Naxos Vs Paros: Which Island is Best For You?
Naxos and Paros are two neighboring islands in the Cycladic group of Greece. This is the same part of the Aegean Sea where you can find places like Santorini, Mykonos, and Milos.
We’ve spent a lot of time exploring both islands, and people always ask us: What’s the difference between Naxos and Paros?
This makes sense because most travelers only have limited time to spend island hopping in Greece and want to make sure they are visiting the best islands!
Both islands have stunning whitewashed villages, fantastic beaches, and local tavernas, and are small enough to explore in just a few days.
But the two are also very different. Paros has a cosmopolitan vibe, including beach clubs, swanky bars, and water sports. Naxos is much larger, with rugged terrain and more historical sights, and the beaches here are far more beautiful!
Here’s a full comparison of Naxos Vs Paros, including the most significant similarities and differences and which island is best for your travel style.
What’s the Difference Between Paros and Naxos
How are Naxos and Paros Similar?
While you can find a lot of differences between Naxos and Paros, they have a lot in common.
The weather is identical, so the best time of year to visit Paros is the same as Naxos (btw it’s April – September). This is great because, if you have time, you can see both islands on the same holiday.
Both islands also have a central city center surrounded by smaller beach towns and mountain villages outside the city center – e.g., Chora.
Whether you choose to spend a few days in Paros or Naxos, you’ll have excellent coffee shops, local tavernas, and their own local airports, so you can fly if you don’t feel like taking the ferry!
Also, the transportation options are essentially the same. On either island, renting your own transportation is the most convenient and affordable way to get around. It’s a little bit more important to rent a car in Naxos since it’s larger, but we also choose to rent a car in Paros every time we go!
Naxos Or Paros: Which is Best?
This is an extensive breakdown of which Greek Island is better, based on several categories. We’ll go through which has better beaches, historical sites, nightlife, boat trips, and restaurants, and which island is better for families or taking a romantic honeymoon!
Which Island Has Better Beaches?
Both islands have lovely beaches, but Naxos’s beaches are generally more expansive and less crowded, making them ideal for visitors seeking a relaxing beach holiday. The entire West Coast is basically one long sandy beach.
This long coastline has a ton of beach towns, all separated by just a few kilometers, including Agios Georgios, Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, Maragkas, Plaka, Hawaii Beach, and Alyko Beach.
So, not only does it have the largest beaches, but it offers way more variety.
Some beach towns in Naxos are busy with shops, bars, and beach clubs (i.e., Agia Anna), while beaches like Plaka Beach and Alyko Beach feel so far from the beaten path that you may not see another person for hours.
Paros has beautiful beaches, too! They’re just a bit different.
The beaches in Paros are way more organized, with restaurants on the water and numerous beach clubs, and since they are usually relatively small, they often feel busier than the beaches in Naxos. The only place we’ve seen that has avoided this is Kalogeros Beach.
But we have found that the beaches are more accessible in Naxos. From Naoussa, you can walk to Piperi Beach or Kolymbithres Beach, and there are towns like Piso Livaldi and Santa Maria that are very close to the larger beaches in Paros.
Paros is also better for water sports!
Still, on either island, you’ll be able to rent sunbeds and access basic amenities at most beaches.
Our Pick: Naxos
Which Island Has More History and Archaeological Sites?
Naxos also stands out for having a richer history and more archaeological sites to see while visiting.
Sites like the iconic half-finished Portara (Temple of Apollo) and the ancient ruins scattered around the island, like the Temple of Demeter and Temple of Dionysus, invite history enthusiasts to learn more about ancient Greece and offer a glimpse into the island’s deep-rooted heritage.
You can also see this in Chalki, the ancient capital of Naxos, or Koronos. These mountain villages have an old-timey feel, buildings with apparent Venetian influence, and Byzantine churches.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t see cool historical sites in Paros. It’s just not really the reason people come to Paros. They come for shopping, dining, and the nightlife. We loved seeing the Ancient Marble Quarries, Panagia Ekatontapiliani, and the Byzantine Road.
Our Pick: Naxos
Which Island Is Better For Nightlife?
Both islands have bustling ports with a lot going on in the evenings, but Paros easily wins when it comes to nightlife. From chic beach bars to lively nightclubs, Paros offers an energetic ambiance after dark, making it the go-to destination for those looking to dance the night away.
Naoussa, often compared to Mykynos, is the hub of Paros’s nightlife. Here, the streets come alive after dark with sophisticated cocktail bars and swanky nightclubs. But you’ll find just a fraction of the international crowds.
That means it’s still possible to find a table with seaside views for dinner!
In contrast, Naxos feels more laid-back. People are out in town throughout the evening, but it’s primarily cafes near the port and local tavernas. There is only one beach club and a few open-air cocktail bars in Naxos Town, but most places feel more like local pubs.
Our Pick: Paros
Which Island Is Better For a Honeymoon?
Okay, this one is a bit tricky, but most people would say that Paros is better for a honeymoon. It’s full of charming villages, and dinner at a seaside restaurant under the stars in Paros can be exceptionally romantic.
Plus, there are far more resorts and spas on the island, more accessible beaches, and nicer restaurants.
If you’re willing to splurge a bit, then you can truly make Paros feel like a luxury island getaway by staying in a boutique hotel on the Aegean Sea.
This is possible in Naxos, but it takes a bit more effort, and fewer options are available.
Still, more adventurous couples who are really into history will have a better time exploring Naxos. It has more hikes and mountain peaks. Also, if you’re willing to put in the effort, then the west coast of Naxos is extremely rugged but has even more secluded beaches to explore.
