Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Paros?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Paros?
Most people spend at least 3 or as many as 5 days in Paros during their visit. The striking island offers amazing highlights such as the beaches, the cuisine, the gorgeous scenery, and scuba diving and snorkeling.
Paros is a popular Greek island that has stunning beaches and many charming villages. The capital is Parikia, which is also a transportation hub for the island. In addition to great diving and snorkeling, the island has a lively but not overwhelming nightlife scene and many beautiful hiking trails.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Paros? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Paros?
The island of Paros boasts plenty of sights and attractions, making it a popular destination for tourists. Given only three days, you will likely find yourself rushing through the island's activities such as the beaches, the cuisine, and the gorgeous scenery. To really see what this island boasts, you'll more likely need at least 3 or as many as 5 days. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit, including the Byzantine Monastery of Ekatontapyliani.
How to spend 3 days in Paros
The beautiful beaches await you in Paros, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The beaches are clean, diverse, and relatively easy to access. There are a range of options, from quiet hidden gems to beaches with clubs and bars nearby. Favorite beaches on the island include Kolymbithres Beach, Chrissi Akti Beach, and Santa Maria Beach.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Small Group Cruise Around Antiparos & Despotiko With Lunch ($198)
- Rent a Boat Licence-Free to Discover Paros ($242)
- All-Inclusive Catamaran Day Cruise ($165)
The delicious food of Paros is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this island's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. Cheese and wine are mainstays on the island and restaurants in general pride themselves on using locally-sourced, high quality ingredients. Many of the traditional recipes can be found in restaurants, but they're also still prepared in the homes of the residents as well. Seafood, vegetables, and grains are all common ingredients.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Naxos:Half-day cooking class at Basiliko ($106)
- Naxos Perivoli Farm Experience & Wood-fire Cooking Class ($104)
- Naxos Villages Food Tour ($162)
Public transit in Paros is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the island quite easily. There's a reliable bus system on the island that has some routes making a loop around the outside of the island and routes traveling inland to the smaller villages.
Don't miss the Byzantine Monastery of Ekatontapyliani during your trip to Paros, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
Paros is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The beautiful beaches and striking landscapes make this a perfect destination for those looking for fun or romance.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Rent a Boat Licence-Free to Discover Paros ($242)
- Naxos Old Town, Castle & Portara Sunset Tour (Certified Guide) ($43)
- Round of Antiparos & Despotiko with Traditional Boat & BBQ ($97)
Scuba diving and snorkeling around Paros is very popular. Spend the day exploring the beauty of the surrounding underwater world. The island is filled with caves and interesting rock formations that make for excellent diving and snorkeling opportunities. There are a number of tours available that take you to the island's best dive and snorkeling spots. There are also private and group courses available for those who are learning to scuba dive.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Scuba diving in Naxos, Greece ($132)
- Scuba Diving in Naxos by Bluefindivers - Dive in Greece - Amazing Diving Spots ($110)
- Sea Kayak Trip with Snorkeling Picnic and/or Snack ($93)
This island is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. It doesn't have the hard core party scene that you find on some Greek islands, but it does have plenty of dance clubs, bars, and music venues. There's a wide diversity of options on the island, from quiet local bars to beach clubs that host wild parties, and everything in between.
Is 4 days enough time in Paros?
Many people spend four days on Paros, as this is a good amount of time to see the striking island's many attractions like the beaches, the cuisine, and the gorgeous scenery. If you have four days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.
Paros, Greece
How to spend 4 days in Paros
Having 4 days in Paros will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the island.
Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Paros a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. There are many interesting archeological sights and museums around the island. Some interesting places to visit are the Venetian Castle in the old port of Naoussa, the Monastery of Panagia Ekatontapiliani near Parikia, and the beautiful church of Agios Ioannis (Saint John) Detis, which dates back to the 17th century. There's also the Archeological Museum of Paros, which is found in the capital of Parikia.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Naxos Old Town, Castle & Portara Sunset Tour (Certified Guide) ($43)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Paros?
Five days is more than enough time to see everything that Paros has to offer. Many visitors prefer to spend three to five days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the beaches, the cuisine, the gorgeous scenery, and scuba diving and snorkeling at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then take in a boat trip or day trip if you're looking to explore further around the island.
How to spend 5 days in Paros
With 5 days in Paros, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the island has to offer.
Shopping in Paros is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. You'll find some of the best shopping in Kastro, which is the old quarter of Parikia. There are shops selling clothing, jewelry, ceramics, and other unique souvenirs. Many shops stay open late into the night, so you'll have plenty of time to browse.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Paros.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Paros, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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