3 Days In Paros Itinerary: Your Ultimate Guide

Paros is a paradise of whitewashed villages, marinas filled with colourful fishing boats, and sandy beaches. For travellers looking for a long weekend away, we’ve slimmed down our experiences into a 3 days in Paros itinerary – but you could easily spend a lot longer here soaking up the chill vibes and enjoying the buzzy summer nightlife.

We’ve found Paros to be one of the more underrated islands of the Cyclades. People often talk about the vibrancy of Mykonos or the beautiful buildings of Santorini but overlook the quieter appeal of this less talked about Greek isle. From the gorgeous seaside sunsets of Parikia to the adorable hilltop village of Lefkes, there’s a lot more variety than people realise.

To introduce you to the island’s attractive architecture and best beaches, we’ve put together a Paros 3 day itinerary that covers all the highlights. From dining on exquisite Greek seafood to admiring Byzantine churches, all our favourite attractions are packed into this tight schedule. Enjoy!

3 Days In Paros Itinerary: Overview

DAY 1 📍 Naoussa, Kolimpithres & Moraitis Winery
DAY 2 📍 Parikia, Krios Beach, Archaeological Museum, Old Town & Frankish Castle & Sunset At Agios Konstantinos
DAY 3 📍 Lefkes, Marpissa, Piso Livadi, Faragas Beach
DAY 4 (BONUS DAY) 📍 Antiparos, Despotiko & Blue Lagoon

Day 1: Naoussa + Kolimpithres

We’re going to start our Paros Greece itinerary in the gorgeous Naoussa on the northern coast of the island. A fishing village of white-washed alleys and sugar-cube-like houses, it’s the quintessential Cycladic town.

📍Naoussa 

One of the best things to do in Paros Greece is simply wander the charming lanes of Naoussa. These are filled with boutique shops showcasing local designers and indigenous produce, as well as numerous quaint outdoor cafes that transform into cocktail bars at night.

Hidden amidst these winding streets is Sousouro, which was our favourite place to go for a late breakfast/early lunch. They do an appealing menu of things like avocado toast, acai berry bowls, and freshly made smoothies, served on streetside tables.

Naoussa is mostly a flat place, especially compared to some of Paros’ interior hill towns that we’ll talk about in more detail later. The one place you can see from most of the village is Faneromeni Church. Perched on a small hill, its one of the most noticeable sights, its simple white façade with azure-blue domes concealing ostentatious marble floors and crystal chandeliers!

The cherry on the cake of Naoussa is its marina, which overlooks the turquoise sea. Back in the 13th century, the village was occupied by the Venetians, who built a fort here to protect their trading routes from pirates. 

You can still clamber over the ruined remains of an old stone watchtower, which makes for a striking place to snap a pic. The last time we visited, it was still open to the public for free.

📍Kolimpithres Beach

Kolimpithres was one of the first beaches we explored on our trip to Paros, and it didn’t disappoint. Imagine soft white sand encircled by granite rocks that have been smoothed by wind and seawater over hundreds of years.

The water was crystal clear and extremely calm during our trip, with shallow shores that were great for both adults and kids to enjoy some leisurely swimming.

The area is mostly dominated by sunbeds and umbrellas, so there’s not much space to throw down your own towel. Instead, this is the place to come if you want to experience the Paros beach club scene as part of your 3 days in Paros itinerary.

Paros on the Rocks was the place we liked the most. The loungers weren’t cheap, but they were comfortable. Plus, food and drink were served directly to the sunbed from the nearby taverna. 

If you’re into your water sports, there were people renting kayaks and standup paddleboards. We stayed glued to our loungers!

There are a couple of ways to get to Kolimpithres. If you’ve hired a car, it’s about 10 minutes’ drive. There’s also a water taxi that leaves regularly from Naoussa Port as well as a bus route that going between Naoussa and Kolimpithres every few hours, though the schedule is season dependent.

We’d recommend coming to Kolimpithres early in the morning if you want to pick your spot, as the proximity to Naoussa means it gets very busy during high season. For somewhere a little quieter, we found Lageri Beach on the other side of the bay less crowded.

📍Monastiri Beach & Monastery 

Monastiri Beach was probably our favourite beach on the island and easily one of the best places to visit in Paros. The colour of the sand, when we went, seemed to have an almost red tint to it, which contrasted photogenically with the bright blue sea. 

The water was quite shallow to begin with, which is perfect for young children. We paddled out a little way so we could swim properly while still being protected from any rough waves by the curve of the coast.

There were also standup paddleboards and kayaks for rent from a jetty to the right side of the beach.

Most of the sand is taken up by loungers and parasols, but there’s still some space available for people who just want to sunbathe on their own towels. If you do desire a sunbed, make sure you book in advance during the high season.

