Where Is Paros In Greece? + Best Way To Get There!
I’m sure you saw those videos saying to skip Mykonos and go to Paros instead, but where is Paros?
If you never heard about Paros before, I’ve got you covered!
Paros is a small island in Greece. It is located in the south of Europe and easily accessible once you’re in Greece.
I visited Paros recently, so I’ll also show you what is the best way to get there!
Let’s jump right in!
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Where Is The Island Of Paros?
Paros is an island in Greece. It is located in the Aegean Sea and is part of a group of islands called the Cyclades.
Other popular islands in the region are Santorini, Mykonos, and Milos.
Paros is about halfway between Mykonos and Santorini, right next to Naxos.
The island is about 180km southeast of the capital of Athens.
Paros is in Europe, so all the rules of entering the EU apply to traveling to Paros too!
How Big Is Paros?
Paros is the third largest island in the Cyclades, after Naxos and Andros, but quite small in the grand scheme of things.
The island covers a land area of about 196.3 km2, making it half the size of Naxos.
If you were to circle the island, the coastline is about 118,5 km long, and the best way to discover all the beaches is on a boat tour from Paros.
The island is 22km long and 13km wide at the widest point. However, along that widest point is a mountain if you thought you could simply walk from the east to the west coast.
While the island is not exactly walkable, you can visit Paros without a car thanks to the well-developed public transport.
About 13.000 people live in Paros. While there are many villages in Paros, most locals live and work in Parikia, which is the main town on the island.
I found Paros to be a perfect-sized island for a summer holiday. It is big enough to have plenty of things to do regardless of how many days in Paros you have.
What Is The Main Town In Paros?
Officially, the main town in Paros is Parikia.
However, as a tourist, you might consider that Paros has two main towns – Parikia and Naoussa.
That makes Paros unique among the Cyclades, which usually only have one main town called Chora.
As the summer rolls around, the small fishing village of Naoussa transforms into the tourist hotspot and the center of nightlife in Paros.
At the same time, Parikia is the administrative hub of the island, that’s where the school and high school are and where most locals work beyond the summer.
When deciding whether to stay in Parikia or Naoussa, it will depend on your itinerary and your budget.
Parikia has more budget-friendly options and even a backpacker hostel!
Naoussa is considered a more high-end part of the islands. Prices in upscale accommodation can be as high as prices in Santorini or Mykonos.
Wherever you decide to stay, Paros has reliable and affordable public transport, so you can easily get around and visit the whole island.
How To Get To Paros Island?
Paros is an island, so there are two ways of getting there – flying or by sea.
Whichever way you choose, you’ll have to get to Greece first, as there is no way to get to Paros directly from outside the country.
Both flights and ferries depart from within Greece.
Taking A Ferry To Paros
The most common way to get to Paros is by ferry from Athens or neighboring Cyclades.
You can see all the ferry lines to Paros on Ferryhopper.
It is my favorite website to book ferries in Greece, as you can see all the operators and their prices at a glance so you don’t overpay for your ticket!
I took a ferry from Naxos to Paros, and later from Paros to Athens, and it is really the most straightforward way to travel around the Cyclades.
It takes about 4-5 hours by ferry from Athens to Paros, depending on how many stops it makes along the way.
Unlike the buses, you don’t get a numbered seat on Greek ferries and you have plenty of space to walk around and pass the time.
I suggest boarding among the first people to get a good seat – unless you’re booking a seat in first class.
On my journey from Paros to Athens, I was among the last people to board and I ended up roaming around the boat looking for a place to sit and sitting on a random lone chair in a hallway.
Flying Into Paros
Paros is one of the Cyclades with an airport, so taking a flight to Paros can be a good way to skip 5 hours on the sea.
Direct Flights To Paros
Paros doesn’t have an international airport, so you can’t fly directly to Paros from outside of Greece.
If you’re set on flying, you’ll have to take a flight from Athens or Thessaloniki.
Domestic Flights To Paros
Paros airport serves flights from Athens and Thessaloniki.
Athens flights are year-round, while Thessaloniki is seasonal.
Two operators fly from Athens to Paros – Sky Express and Olympic Air.
There are 1-3 flights a day, and a flight takes about 40 minutes.
Thessaloniki- Paros flights are seasonal, starting from May until October, and served by Aegean Airlines.
If you book in advance, you can find flights as cheap as the ferry!
It is a good deal, given that the flight only takes 40 minutes, while the ferry can take up to 5 hours.
Keep in mind that these planes are small, and they sell out quickly in the high season. So, if you are set on flying to Paros, book your tickets as soon as possible!
FAQ:
No, Paros and Paxos are not the same island, they are not even close to each other. They are both islands in Greece, but Paros is an island in the Aegean Sea in the Cyclades group of islands, and Paxos is an island in the Ionian Sea, next to Corfu.
No, Paros and Antiparos are not the same island. Antiparos is a significantly smaller island situated approximately 1.3 km west of Paros, and it is a popular day trip from Paros.
Final Thoughts: Location Paros
As you can see, Paros is a small island in the south of Europe in Greece.
Paros is an affordable holiday destination and a great alternative to Mykonos or Santorini.
The island is well worth visiting, even though there is no direct flight to Paros outside Greece.
To get to Paros, you’ll have to first get to Greece and then take a domestic flight or a ferry to the island.
There are many things to do in Paros, from beach hopping to lively nightlife and hiking the ancient Byzantine road.