Naxos also has some romantic places to stay, especially near Agios Prokopios, if you decide that this is where you want to honeymoon!
Our Pick: Tie
Which Island Is Better For Families?
Naxos is particularly family-friendly, thanks to its gentle beaches, a wide range of accommodations, and activities suitable for all ages. It has an exceptionally welcoming atmosphere, and the spacious, shallow, sandy beaches make it an ideal choice for families.
Most of the beaches in Paros are a bit rocky and small, so it’s more challenging to find a secluded spot and allow your kids to enjoy freely.
The other thing to note is that it’s less popular for people looking to party, so you won’t have to worry about music late into the evening or find an affordable place to eat for the whole family.
Our Pick: Naxos
Which Island Has Better Restaurants?
Paros is renowned for its culinary scene, featuring diverse dining options from traditional Greek tavernas to upscale restaurants. But you’ll pay more to dine at the island’s best restaurants.
This is particularly true in touristy areas like Naoussa, Piso Livaldi, and Santa Maria. But even in local areas like Parikia, it was a bit difficult to find cheap food (unless you want gyros). A couple of our favorite restaurants in Paros are SHOSHO and Big Noses.
There are also so many places to dine on the water or have food delivered to your sunbed on the beach!
Naxos had really good restaurants, too, and they were way more affordable. The thing is that there was less ‘Western” food and more Greek taverns and local restaurants. Also, it’s not as easy to find places to dine on the water. The Naxos Chora Port promenade is big, so the outdoor seating is about 40-50 feet (20 meters) from the ocean.
Some of the best taverns we’ve found in Naxos are Maro’s Taverna and Dal Professore Naxos, while the best gyros are at To Spitiko Naxos!
Our Pick: Paros
Which Island Is Better For Boat Trips?
With its central location in the Cyclades, Paros is ideally positioned for boat trips to nearby islands.
Antiparos is literally a 10-minute ferry from shore, so you don’t even need a tour to take a boat here and explore the island on your own. Other boat trips available from Paros include Mykonos and lesser-known Cyclades like Delos or Ios.
Naxos also has many of the same islands you can visit on a boat trip, but it’s uncommon to visit Antiparos from Naxos.
Instead, people take boats to explore the smaller islands off Naxos’ southwest coast. Some of the most popular are Iraklia, Koufounisia, and Schinousa. These small islands are known for their untouched beauty and tranquil beaches.
People also take boat tours to the caves and beaches along the east coast of Naxos since it’s so difficult to reach these places on your own (even if you have a car rental).
Our Pick: Tie
Which Island Is Easier to Get To?
Paros edges out slightly in accessibility, served by more frequent ferries and flights. Its proximity to other popular destinations in the Cyclades makes it a convenient option for travelers looking to explore multiple islands.
Paros is slightly easier to get to because it is the first ferry stop from Athens. If you are taking the ferry to Naxos, you must make a 30-minute pit stop in Paros and then travel for 30-60 minutes from Paros to Naxos.
This doesn’t apply to flights, though. Both islands have an airport with direct flights from Athens, and the airports are less than 10 minutes by car from the main town unless you stay in Naoussa, which is 20 minutes from the airport.
Our Pick: Paros (By a Hair)
Which Island Is Easier to Get Around?
Paros is generally considered easier to get around than Naxos due to its smaller size and better-developed public transportation system.
There’s a comprehensive network of buses that connect major towns and beaches, and it’s really easy to understand since there’s essentially one road around the island and one road through the middle that takes you through Lefkes.
This means that you don’t actually NEED a car in Paros, but it helps a lot, and we wouldn’t want to visit without renting a car.
You can also rent scooters on the islands. Paros has pretty mellow roads, so any scooter would do. But if you’re trying to travel around Naxos by scooter, make sure to have something over 125cc!
Naxos is much larger and more rugged, and it’s harder to understand the bus system (at least, that was the car initially for us). Additionally, only a few towns in Naxos have convenient taxis and public transportation. If you’re staying near Plaka Beach or Chalki, taxis will be challenging to find.
Our Pick: Paros
Is It Possible to Visit Both Islands in a Week?
Yes, it’s 100% possible to visit Naxos and Paros in one week. You need about 3-4 days on each island to see everything, including the most famous places and a couple of off-the-beaten-path destinations.
However, staying longer allows you to take your time, explore several different areas, and even take a boat trip to one of the smaller islands surrounding Paros and Naxos.
We’ve actually curated a 4-day Itinerary for Naxos that shows you what this could look like! We also always tell people to rent a car on the island and choose to stay near Naxos’ Chora.
Similarly, you should stay in Naoussa if you only have a few days in Paros. It’s close to Kolymbithres Beach and is the best place to stay in Paros for first-time visitors.
But budget-conscious travelers should opt to stay in Parikia, near the Paros Port.
So, Which Island is Better?
Naxos Vs Paros….which is the winner?
As you might have anticipated by now, it’s really up to you, and some people would argue tooth and nail for each island.
We personally love each island but for very different reasons! Paros is where we like to kick back, enjoy good food, and truly feel like we’re on vacation.
We always tell travelers who value convenience, quality beaches, and good food to go to Paros. That’s also our advice to people seeking a honeymoon in Greece.
Naxos, on the other hand, is much better for history buffs, hikers, and adventure travelers. There are super remote beaches here; you can hike to the top of Mount Zas to see Zeus’ Childhood Cave and plenty of other small islands to visit by boat!
Ultimately, if you have time, we’d recommend visiting both islands and deciding for yourself!