There’s a rather good beach club and restaurant with a wide menu of options on site. Prices aren’t cheap but about normal for Paros. They also do wicked cocktails!

Monastiri takes its name from the nearby Monastery of St. John’s of Deti, a gleaming white religious retreat that was established in the 17th century. Of course, it’s been renovated and restored since then, which is why it looks so completely perfect today! From the hill here, you can get a good panoramic overview of the entire bay.

Monastiri Beach is a bit further along the bay from Naoussa than Kolimpithres, but still only about 15 minutes by car. The drive itself is super scenic, winding along the rugged coast.

Just like Kolimpithres, it can also be reached by water taxi or bus.

📍Moraitis Winery

A visit to Moraitis Winery, just 15 minutes’ walk from Naoussa Marina, is a nice way to break up a 3 day Paros itinerary with something a little different. It’s not the only winery on the island, but it is the best – at least in our opinion!

Owned by a family who have been in the winemaking business since 1910, it’s now the 4th generation of the Moraitis dynasty that’s running the show. 

The vineyard is spread across 100 acres – but you don’t have to walk the whole thing! There’s a tour that explores a little bit of the grounds and the cellars, explaining the history of the estate and how they produce their wines. This is followed by a wine tasting accompanied by a few nibbles al fresco on the patio of the main building.

We opted to go for a tasting of three wines, all made with Greek grapes. It’s also possible to pay a bit more and taste 5 wines, complemented by a larger platter of snacks.

What we particularly liked about the experience is that the staff were happy to customise the tasting to our preferences. We’re not big fans of red wine, so they let us sample two whites and a rose (Assyrtiko, Malagousia, and Damerale).

The kitchen also does a small selection of larger meals if you want to come here and enjoy a proper lunch/dinner while sampling the wines by the glass.

📍Dinner At Naoussa Marina

Enjoying dinner overlooking the Naoussa Marina as the sun begins to set is one of the best things to do on Paros Island, particularly on warm summer evenings.

The most iconic place to go is Barbarossa, but personally, we found the menu a bit expensive, even if you consider that anywhere beside the sea costs more than the restaurants located down one of Naoussa’s alleyways. 

Instead, we’d recommend eating at Sigi Ikthios, which serves up equally good seafood on marina-side tables at a way more affordable price.

Naoussa is smaller than the capital of Paros, Parikia, but we found Naoussa had better nightlife. There are chic, buzzy hangouts found all around the marina as well as along the white-washed streets.

Finish off the first of your 3 days in Paros itinerary with a drink at Agosta or Sante. We had delicious cocktails at both, accompanied by friendly conversations with the lively, youthful crowd.

Day 2: Parikia + Krios Beach

Parikia is the capital of Paros. Even though it’s the largest habitation on the island, it’s still only home to a mere 4,500 permanent residents, giving it a lovely small-town feel. Seeing the sunset here is one of the best things to do in Paros, as it’s in a perfect location facing the eastern horizon.

This is where we stayed the first time that we visited Paros because it’s the island’s main port, with ferry connections to Mykonos, Naxos, Ios, and Athens, among other places. 

📍Panagia Ekatontapiliani

If you’re a fan of religious architecture, the Panagia Ekatontapiliani is one of the best things to do in Paros. A fabulous Byzantine church, it dates all the way back to the 300s AD!

Known as the Church of a Hundred Doors, it’s an elaborate structure with numerous entrances, windows, and other apertures built into the façade. They supposedly total 99, with legend claiming that the 100th ‘door’ will remain hidden until the Hagia Sofia in Istanbul is turned back into an Orthodox church.

While we didn’t take the time to tot up the openings, we were very impressed by the wonderfully preserved stone masonry, which actually reminded us strongly of the Hagia Sofia. 

📍Archaeological Museum of Paros

Get a little bit of history into your 3 days in Paros itinerary with a trip to the Archaeological Museum of Paros. Just over the road from the Panagia Ekatontapiliani, it houses statues of important Greek gods like Athena and Artemis, as well as pottery, coins, burial casks, and other artefacts that have been found around the area.

Many of these pieces stem from the BC era, making them more than 2,000 years old.

Our fav thing to see was the mosaic salvaged from an ancient gymnasium. The bits of tile have been arranged to depict the 12 Labours of Hercules, though not all of them are visible anymore.

The museum is only small – we probably spent around 30 minutes inside – but given the nominal entry fee it’s definitely worth checking out.

📍Old Town & Frankish Castle

One of the essential things to do on Paros Island is to check out the Parikia old town. If there’s anywhere you want to get lost, it’s in this maze of whitewashed streets filled with cute cafes and unique souvenir shops.

We explored this area in the morning when it was quieter. After an hour of just soaking up the atmosphere, we finished off with a coffee and a yummy cinnamon roll at Pagkaki Café.

