You’re almost done! You’ve checked all Paros luxury villas and found the perfect one for you, bought your plane ticket to Greece and even made a list of essential things to pack. Yet, you still haven’t planned anything to do on your vacation in Paros. No worries, we’ve got you covered.
This island offers tourists a variety of exciting activities and sites worth visiting, so choosing can be slightly overwhelming. This is exactly why we created these itineraries. But, before diving into these, let’s discuss how many days you should spend in Paros.
How Many Days in Paros? Choosing the Perfect Itinerary
Paros is relatively small, and you can easily explore it with a car in a couple of hours or less. This island is known for its crystal-blue water beaches, ancient villages, and delicious cuisine. This makes it quite challenging to decide how many days to spend in Paros.
If you are truly in a hurry and planning to visit as many islands as possible, 3 days in Paros will be enough to see its most beautiful beaches and try out a few popular activities.
A 4-day trip gives you more flexibility and will ensure you get time to properly visit this island without rushing.
Lastly, if you are a slow traveler and prefer to truly immerse yourself in a foreign culture, 5 days in Paros will be ideal to try all the main restaurants on the island, relax on its many beaches, and enjoy several activities to make the most of your time here.
Paros Itinerary for 3 Days: The Perfect Short Getaway
Spending 3 days in Paros may feel rushed, but it can be enough time if you’re eager to explore other areas.
First day
Start your trip in Parikia, where you will most likely arrive if you opt for a ferry. Simply relax strolling through the town’s cobblestone streets and enjoy the breathtaking view over the Mediterranean Sea.
One of the main attractions here is the Holy Shrine of the Virgin Mary Ekatontapyliani, dating to 326 and consisting of three chapels. Of course, you cannot plan a vacation to Greece without visiting a local museum to marvel at ancient Greek art. For this purpose, the Archaeological Museum of Paros is a must. You’ll find ancient sculptures, ceramics, and inscriptions dating from the Neolithic and Roman eras.
End your first day with a swim at either Livadia or Paralia Parikia Beach. Both are located in Parikia and can be reached with a quick walk.
Second day
You spent the first day learning about Greece’s history, so it’s now time to make the most of the many beaches in Paros. Here are a few options to choose from.
- Kolymbithres Beach is among the most popular beaches in the area, thanks to its granite rock formations and great amenities, including sunbeds, beach bars, and tavernas. This is the place to go if you want to relax. Kolymbithres Beach is close to Naoussa, one of the most picturesque towns on the island, so it can be the ideal option if you’re eager to visit this village.
- Chrissi Akti is the place to go if you want to enjoy water sports. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are extremely popular here, and you can also head to nearby Lolantonis Beach for a nice cocktail and a delicious dinner.
- Santa Maria beach can also be a good alternative. Here, you can spend the morning trying water sports, including diving, kitesurfing, and windsurfing, and party at night in one of the many beach bars located here.
Third day
On the last day, make the most of the local cuisine andjoin a cooking class. A quick Google search will give you plenty of results, but some of the best options include Stella’s cooking experience and Maria’s cooking class, where you’ll prepare a six-course menu.
3 Days Itinerary Summary
- Day 1: Explore Parikia (Archaeological Museum of Paros, Holy Shrine of the Virgin Mary Ekatontapyliani, beach time)
- Day 2: Enjoy the beach (Choose one or more beaches between Santa Maria, Chrissi Akti, and Kolymbithres Beach)
- Day 3: Cooking class (Choose between Stella’s cooking experience or Maria’s cooking class)
Paros Itinerary for 4 Days: A More Relaxed Experience
A 4-day Paros itinerary allows you to explore most of this unique island without rushing.
First day
Like our 3 days in Paros itinerary, you can spend your first day on the island exploring the capital, Parikia.
Second day
Head to Naoussa, Paros’ most beautiful town. Kick off the day with a pastry at the famous Ragoussis bakery, and then head to Naoussa’s Venetian Fort. Built in the 15th century, this fortress was used as a watchtower for pirate attacks.
