Paros (Greece)

...hub of Greek Island ferries, Paros has a laid back attitude, outside of the high season of July and August.

We did some island hopping at the beginning of June and were pleasantly surprised at how much Paros has to offer.

Originally we only planned to stay overnight, en route to one of the more famous islands in the Cyclades, but I ended up staying for 5 days.

We landed in Paros Town / also known as Paraika ...
...of the old part of Paros and be so close to my own place.

There is an internet cafe, nearby, Cyber Cookies which offered free access, with anything from the menu. I enjoyed their crepes and smoothies, so that was a good deal all around.

I took a bunch of books to read, and was able to swap them at The Beachcomber for other books/credit against better books, etc. plus they help with stray kittens, so it is a good cause. ... more

Despite being the hub of Greek Island ferries, Paros has a laid back attitude, outside of the high season of July and August.

We did some island hopping at the beginning of June and were pleasantly surprised at how much Paros has to offer.

Originally we only planned to stay overnight, en route to one of the more famous islands in the Cyclades, but I ended up staying for 5 days.

We landed in Paros Town / also known as Paraika and followed the first person who offered us a room to their small hotel, Manolis / Jimmy's apts heading left about 800 metres (or yards) away from where we docked. The manager was named Kiki and she had spent her first 15 years in Australia. She was very helpful and pleasant, despite the demands of her young daughter, Maria.

On the plus side, this hotel was 1/2 block from a beach, restaurants, bars, etc. but it was on the bus route, so could be noisy!

My friends moved down the beach to the Parian apts, which was further to the left where the road ended and beyond, but it had a pool. On the downside, it cost about 50 percent more.

I moved into the Old town, near the Church of 100 doors. The story is that they have counted 99 doors and when they find the 100th, then Constantiople/Istanbul will return to Greek rule. I stayed at Captain Manolis, which has rooms, with their own patios, in a private garden setting. My ceiling fan kept my room cool and it was convenient to be able to wander thru the narrow streets of the old part of Paros and be so close to my own place.

There is an internet cafe, nearby, Cyber Cookies which offered free access, with anything from the menu. I enjoyed their crepes and smoothies, so that was a good deal all around.

I took a bunch of books to read, and was able to swap them at The Beachcomber for other books/credit against better books, etc. plus they help with stray kittens, so it is a good cause. They are located in Market street, half way down, opposite the bakery.

The bus system on Paros is great - for less than an Euro you can go to a different beach or coastal town, Naroussa or up into the mountains to the quiet village of Lefkes, which has a warren of narrow streets, as well as a beautiful church with a fastinating cemetery behind it. Very peaceful, plus interesting 'display cases' which contain pictures, lamps, even Coca-Cola, perhaps for the deceased?

An added bonus is there is a short ferry ride to Andiparos, which is a smaller island with all the charm of Paros, but more intimate.

So it is like getting two islands for the price of one. Plus Paros is close to Naxos, with connections to Mykonos, which could be visited in a day trip. This means you do not have to pay the Mikonos room prices, as the ferry leaves at 11 in the a.m. and returns after 9 at night.

I found helpful info on a couple of websites - www.greektravel.com is a gem. And for North americans, www.ricksteeve.com has some good suggestions, though his prices are out of date by about 25 percent.

Paros may be reached from Piraeus or Santorini by ferry, or you can fly in (the planes are nicknamed mosquitos, as they are errr, rather small!)

Despite being known as Grand Central Station, Paros has a relaxed atmosphere (outside of July and August) - it reminded me of my summers in the Okanagan Valley (BC Canada) with the long stretch of beach and the water at your doorstep.

Lots of options on where to stay and both locals and tourists happy to talk about their favourite places and offer suggestions.

A great base for exploring other parts of the Cyclades, Greek Islands.

NOTE THE INFO given by member vassilis73 who was a great support to me during my travels:
"Paros is busy in August but every August they have their panigiria and the Parian people are the best dancers in the Greek islands! Fantastic atmosphere!If you can be there at that time it could be an experience of a lifetime!Yiasou megale!Vass"

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