Best Places To Stay in Paros, Greece (Neighborhood Guide)
If you’re island-hopping in Greece, you’ll likely spend a day or two in Paros.
After spending over two months traveling the Greek Islands, Paros was arguably our favorite island, and we plan to visit it again and again.
We were so lucky that we gave ourselves enough time to explore every inch of Paros and truly enjoy the island. One thing we noticed, though, is that every area is a little bit different from the rest.
So, although Paros is very small (you can drive around the whole island in an hour), staying in your ideal neighborhood can make or break your trip!
Here’s a full breakdown of where to stay in Paros, including a few of our expert hotel recommendations in each area!
We found that each area is a little different and offers travelers a unique experience on the island. However, Paros is very small (you can drive around the whole island in an hour), so you’ll have access to the entire island no matter where you stay!
Our Favorite Travel Tools For Paros
Cheap Flights to Greece
#1 Boat Tour in Paros
Here’s a full breakdown of where to stay in Paros, including a few of our expert hotel recommendations for each
Best Places to Stay in Paros (Quick Guide)
Paros has quite a few neighborhoods, and before we get into more details for each one, here’s a brief overview of each area.
Parikia— Pelagos Studios —Parikia is the central hub of Paros and has a more local feel than other towns throughout the island. The ferry port is located here, though. The town has quite a few guesthouses, some great cafes/restaurants, and a handful of beaches close to town.
Naoussa – Hotel Senia – Naoussa is a coastal village on the northeast corner of Paros. It’s easily the most popular place to stay on the island and has a ton of guesthouses, resorts, and boutique hotels to cater to tourists. It’s also close to a few of Paros’ best beaches and has a really lively atmosphere!
Livadia— Parilio Design Hotel —Livadia is very, very close to Naoussa but a much quieter neighborhood. It has many luxury seaside hotels and convenient access to watersports, such as kayaking, snorkeling, and sailing, at Kolymbithres Beach.
Aliki— Dahlia Apartments —Aliki is a small fishing village on the southern coast of Paros. It offers a simpler Greek island experience, with small beaches, local seafood tavernas, and affordable rooms. We always say it’s the perfect spot for return visitors who have already seen most of the island.
Lefkes— Villa Byzantino —Lefkes is a picturesque mountain village at the center of Paros. The town offers wonderful views across the Aegean Sea to Naxos, pedestrian-only cobblestone streets, and many local tavernas.
Golden Beach (Chrisi Akti) – Poseidon of Paros Hotel & Spa – This area is on the southeast coasts of Paros, known for its long sandy shoreline and being a hotspot for windsurfing/kitesurfing. You won’t find many places to stay here, but Poseidon of Paros is one of the premier luxury hotels in Paros.
Piso Livadi— Aloni Hotel —This is another village on the east coast of Paros. It’s more developed than Golden Beach and very popular among honeymooners and people who want a more low-key holiday. There are loads of cozy cafes, romantic tavernas, and some great beaches in town.
Parasporos— Mythic Paros – This is a newer beach town near Parikia, Pounda Port (to Antiparos), and Paros Airport. It has little else besides a couple of luxury villas, beach bars, and a sandy shorefront. However, it’s a great spot to have a true ‘beach holiday’ in Paros while staying near Parikia.
Antiparos – Kameo Boutique – Antiparos is a separate island, just a 5-minute ferry ride from Paros. It’s an extremely relaxing place to stay, with beautiful beachfront villas, hidden sea caves, and a pretty charming town center. If you have the time, we suggest spending a few days in Paros and 1-2 days in Antiparos.
Parikia
Parikia is the main port town of Paros, so you won’t have to travel far after arriving if you’re taking the ferry to Paros.
Because of this, there are plenty of accommodations, as well as some great restaurants, shops, rental car agencies, supermarkets, and everything else you might need on a trip to Paros. We also found the most budget-friendly apartments and our favorite coffee shop, Big Noses.
It’s also a convenient place to base, as it’s easy to get from Parikia to Naoussa and other parts of the island since buses and taxis are readily available.