As you wander about, keep an eye out for the ruins of the former Frankish Castle. In the 13th century, it was the most prominent building in Parikia, but there’s not much left now. In fact, it’s quite possible to walk past it without noticing! Do make a quick stop though to read the plaque and admire the zany mixture of differently shaped bricks that make up the wall.

📍Lunch at YaYa Cafe

There’s nothing that particularly screams out about YaYa Café, but it was one of our fav brunch spots we discovered in Paros. There’s such a chill vibe about the whole place, which has a mix of avo toast, egg dishes, granola with fruit and yoghurt, and other simple but wholesome dishes.

Come back at night, and it’s a lively place to enjoy a beer, a glass of wine, or a refreshing cocktail. 

📍Chill on Paralia Krios

There are a couple of beaches that are part of Parikia town, so you don’t have to walk longer than 10-15 minutes to get from your accommodation to the sandy shoreline. Both Livadia Beach and Parikia Beach have good-sized stretches of coast with a mix of loungers and open space for towels, complemented by nearby shops and restaurants.

While these are perfectly good options, we prefer the slightly further away Paralia Krios. Across the bay from Parikia, it’s about a 10-minute drive from town – which is part of the attraction, as it doesn’t back onto a busy stretch of road like Livadia. 

For people who want a Paros 3 day itinerary that centres on relaxation, Krios is a top spot to check out. The sand here is fine and soft, while the location in a sort of cove means it’s usually shielded from the wind. There’s a mix of sunbeds and open beach, though the latter gets filled up, so make sure you get here in the morning for a prime spot. 

If you want to spend the whole day here, there are a couple of restaurants located just off the beach where you can grab a meal and a cocktail.

📍Church of Agios Konstantinos for sunset

Although it isn’t as architecturally impressive as the Panagia Ekatontapiliani, the simply built Church of Saint Constantine has a rustic beauty. It’s also one of the best places to see the sunset! 

From the walls of the hilltop church, you can gaze down over the bay just as the sun flickers out over the water. It’s not exactly an undiscovered gem, so make sure you get here in good time to bag a good perch. 

Although we found that Agios Konstantinos Church had the best overall sunset panoramas, it’s certainly not the only place to spend the golden hour. Since Parikia is on the western side of Paros, its seaside promenade all faces the eastern horizon. There are benches down here where you can sit for free, or you can get front-row seats at one of the sea-adjacent restaurants.

We had one of our favourite Paros meals at Bountaraki, which serves up traditional Greek cuisine, including some delicious meze. Grab a table on the patio and watch as the sky fades from blue to a rich orange. It’s a lovely way to end the second day of your 3 days in Paros itinerary!

Day 3: Lefkes + South Coast 

The last part of our 3 days in Paros itinerary covers the adorable hill towns of Lefkes and Marpissa, as well as the beaches that line the south coast.

This section is most easily accomplished as part of a Paros road trip, although there are buses that link together most of the places we describe here. Outside of high season, however, you can expect the frequency of public transport to drop off significantly!

📍Lefkes 

Before the rise of Parikia, Lefkes was the capital of Paros. Its status during the Middle Ages has bequeathed it an attractive collection of old buildings, including the wonderfully quaint Holy Church of the Holy Cross.

Start the last day of your 3 days in Paros itinerary with a stroll through the pedestrianised old town. A dream for photographers, it’s an enchanting historic area that’s completely free of the electric scooters that plague other habitations around the island.

Lefkes is centred on its Byzantine square, which boasts several cafes where you can enjoy coffee, fresh orange juice, and a light breakfast. In our opinion, it’s the most attractive part of town! 

Just a short walk away up a hill is the Church of the Holy Trinity, a newer (1830) religious building where you get the best panorama of Lefkes. The inside is quite impressive, too, with its frescoed ceilings and gilded chandeliers.

Keep an eye out for silver souvenirs. Lefkes was traditionally known for its silver workshops, and a nice piece of handcrafted jewellery always makes for a cooler holiday memento than the typical fridge magnet – although you’ll find plenty of those here as well!

For people who enjoy a hike, one of the best things to do on Paros Island is to walk the Byzantine Road from Lefkes to the village Prodromos. This 3.5km route has been in use since at least 1000 AD and is incredibly scenic, with views that stretch as far as the island of Naxos in the distance. We were pleasantly surprised to discover it’s mostly downhill as well! 

As you walk along, you can still see some of the original Parian marble paving that was put in place during the Byzantine era – hence the name.

Prodromos itself is a delightful little gem that’s worth a brief exploration. From here, you can either hike/catch the bus back to Lefkes or continue to Marpissa.

📍Marpissa

Marpissa completes the trinity of gorgeous hill villages that we loved on Paros. A quaint little church sits at the heart of the habitation, not far from one of those classic, photogenic Cycladic windmills.

