Paros Or Santorini: Which Island To Visit In 2024
If you’re planning your trip to the Cyclades and wondering if you should visit Paros or Santorini, you came to the right place.
I visited both islands, and they are both some of my favorite places I visited and fantastic travel destinations.
However, I can tell you that Santorini and Paros are very different despite being relatively close to each other.
Santorini is a once-in-a-lifetime destination, perfect for a romantic getaway and a short stay if you’re on a budget.
Paros is a versatile island, great for a romantic getaway, beach holiday, or a longer summer vacation.
Let’s find out which one is a better choice for you!
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Difference Between Santorini And Paros
I’m going to tell you right away, if you have enough time, you should visit both islands.
Santorini and Paros are as different as it gets, and you’ll have a completely different experience.
To put it simply, this is what you can expect from each island.
| SANTORINI | PAROS |
|---|---|
| Gets packed in the summer | Touristy, but many hidden gems to discover |
| Romantic, once-in-a-lifetime destination | Versatile island with local and upscale areas |
| Stunning views and unique landscapes | Fantastic sandy beaches |
Let’s compare them more in-depth!
1. Getting There
If you’re short on time, Santorini is slightly easier to reach than Paros.
But only if you’re taking a flight!
How come?
Flying To The Islands
Santorini has an international airport, so you can fly directly to Santorini from many European destinations.
I flew from Athens to Santorini, and I highly suggest you fly to Santorini if you’re starting or finishing your Cyclades itinerary from Santorini.
Paros only has a domestic airport, so you’ll first have to get to Athens (or Thessaloniki or Heraklion in the summer).
Taking A Ferry
Paros is easier to reach if you take a ferry to the islands.
Or better said, it’s quicker to reach because you’ll probably be on the same ferry for both islands anyway.
It takes about 3-4 hours from Athens to Paros by ferry, depending on which ferry company you go for.
On the other hand, it can take up to 8 hours to get from Athens to Santorini by ferry!
If you look at where is Santorini and where is Paros, you’ll see they are fairly close.
Still, it takes about 2-4 hours by ferry from Paros to Santorini because the ferry will stop along the way.
Both islands are easy to reach from other Cyclades, like Naxos or Mykonos.
⛴️Browse and book ferry tickets here!
2. Sightseeing And Attractions
You’re probably wondering if Paros or Santorini is prettier, but the answer is not that simple.
I think they are both stunning in their own way!
The whitewashed house along the Santorini caldera is the photo you put on your summer travel vision board.
Santorini is the most unique island in the region. The villages of Fira, and especially Oia, look like a scene from a movie about Greece.
If you know what to expect before visiting Santorini, you’ll love the island.
Some of the must-do things in Santorini are:
- Watch the sunset in Oia
- Take a boat tour along the caldera
- See 3 blue domes of Oia
- Wander the streets of Fira
- Hike from Oia to Fira
I don’t think there are places similar to Santorini anywhere else in the world, while Paros is a typical Cycladic island.
Sure, Paros villages like Naoussa or Lefkes are beautiful! But you can see similar spots if you visit Mykonos or Naxos.
Some of the best things to do in Paros are.
- Stroll the cobblestone streets of Naoussa
- See the 4th-century Panagia Ekatontapiliani and 13th-century Frankish Castle in Parikia
- Swim on pristine sandy beaches
- Take a day trip sailing Antiparos
3. Beaches
When it comes to the beaches, it is an easy win for Paros.
Santorini is simply not a beach destination. That is not to say that there are no beaches in Santorini.
You will find several beautiful volcanic beaches on the island. There are no typical sand beaches on Santorini, but there is a black, red, and white beach!
Also, you can take a boat tour from Santorini to a hot spring, which is quite a unique experience in the area.
Paros has some of the best beaches in the Cyclades. I loved the beaches in the north, like Kolymbithres Beach and Golden Beach, as well as Marcelo Beach, close to Parikia.
4. Day Trips
You can easily spend a week on both Santorini and Paros because there is so much to do on the islands and around.
However, Paros might be a better choice for day trips to other islands.
Paros is located right next to Antiparos and Naxos, two islands with fantastic beaches. Also, it is close to the Small Cyclades group of islands you can visit on sailing tours from Paros.
Day trip from Paros to Antiparos is the most popular day trip, but there are plenty of places to visit even without leaving the island.
Some popular Paros day trips are hiking the Old Byzantine road or discovering mountain villages like Marpissa and Lefkes.
On the other hand, Santorini is somewhat remote, and most people stay on the island or go on sailing tours around Santorini.
That is not to say there is nothing to do in Santorini just because you can’t go to other islands! You can go wine tasting, visit Santorini Volcano, hike Fira to Oia, and more!
5. Nightlife
Paros and Santorini are not known as party islands like Mykonos or Ios.
That is not to say that you can’t party on these islands! They both have quite a lively nightlife.
In fact, Naoussa nightlife is gaining popularity lately as a more affordable alternative to Mykonos.