Where to Stay in Parikia
What To Do in Parikia
- Evinos Seaside Bar
- Check out the Church of 100 Doors (Panagia Ekatontapiliani)
- Get a Latte from Pagkaki Cafe
- Sunbathe at Krios Beach
Naoussa
Noussa is the most popular neighborhood in Paros, and 75% of tourists choose to stay there.
This cosmopolitan village is located on the northeast side of the island, just 10 km away from Paros Port. The small fishing village charms visitors with its whitewashed houses, seafood restaurants, charming streets, and great nightlife.
It has a similar vibe to more expensive Greek Islands like Mykonos or Santorini but with half the crowds.
Naoussa is also close to some of the best beaches in Paros, such as Kolymbithres Beach and Piperi Beach.
And it’s also so easy to get from Paros Airport to Naoussa!
The only issue is that Naoussa is definitely the most expensive area in which to stay in Paros.
Where to Stay in Naoussa
What To Do in Naoussa
- Explore the Venetian Castle
- Dine at Waterfront Restaurants
- Visit Kolymbithres Beach
- Experience Naoussa’s Nightlife
- Take a Boat Tour
Livadia
Livadia is very close to Naoussa (some consider it a part of the town), but it’s not necessarily within walking distance of town. It has an extremely different atmosphere, so we’ve always thought they should be separate.
It’s still upscale but has more ‘resort-style’ accommodation for honeymooners and couples!
It’s also a short walk from Kolymbithres Beach and way quieter than Naoussa throughout the day because you don’t have to worry about daytrippers. The bay right out front is well-known for watersports like windsurfing, sailing, waterskiing, or kayaking.
The only tradeoff is that few restaurants are available, so you’ll likely need to take a taxi into town each evening for dinner.
Where to Stay in Livadia
What To Do in Livadia
- Book a sunbed in front of Paros on the Rocks
- Do a coastal hike from Monastiri Beach
- Try some watersports at WaterSkiZone
- Visit the Mycenaean Acropolis Archaeological Site
Aliki
Aliki is a small fishing village situated on the south side of Paros, and it was one of the places that surprised us the most. When planning our first trip to Paros, I remember we almost decided to stay here, but chose Parikia.
That was a good decision because it’s a quiet area for first-timers.
However, if you’ve been to Paros a couple of times or are hoping for a quieter stay while still having access to many beaches in Paros, then this quiet town has a lot to offer. Accomodation tends to be significantly cheaper than in Naoussa or Chrisi Akti, and you’ll find yourself interacting with locals daily!
The location is also super close to the Paros Airport and the main ferry to Antiparos (it’s the one you can bring your rental car on if you’d like!
Where to Stay in Aliki
What To Do in Aliki
- Rent your own boat at Aliki Seaport
- Grab traditional mezze at Apoplous Greek Restaurant (Closed for Winter)
- Sunbathe & Swim at Piso Aliki Beach
- Spend the day at Faragas Beach Club
- Take a Boat Tour to Antiparos & Despotiko (Check out our favorite boat trip in Paros here!)
Lefkes
Lefkes is a pedestrian-only village in the mountains of Paros. The town is on the edge of the island’s highest point, so there are incredible sea views from almost anywhere in town.
The great part about staying in Lefkes is that you’ll get to enjoy it without the tourists.
The town is a very popular day trip for people staying in Parikia or Naoussa, so it can get pretty busy throughout the day. But if you’re staying at a villa here, you can spend the day exploring the beaches and larger towns near the coast, then retreat back to Lefkes in the evenings.
The downside is that there aren’t many accommodation options.
Most places to stay are 3-5 bedroom estates better suited for families and large groups than couples like us. They also book up really quickly. We’d find it hard to believe you could find last-minute accommodation here.
Where to Stay in Lefkes
What To Do in Lefkes
If you’re planning to spend time in Lefkes, try to get out of your villa early. The town gets really crowded by 10:00 a.m.
