My Greece Trip: Falling in Love with Paros!
Just got back from an awesome trip to Greece – Athens, Paros, and Santorini! Santorini was the main goal, but honestly, Paros stole my heart. Thought I'd share my experiences!
Getting Around in Greece
Traveling to Paros
We flew from Frankfurt to Athens airport, then hopped on a ferry from Piraeus port to Paros. I used ferryhopper to find a suitable trip and booked via Blue Star Ferries' website. Cost us €102 for two, economy class. Prices seemed steady whether booking early or last minute, but to be safe, booking a few weeks ahead is a good idea, or even just 3-4 days before.
Ferry Tips
We booked an early morning ferry, arriving about an hour early. Loads of great seating options! I initially wanted a window seat for the view, but it gets super sunny! Pro-tip: Look for comfy sofas or seats for napping, and near a power outlet for charging your phone. The journey was from 7:25 AM to 11:35 AM.
Exploring Paros: Bus Life
We mostly used buses to get around Paros. You can buy tickets at the central ticket booth or directly from the driver on the bus. Prices are the same, around €2-2.50 per person per trip. The bus schedules are posted at the central bus station near the port, or you can check them online.
Where to Stay in Paros
Paros has several key areas: Parikia (west, near the port), Naoussa (north, for nightlife), and Prodromos & Marpissa (east).
Choosing Parikia
I booked our room in Parikia, near the port – super convenient for arriving and leaving. Two nights felt just right.
Things to Do on Paros Island
Parikia Exploration
- Parikia Town: The heart of the island, where you'll find the central bus station and ferry port.
- Wander through the old town, both during the day and at night. Different vibes at different times!
- In the afternoon, chill on the rocks by the sea to watch the sunset, or head up to the church for a great view.
Naoussa Adventures
- Naoussa: Packed with restaurants and cafes – super picturesque! You can take tons of photos here.
- Barbarossa restaurant is famous, but it gets packed, especially around 9 PM when the napkin-waving party starts after 11 PM.
- We tried to book a few popular spots, but they were full. Ended up finding a place and booked for 7:30 PM to catch the sunset – a bit outside the center of Naoussa, but thankfully, it was great!
Lefkes Village Charm
- Lefkes: Famous for the photo spot with the bougainvillea-covered house at a three-way intersection. Take the bus straight from the central bus station – super close to the bus stop. Besides that, the village is pretty peaceful and rustic.
Prodromos Village Discovery
- Prodromos: We took the bus directly from Lefkes to Prodromos. Note that the bus stop isn't covered, so bring sunscreen and a hat! Buses between villages aren't as frequent as those from the center, so plan accordingly and arrive at the bus stop 5-10 minutes early.
- This village is beautiful! Maybe it was because the bougainvillea were in full bloom, but it was lovely.
- We considered heading to Marpissa, but we were too tired, so we caught a bus back home.
Food on Paros: Budget-Friendly Eats
Besides one fancy dinner out (which was a splurge), we mostly bought groceries from the supermarket to save money and get some fruits and veggies. Borrowed plates and cutlery from our host and chilled in our room! :)
Final Thoughts on Paros
- Paros is a beautiful island that isn't too touristy. Bus fares and hotel prices are reasonable – a bit more expensive than Athens but still much cheaper than Santorini!
- There are tons of cats everywhere! They're huge! :D
- The Greek people are generally friendly and helpful. When we looked lost searching for the bus stop, they offered to help and pointed us in the right direction. Someone even exchanged coins for us to buy bus tickets. In Naoussa, when I needed a bathroom, the owner of an ice cream shop let us know where to find one, even telling me "you can go find a restroom and come back to buy ice cream later." So sweet, and of course, we did buy ice cream.
