This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
A charming Greek island offers beautiful beaches, enchanting villages, and a sense of calm that older travelers will love.
One of the major draws of Paros is how quiet it is, compared to its famous neighbours at least. Despite having some of the prettiest traditional villages in the Cyclades and dozens of beautiful beaches, Paros is nowhere near as overcrowded as nearby Mykonos and Santorini. You get the classic Cycladic experience without the crushing crowds.
The beaches on Paros are genuinely varied. The island has 39 beaches in total, ranging from nearly-empty, isolated beaches where you can have the water to yourself, to famous, sprawling beaches with beach clubs and water sport facilities. Whatever mood you’re in, there’s a stretch of sand to match it.
While Paros is a place with a bit of something for everyone, it’s particularly well-suited to older holidaymakers due to its relaxed pace, gentle landscapes, and manageable terrain compared to the steeper islands like Santorini, according to Approach Tours.
Unlike islands with massive cliffs and endless staircases, Paros features much gentler terrain that is easier on the joints. You can stroll through the whitewashed alleys of towns like Parikia and Naoussa without facing strenuous climbs.
The island has the charms of Santorini, without the hills (Image: Getty)
Naoussa is a genuine showstopper and one of the island’s biggest draws. On the north coast, Naoussa has been transformed from a quaint fishing village into one of the most desirable destinations in the Aegean, home to many elegant boutiques and a vibrant nightlife scene set around a postcard-pretty harbour. It’s charming while also having a good, not overwhelming buzz.
A quieter time can be had at Lefkes, a charming inland village that feels as if you’re stepping back in time. Perched on a hillside, Lefkes is one of the loveliest villages in Paros, having served as the original capital during the Middle Ages. Make sure to arrive early to beat the tour buses and get a feel of what this gem would’ve felt like before the package holiday.
If you start to get used to the tranquility that parts of Paros offer, then a trip to Antiparos is well worth including in your stay. It is right next door to the island and is smaller. Antiparos makes a fantastic day trip, and during busy periods when Parikia and Naoussa swell with visitors, sleepy Antiparos is the perfect escape.
The weather tends to be good throughout the year (Image: Getty)
Paros is a proper hub for island-hopping, sitting as it does centrally in the Cyclades, making it perfect for island-hopping in the Aegean. It works well both as a standalone destination and as a base for exploring further afield.
The village life on Paros runs deeper than the coastline. Beyond the beach towns, Lefkes, Marpissa, Prodromos, Kostos and Drios offer opportunities to encounter seasonal festivals, religious celebrations and community events, giving visitors real cultural texture rather than just postcard views.
Happily for Brits concerned that the incoming, El Niño-powered autumn is going to bring with it particularly inclement weather, Paros’ climate cooperates almost year-round. From mid-spring to mid-autumn, the sun bathes the island with its rays every day, making it reliable for planning a trip without worrying much about washouts.
Getting around rewards a bit of independence. Paros is a mosaic of villages, each with its own charming aspect. There are very few taxis on the island, so a car would be ideal in order to explore its different corners at your own pace — a hire car turns the whole island into your playground.
The best way to get to Paros from the UK is to fly to Athens and then take a short domestic flight or a ferry to the island.