Quick Guide
Naxos to Paros
After my stay in Naxos, I jumped on a much shorter ferry to Paros, the island just next door. It was a quick 45 minutes on the boat for only €12. Using Ferry Hopper throughout all my Greek island hopping really helped save time and stress. It’s easy to pre-book online. If you’re traveling during the pandemic, however, they will ask you to fill out a health declaration form. Ferries run multiple times a day, and I actually visited friends back in Naxos one of the days I was staying, as well as had them come visit me in Paros. Think of it as a much cheaper, and scenic taxi from Downtown to Santa Monica, if you’re from Los Angeles.
Anyways, the boat drops you off at the main port town, Parikia. It is a lively, bustling port neighborhood that is a bit chaotic when you first arrive. It was a bit busy for me after spending so much time roaming around Naxos. So, I headed over to Naoussa, an adorable seaside town in true Cyclades fashion further north up the island. The bus stop in Parikia was just to the right as you walk out of the ferry terminal area. It is pretty obvious, and buses leave several times a day to Naoussa and other areas around the island. Don’t be fooled by the pushy taxi drivers on the main street who say the bus doesn’t run often and offer you a ride for a murderous €30. The bus is easy, comfortable (with air conditioning), and best of all—about €2 one way.
Naoussa
Naoussa is everything you want a small, Cycladic islands seaside town to be. It has the typical island architecture, with whitewashed walls offset with cerulean blue accents. The winding, narrow alleyways crisscross into dead ends, vibrant courtyards lined with pink bougainvillea, and small harbors filled with small fishing boats and water taxis ready to take you to the nearby beaches.
The central courtyard and alleys have tons of opportunities to do a little shopping and relaxing. I highly recommend grabbing a gelato as you wander through the area. There are also tons of fantastic restaurants and cafes. The restaurants along the waterfront have great food options but can get a little crowded as the sun sets. So, I recommend for the best chilled-out vibe to head back into the winding streets. I found a number of good options in the center of town, including Saffron which was a good dinner spot with an innovative menu. If breakfast and a delightful selection of coffee is your thing, make sure to check out Almond. The eggs benedict was so good I had it two days in a row!
Around the fishing dock area is a walkway that extends out to a 15th century Venetian fortress that has magnificent views of both the ocean and Naoussa. The fort saw some heavy fighting in its time, defending the island from pirates and other European nations with dreams of expansion. It is an impressive piece of architecture that has stood the the of time--and salt water erosion. It is a great way to get some shade and enjoy a fresh breeze when the Greek afternoon sun gets a bit too hot for walking around the dock area.
The fort had a perfect old flagpole right in the middle that made for some great street pole opportunities! Ironically, my friend who I know through pole dancing back in Los Angeles was staying in Naxos, so I easily convinced her to come take a day trip to Paros. Naturally, we jumped at the opportunity for some quick poses in this insane location! #nopoleissafe
Rent Yourself an ATV
If you read my post about neighboring island, Naxos, you know that I am now obsessed with ATVing on the Greek islands. You can rent one and drive it around on the streets, like you would rent a scooter in the Thai islands or Bali. They ae much more secure, given the balance four wheels provides. Plus, they are seriously so much fun! I took my little ATV to several of the beaches, ruins, and mountain villages around the island. For about €35-40, you can score yourself an ATV for your own adventures. I rented mine from Galanakis Car Rental on one of the side streets near the main bus station.
Best Beaches
Paros has some absolutely stunning beaches. Many of them are accessible from Naoussa by water taxi. I tried for the life of me to find an online time table, but alas there is little on the interwebs that looks legit. But, it is easy to find while there, just head to the harbor area and look for the small kiosks on the water's edge. For just a few euros, you can enjoy a short boat trip, passing by million-dollar yachts docked for an afternoon of leisure. There are several that I recommend, and if you are really feeling adventurous, they are also accessible by ATV as well.
