10 things to do in Paros, Greece

By Dr Charlotte Russell, Clinical Psychologist and Founder

Picture perfect blue skies and crystal-clear waters, Paros is possibly my favourite place anywhere in the world. Part of the central Greek islands, known as the Cyclades, Paros has a small airport with no direct flights from the UK. It is however easy to reach by ferry from Athens or Mykonos and in my view it’s limited accessibility is part of the charm. The journey is more than worth it I promise!

Paros is perfect if:

· Like me, you are an introvert and recharge by having time alone or in the beauty and stillness of a place. The white streets in the capital Parikia are just made for wandering.

· You are going through a tough time and need some time to relax, reflect, and reconnect

· You like to explore in a low-key way – Paros has a good bus network and from Parikia the island can be explored easily by bus, or by hire car

· You like the friendly-but-always-laidback culture in Greece

My top recommendations for Paros

1. Explore Parikia Town

As well as wandering (one of my main pastimes) there are plenty of shops and restaurants in Parikia. There is also a nice beach which is around a 20-minute walk from the main part of town.

And then there’s Poof — the resident cat of a little jewellery shop on the main street in Parikia. One night after dinner I saved him a small parcel of sardines in my handbag, thinking I’d quietly offer them on my way past. Poof had other ideas. He clocked me the moment I turned the corner, marched straight over, and made it abundantly clear that he could smell exactly what I was carrying. Subtlety is not his strong point, but charm absolutely is.

2. Eat seafood on Parikia Harbour 

Food in the local restaurants is simple, delicious and reasonably priced. Despite visiting the island 3 times, I have never had a bad meal, so there are lots of great restaurants to choose from.  Eating on the harbour has the added bonus of overlooking the sunset, which can be pretty spectacular.

My favourite harbour restaurant from my most recent trip to Paros was Mouragio Tavern, where we had this excellent fish platter. There’s nothing better than eating fish next to a harbour! If you’re not a fan of fish, as I know many people aren’t, there are always plenty of other Greek dishes to try.

3. Have a sunset cocktail at Evinos cocktail bar

This was my favourite sunset spot with great views, delicious drinks, and funky tunes which seemed to vary each night. A great place for a drink before dinner.

4. Visit Lefkes

Lefkes is the place I always return to on Paros — a quiet, white‑washed village tucked into the hills where the pace softens the moment you arrive. Each of my three visits to the island has included time wandering its marble lanes, sitting in one of the tiny squares, and letting the stillness settle in. It’s the part of Paros that feels almost suspended in time: peaceful, grounded, and a gentle counterbalance to the busier coastal towns.

You can get the bus to Lefkes from Parikia in shoulder season when I usually visit, they tend to be around once an hour. If you want to drive you can rent a car from one of the many rental shops in Parikia town, which also allows you to explore the rest of the island.

5. Visit the Moriatis Winery for a tour and tasting

Moraitis Winery has become one of those places I return to every time I’m on Paros. Founded in 1910 and still run by the Moraitis family, it’s one of the oldest wineries in the Cyclades, known for working with indigenous grapes. The setting, just outside Naoussa near Aghioi Anargyri Beach, is wonderfully peaceful: a vine‑shaded courtyard, a small museum tracing the family’s history, and tastings that feel unhurried rather than commercial. It’s the kind of place where you can sit with a flight of whites and feel the island’s slower rhythm settle in.

They serve delicious cheese platters to accompany the wines, featuring local cheeses. You can buy bottles to take away and these are very reasonably priced, just make sure you save plenty of space in your suitcase!

6. Take a boat trip around Antiparos

If you enjoy being out on the water this is a great way to explore. There are several boats/tour operators along the harbour that offer this but my absolute favourite is the Regaki Catamaran.

I’ve taken this trip twice; in 2019 and recently in 2023 and it really is one of the best boat trips I’ve ever been on.

The Regaki Catamaran is really comfortable and not filled to capacity like other trips can be. There are plenty of stops for swimming and the lunch is truly delicious, especially considering it is prepared on the boat! The price is a little more than some of the other operators but definitely worth it.

7. Visit Golden Beach

Around 20km from Parikia, Golden Beach really lives up to it’s name, with gorgeous sand and clear water. It is a large beach with several tavernas where you can get lunch or drinks. The water is really lovely for swimming. Sunbeds can be pricey these days but worth it if you’re planning to spend the full day there. Otherwise the beach is nice to visit for an hour or two if you hire a car for a day and want to spend the day exploring the Island. Visit this post for more beaches in Paros

8. Visit Naoussa Harbour

Probably one of the most photographed places on Paros Island, Naousa harbour does live up to the hype. This pretty little fishing village has become very popular in the last 10 years and has become a little touristy, however it has not lost its charm. There are still traditional restaurants amongst the more high end places, and you can still see the fishermen coming back on their boats has they have always done. I’d definitely recommend visiting Naoussa and I’d say 2 or 3 nights would be sufficient if you’re planning to stay there.

9. Eat at a garden restaurant

It is very easy in Greece to eat on the harbour or seafront each night and miss out on the garden restaurants which are often hidden gems. My favourite on my recent trip to Paros was  Open Garden Restaurant in Naoussa, which served traditional food with a modern take. Ensure you get there early to get a table as it was super busy when we visited in late September.

10. Shop for some local produce

There are lots of lovely shops in Parikia and Naoussa that sell everything from designer clothes, decorations made of olive wood, to souvenirs and locally crafted jewellery. Buying something from one of these stores can be a great way to keep the memories from your trip alive when you return home. Being a foodie, I often buy herbs, olive oil, and local honey. I love using these while cooking and trying to recreate the flavours from the local dishes when I return home.

Last but not least:

If you’re feeling hedonistic – eat some gyros at Stavros Kebabtzifiko near to the ferry terminal. There’s nothing more satisfying than gyros!

If you want a sense of accomplishment– Paros is an island that invites you to slow down — long lunches, quiet beaches, unhurried evenings. But if you’re looking for a gentle sense of achievement, the Byzantine walking route that begins in Lefkes is perfect. It’s an old marble‑paved path that winds through the hills towards Prodromos, shaded in parts and beautifully peaceful, with just enough elevation to feel like you’ve done something without breaking the island’s easy rhythm.

Reasons to feel optimistic – In the one of the many restaurants on the harbour there is a photograph of Parikia in the 1970s (there are also some photos/clips online for those who are curious). It’s really striking how little the harbour and the buildings have changed since then. Parikia has managed to keep its fishing boats and its genuine and laidback charm. I’m optimistic that this will still be the case in another 50 years!

Where to stay in Paros

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When staying in Parikia, I always stay at Angie’s Studios and I can’t recommend it enough. It is a five minute walk into the town and yet feels so quiet and secluded. The owner Angie is helpful and gently available, but never intrusive. On my last stay it was Mr Travel Psychologist’s birthday and she was kind enough to arrange a cake from the local bakery, which was lovely.

The rooms are basic but clean and include a small kitchenette. I love mornings just sitting on the balcony overlooking Angie’s lovely gardens.

If you liked this article check out My top 10 things to do in Greece