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, ... Read review
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Advantages: Grand Central Station Disadvantages: Crowded in July and August
...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"
Advantages: friendly , hot , Disadvantages: transfer times
My experiance of paros was a mixed bag,
We booked the holiday on line and looked forward to the trip making plans etc etc you have all been there the dream before you go on holiday in most cases outshines the holiday.
Myself my wife and four young children flew from gatwick to Athens to be collected at Athens airport by a taxi to be taken to the port of piraus ,the flights were on time and the taxi was waiting great i thought this is going to be ... ...seating was at a premium Paros was in sight .
The tranfer off the ferry was quick and we were taken to our apartment in the old town within half an hour , but the toll on the children not to mention my wife and i was sheer exhaustion, it took two days for us all to recover .The island itself is scenic and very friendly there is not alot to do for young children only the beach the rest of the time is sitting in bars and restaraunts i think Paros ...
showerforms 30.08.2004
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Paros (Greece)
Value for Money
Sightseeing
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Paros (Greece)"
Advantages: A Bit Of Unspoilt Greece Disadvantages: None!
Having spent two weeks in Naxos last year we decided to do a two centre this year with a week in Paros to start followed by a week in Naxos. I must say that although Paros was beautiful I was itching to get to Naxos!. Paros's main town Parikia is a bustling port - with endless ferries coming into the harbour. The old town is a beautiful little maze, nice boutiques and expensive restaurants - sometimes well over our budget. We found an excellent fish taverna in the old square. After visiting Noussa - I have to say I would have prefered to have stayed in this resort, more condensed, a beautiful harbour - ( with squid drying) and lots to do. (Water taxis to excellent beaches).
Then to Naxos - the sunsets, the people, the food, the ambience, absolutely fantastic, we played backgammon watching the sun go down and enjoyed Greece coffee ...
Advantages: nice places Disadvantages: Don't travel in August
If you want to see the best part of Greece,that is the place to first visit.There are so many islands :Mykonos,Santorini,Paros,Antiparos,Naxos,Ios,Kalimnos,Milos etc.
The first one it should be Mykonos.Very busy during the summer plenty of night life and the sea is just fantastic.
Santorini:The volcanic island with the small roads and the archoelogical sites offers one off the most spectacular sceneries in the Cyclades.There are no cars or motorbikes just mules to travel you around.
Paros:Is the same story as Mykonos but bigger island.Nightlife great places to go around and very large population during the summer time. ...
