary, you will see the main sights and have enough time to relax.
If you are visiting Paros while island hopping the Cyclades, I found that three days and four nights is the minimum you should plan to spend on the island.
In three days, you will see all the main sights and have time to relax on Paros beaches.
Nonetheless, Paros has some beautiful beaches so you could spend much more time just relaxing on the island.
More things to do in Paros
If you have more than 3 days in Paros, you will get the opportunity to really get the feel of the island life.
The island is versatile, and if you don’t want to spend your days relaxing on the beach, there is something to do every day.
Check out the best things to do on Paros if you have more than three days to spend on the island!
Can you visit Paros in 2 days?
If it is your first time visiting the island while island hopping the Cyclades, you can visit the main sights of Paros in two days. Two days will give you a taste of what the island has to offer, but, your trip could feel rushed.
In two days you might not have time to visit Antiparos or enjoy hiking and slow travel with local transport.
To adapt this itinerary to a two-day itinerary, just take off one of the days or visit Parikia and Naoussa on the same day, saving a beach day for Antiparos.
You could do everything on this itinerary in two days if you rent a car! That way, you don’t depend on the bus schedule, and you can see much more in less time.
Best Time To Visit Paros
Paros is a Greek island with hot summers, so the best time to visit Paros is between May and September.
If you are traveling on a budget and want to dodge the high season price increase, avoid planning your trip in July and August.
However, Paros is still much more affordable than Santorini and Mykonos, so it is possible to visit in high season and stay on a budget.
While the island certainly has its charm in the off-season, from October to April, it might not be the best time to visit for solo travelers. Many tourist attractions close during the off-season, and the ferries run less often during the week.
My in-depth Paros travel guide covers information about how to get to Paros, the best ways to get around, how much to budget for Paros, and much more!
FAQ
There are two ways to get from Paros Port to Naoussa, either you take a taxi or a bus. Paros Central bus station is located about a 5-minute walk from the port. The local bus is affordable, runs frequently, and takes about 20 minutes from the port to the city center of Naoussa.
While it is possible to visit Paros on a day trip, you will need at least 2 days in Paros to see all the main highlights of Parikia and Naoussa. With 3 days in Paros, you can take a day trip to Antiparos or discover the less visited eastern coast of the island.
Yes, Paros is absolutely worth visiting whether as a stop when island hopping the Cyclades or on its own as a holiday destination. The island is easy to get around, with picturesque seafront villages to discover and sandy beaches to enjoy the crystal clear sea.
Ideally, you would spend 3 nights in Paros. But you can also spend two nights in Paros if you’re island hopping in the Cyclades. Spend the first day sightseeing and the second day enjoying the beaches.
Final Thoughts: 3 days in Paros, Greece
Paros is a beautiful island, and it is a great alternative to more popular islands like Santorini or Mykonos.
There are many things to do in Paros, and the island has something for every type of traveler, so I don’t think it will be a hidden gem for much longer!
If you want to continue planning your Paros adventure, here are all the articles you will need:
- Backpacking Paros travel guide
- 17 Best Things To Do In Paros
- Parikia Or Naoussa: Best Place To Stay In Paros
- Best Paros Day Trips To Add To Your Itinerary
- Is Paros Expensive To Visit? Paros Travel Budget
- The Ultimate Guide To Paros Nightlife
