Is Parikia or Naoussa better to stay in?

Parikia is the better base for first-time visitors and those arriving by ferry — it is the port town, so you step off the boat into your holiday without an additional transfer. It also has good restaurants, the Panagia Ekatontapyliani church, and a lively evening scene. Naoussa has more boutique character, better nightlife, and is closer to the best beaches in the north. If you are returning to Paros or staying longer than four nights, Naoussa rewards the switch.

Does Paros have good beaches?

Yes — Paros has some of the best beaches in the Cyclades. Kolymbithres (granite rock formations, clear water) near Naoussa is unique in the archipelago. Santa Maria is known for watersports. Golden Beach (Chrysi Akti) on the east coast has consistent wind and a long sandy stretch. Alyki in the south is calmer and suited to families. Most beaches are reachable by bus or a short taxi.

Is Paros a party island?

Paros has a lively nightlife scene in Naoussa, particularly in July and August, but it is not a party island in the Mykonos or Ios sense. The scene is more relaxed — cocktail bars around the harbour, beach clubs at Santa Maria, and a few clubs that stay open late. Families and couples are as common as party-goers, and quieter areas like Alyki and Lefkes are unaffected.

How do I get to Paros?

High-speed ferries from Piraeus (Athens) take approximately 3 hours 45 minutes; standard ferries approximately 5 hours. Hellenic Seaways, SeaJets, and Minoan Lines serve the route — prices from approximately €35–70 depending on speed and class, as of 2026. Paros has a small airport (PAS) with seasonal direct flights from Athens (40 min) and occasional charter routes from European cities.

Is Paros good for families?

Yes — Paros is one of the most family-friendly Cycladic islands. The calm water at Alyki and Logaras on the south coast is ideal for young children. The island's size (buses connect most areas) and variety of accommodation makes it practical. High summer (July–August) crowds are manageable compared to Mykonos or Santorini.

Where to Stay in Paros | The Greece Guides

Paros sits at the geographical and cultural centre of the Cyclades — close enough to Athens to be accessible, varied enough to reward multiple visits, and self-contained enough that you rarely need to leave. The island has two main towns (Parikia and Naoussa), both with strong characters, and a series of beach villages and inland settlements that round out the picture.

Prices listed are approximate as of 2026 and vary considerably by season and room category.

Parikia

Parikia is the capital and ferry port of Paros. The old town — a compact Cycladic maze of white cube houses, bougainvillea, and marble-paved paths — clusters behind the harbour. The Panagia Ekatontapyliani (the Church of 100 Doors, 4th century AD) is the most important Byzantine church in the Cyclades and sits a five-minute walk from the ferry landing.

Parikia’s harbour-side is busy in summer but quieter streets begin immediately one block inland. The town beach, Livadia, is walkable from most accommodation.

Budget (€45–90/night): Several family-run guesthouses and studios in the old town. Rooms Sofia has clean, basic rooms in the Kastro neighbourhood from approximately €55/night in shoulder season. Argonauta Hotel (old town, near the main church) offers well-run rooms from approximately €60/night. Pension Rena is a long-standing budget favourite with rooms from approximately €50/night.

Mid-range (€95–200/night): Good mid-range options in and around the old town. Paros Agnanti Hotel has pool, garden, and sea views from approximately €120/night in June. Hotel Kypreou is a modernised property near the port from approximately €100/night in May. Captain Manolis Studios has well-appointed studios with kitchenettes from approximately €110/night.

Luxury (€220–500/night): Minois Village & Spa (Parasporos Bay, 2km south of Parikia) is the closest to a luxury resort near the capital — adults-only, pool terraces, and spa from approximately €280/night in August. Yria Island Boutique Hotel & Spa (Parasporos) offers bungalow-style suites in gardens from approximately €320/night in peak season.

Best for: Ferry arrivals, first-time visitors, and those who want to be central for island-wide exploration. Parikia has the bus hub, the airport taxi rank, and the best access to all of the island.

Naoussa

Naoussa is the island’s most stylish destination — a former fishing village that has retained some of its working character while developing a strong dining and boutique hotel scene. The village has a small Venetian fortress, a harbour packed with caïques, and narrow lanes lined with cafés, galleries, and boutiques. In the evenings in summer, Naoussa’s harbour is the most atmospheric place on the island.

The best beaches in the north — Kolymbithres, Monastiri, Santa Maria — are 10–20 minutes from Naoussa by car or taxi.

Budget (€55–95/night): Naoussa’s budget market is smaller than Parikia’s. Studios Lilly has simple self-catering apartments from approximately €60/night in June. Pension Naousa has clean rooms near the harbour from approximately €70/night in July.

