How To Plan a Day Trip from Naxos to Paros
While planning our first trip to Naxos, one of the things that surprised us most was how close it was to Paros. You can literally see one island from the other, so we figured that we could easily take a day trip from Naxos to Paros.
But we didn’t know any of the logistics. How early/late do the ferries run? Are there organized tours? Is it actually worth the effort?
Ultimately, we spent a couple of weeks on each island, so there was no need for a day trip between them! But our research showed us that it’s even more convenient than we expected, especially if you have the budget for a guided tour.
If you’re trying to save some money, though, the timetables for the public ferries make a self-guided day trip possible, too!
Hopefully, this guide will make the whole process much less stressful for you!
Is it Easy to Day Trip to Paros?
It’s pretty easy to take a day trip to Paros from Naxos. A few tour agencies offer curated day tours to the island, but you can also take the public ferry to the island and explore on your own.
You won’t be able to see everything, but it’s a small enough island to see the best parts in a day. But if you decide to take the ferry and plan the day on your own, it’s less than an hour to the island!
Once you arrive, transportation around Paros is also very simple.
The ferry arrives in Parikia, which is the main hub for transportation, and the Paros Intercity Bus Terminal.
You can either stay in that area and check out some of the beaches and other things to do near Parikia or find transportation to the other places inland.
On the other hand, if you decide to go on a private or public boat tour, they will typically stay on the eastern side of the island, visiting places like Golden Beach, Piso Livadi, or Santa Maria Beach.
So, here’s a breakdown of all the current options for a quick trip to Paros from Naxos!
Our Favorite Travel Tools For Paros
Cheap Flights to Greece
#1 Boat Tour in Paros
1. Private Yacht Charter to Paros
If you’re looking for something curated just for you, the most convenient option is to charter a private yacht.
We’ve rented boats in Greece before, and it’s easily one of our favorite travel experiences of all time!
However, there aren’t tons of options available. This tour with Naxos Yacht Charter is one of the few we’ve seen that you can actually book online ahead of time.
The price is steep, but it allows up to 7 people per boat, so if you’re traveling with a group of friends or family, it’s reasonable per person. Also, because this is a private tour, you can work with your captain to figure out an ideal itinerary that works for your group!
2. Public Catamaran Tour to Paros
The next option is to join a catamaran day tour. These are much more affordable than hiring a private yacht, and sometimes they are really peaceful. During high season, they allow up to 20 people on board, so it can feel a little overcrowded if you visit on a busy day.
But it’s still a more convenient option than the ferry and lets you see a few famous beach spots in Paros.
The website doesn’t give specific destinations because they vary, but we’d say it’s likely to include a stop at Santa Maria Beach and Piso Livadi, so make sure to pack your snorkeling equipment.
Also, all drinks and lunch are included!
3. Self-Guided Day Trip (Ferry)
If you’re hoping to take a day trip, our biggest piece of advice is to take one of the high-speed ferries. These ferries (primarily operated by SeaJets) make the trip from Naxos to Paros in just 10-30 minutes.
The slower ferries can take up to 90 minutes, which makes a big difference when you already have limited time to spend in Paros.
From May to September, there are usually 6-10 ferries per day going each way. They start shortly after 7:00 AM, and the final ferry is usually around 10:30 PM. The number of ferries dies down a little in the winter months, but they never stop altogether.
How to Book Tickets
We recommend two ferry companies make the sea crossing from Naxos to Paros – SeaJets and Blue Star Ferries. Here’s a full comparison of the companies
SeaJets Express (Fast Ferries) offers economy seats for €15.50, and upper class seats for €50-65.
Blue Star Ferries is slightly cheaper (and often allows vehicles). The unassigned seats are also €15.50, but a business class ticket is just a bit more at €21.50.
It’s possible to book ferry tickets in person (some offices in this area near the port), but in the summer, it’s common for tickets to be fully booked for a few days out, so we always reserve our tickets online.
It’s the same price regardless, so we feel it’s better to be safe than sorry.
There are a couple of aggregates where you can book your tickets online. They all have similar prices, but we personally use FerryScanner since they have slightly better prices and offer free cancellation up to 48 hours before your departure.
Morning Timetable (Naxos to Paros)
- SUPER JET 2: 09:00 – 10:35 (95 Minutes)
- POWER JET: 09:00 – 09:30 (30 Minutes)
- Blue Star 1: 09:30 – 10:20 (50 minutes)
- CHAMPION JET 2: 10:05 – 10:35 (30 Minutes)
- CHAMPION LEAGUE: 11:10 – 11:35 (25 Minutes)
- CHAMPION JET 3: 13:40 – 14:10 (30 Minutes)
Evening Timetable (Paros to Naxos)
- POWER JETS: 18:05 – 18:35 (30 Minutes)
- CHAMPION JET 2: 19:20 – 19:50 (30 Minutes)
- Blue Star 1: 22:10 – 23:05 (55 minutes) *Occasionally departs at 23:15*
Finding Transportation in Paros
Once you get to Paros (assuming you took the ferry), you’ll dock in Parikia. This is an excellent place to get a feel for Paros and wander around the pedestrian streets. There are lots of places to eat, shops, and cafes right near the port!
