How to Spend 2 Days in Paros: The Perfect Itinerary
Paros is one of the most popular islands in the Cyclades, and after spending two days in Paros, it’s easy to understand why.
We spent our time taking a boat tour around the island, wandering through charming villages, and eating some of our favorite food of the entire trip. Even with just two days, we experienced the best of what Paros has to offer.
In this guide, we’ll share the exact 2-day itinerary we followed, including what we’d do again, what we’d skip, and a few tips we wish we had known before visiting.
Is 2 Days in Paros Enough?
Two days in Paros is enough time to see many of the island’s highlights and get a taste of what makes it special. However, it is not enough time to fully slow down and experience the island’s relaxed pace, and that’s okay!
With only two days, we didn’t have time to visit every famous beach. We missed places like Kolymbithres and Santa Maria, but we still loved spending time at Golden Beach, Tripiti Beach, and swimming around the island during our boat tour.
One thing we learned while island hopping through Greece is that it can be tempting to squeeze too many islands into one trip. If your schedule allows, we recommend giving yourself a few slower days throughout your itinerary so you have time to relax, enjoy long meals, and actually experience each destination.
For us, two days in Paros was the perfect amount of time to explore the island’s highlights while still leaving us excited to come back for more.
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Wondering if you should plan your trip to Naxos or Paros? Check out our post about both! |
Where We Stayed
Now you might be wondering where to stay during your time on the island. We split our time in Paros between two different accommodations: two nights in Parikia and one night at Parian Chronicle Hotel.
For the first part of our trip, we chose to stay in Parikia because it made logistics easy. Since we arrived by ferry and our boat tour departed from the port, staying nearby meant we could settle in quickly and avoid worrying about transportation.
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We also ended up loving Parikia! While Naousa is often considered the more popular and trendy town, Parikia had everything we needed. We loved wandering the waterfront, exploring the small streets, and having plenty of restaurants and bakeries nearby. Since we are not big nightlife people, the relaxed atmosphere of Parikia was perfect for us. So without further ado, our 2 day Paros itinerary! |
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Day 0.5: Arriving in Paros
Yes, we are calling this a half day. 😂
When island hopping through Greece, your first day on a new island can be unpredictable. Ferries can run late, you’ll likely arrive around midday, and the last thing you want is to plan a packed schedule while worrying about luggage and transportation.
Instead, we recommend using your arrival day to settle in, explore your town, and get your first taste of Paros.
Arrival
First things first: head to your accommodation, drop off your bags, and freshen up. Then reward yourself for surviving the ferry ride with what we believe is an essential Greek island tradition—a bakery stop and a coffee. 😉
After that, spend the afternoon exploring the town where you are staying.
We stayed in Parikia, the main port town of Paros, and loved wandering through the whitewashed streets, browsing small shops, and taking in the seaside views.
If you are staying in Naousa, spend your afternoon exploring there instead. Both towns are beautiful, but we recommend focusing on the area where you are staying rather than trying to squeeze both into your first afternoon. Take your time, wander the alleyways, and enjoy the atmosphere.
Evening
For your first night, keep things relaxed. Grab dinner, try some local dishes, and enjoy your first evening on the island.
We ate at Bountaraki and loved it! One of the highlights was trying gouna, a traditional Paros specialty where the fish is split open, salted, dried in the sun, and then grilled over charcoal.
Day 1 – Exploring Paros by Boat and Discovering Naousa
One of the best ways to see the island is by boat which is what we recommend doing on your first full day!
Morning/Afternoon: Boat Tour Around Paros and Antiparos
Grab yourself a light breakfast and then head to the port to take a boat tour of the island and nearby areas. We chose to do our boat tour on the first full day because it gave us a chance to see beaches and areas of Paros that would have been difficult to reach by car.
We chose to do a full day boat tour that took us to the Blue Lagoon (only reachable by boat) and parts of Antiparos. Our tour included lunch and snacks for the journey too.
Taking a boat tour is one of the best ways to see the island and reach those hard to get beaches. The water around Paros and Antiparos was some of the clearest and bluest water we saw during our Greece trip.
We book this tour with MTM Experiences. We loved this tour, but it is worth knowing that it was a large group boat tour. If you are looking for a quieter experience, more personalized service, or fewer people on board, we would consider a smaller group tour.
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Short on time or want more beach time? |
Evening: Dinner and Sunset in Naousa or Pakrikia
After the boat tour, head back to your accommodation and get ready for a night out!
We recommend going to the main town you did not visit the day before. For us, that was Naousa. Both towns have a different vibe to them so we do suggest exploring both.
In Naousa we tried out Souvlakia KARGAS and devoured their pita souvlakis.
Our suggestion for sunset is to bring a drink of your choice to Piperi Beach and watch the whitewashed building turn gold in the sunlight. It’s magical.
There are always some live events, music, and bars to go to in both Naousa and Parikia so if you aren’t pooped from the boat tour head on out!
Day 2: Explore Paros by Car: Lefkes, Beaches & Hidden Corners
After spending our first day seeing Paros from the water, we wanted our second day to slow down and explore the parts of the island that are easier to reach with your own transportation.
Pick up your Rental Car
With only two full days on Paros, we decided renting a car was the best way to maximize our time. While you can explore parts of the island by bus, having our own transportation allowed us to visit smaller villages, beaches, and areas that would have been harder to reach.