Santorini’s nightlife hot spot is Fira, but you can also go for beach parties in Perissa.
If you’re not into partying, both islands have many upscale cocktail bars to grab a drink and enjoy the island nightlife atmosphere.
You can’t go wrong with either for a fun night out!
6. (Vegan) Restaurants
I know this section is quite niche, but I’m vegan, so I can’t really tell you much about seafood on the islands.
But I’m still a big foodie, and I have made a travel decision over how many vegan restaurants are in the destination more than once!
Either way, you won’t be hungry in Greece as a vegan. Greek cuisine has several accidentally vegan dishes, and you can easily get a meal in any restaurant.
Santorini has a better vegan scene, but Paros is not bad either!
There is currently one fully vegan restaurant, 5SENSES Restaurant, and several vegetarian places.
Also, many Santorini restaurants have quite good vegan options too!
If you’re an ice cream lover, you have to try vegan dark chocolate ice cream from Gelateria Zotos.
For fine dining in Paros, I loved vegan moussaka in Mouragio in Parikia and all the vegan options in Almond in Naoussa.
Also, I’m a big fan of vegan mushroom gyros in Allas Souvlaki in Naoussa.
7. Getting Around Without A Car
You can visit both Paros and Santorini without a car.
Both islands have well-developed public transport, connecting virtually every village on the islands.
A bus ticket costs about 2-3€ in one direction, and you pay in cash when entering the bus.
You can check the bus schedule and plan your day accordingly. It is more restricting than having a car, but you won’t be missing out on anything.
Most people use buses on the islands, so they are ready for tourists, with several buses departing at the busiest times of the day.
Also, you can get a taxi around the island, but I wouldn’t consider it a long-term option.
Taxis on the islands have a starting rate of about 30€ + the distance covered.
If you’re traveling to Cyclades from the USA or one of the more expensive European countries, that might not seem like much, but it adds up quickly!
8. Where To Stay
There’s no shortage of places to stay on either of the islands.
Both islands offer something for every type of traveler, from backpacker hostels to luxury seafront villas with private pools.
When it comes to luxury, the only limit is your budget! I am a budget traveler, so I’d pick Paros for a longer stay.
If you want the ultimate Santorini experience, you’ll want to stay in Fira or Oia.
Those are also the most expensive areas of Santorini, but you can find several backpacker hostels and budget hotels too!
If you want to visit Santorini on a budget, you should look at properties on the east side of the island – in Perissa or Kamari.
I spent one night in Fira and two nights in Perissa, and two nights in Perissa were cheaper than one in Fira!
In Paros, you’ll want to stay in Parikia or Naoussa, especially if you don’t rent a car.
Parikia has more budget-friendly options, while Naoussa has more luxury accommodations. Still, it is possible to find something reasonable in both.
9. The Budget Choice
Finally, we have to address the elephant in the room – how much does this trip cost?
Santorini is known as a luxury, honeymoon destination, so you’re probably wondering, how expensive is Santorini?
Santorini can be very expensive if you want to go out all, stay in a cliffside villa with a private pool, and have 3-course dinners watching the sunset in Oia.
However, you can visit Santorini on a budget. I visited Santorini as a backpacker and spent about 50€ per day, and 80% of that was for accommodation!
At the same time, Paros is not cheap. It can also be quite a pricey holiday destination if you’re a luxury traveler.
On average, Paros is a cheaper destination if you stick to budget activities as the accommodation is significantly cheaper.
FAQ: Paros Vs Santorini
No, generally Paros is not as expensive as Santorini. However, there are cheap parts of Santorini and expensive parts of Paros. If you compare the expensive parts of both islands, the accommodation and food are more expensive in Santorini.
Depends on what kind of trip you’re looking for. Santorini is a unique destination in Greece and a place you should see at least once in your life. Paros is a more typical Greek island, with plenty of picturesque corners, and a better choice for a beach vacation.
I suggest you visit Santorini first, enjoy the scenery and admire the landscapes, and then relax in Paros. Santorini gets quite crowded and loud in summer, while Paros has quite a few hidden corners where you can enjoy the Greek island vibes away from the crowds.
No, Paros and Santorini are not really similar. Paros is more similar to Mykonos than Santorini. Santorini is unique among the Cyclades, as it is an island of volcanic origins. The cliffside houses of Santorini are different from the seafront villages of Paros.
Summary: Santorini Or Paros
The reality is that both Santorini and Paros are beautiful Greek islands, and I recommend you visit both if you can because they are very different.
Santorini is a must-see destination, and there is no place like Santorini. However, it is more expensive and gets very crowded, which can dampen the experience.
If you’re worried about the budget, you can spend fewer nights in Santorini or visit on a day trip from Paros.
Paros is a lovely, versatile island with something for every traveler. From picturesque villages to lively nightlife and pristine beaches, it is a fantastic summer holiday destination!
So, which island do you want to visit?
How about comparing Paros and Naxos, the neighboring, more local island?