The closest beach to Naousa is Piperi Beach, which is about a ten-minute walk from the main waterfront area. It is definitely more of a local spot, which actually makes it a chill option for a quick dip in the sea during the heat of the afternoon sun. There is a wide stretch of trees that line the beach and provide great shade for a nap after cooling off in the ocean.
The first beach on the typical water taxi route is Kolimpithres, a beautiful beach with stunning geological features and decently priced sunbeds. The sandstone rock formations are worn down by the wind and water, carving out small holes and arches that remind me of the Alabama Hills in the Eastern Sierra. The whole beach makes me think of what climate change may eventually do to most of Southern California. There are plenty of sunbeds, paddleboats to rent, and even a floating water park for children.
Jumping on your ATV for a short five-meter ride north, you reach Kalamia Beach. This is just a small stretch of soft, white sand, but it is a great spot for a swim without the crowds. It is also right next to the fisherman’s dock area, so it is fun to watch the boats come in and out. While I was there, I also saw a group of kayakers set out from the beach as well.
Then, there is the crème de la crème of the beaches in this area—Monastiri Beach. This is the most instagramable beach on Paros, as it features crystal blue waters, unique rock structures, and a beautiful monastery with whitewashed walls and a cerulean blue dome. Just please respect that it is a place of worship and don't climb all over the roof! I droned here for a while because I could not get over how unique the views were! Check out my YouTube video for some beautiful views!
The water taxi also stops off here after Kolimpithres, so it is easy to get to even if you don’t rent an ATV. There are nice sunbeds, but I found them a bit pricier than other options. There is also a hike out to the lighthouse that you get a glimpse of from the ferry when coming into Parikia. However, after spending the morning on the beach, the midday sun hit like a beast. The trail has no real shade and looked a bit like a death march in mid-September. I recommend heading out early or taking on the challenge when its cooler in Spring or later in the Fall.
Lefkes
When you get too sunburnt, there is so much more to Paros than the beaches! Like all the Cyclades islands, there are a ton of interesting ruins and archeological sites around the island. I found that just driving around and checking Google maps was a fun way to find Byzantine bridges and other archeological sites.
My favorite afternoon adventure on my ATV was a trip to Lefkes. This sleepy mountain village is a bit difficult to get to, but it is definitely worth the effort. Driving up the winding mountain path, there are tons of spots to stop off and get amazing views of the sea below. Once you reach the village, you can park in a few lots and walk down to the central plaza. The village is an impressive site. It is nearly abandoned, with homes, businesses, and small churches being left to ruin. The rest is kept up nicely by what residents have remained, boasting the typical whitewashed walls and cerulean blue accents that are so well known for the Cyclades.
There is a lovely central square with cafes flanking all sides. You can sit among the colorful chairs and have some fresh coffee or orange juice under a large shade tree and watch the people meander through the maze of streets that crisscross in and out of the square. I had some of the best baklava I will ever have at Agaizi Café. The old woman who runs it is adorable and really enjoys chatting with all the visitors. Ten out of ten—would recommend!
Where to Stay
There are tons of options for all budgets in Naoussa. I enjoyed staying a little bit out of the main town area, on a small side street above the main bus station. Pandora Studios is a great guesthouse that offers friendly service, comfortable beds, good Wi-Fi, and great views. It’s run by a local family who were very attentive and sweet. Although, the street up to the guesthouse is a bit steep—so be warned if you plan to drag your luggage up there like I did!
The neighborhood was much more authentic than staying directly in the village or at one of the more luxury resorts. I would recommend a local eatery, Comfuzio, if you stay in this area. This was definitely a no-frills spot for amazing Greek dishes and a refreshing cold beer! I did meet some hilarious Americans who were staying at a beautiful resort by Kolimpithres Beach, so there are definitely higher end options in the surrounding area!
I hope you got something from my little island adventures on Paros! I would definitely recommend putting it on your island hopping list when planning your next Greek island vacation!
Thanks for reading, and please check out my other Greek content for more on how to build the best island hopping adventures!
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