Paros is one of those Greek islands where it is quite easy to slow down. You can spend the morning swimming in clear water, stop for a long lunch and still have plenty of time to wander around a village before dinner. Although some parts of the island are better known than others, there are plenty of places that are worth making time for.
Naousa
Naousa is probably one of the first places you will hear about when looking into a trip to Paros, and there is a good reason for that. The little harbour, whitewashed buildings and fishing boats give the village a distinctly Greek feel.
It is a nice place to explore without a strict plan. Walk through the narrow lanes, have a coffee somewhere along the way or sit down for lunch close to the water. There are plenty of small shops too, so you can browse at your own pace.
Naousa gets noticeably busier in the evening. Tables fill up around the harbour’s seaside bars like Barbarossa Bar and people start arriving for dinner and drinks. If you are staying nearby, it is worth seeing the village both during the day and after sunset, as the atmosphere is quite different.
Parikia
Parikia is where many visitors first set foot on Paros, thanks to its ferry port. It can be tempting to head straight to your accommodation and start exploring elsewhere, but the town deserves some time of its own.
The older part of Parikia is particularly pleasant to walk around. There are whitewashed houses, little churches and narrow streets that lead away from the busier waterfront.
The Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani is one of the main sights and is close to the port. Once you have had a look around the historic area, the waterfront is a good place to slow down with a meal or a drink.
Parikia is also practical if you plan to explore the rest of the island, as it has good transport connections and plenty of places to stay.
See Paros From a Yacht Charter
There is another way to enjoy Paros that does not involve following roads or looking for a spot on a crowded beach. Booking a yacht charter with Time4Vacation gives you the chance to see the coastline from the sea and spend a day away from the usual tourist routes.
Depending on the trip you arrange, you might stop in quiet bays for a swim, have lunch on board or simply find a peaceful stretch of water and stay there for a while. The freedom to spend more time in the places you like is part of the appeal.
It can also be a good option if you are travelling with a group. Rather than everyone trying to agree on which beach to visit, you can arrange a route that suits the people you are travelling with.
The views are a big part of the experience. From the water, you get a different perspective of Paros, with the villages and hills rising behind the coastline.
Lefkes
If you want to get away from the coast for a few hours, Lefkes is well worth a visit. The village sits inland among the hills and feels noticeably quieter than Parikia and Naousa.
Its narrow streets and traditional buildings make it enjoyable to explore on foot. You will find small squares, old churches and cafés where you can stop when you need a break.
Lefkes is also a good place to visit when the weather is particularly warm. The inland setting and shaded streets can feel like a welcome change after spending hours in the sun.
There is no need to rush here. Take a walk through the village, find somewhere for lunch and simply enjoy the slower pace before heading back towards the coast.
Paros has plenty of well-known attractions, but some of the nicest moments can come from taking your time. A morning in Naousa, an afternoon in Lefkes or a day out on the water can each give you a very different impression of the island.
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