Paros To Antiparos Day Trip: Complete Guide (2024)
Going on a Paros to Antiparos day trip is a fantastic activity to add to your Cyclades itinerary.
Antiparos is situated right next to Paros, making it easy to hop over for a fun day trip on a different island.
I spent one day in Antiparos and I loved how different this small island felt compared to the other Cyclades I visited.
Antiparos is truly a hidden gem of the Cyclades, from cobblestone streets to beautiful beaches and stunning sunsets.
Paros already has quite a few quaint villages, but Antiparos had this unique small island vibe, that made it worth visiting, even on a short trip.
Let’s plan your perfect day trip from Paros to Antiparos!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. I hope you find the information here helpful!
How To Get To Antiparos From Paros?
You can easily reach the island of Antiparos from Paros by ferry from Pounta, by boat from Parikia, or on a sailing tour.
Ferry From Pounta
Taking a ferry from Pounta to Antiparos is the most affordable way to visit Antiparos from Paros.
To get to Pounta, you can drive or take a bus from Parikia if you’re visiting Paros without a car.
You can check the bus schedule here to plan your trip. A ride takes about 20 minutes and costs about 2€. You can buy a ticket in the small kiosk at the station or from a driver if you get onto the bus at a later stop.
You don’t have to worry much about missing the bus or a ferry. According to the ferry schedule, one is departing every half an hour, even in the winter.
The ferry ride lasts less than 5 minutes and a one-way ticket costs under 2€ in one direction. You will pay an additional fee if you bring along a scooter or a car though!
The boarding process is quite simple. You queue on the quay and get on the ferry when it arrives.
You can’t book the ride in advance. You buy a ticket in cash as you board the ferry.
Boat from Parikia
You can’t take a ferry from the city center of Parikia to Antiparos, but you can take a boat!
This line runs only during summer, starting in June. The boat is “pedestrian-only”, so you can’t take your car on board.
The boat journey lasts about half an hour.
You can’t book a ticket in advance. Instead, you buy a ticket as you board the boat – it can be paid in cash or by card.
When you check out the prices in Paros, this route is more expensive than the ferry from Pounta, about 7€ in one direction compared to less than 2€ one way if you take the Pounta ferry.
Sailing Tour
Finally, you can also take a sailing tour to Antiparos from Paros or Naxos.
It is a great way to discover Anitparos beaches that are only accessible by sea and visit the small island of Despotiko on the southern end of Antiparos.
Sure, this is the most expensive option, but you have your whole day planned for you. You only have to show up at the pickup spot and enjoy your day!
🤩 Check rates and availability for the Antiparos sailing tour!
How To Get Around Antiparos?
Once you’re in Antiparos, you can visit most tourist attractions by walking.
A boat will leave you in Antiparos Chora. It is the main town of the island and you can get to several nearby beaches within 15 minutes of walking.
However, if you want to get around the whole island, you’ll need a quad, car, or a scooter.
There is also a bus from Antiparos port to the main tourist attractions. However, the bus only runs during the high season, starting in June.
Antiparos is small, but it is quite hilly. So it is not easy, or really enjoyable, to walk from north to south and back in one day.
If you already have a car, you can take it on a ferry. But, you can also rent a car in Antiparos.
There is one rent-a-car company in Antiparos port, so you’ll want to book your car in advance if you’re visiting in high season.
If you don’t want to drive, you can also rent a bike!
I suggest you go for an e-bike if you want to get around the whole island, as it gets quite hilly towards the south.
I rented an e-bike in the north of Paros, and it was a fantastic way to get around. I didn’t even notice that I biked over 30 km on the hilly terrain with the motor – life-changing!
Things To Do In Antiparos In One Day
Antiparos may be a small island, but there are many things to do in Antiparos to pass the day!
The island is best known for its stunning beaches and the fact that Tom Hanks has a house on the island where he loves to spend summers.
But what else is there to do on the Antiparos day trip from Paros?
Stroll Around Antiparos Chora
Antiparos Chora is quite compact, and you can easily walk around the whole town in an hour.
It is a picturesque village, and my favorite spot is the Saint Nicholas Central Square.
It is named after the small Cycladic church, with a typical blue dome roof.
Another spot to visit is the Antiparos Castle, right behind the square. This Venetian castle dates back to the 12th century.
To be fair, there is not much of the castle left. But it is currently under renovation, so I hope that they will restore its former glory.
Enjoy The Beaches
Antiparos is best known for its beaches, and if you visit in summer you’ll be looking for the closest beach in no time.
Beaches in Antiparos are a mix of sand and tiny pebbles, comfortable to put the towel on, but not as pretty as the white sand beaches in Naxos.