Don’t miss the Instagram-famous Porte Rose, which bucks the trend for whitewashed walls and blue doors by going with bright pink window shutters and entrance portals. For social media mavens, it’s up there on top 10 list of what to do in Paros. For everyone else, it’s just a bit of fun!

If you haven’t rented a car, there’s a bus that connects to Lefkes, Parikia, and Naoussa.

📍Lunch At Piso Livadi

If you’ve made it all the way to Marpissa, you might as well continue your 3 day Paros itinerary with a short walk down to the coastal village of Piso Livadi. 

A small harbour for colourful fishing vessels, Piso Livadi, is a great little find for families, with a playground right on the small local beach to keep kiddies entertained. For adults, there are some rather good seafront tavernas selling seafood and ice-cold beer. 

We particularly liked Markaris Restaurant, where we had an excellent lunch of Greek goodies, but Ouzeri Halaris next door also looked good and had the same great views of the marina.

Ferries depart from here to nearby islands like Santorini, Naxos, and Ios, so it’s actually not a bad place to base yourself. Plus, the bus network connects the village with the other major stop-offs on the island.

📍Faragas Beach

Another beach to mark down for your 3 days in Paros itinerary, Faragas is one of a clutch of sandy coves dotted along the southern shore.

This tranquil bay has some of the calmest waters on the island, with shallow, crystal-clear sea that we could have floated in forever – especially since its shielded from the wind! 

While there are sun loungers and parasols for those who want a bit of shade, there’s also space to just throw down your towel and slowly bake under the summer rays.

Day 4 (BONUS): Antiparos, Despotiko & Blue Lagoon

If you’ve got time to turn your visit into 4 days in Paros, there are a lot of different daytrips you could try, including renting a boat and taking to the sea.

One of our fav experiences on Paros was going on a schooner tour across the narrow channel that separates Paros from Antiparos. It’s a great way to escape the beach crowds and weigh anchor in beautiful blue waters that are perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

What’s great about this tour is that they supply free-flow booze (beer, local wine) and soft drinks, as well as lunch. The staff were super nice but also not intrusive, so we could just relax and enjoy the serene vibes. 

It was an awesome way to end our visit to the island and definitely worth including on a Paros itinerary 4 days – if you can manage the extra day!

Where To Stay During Your Paros Trip?

Not sure where to stay on Paros? Here are the top 2 towns to choose:

📍PARIKIA – Is the port town of the island and the best place to stay in Paros for first-timers. It boasts a wide range of well-priced accommodation and good nightlife. Parikia also has a good bus connection with the rest of the island. ➡️ Argonauta Hotel – TOP PICK eco-conscious, Cycladic decor, right in the historic centre.

📍NAOUSSA – A 15-minute drive from Parikia, elegant Naoussa boasts a picturesque marina, an excellent dining scene, chic cocktail bars and superb shopping opportunities. Stay here for a luxury experience and nightlife. ➡️ Christina Hotel – TOP PICK, adults-only, in the heart of Naoussa.

Read more about the differences between Naoussa and Parikia.

Paros Itinerary: FAQ

How many days in Paros is enough?

We’ve put together a 3 days in Paros itinerary because we reckon 3 days is a good amount of time to spend on this idyllic Greek island. Having said that, we could easily spend a whole week just relaxing in the pretty whitewashed towns or lazing on the soft, sandy beaches!

Do I need a car in Paros?

If you plan to explore all the island’s best beaches, a Paros road trip is the most convenient option. It’s possible to rent an ATV, but these can be as expensive as a car. As for buses, they do run between the major hubs, but the stations are sometimes a fair hike from the beaches. 

Is Paros a party island?

There are plenty of beach bars with ocean views and clubs with DJs spinning tunes on Paros, particularly in the largest towns, Naoussa and Parikia. It’s not as wild as Mykonos or Ios, but we’d still put it up there with having some of the best nightlife in the Aegean.

Is Paros an expensive island?

We found Paros to be on par with other popular Greek islands. Accommodation can be expensive, especially during the height of summer, but there are decent deals during the shoulder seasons in late September-October or April-May. As for food and drink, we found plenty of cheap but charming places to grab a bite!

What is the most beautiful town in Paros?

Almost smack dab in the centre of Paros, Lefkes has that classic Cycladic town vibe and is definitely a highlight of our 3 days in Paros itinerary. The sweet little village of Prodromos and its near neighbour Marpissa are also beautiful places to get away from the beach crowd.  

3 Days In Paros Itinerary: The Wrap-Up

We must admit that we’ve packed a lot into our 3 days in Paros itinerary, but we didn’t want to miss out anything that we truly enjoyed! Besides, the mixture of coastal fishing villages like Naoussa and Piso Livadi with hilltop habitations like Lefkes and Marpissa is what makes a trip to Paros feel complete.