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.

As well as wandering, which is my main pastime, 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.

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!

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

This pretty village has a little square which is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places I’ve ever visited. Objectively speaking, I’m sure some would argue there is nothing spectacular about it, but in my opinion the tranquillity here can really stay with you.

You can get the bus to Lefkes from Parikia, or you can hire a car.

5. Visit the Moriatis Winery for a tour and tasting

Moraitis is based in Naousa, just outside the main town. You will have the choice of a tour and tasting, or you can opt for a tasting flight of 3 wines with plenty of options based on your preferences.

They also 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 Naousa 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 Naousa 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 Naousa, 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 Naousa 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 in my 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.

If you want a sense of accomplishment– Paros is a great place to take beautiful pictures. If you’re into Instagram it can give your page a boost, especially if you like to post photos of cats in beautiful places (seriously, who doesn’t?)

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!

Please note our destination guides contain personal recommendations and not professional advice

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