Mid-range (€110–250/night): The strongest category in Naoussa. Astir of Paros (a larger resort on the bay north of the village) has well-equipped rooms with beach access from approximately €180/night in July. Lefkes Village Hotel (actually in the mountain village of Lefkes — 10km from Naoussa) offers traditional architecture and views for approximately €130/night. In Naoussa itself, Petres Hotel has pool and sea views from approximately €160/night in June. Naousa Hotel is a boutique property steps from the harbour from approximately €140/night.

Luxury (€280–700+/night): Astir of Paros, the island’s most established 5-star, has recently renovated suites with private plunge pools and direct beach access from approximately €380/night in August. Katikies Mykonos is a comparable luxury reference, but on Paros specifically, Grecotel Naxos & Paros (seasonal private villa offerings) and individual luxury villa rentals above the village dominate the top end.

Best for: Couples, return visitors, and those who want the island’s best nightlife and restaurant access. Naoussa has a confidence about it that Parikia doesn’t — less ferry-focused, more intentionally stylish.

Santa Maria

Santa Maria is a small beach cluster on the north coast of Paros, 5km east of Naoussa. The beach is long and sandy, and the consistent northerly Meltemi winds make it one of the best windsurfing and kitesurfing locations in Greece. Several well-known beach clubs operate from Santa Maria in summer (Parasporos Club, Santa Maria Paros beach club) attracting a younger, more international crowd.

Accommodation at Santa Maria is mostly self-contained resort complexes and villa rentals rather than a developed village.

Mid-range (€130–250/night): Naiades Santa Maria Hotel is the established mid-market resort here — well-maintained rooms, pool, and beach access from approximately €160/night in July. Santa Maria Village has studios and apartments in a garden setting from approximately €140/night in June.

Luxury (€300–700/night): Paros Agnanti and several private villa compounds dominate the upper end. Santa Maria Paros Suites has newer boutique suites from approximately €320/night in August. Numerous private villa rentals with pools are available through Villa Plus and similar agencies from approximately €1,500–4,000/week in peak season.

Best for: Windsurfers and kitesurfers (equipment rental and lessons available on the beach), beach club visitors in July–August, and those who want to be at the north coast beaches without basing in a village.

Aliki

Aliki is a small fishing village on the south coast of Paros, 10km from Parikia. It has a compact natural harbour with fishing boats, two small sandy beaches with calm, clear water, and a collection of tavernas and rooms. The atmosphere is quieter and more traditionally Greek than the northern resorts. Aliki is the right choice for visitors who want to avoid the summer crowds of Naoussa and the bustle of Parikia.

Budget (€45–80/night): Several family-run rooms and studios are right by the water. Studios Panorama has simple rooms with sea views from approximately €50/night in June. Rooms Mantalena offers clean budget accommodation from approximately €45/night.

Mid-range (€85–180/night): Aliki Village Hotel is the most established property in the village — pool, garden, and beach access from approximately €110/night in July. Aliki Bay Hotel has renovated rooms overlooking the harbour from approximately €130/night in peak season.

Best for: Families with young children (calm shallow water, safe swimming), visitors who want to escape the crowd, and those who appreciate watching fishing boats leave in the morning from a taverna table.

Getting between areas

Paros has a bus network (KTEL Paros) operating from the central station in Parikia, serving Naoussa (€1.80, 20 min), Alyki (€1.80, 20 min), and Golden Beach (€2, 30 min) throughout the day as of 2026. Services become less frequent after 21:00. Renting a scooter or car (from approximately €25–50/day at Parikia port agencies) makes it easy to reach all corners of the island independently. Water taxis from Naoussa harbour serve Kolymbithres and Monastiri beach in season.

Where to eat near your accommodation

In Parikia: Trata Restaurant on the waterfront serves fresh fish from approximately €15–22/main. Ephesus Restaurant near the church is a solid mid-range choice for traditional Greek. Levantis Restaurant is Parikia’s best for creative Cycladic-Mediterranean cooking — approximately €35–50 per person.

In Naoussa: Barbarossa is the most iconic spot at the harbour, reliably good for grilled fish and octopus (approximately €18–30/main). Glafkos Fish Tavern has been serving locals and visitors since the 1970s. For a proper dining experience, Provatas Paros does excellent modern Greek from approximately €40–55 per person.

In Alyki: Scorpios Taverna (literally on the harbour) is the classic choice for grilled fish and carafes of local wine from approximately €15–25 per person.

Where to Stay in Paros: Best Areas and Hotels