Where to Stay

Paros sits right in the middle of the Cyclades, which makes it one of the best connected islands and a natural base for island hopping, and it has two very different main towns to choose between. Parikia is the capital and main port, practical and well connected with a real old town behind the waterfront. Naoussa on the north coast is the prettier and more fashionable of the two, a working fishing harbour ringed with restaurants and lanes that has become one of the most sought-after places to stay in the Cyclades. Beyond the two towns, the beach areas on the east coast and the quiet hill villages inland offer alternatives for those who want something different. For most first-time visitors, the choice is between the convenience of Parikia and the charm of Naoussa.

Best areas to stay in Paros at a glance

• Best for first-timers: Parikia, the port and capital with everything walkable and the best connections
• Best for charm and dining: Naoussa, the fashionable fishing harbour town on the north coast
• Best for families: Naoussa area beaches, or the calm bays near Aliki in the south
• Best for couples: Naoussa for atmosphere and restaurants
• Best for windsurfing: Golden Beach on the east coast, a world-class wind sports spot
• Best for a quiet stay: the hill village of Lefkes or the fishing village of Aliki
• Best without a car: Parikia or Naoussa, both walkable and well served by the bus

The best areas to stay in Paros

Parikia

Parikia is the most practical base on Paros and a good choice for first-time visitors. It is the capital and main ferry port, on the west coast, and it is a major hub for boats to almost every other Cyclades island, which makes it ideal for island hopping. Behind the busy waterfront lies a genuinely attractive old town of white lanes, and the important Byzantine church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani is one of the most significant in the Aegean.

Staying in Parikia gives you the widest range of accommodation across all budgets, good restaurants, a lively but not overwhelming evening scene, and the best transport connections on the island. The bus station is here, and the ferries run from the port at all hours. For travellers who want convenience and value, and who plan to use Paros as a hopping base, Parikia is the sensible choice.

The trade-off is that Parikia is busier and less immediately charming than Naoussa. The waterfront can feel like a transport hub because it is one. But the old town behind it is lovely, and the practical advantages are real. Nearby beaches include Marcello and Kolymbithres across the bay.

Best for: first-time visitors, island hoppers, budget-conscious travellers, those who want the best transport connections, no-car trips.

Not ideal for: travellers who want the prettiest and most atmospheric town base, or those who dislike the bustle of a working port.

Naoussa

Naoussa is the most charming and fashionable place to stay on Paros, and the first choice for couples and those who want atmosphere. The old fishing harbour on the north coast, where small boats still tie up beside waterfront tavernas, has become one of the most sought-after destinations in the Cyclades. The lanes behind the harbour are full of boutiques, cocktail bars and some of the best restaurants on the island, and the whole town has a polished, stylish feel that Parikia does not match.

Despite its fashionable reputation, Naoussa retains a genuine fishing village core, and the contrast between the working harbour and the upmarket scene around it is part of its appeal. The beaches near Naoussa are excellent, with Kolymbithres and its smooth granite rocks, Santa Maria, Monastiri and Lageri all within reach.

Naoussa is more expensive than Parikia and busier in the evenings in peak season, particularly in the harbour bars. It is well connected by bus to Parikia and the beaches, so a car is not essential, though it helps for reaching the further beaches.

Best for: couples, those who want the best dining and atmosphere, style-conscious travellers, beach access on the north coast, anyone who wants the prettiest town base on the island.

Not ideal for: budget travellers, those who want a quiet early night in peak season, or anyone who wants to be right at the main ferry port.

Piso Livadi and the east coast

Piso Livadi is a small port and resort village on the east coast, quieter than the two main towns and with a relaxed, family-friendly feel. It works as a base for those who want a calmer beach holiday away from the busier scenes of Parikia and Naoussa. Some fast ferries use the small port here, which adds to its convenience.

The east coast is also the windsurfing side of Paros. Golden Beach, a former World Cup windsurfing venue, is nearby, along with the beach clubs of Punda. Staying on the east coast puts you close to the wind sports scene and the beach clubs.

Best for: families wanting a quieter base, windsurfers and kitesurfers, beach club visitors, those who want a relaxed resort village away from the main towns.

Not ideal for: first-time visitors who want the main sights and connections, those without a car who need frequent transport, or anyone who wants the atmosphere of the two main towns.

