PAROS GREEK ISLAND DRIVERS

I liked Ephesus, which offers Greek and Turkish cuisine. There are dozens of restaurants to choose from, and naturally some are better than others. Head back to Parikia for dinner on the waterfront. You can have the beach to yourself for the last hour of the day, during which you’ll pay less for a beach chair and enjoy a spectacular Greek sunset over the ocean. If you’re here near the end of the day, the price of beach chairs drops dramatically as the beach club nears closing time. Hop in the car or catch the bus to nearby Parasporos Beach, regarded by locals as the best beach in Paros. There’s a bar and restaurant up here with a deck, so stop to enjoy the view over a glass of Greek wine if you have some spare time. The view from the Chapel of St Constantine over the Aegean Sea is one of the best views in Paros. The Frankish Castle was built in the 13th century by the Venetians, and is built from striking, bold geometric bricks in different shapes which make it look quite unlike anything else you’ll find in Paros. The leafy courtyard is very pretty and peaceful, and there’s a small onsite museum which has artifacts from the 18th century.Īfterwards, walk up to the highest point of Parikia to see the Frankish Castle and the Chapel of St Constantine. The complex houses a major chapel, two minor chapels and a bapistry believed to have been built by St Helen, who was the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. First, the Panagia Katapoliani (AKA Church of 100 Doors), a Byzantine church complex that was build in 326 AD. There are a couple of interesting ancient sites in Parikia that are very easy to visit. The shopping here is much better than on nearby Sifnos or Milos, and you can still find genuine craftsmen who make every product they sell. Parikia’s old town has lots of shops, especially for accessories, shoes, jewelry and beachwear, so if you’ve got room in your suitcase, spend an hour or so wandering between boutiques. If you make it there before 10:30 or 11am, you’ll get to the cafes before the day’s ferries start arriving. Walk back a few blocks from the beach to find the old town, which is a great spot for a late breakfast. It’s not the most beautiful beach on Paros, but the water is calm and clear, and it’s conveniently in the heart of town.

The beach club here is cheaper than most on the island, with a charge of 10 euro per day for a pair of beach chairs. Head down to the beach first thing in the morning, and you’ll probably have it mostly to yourself.

I recommend staying in Parikia in Paros, which has its own beach, Livadia. My favourite way to start the day in Paros was lazing around at the beach.

PAROS GREEK ISLAND DRIVERS

You’ll need an International Drivers Permit to hire a car, so make sure to arrange that before you leave home. There is a local bus service on Paros, which makes it easy to get between Parikia, Naousa and Lefkes, but it is worth hiring a car for at least one day for the freedom your own wheels allow. For more Paros inspiration, check out my Paros Travel Guide. This itinerary for 3 days in Paros includes time spent in the islands three major villages Parikia, Naousa and Lefkes, as well as some of Paros’ best beaches and most impressive historic sights. Paros is a Greek island in the Cyclades with all of the traditional, whitewashed villages, dazzling beaches and waterfront tavernas that you could want from a Greek island holiday, without the extreme crowds of nearby Santorini and Mykonos.

Paros greek island