Paros

You can reach Paros by flying directly into the New Paros Airport (PAS), which has daily flights from Athens taking about 45 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from the port of Piraeus in Athens, which takes anywhere from 3 to 5 hours depending on whether you take a high-speed vessel. Ferries also connect Paros heavily to neighboring islands like Naxos and Mykonos.

Paros is famous for its pristine, naturally occurring Parian marble, which was heavily quarried in classical antiquity and used to sculpt the Venus de Milo. Today, it is best known for its stunning Cycladic architecture, beautiful beaches like Kolymbithres, and vibrant nightlife in Naoussa town. It serves as a quintessential summer destination in the Aegean Sea.

Yes, Paros is generally much more affordable than its ultra-famous neighbors, Mykonos and Santorini. While prices have risen as it becomes a more popular alternative, you can still find budget-friendly hotels, traditional tavernas, and cheap cocktails, especially in the capital town of Parikia. It is often recommended by travel guides as a better-value Cycladic island.

The capital of Paros is Parikia, a beautiful coastal town built directly on the site of the ancient Greek capital. It features classic white-and-blue architecture, a bustling waterfront promenade, and the famous Panagia Ekatontapyliani, an early Christian church dating back to the 4th century AD. Most ferries to the island dock right in the harbor at Parikia.