After a quick walk at Naoussa’s harbor and waterfront, head to Moraitis Winery to tour this ancient winery and try locally produced wines.
Naoussa has plenty of breathtaking beaches to relax and spend your afternoon. The most popular options are Santa Maria, Paralia Laggeri, and Tourkou Ammos Beach.
Third day
On your third day, explore Paros’ natural beauty with a hike. Here are three options for you to choose from.
- Paros Park. This natural area has a variety of hiking trails for all fitness levels, taking you to stunning viewpoints with the perfect vista over the Mediterranean Sea.
- The Byzantine Road, connecting Prodromos with Lefkes. This route takes about an hour to complete and is perfect for those wanting to explore these charming inland towns. The Byzantine Road road is over 1,000 years old and was paved with marble, some of which is still visible today.
- The Butterflies Nature Reserve. The best time to visit is from June to September, when you can see swarms of Jersey tiger moths flying around the park.
Fourth day
Like our Paros itinerary in 3 days, you can spend your last day on the island enjoying a cooking class to learn some delicious Greek recipes.
4 Days Itinerary Summary
- Day 1: Explore Parikia (Archaeological Museum of Paros, Holy Shrine of the Virgin Mary Ekatontapyliani, beach time)
- Day 2: Visit Naoussa (Ragoussis bakery, Venetian Fort, Moraitis Winery, beach time)
- Day 3: Hiking day (Choose one or more hiking trails between Butterflies Nature Reserve, Paros Park, and the Byzantine Road)
- Day 4: Cooking class (Choose between Stella’s cooking experience or Maria’s cooking class)
Paros 5-Day Itinerary: The Ultimate Greek Island Escape
If you plan to spend 5 days in Paros, you will have plenty of time to explore this island at your own pace. Five days on the island will allow you to not only make the most of its beaches, charming villages, and beautiful hiking trails but also relax.
If you’re looking for a 5-day Paros itinerary, we highly suggest you check out our 4-day in Paros itinerary above, as this will serve as a base. As a quick summary, you can spend the first day exploring the island’s capital, Parikia, the second day visiting Naoussa, the third enjoying a hike, and the fourth day learning how to make Greek food with a cooking class.
So, what about your fifth day? It’s time for some well-deserved rest!
Paros has several spas equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including indoor pools, steam rooms, and saunas, and offering various beauty treatments.
For the best relaxation, you can end your day at Kalogeros Beach. This unique site has clay that can be mixed with water and applied to your skin for the ultimate natural mask. Leave it on for 30 minutes or more, and then go for a swim to wash it all out.
5 Days Itinerary Summary
- Day 1: Explore Parikia (Archaeological Museum of Paros, Holy Shrine of the Virgin Mary Ekatontapyliani, beach time)
- Day 2: Visit Naoussa (Ragoussis bakery, Venetian Fort, Moraitis Winery, beach time)
- Day 3: Hiking day (Choose one or more hiking trails between Butterflies Nature Reserve, Paros Park, and the Byzantine Road)
- Day 4: Relax at a spa and spend the afternoon at Kalogeros Beach to make the most of the clay found here
- Day 5: Cooking class (Choose between Stella’s cooking experience or Maria’s cooking class)
Tips for First-Time Visitors
Regardless of your itinerary, here are a few tips that will surely be useful if you decide to visit Paros.
Where to Stay
Check out our tips on where to stay in Paros to help you choose the perfect location and see how to rent a villa in Paros for a dreamy stay.
Transportation in Paros
Taxis are rare, and public transportation is not truly efficient, but it’s still an option if you’re on a budget. The best way to move around is to rent a car or a scooter for your stay.
Best Time To Visit Paros
The best time to visit this island is between May and September. However, July and August are considered the high season, meaning more tourists and higher prices. Ideally, plan your vacation in May, June, or September.
Bring Some Cash
Yes, however, it’s a good idea to withdraw cash for the few places that do not accept cards. Luckily, there are plenty of ATMs in the main towns on the island.
Learn a Few Greek Words
Most people on the island speak English, especially those working in the tourism industry. However, we suggest you learn a few basic Greek words.