I swam at Paralia Panagia, about 2 km from Chora. I read that it was one of the best beaches on the island, but you don’t have to walk that far.
The closer beaches, like Paralia Psaraliki or Paralia Sifneiko, are equally pretty and the water is as clear!
The beaches along the northern coastline are also stunning, with finer sand and lots of shallow sea. Historically, these are naturist beaches, so be aware there will be naked people around.
Usually, there is also a section where people are wearing swimsuits, so you can head there if swimming naked is not your thing.
Visit Antiparos Cave
If you’re in the mood for more sightseeing, Antiparos Cave is the most unique tourist attraction on the island.
The cave is situated at the top of the hill, about 7 km from Chora. Theoretically, you could walk there, but I wouldn’t suggest it.
Instead, you can take a bus from Antiparos port or rent a car or a quad.
It is quite an impressive cave, especially when you consider that it is in the middle of an island.
Also, the view from the entrance is stunning as it is on the top of a hill and overlooks the whole island!
Trek Along The Northern Antiparos Coastline
If you visit Antiparos during the low season, when it is too cold to swim, it makes for a great trekking destination.
There are several hiking routes around the island, but the Oliaros hiking route, along the northern side of the island, is the most popular route to take.
The trail is just about 5 km long, and it takes most hikers less than 2 hours to finish.
As you walk along the coastline, you’ll get to admire the endless blue ocean and enjoy the fresh sea breeze.
Make sure to wear closed shoes, so you don’t hurt yourself on the rocky trail like I did.
Grab A Drink And Watch The Sunset
As it gets close to the sunset time, head to Sifneiko Beach to the Sunset Cafe, it is the best spot to watch the sunset close in Antiparos Chora.
You’ll get an unobstructed view of the sunset. I’d say it is as pretty as the sunset in Santorini!
If you want to grab a drink in the Sunset Cafe at the top of the hill, get there early. The spot is very popular for sunset, hence the name!
Have A Dinner In Chora
If you stayed long enough to watch the sunset, you might as well grab dinner in Antiparos before heading back to Paros.
Antiparos has a similar vibe as Naoussa, with plenty of little restaurants dotted along the main walking road that you can choose from.
You can also feel the vibes of Antiparos nightlife, as the locals and tourists staying on the island gather for dinner and drinks in the city center.
The best spot to head for a drink is Saint Nicholas Central Square.
The last ferry from Antiparos to Paros is around 11 PM, so you don’t have to rush – just make sure you don’t miss the last bus from Pounta to Parikia if you don’t have a car.
Best Antiparos Restaurants
If you’re spending a day in Antiparos, you should either pack your lunch if you’re backpacking in Paros or know where to find the best restaurants in Antiparos.
There is no shortage of restaurants on the island, from traditional Greek tavernas to upscale Greek fusion restaurants for a romantic dinner.
Blender
Blender is a great little healthy food restaurant. Perfect for a light lunch or breakfast, with several different smoothie bowls, juices, and salads to choose from.
Also, they have a lot of vegan options, which are not that easy to find on the island.
My Little Garden Restaurant
My Little Garden Restaurant is easily the best-rated restaurant in Antiparos! It is located in a charming hidden garden, with creative dishes and several vegetarian options.
Unfortunately, nothing is fully vegan on the menu, but several dishes could be adapted!
Kalokéri
Kalokéri in the heart of Antiparos’ main walking street serves modern Greek cuisine, with a high-end twist.
The restaurant is only open for breakfast and dinner, so a great way to start or end your day trip to Antiparos.
FAQ:
The coastline of Antiparos is approximately 57 km long, so it is not feasible to walk across the entire island on a day trip. Without access to a vehicle, your exploration is limited to the area around Chora.
These two islands are quite different. Antiparos is significantly smaller than Paros, and a popular day trip from Paros. Both have great beaches, but Paros is more touristy and offers more activities.
Final Thoughts: Antiparos Day Trip
A day trip to Antiparos is a fantastic activity to add to your Paros itinerary!
The island is small enough that you can see all the main tourist attractions in one day, and you don’t even need a car.
A day trip from Paros to Antiparos is also very affordable, as you can easily do it for under 20€!
Stroll the cobblestone streets of Antiparos Chora, swim in the crystal clear sea, admire Antiparos Cave, and finish the day watching the sunset.
Whether you’re looking for a place to escape the crowds and enjoy the crystal clear sea, or you want to visit more islands while island hopping the Cyclades, you’re going to love Antiparos.
Now that you know how to spend one day in Antiparos, what other day trips from Paros are you adding to your itinerary?
