Paros
Paros is a Cyclades island known for sandy beaches, whitewashed harbor towns and inland villages. Ferries from Athens' Piraeus port reach it in several hours.
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Paros is a Greek island in the central Cyclades. Parikia, the main port and town, is where most ferries from Athens' Piraeus port arrive, and its whitewashed lanes run down to the harbor. Naoussa, a former fishing harbor on the north coast, has narrow streets, boat moorings and waterfront cafes. Inland, Lefkes is known for its stone houses. The island has been known for its marble since antiquity, and its beaches range from the windy sand of Golden Beach, a windsurfing spot, to the granite boulders of Kolymbithres.
Paros suits couples, families and travelers who want beaches and villages without a complicated itinerary. Late spring and early autumn are cooler and quieter, while July and August bring the most visitors. Three to four days covers the main town, a beach day and one village. A week covers both coasts and the inland villages. Ferries from Piraeus take several hours.
Paros in five
- Book the ferry from Piraeus for summerFerries from Athens' Piraeus port fill up in July and August, and the fast boats cost more than the slower ones. Compare sailing times on ferries.gr or the operator sites before you book.Getting around
- Check the wind before a boat dayThe meltemi, a strong north wind, often blows in the afternoons in July and August and can delay or cancel sailings. Check the sailing status with the operator the day before.
- Take cash to beach bars and village tavernasSome small beach bars and village tavernas take cash only, and card machines can fail when the island network is busy. Carry euros in small notes.
- Check your policy before you rent a scooterHelmets are required in Greece, and many policies exclude scooter injuries unless you hold the licence the policy names. Read the riding clause before you pick up the scooter.Travel insurance
- Take the short ferry to Antiparos from ParikiaThe crossing is short and leaves from the port in Parikia, so Antiparos works as a half-day trip. Check the return sailing time at the port before you go.
Need to know
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Entry
- Schengen visa-free for many passports, up to 90 days in any 180 Read more
- Emergency
- 112 EU-wide, 100 police, 166 ambulance, 199 fire
- Tipping
- Round up, or about 5 to 10% in restaurants; service is often included
- Time
- UTC+2, daylight saving to UTC+3 in summer
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, quiet
- FebruaryCool, quiet
- MarchWindy, quiet
- AprilSpring, Easter
- MayWarm, quieter
- JuneWarm, busy
- JulyHot, windy
- AugustPeak, crowded
- SeptemberWarm, quieter
- OctoberMild, quiet
- NovemberCool, quiet
- DecemberCold, quiet
Right now in Paros
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
19
- Feels like
- 18°
- Humidity
- 75%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 85%
Paros
10:46 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today18°15°85%Monday: Rain. High 18°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 85%.
- Tue20°17°98%Tuesday: Rain. High 20°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed18°14°5%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Thu16°12°5%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 16°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Fri13°11°0%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 13°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat14°12°3%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 14°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sun15°12°3%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 15°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 3%.
Updated 09:54 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Antiparosabout 15 min by ferryA short ferry from Parikia to a quiet island with a long beach and a cave.
- Naxosabout 40 min by fast ferryA larger island with an old town and the Portara, the gate of an ancient temple.Read the guide
- Mykonosabout 1 hour by fast ferryBeaches, windmills and the island's nightlife, for a day or a night.
Before you go to Paros
Rules for Paros, checked
- Non-EU visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180 across the Schengen area. Check the entry rules on the Greek foreign ministry site before you book.Source
- Declare cash above the EU threshold when you enter or leave the EU. Check the current customs rules with the Greek customs authority before you travel.
- Helmets are required for scooter riders and passengers. Check that your licence covers the engine size before you rent.
- Cover shoulders and knees before entering churches, including the Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani in Parikia.
Plan around Paros
Greece in a wider island and mainland route
Read the guideWhere to stayBase options for a night or a week on the island
Read the guideGetting aroundFerries from Athens, island transport and car or scooter hire
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices for a day on the island
Read the guideVisas and entrySchengen rules and what to check before you fly or sail in
Read the guideTrip ideaWays to combine Paros with other Cyclades
Read the guideParos FAQ
Is Paros worth visiting?
Yes for beaches, whitewashed villages and a relaxed island stay. Naxos has more old town and history, while Paros suits a slow trip with good food and ferry links to the rest of the Cyclades.
How do you get to Paros?
By ferry from Athens' Piraeus port or by a short flight to Paros airport, which has flights from Athens. Book ferries early in summer, since sailings fill up in July and August.
How many days do you need on Paros?
Three to four days covers the beaches, Parikia and Naoussa at an easy pace. Add a day for the Antiparos ferry or a village walk in Lefkes.
Is Paros or Mykonos better?
Paros is quieter, with smaller beach villages and fewer big crowds. Mykonos has more nightlife and a busier schedule, so pick Paros for calm and Mykonos for nightlife.
When is the best time to visit Paros?
May, June, September and October give warm weather with fewer crowds than August. July and August are hot and busy, and the meltemi wind is strongest then.
Can you rent a scooter on Paros?
Yes, scooter and car hire is common. Check that your licence covers the engine size and that your travel insurance covers scooter riding.