11 Expert Tips For Driving in Paros, Greece

Driving in Greece can be a great way to explore the country and its stunning landscapes. However, driving in an unfamiliar country can also be intimidating and dangerous if you don’t know what to expect.

We have rented cars all around the world, including Paros, so we have all the inside details for safely handling your rental car and navigating the roads here.

Our goal is to make you feel totally confident driving in Paros so that you can have full control over your itinerary and travel at your own pace when renting a car on this cosmopolitan Greek Island.

Here are our essential tips for driving in Greece that you should keep in mind.

1. Greeks Drive on the Right

When renting a car in Paros, it is important to remember that traffic in Greece follows the right-hand side of the road. This can be a challenge for those who come from countries where driving is done on the left.

You should also be aware of one-way streets, particularly in Naoussa and Parikia.

By the way, if you are already set on renting a car in Greece, we have a complete travel guide that shares all of our insider tips for finding an affordable, reliable rental car on the island!

2. Drive on the Shoulder

This is not a law, but driving on the shoulder of two-lane roads in Greece is a common practice that is often unfamiliar to foreigners. The reason for this is to leave a ‘lane’ in the middle – basically turning a two-lane highway into a 3-lane highway so that people can pass each other in the middle.

This feels super sketchy, but it actually works out a lot better than you’d expect.

If you don’t drive on the shoulder, you’re actually putting local drivers at risk who are expecting other vehicles to abide by their unspoken rules.

3. Beware of Animals on the Road

When driving around Paros, it is important to be aware of the local wildlife. We had to step and wait for animals to get out of the way all the time. There was everything from goats to donkeys, cats, cows, and sheep walking along the roads.

It’s important to drive slowly when approaching blind turns or when driving in rural areas, as these animals could be right around the corner and are not quick to get out of your way.

4. Parking is Free (if you look for it)

When driving around Paros, it is usually not too difficult to find free parking. Here is the parking lot we use in Naoussa. Then, we would use this parking lot in Parikia.

Street parking is usually legal, with the exception of certain areas where it has been explicitly forbidden.

While you may see locals park in unconventional places such as sidewalks, ramps, and curbs, we don’t do this and recommend finding an official parking spot while traveling in Paros. This will both keep you safe and avoid any parking tickets (which can run upwards of €200).

5. Be Extra Cautious in the Mountains

When driving in Paros, it is essential to maintain a safe speed, abide by the right-hand side of the road, and follow local driving rules. When you get into the ‘mountains’ near Lefkes, there are some sharp turns, and it’s so important that you drive slower in the mountains.

Also, it should go without saying but never text while driving in Paros or after a few glasses of wine. This kind of behavior ruins holidays.

6. Download an offline map

When driving around Paros, downloading an offline map through Google Maps is a great way to ensure that you always stay on track. With an offline map, you can easily locate any destination without relying on your SIM Card.

There aren’t many remote locations around Paros since the island is so small. Chances are you will never be without service.

But there is a chance that your SIM Card could run out of Data, and it’s a good idea to have the maps saved in case that happens.

7. Greek Road Signs

It is also important to be aware of the local road signs. In most places, these signs are written in both Greek and English so that tourists can easily understand them. However, there may be some locations where the signs are only written in Greek.

To be safe, try to familiarize yourself with the basic phonetics of the Greek Alphabet so that you don’t feel lost if this happens. (it’s not as hard as you might think).

8. You do not have to stop for Pedestrians

When driving in Paros, be aware of the local road laws regarding pedestrians. In most cases, drivers are not obligated to stop for pedestrians when traffic lights are flashing yellow. In some areas, stopping at a yellow flashing light to allow a pedestrian to pass could actually CAUSE an accident.

9. Get an International Driver’s Permit

If you are from a non-EU country, you are legally supposed to carry an International Driver’s Permit to rent a car in Paros. We’ve actually never been required to show it when renting a car in Greece, but we do have one just in case we get pulled over or need to show we have proper documentation.

You can get one at your local AAA office or get one online in just a few minutes.

10. Watch For Potholes & Muddy Roads

When driving around Paros, it is very important to be aware of the backroads, especially in the hills near Lefkes and on the southeast coast of Paros. You don’t need a 4WD vehicle, and oftentimes, a scooter will do, but some of these roads are often winding and may contain unexpected obstacles such as large rocks or potholes.

When we were driving along Moles and Kalogeros Beach in December, I was really concerned that we would get stuck in the sandy potholes. These roads around Piso Livaldi and Chrisi Akti are way less cared for.

On the other hand, all the roads near Parikia, Aliki, Naoussa, and Lefkes are paved and easy to navigate no matter the weather or season.

11. Avoid Driving at Night

This is especially important while driving between cities through smaller rural areas in Paros. The streets can be winding and narrow, making it difficult to spot obstacles or animals ahead. Many of these roads also have no streetlights, so it’s even harder to see.

For these reasons, we recommend that you avoid driving in Paros after dark and return to town before nightfall – around 8:00 pm in the summer and 5:00 pm in the winter.

Where to Visit with a Car in Paros

Paros is one of the most beautiful and diverse islands in the Cyclades. It’s more relaxing and quaint than the more touristy islands in Greece, which is a refreshing change while island-hopping in Greece.

From Naoussa to the charming town of Lefkes, Kolymbithres Beach, Aliki, and Piperi Beach, here are some of the best places to visit when traveling around Paros by car.

Naoussa, Paros

Naoussa, Paros is a busy cosmopolitan village located on the northwest coast of Paros Island. Here you’ll find traditional Greek restaurants serving fresh seafood dishes, great nightlife, and whitewashed cobblestone streets with flowers blooming in the window. This romantic village is a great place to base yourself for a few days in Paros and an ideal place for couples to get away from it all while still having access to some great shopping and nightlife options nearby.

Lefkes, Paros

Lefkes is an old mountain village located near the highest point in Paros. This charming town is a great place to spend an afternoon exploring its unique shops, ancient Orthodox church, remnants of the old Byzantine road, and traditional Greek restaurants.

Kolymbithres Beach, Paros

Kolymbithres Beach is one of Paros’ most popular beaches. It is known for its massive boulders along the beach and vibrant beach clubs going all summer.

You can rent a beach chair and spend hours soaking up the sun, swimming in the crystal clear waters, or simply admiring the view of Naoussa across the bay.

If you don’t want to go far from town, you could also visit Piperi Beach, which is right on the outskirts of Naoussa.

Aliki Village, Paros

Aliki is a small fishing village located on the southeastern side of Paros Island. Here you’ll find a picturesque harbor lined with colorful boats, as well as traditional tavernas serving up freshly caught seafood dishes.

This cute little town is an ideal place to spend the day swimming and sunbathing or taking a romantic stroll along the beach at sunset.

Final Thoughts

We cannot emphasize enough how much better driving in Paros is than taking public transportation everywhere. We rent a car every single time we visit Paros, and you should too, especially if you’re only spending a few days on the island.

Of course, you can always find transfers from Paros Airport to Naoussa or Paros Port to Naoussa.

But it’s way easier and more cost-efficient to drive yourself! It’s literally less than $20 a day most of the time on Discover Cars, which is our favorite platform to search for rentals in Greece.

So don’t be nervous. If you don’t know where to go for a reliable car rental, our guide to renting a car in Paros will help you tremendously!