As Type B travelers, we waited until two days before to book our rental car. And guess what? It worked out! Luckily, we found a car easily during our trip, even though it was the busy summer season. While we don’t recommend waiting until the last minute if you have a specific car or company in mind, it was a good reminder that not everything needs to be planned months in advance.
We absolutely lucked out on our rental company: Paros Trust Rental. They are very friendly and make renting a car very easy. We got a flat rate of 60 euros for the day, which felt very reasonable for the flexibility it gave us.
Visit the Mountain Village of Lefkes
We recommend driving up to the mountain village of Lefkes. It is a beautiful village with a big Greek Orthodox church as a focal point.
It feels completely different from the coastal towns of Naousa and Parikia. Instead of waterfront restaurants and busy streets, Lefkes has a slower pace with mountain views, traditional architecture, and quiet alleyways.
We wandered around the village, stopped into a few shops, and grabbed a coffee for the road.
Paros Beach Hopping
One of the biggest benefits of having a car on Paros is the ability to create your own beach day. Instead of choosing just one beach, we were able to visit several different areas of the island.
Golden Beach: Our main beach stop was Golden Beach, and it was exactly what we hoped for from a Greek island beach. The sand was soft, the water was calm and shallow, and there was plenty of space to bring your own umbrella and towels or rent a chair.
Tripiti Beach & Aliki: After relaxing at Golden Beach, we stopped at Tripiti Beach for views before heading to Aliki, a small fishing village with a charming waterfront promenade.
We didn’t make it everywhere (because let’s be honest, two days goes quickly 😂), but Paros Park and Santa Maria Beach are two places we would add next time.
Stay Somewhere Unique Outside the Main Towns
If you prefer staying outside the main towns, this is also a great opportunity to experience a quieter side of Paros. Look for accommodations that allow you to slow down and enjoy the island after the crowds leave.
We stayed at Parian Chronicle Hotel, a newer luxury property that is easier to reach with a car. Since every room has a private plunge pool, it was a fun way to experience a different side of Paros before heading to your next destination.
Map of Our Paros Itinerary
Here is a map of all the places we went during our stay in Paros!
5 Tips for Visiting Paros
After spending two days exploring Paros, we learned a few things that made our short visit smoother and more enjoyable. From deciding where to stay to figuring out transportation, these are the tips we wish we knew before visiting the island.After spending two days exploring Paros, we learned a few things that made our short visit smoother and more enjoyable. From deciding where to stay to figuring out transportation, these are the tips we wish we knew before visiting the island.
Be Prepared for the weather.
Paros is known for its Meltemi winds, especially during July and August. These strong summer winds can affect boat tours, ferry schedules, and beach conditions, so it’s worth checking the forecast before making plans.
The Greek sun is also no joke, so pack sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water if you’ll be spending the day outdoors.
Decide between a car and the bus based on your plans.
Two days is a short amount of time to explore Paros, and having a car allowed us to visit more beaches, villages, and areas that would have been difficult to reach by bus.
That being said, a car is not required. If you are staying longer or mainly want to explore Parikia or Naousa, the public bus system can get you to many popular areas. We used the buses during our trip and found them reliable and affordable.
Bring water shoes for rockier beaches.
Not every beach in Paros has soft sand. Many have rocky shorelines or smooth stones near the water, so a pair of water shoes can make getting in and out of the sea much more comfortable.
Don’t try to see everything.
This is probably our biggest Greece island hopping tip: don’t turn your vacation into a checklist.
Greece is meant to be enjoyed slowly. Leave room for a long lunch, a random bakery stop, a swim that lasts longer than expected, or wandering streets without a plan.
Visit beyond Naousa.
Naousa is beautiful and absolutely worth visiting, but don’t stop there. Villages like Lefkes, quieter beaches, and smaller fishing towns like Aliki gave us a completely different perspective on the island.
Paros FAQ
Here are some other common questions people have about Paros
Is 2 days enough in Paros?
Two days is enough time to see many of Paros’ highlights and get a feel for the island. While you won’t see everything, it’s plenty of time to enjoy a boat tour, explore charming villages, relax on the beach, and sample some incredible Greek food.
Do you need a car to visit Paros?
No. You can visit Paros using the public bus system, especially if you’re staying in Parikia or Naousa. However, if you only have two days, renting a car for one day gives you much more flexibility to explore beaches, mountain villages, and quieter parts of the island.
Is Paros expensive?
Paros can fit a range of budgets. You’ll find luxury hotels, waterfront restaurants, and boutique shopping, but there are also affordable tavernas, bakeries, and accommodations. Overall, we found Paros to be slightly more expensive than neighboring Naxos.
Should you stay in Naousa or Parikia?
Both towns make excellent bases for exploring Paros. We stayed in Parikia because it was close to the ferry port and our boat tour departure, and we loved its relaxed atmosphere. If you’re looking for more nightlife and upscale restaurants, Naousa may be a better fit.
Is a boat tour worth it in Paros?
Absolutely. Our boat tour was one of the highlights of our trip. It gave us access to beautiful swimming spots around Paros and Antiparos that would have been difficult to reach on our own, and seeing the island from the water was an experience we wouldn’t want to miss.
Final Thoughts
We fell in love with Paros over our two-day adventure, and even though our time was short, it never felt rushed.
Sailing around the island, discovering hidden swimming spots, wandering through Lefkes, and ending the day with incredible Greek food showed us just how much Paros has to offer. Every part of the island felt a little different, which is what made exploring it so much fun.
If you only have two days, don’t worry, you can still experience some of the very best of Paros. And if you have longer? Even better!