But you should also check out some other parts of the island, which means you’ll need transportation!
Renting a Car
Renting a car is our favorite way to get around Paros. Most rental agencies will allow you to rent a car for just the day.
Although, we have found it’s a little more expensive. For example, a weekly car rental breaks down to around $50-70/day, depending on the car you choose., but renting the same vehicle from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. will cost around $80-90 for the day.
Still, it’s cheaper than bringing your Naxos car rental onto the ferry with you and gives you total freedom to explore the island at your own pace. Driving on the island is very straightforward, with no busy highways or steep mountain roads like those in other parts of Greece.
But if you are nervous about driving in a foreign country, you do have other options.
Taxis in Paros
Taxis are another convenient option, but we typically don’t use them because they are so expensive.
A taxi from Parikia to Naoussa (only 10 km) costs about €40. This isn’t too bad for a group of friends splitting the fare, but it adds for solo travelers or couple travelers like us!
That’s why we’d just instead rent a car for the same price as one roundtrip taxi and stay flexible with our itinerary!
Paros Bus System
The public bus system in Paros is efficient and budget-friendly, with tickets costing just €1.80 per trip. The bus routes connect all the major towns, such as Naoussa, Parikia, Lefkes, Aliki, Golden Beach, and Piso Livadi, as well as smaller beach towns and villages.
You can also get a full-day ticket offering unlimited rides available online for just €10.
If you decide to take the bus on a day trip to Paros, check out the timetables and plan ahead so that you know you can return to the port in time for your ferry to Naxos.
Places to See in Paros
We love spending time in Paros. The island might be small, but there are many beautiful places to see.
You can enjoy the classic architecture, narrow alleys, and nightlife in the villages, head up into the hills for hiking and beautiful views, or rent a sunbed at one of the beaches and relax all day.
Parikia Village
Parikia is the capital of Paros and where the ferry port docks. This will be your first stop if you’re taking a self-guided day trip on the ferry.
The village is full of charming cafes and restaurants, whitewashed villas, and winding streets.
There are also a couple of beaches nearby, but the two most famous landmarks are Panagia Ekatontapiliani (The Church of 100 Doors) and the ancient Parikia Castle.
Naoussa + Kolybithres Beach
Naoussa is the most famous tourist village in Paros. It’s on the northeast coast and is known for its seafood tavernas, beautiful harbor, and lively nightlife.
We’ve always heard it referred to as a less crowded alternative to Mykonos and Santorini.
There are also a couple of great beaches in the bay, including Monastiri Beach, Lageri Beach, Siparos Beach, and a couple of town beaches, like Piperi Beach and Agioro Anargyroi.
But the most popular (and beautiful) beach near Naoussa is Kolymbithres Beach. It has these incredible rock formations and a beach bar right on the water. The ocean here is great for swimming, snorkeling, and other watersports!
Lefkes
Lefkes is a quiet village nestled in the hills of Paros and one of the coolest places we’ve been in Paros. There are also tons of photo opportunities, quaint cafes, local artisan shops, and a stunning church called Agia Triada.
It’s only 15 minutes from Parikia and Naoussa, making it easy to get here from either town.
The narrow streets, traditional Cycladic architecture, and stunning views of Naxos across the water make it very popular in the summer. Still, we were practically the only people there during the offseason.
East Coast Beaches
Paros’ east coast is full of stunning beaches, so most yacht tours and catamaran day trips to Paros from Naxos stick to that side of the island. Some of our favorites are Golden Beach, Piso Livadi, Kalogeros Beach, Tsoukalia Beach, and Santa Maria Beach.
Many of these beaches are spacious and have crystal-clear water, but not all of them will have amenities, so just make sure to bring a beach blanket and some water just in case!
If you’re looking for a place with many amenities and a small seaside town, Piso Livadi is your best bet!
Is it Worth The Effort?
Yes, if you have 3+ days in Naxos, it is worth taking a boat trip to Paros.
Getting out on the water is a must on any Greek Island, so why not use the opportunity to see a neighboring island?
As much as the private yacht charter or a beautiful catamaran tour to Paros would be a dream, we’ve only ever had the budget for the ferry, so that’s how we would choose to make this day trip.
It’s not too complicated, and if you pick the right ferries, the trip takes less than 1 hour!