- Visit Agia Triada (Church of the Holy Trinity)
- Wander through the cobblestone streets (and meet a few Greek cats)
- Have coffee with a view of the Aegean Sea
- Hike the Byzantine Path
Golden Beach (Chrisi Akti)
Most people visit Chrisi Akti (a.k.a. Golden Beach) when they want to sunbathe or go windsurfing.
It’s actually one of the wind-surfing capitals of Europe, along with a few other watersports.
There are plenty of villas and pensions on the coast with a view of the sea and Naxos Island in the distance, but if you aren’t into windsurfing, there’s not much to do here besides sunbathe.
You’ll find a few small beach bars and a cool church overlooking the beach, but it’s not a very popular base for island travelers hopping through Greece.
Where to Stay in Golden Beach
What To Do At Golden Beach
- Take a windsurfing/kitesurfing lesson
- Grab a sunbed at one of the local beach bars
- Walk up to the church at Poseidon of Paros Hotel
Piso Livadi
Piso Livadi is another quiet beach town with more going on than Chrisi Akti. It’s actually considered the main honeymoon destination in Paros!
So, instead of small guesthouses, the places to stay here are often pension-style apartments surrounded by seafood restaurants and cute cafes. It’s also a popular departure point for boat trips to nearby islands like Naxos, Ios, Delos, and Mykonos.
There isn’t much sandy shoreline near the port, so most people like to stay 0.5 km south on Paralia Logaras. Then they can go into town for dinner or shopping in the evening!
Where to Stay in Piso Livadi
What To Do At Piso Livadi
- Relax at Paralia Logaras
- Stroll along the Harbor and see the fishing boats
- Have a romantic dinner at Anthi Meze
- Take a quick trip to Marpissa Villiage
Parasporos
Parasporos Beach is Parikia’s quiet, next-door neighbor. From talking with other travelers, it seems like travelers come here when they want access to the port without sacrificing the ability to get to Parikia easily each evening.
The area is growing in popularity, so more restaurants and shops pop up here every season!
It’s also just a few minutes from Paros Airport and Pouda Port (where you catch the ferry to Antiparos).
We warn you that this is a more luxurious part of the island, similar to Naoussa. Expect beautiful resorts and beach clubs rather than small guesthouses.
Where to Stay in Parasporos
What To Do At Parasporos
- Grab a drink at Zazala Beach Bar
- Snorkeling at Blue Lagoon
- Go Surfing at Parasporos Beach (only on windy days)
Antiparos
Antiparos is a separate island from Paros, but they are less than 10 minutes away by ferry, so they are often combined on the same trip.
While most people take a day trip from Paros to Antiparos, you’ll feel much less rushed if you spend a night or two on the island. This also lets you get to the most famous spots (like the Caves of Antiparos, Despatiko Island, or Psaralyki Beach) before the crowds.
Antiparos is much quieter than Paros and has some stunning spots to see. You can relax on the beaches, visit sea caves, or even rent an ATV and drive around the island!
Where to Stay in Antiparos
What To Do At Antiparos
- Excellent Beaches (Paralia Psaraliki, Paralia Sifneiko, & Faneromeni Beach)
- Visit the Cave of Antiparos
- Shop in Antiparos Chora (town center)
- Rent an ATV
- Book a Boat Tour to Despotiko
After Deciding Where to Stay in Paros
Once you’ve become familiar with all of the neighborhoods of Paros, it becomes much easier to narrow down your options to a few places on the island that work for you!
But it’s such a small island, you can’t really go wrong!
We chose to stay in Parikia because it’s slightly cheaper and has easier access to the port/airport.
But if you’re hoping to relax in Paros, then Alexandros Apartments in Naoussa or Elena Studios & Apartments in Piso Livaldi would be excellent places to spend your holiday without breaking the bank.
That said, if you’re willing to splurge, then Parilio Design Hotels is unbelievable!
Hopefully, this article has given you a better idea of the different areas in Paros and what they have to offer so that you can make the best decision for your unique travel preferences and budget.