The hill villages: Lefkes, Prodromos and Marpissa

Inland Paros offers a completely different experience from the coast. Lefkes is a beautiful marble hill village, once the island’s capital, connected to Prodromos by the old stone Byzantine road that makes one of the best walks on the island. Marpissa is a village of windmills and a castle. Staying in these villages is for travellers who want traditional atmosphere, walking and a quiet base, and who have a car to reach the beaches and towns.

The hill villages work best for repeat visitors, couples wanting countryside quiet, and walkers. They are not beach bases and a car is essential, but they offer a side of Paros that most visitors never see.

Best for: couples, walkers, repeat visitors, those who want traditional village life and quiet, travellers with a car.
Not ideal for: beach-first trips, first-timers, or travellers without a car.

Aliki and the south

Aliki is a quiet fishing village on the south coast, with calm bays and a relaxed pace. It is close to the airport, which is convenient for those flying in, and it has a genuine local feel away from the tourist scenes of the north. The nearby Faragas beach is a sheltered south coast bay good for families, and the quiet village of Drios is a short distance further along the coast.

Staying in the south suits those who want a calm, local base and do not mind being away from the main towns. A car helps considerably.

Best for: those who want a quiet local base, families wanting calm south coast bays, travellers flying into the nearby airport, couples wanting to avoid the crowds.
Not ideal for: first-timers who want the main sights and connections, or those without a car.

Best area in Paros for…

Families

The Naoussa area beaches, particularly the calm bays like Santa Maria, work well for families, as does the quieter Piso Livadi and the south coast around Aliki and Faragas. These give calm water and a relaxed pace away from the busiest evening scenes. Check the Paros weather page before travelling, as the east coast in particular can be windy.

Couples

Naoussa is the clear choice for couples, with the harbour, the restaurants and the stylish atmosphere. For couples who want quiet and countryside, the hill village of Lefkes with a car offers something different, with the Byzantine road walk and traditional village life.

First-time visitors

Parikia for convenience and connections, or Naoussa for charm. Both are walkable, well connected by bus and give a complete first visit. Parikia is the more practical no-car base as the main port and bus hub, while Naoussa is the prettier and more atmospheric town.

Windsurfing

Golden Beach on the east coast is the windsurfing and kitesurfing base, a former World Cup venue with reliable wind. Staying on the east coast near Piso Livadi puts you closest to the wind sports scene and the beach clubs at Punda.

Without a car

Parikia and Naoussa both work well without a car. Parikia is the main bus hub and the most connected, and Naoussa has frequent buses to Parikia and the north coast beaches. A car helps for the hill villages, the south coast and the further beaches, but the two main towns are manageable on the bus. See the Paros bus timetable for what the bus covers.

A quiet stay

The hill village of Lefkes, the south coast village of Aliki, and the relaxed Piso Livadi are the quietest bases on Paros, away from the busier evenings of the two main towns. All benefit from having a car.

Getting around Paros

Paros has a good bus network linking Parikia and Naoussa with the main beaches and hill villages, and the two towns are a short ride apart. For the quieter beaches, the hill villages and the south coast, a car or scooter gives you more freedom. See getting around Paros, the Paros bus timetable and Paros taxi and car hire for full details. For your arrival, see how to get to Paros. Because Paros is such a well connected ferry hub, it also makes an excellent base for day trips to neighbouring islands, especially Naxos and Antiparos.

When to visit and booking tips

June and September are the best months for most visitors to Paros. July and August are the busiest, particularly in Naoussa which has become one of the most fashionable destinations in the Cyclades and fills up early. May and October are quieter and cheaper, though some seasonal businesses wind down in October. Check the Paros weather page for the monthly breakdown.

Book accommodation early for July and August, especially in Naoussa where the best rooms and the private villas with pools sell out months in advance. Paros has grown significantly in popularity in recent years, so it is busier and pricier than it once was, particularly on the north coast. The wineries and wine tastings and cheese making experiences around the island are worth building into a stay.

Explore more of Paros

Now that you know where to base yourself, read the full Paros guide for the beaches, villages and things to do. Browse the beaches and villages, and use the Paros map to see how the island fits together. Plan your arrival on the ferry page and see how Paros connects to the rest of the Cyclades on the Greek islands map.