Paros

Day 1: Parikia, marble-and-bougainvillea alleys, and west-coast waters

Your first day eases you into Paros’s rhythm: sacred stones and sea air by day, golden-hour views and an unhurried volta by night. Keep plans flexible—Paros rewards wandering, and the meltemi may nudge you to sheltered bays.

• Morning: Arrive by ferry to Parikia and drop bags. Walk to Panagia Ekatontapyliani (peek into the baptistery) and climb the Frankish Kastro to see ancient marble built into medieval walls; then coffee in the old town alleys—order a freddo and watch island life flow by.
• Midday: Beach hop across the bay by water taxi to Krios/Marcello for calm, shallow water and an easy first swim. Eat with toes-in-sand at a simple taverna; on windy days, tuck behind the rocks at the ends of the beach for shelter.
• Afternoon: Browse Parikia’s market street for leather sandals, ceramics, and local delicacies (ask if items are made on Paros); siesta or museum stop if the sun peaks. Late, stroll to Agia Anna viewpoint for a wide sweep over the whole bay.
• Evening: Time the sunset from a rooftop bar on the waterfront, then a late dinner—small plates, local wine, siga-siga. Night owls can try a classic bar in the old town; buses and taxis run late in high season, but plan your ride back in August.

Day 2: Lefkes and the Byzantine Road, then Naoussa’s understated chic

Today contrasts mountain quiet with harbour glamour. Start cool and early inland, then pivot to Naoussa for boutique lanes, sculpted coves, and night-time buzz.

• Morning: Drive/bus to Lefkes and wander its amphitheatre of white houses and marble-trim church. Hike the 3.5 km Byzantine Road to Prodromos (good shoes; hat/water), listening to cicadas and watching Naxos appear and vanish between terraces.
• Midday: Lunch in a shady village square—revithada (baked chickpeas) or sun-dried fish if on offer. Transfer to Naoussa; browse indie boutiques and ateliers in the backstreets (shops open late; a great time for unhurried chat in May/June/September).
• Afternoon: Boat-taxi to Kolymbithres for swims among smooth granite “sculptures”, or continue to Monastiri in Paros Park for a protected cove and an easy lighthouse walk. Tip: with strong northerlies, Paros Park’s coves are more comfortable than exposed sands.
• Evening: Join the volta around Naoussa’s old harbour, then dinner along the quays (book ahead in late July–August). For drinks, slip into a cocktail bar in the lanes; late-night energy spills back to the port after midnight, with night buses linking Parikia and Naoussa.

Day 3: Aegean by boat, south-coast coves, and a summit sunset

The sea is the soul of Paros—today you’ll live on it. Pick a boat day that matches the wind forecast; calmer mornings and south-coast shelter are your allies in peak meltemi.

• Morning: Join a caique or catamaran to the Blue Lagoon (Panteronisia) and the sea caves of Antiparos; snorkel over neon shallows. If seas are up, choose a bigger, slower boat for comfort; pack a light layer for the breeze and reef-safe sunscreen.
• Midday: Lunch onboard (many trips grill on deck) or disembark for a simple fish meal in Aliki or Piso Livadi. If you’re land-based, drive south to Faragas or Lolantonis—both sit in meltemi lee and stay swimmable when northern beaches are gusty.
• Afternoon: Optional hop from Antiparos’s Agios Georgios to the sanctuary on Despotiko for archaeology in solitude (check boat times). Back on Paros, swing by a ceramics studio near Kostos or a winery tasting room to collect edible, packable souvenirs.
• Evening: For a finale, wind up to Agios Antonios Monastery above Marpissa for a 360° sunset over bays and headlands (take a torch for the walk back). Dine in Marpissa or on Piso Livadi’s waterfront; night owls can ferry to Antiparos for a late, carefree bar scene (ferries run very late in high season).

Notes:

• Follow the wind: north wind > head south; rare southerly > enjoy the north/east bays.
• August needs reservations (boats, restaurants, sunbeds). Shoulder months (May–June, September) are ideal for balance, warmth, and space.
• Respect free beach zones; bring water, cash for small vendors, and sturdy shoes for marble-slick alleys and trails.

By Air

• Paros National Airport (PAS) has multiple daily flights from Athens (ATH); flight time 40–45 minutes. Seasonal services may operate from Thessaloniki (SKG).
• The airport is about 10–12 km from Parikia port (15–20 minutes by taxi; seasonal buses run to Parikia/Naoussa).
• Indirect options: fly to nearby islands, then ferry to Paros:
  • Mykonos (JMK): ferry 45–90 minutes.
  • Naxos (JNX): ferry 30–45 minutes.
  • Santorini/Thira (JTR): ferry ~1 h 45 m–2 h 30 m.

By Ferry

• From Athens area ports:
  • Piraeus: conventional ferries ~3 h 45 m–5 h; high-speed ~2 h 50 m–3 h 30 m.
  • Rafina (closest to ATH airport): ~3–4 hours (mix of conventional/high-speed).
  • Lavrio: limited/seasonal routes; typically longer (often 6+ hours).
• Key Cyclades links (typical high-season times):
  • Naxos 30–45 m; Mykonos 45–90 m; Santorini 1 h 45 m–2 h 30 m; Syros 2–3 h; Tinos 1 h 30 m–2 h 30 m; Ios 2–3 h.
• Main operators include Blue Star Ferries (conventional) and SeaJets/Golden Star Ferries (high-speed). Services are wind/weather dependent in summer meltemi.

By Train

• No trains to islands. For ferries, take a train to Athens (Athens Railway Station/Larissa Station), then:
  • Metro: to Piraeus via Line 2/3 with a change at Monastiraki to Line 1 (allow ~60–75 minutes from central Athens).
  • From the airport, metro or suburban rail to Piraeus typically 60–75 minutes; airport bus X96 to Piraeus 60–90 minutes.
• From Thessaloniki: Intercity train to Athens (~4–4.5 hours), then transfer to port for ferries.

By Bus/Coach

• From Athens Airport to ports:
  • To Piraeus: Express bus X96 (24/7), ~60–90 minutes.
  • To Rafina: KTEL Attikis from the airport coach stand, ~30–50 minutes.
• From central Athens to Rafina/Lavrio: KTEL Attikis services from designated city stops (check current timetables).

By Car

• You cannot drive to Paros, but you can take a vehicle on a ferry.
• Driving times (traffic dependent):
  • Central Athens to Piraeus: ~25–45 minutes.
  • Athens Airport to Rafina: ~20–35 minutes; to Piraeus: ~45–70 minutes; to Lavrio: ~35–60 minutes.
• Arrive early for vehicle check-in at ports, especially in peak season.