With a gentle and undramatic landscape arranged around the central peak of Profítis Ilías, PÁROS has a little of everything one expects from a Greek island: old villages, monasteries, fishing harbours, nice beaches and varied nightlife. However, Parikiá, the capital, can be touristy and expensive, and it is very difficult finding rooms and beach space here in August, when the other settlements, the port of Náoussa and the satellite island of Andíparos, handle most of the overflow. Drinking and carousing is many people’s idea of a holiday on Páros, so it’s not surprising that both Parikiá and Náoussa have a wealth of pubs, bars and discos, offering staggered happy hours.
- Parikiá and around
- The inland villages
The Cyclades Travel Guide
Mýkonos
Náxos
Santoríni
Tailor-made travel itineraries for Greece, created by local experts
10 days/ from2681 USD
The Historical and Mythological Cyclades islands
The Cyclades islands include two of the most famous Greek Islands: Mykonos and Santorini. Visit these and some of the smaller, quieter, islands. With white washed houses, narrow cobbled streets, blue domed roofs and stunning beaches, they are what Greece is all about.
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9 days/ from2267 USD
A secluded villa stay on Mainland Greece
Stay in a secluded private villa with magnificent views to the sea and explore this beautiful corner of Mainland Greece with your own rental car. Under the impressive Mt Taygetos in Southern Peloponnese, the region of Mani will give you a snapshot of authentic Greece.
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10 days/ from2049 USD
Along the Coast of Crete: from Heraklion to Platanias
As Greece's largest island, Crete's culture and atmosphere is distinctly different from mainland Greece. Thousands of years of unique culture and rich history complement the island's untamed natural beauty. Explore Crete at your own pace with this unique self-drive trip!
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8 days/ from1624 USD
Cultural and natural sites of Athens and the Peloponnese
Welcome to wonderful Athens for an unforgettable adventure. Enjoy getting lost in this maze of charming streets, where the modern sits beautifully with the ancient. Venture out into the Peloponnese on mainland Greece, and discover historical, cultural and natural wonders the region is blessed with.
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10 days/ from3504 USD
An Odyssey Adventure in Ancient Greece
Learn the secrets of Ancient Greek mythology and history visiting the world-renowned site of the Acropolis, explore the unspoiled landscape ofPeloponnese, become a true Spartan warrior in Thermopylae and much more - this self drive tour takes you on a real Greek adventure.
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15 days/ from2736 USD
Explore Classical Greece: self-drive motorhome trip
This 15-days motorhome road trip will take you to Athens, the city of legends and some of the most fascinating classical sites, such as Epidaurus, Olympia, Delphi and the man-made marvels of the Corinth Canal and Byzantine monasteries of Meteora. A perfect tour for history.
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4 days/ from959 USD
Athens: City of the Gods
Welcome to wonderful Athens. Wander this maze of charming streets, where the modern sits beautifully with the ancient; discover the Acropolis and the Parthenon, the crowning architectural achievements of the Classical Age; indulge your sense with delicious Mediterranean food at local tavernas.
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9 days/ from2387 USD
Discover Naxos in style
Stay in a secluded private villa and explore Naxos at your own pace in your own rental car. Lasting just above 1 week, this itinerary leaves plenty of room for relaxation and exploration of the amazing island of Naxos, with its authentic mountainous villages and magnificent sea views.
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8 days/ from1559 USD
Epirus and Athens: The Ancient Sites
Discover the ancient cities of the Epirus region and Athens. Shrouded in myths and legends of Greek gods and Roman and Byzantine warriors, the sites in the Epirus region of Greece, temples, castles, fortresses and rivers, all have tales to tell.
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9 days/ from2572 USD
An exclusive stay in Milos
Get to know the most exotic island in the Aegean by staying in a private luxury villa by the sea. Volcanic rocks paint the beaches red, pink and orange, white rock formations, emerald green waters and caves eroded by the sea, are steeped in stories of pirates. Milos is truly unique.
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7 days/ from1548 USD
Relaxing discovery of classical Greece
Spend a wonderful few days exploring Athens and the ancient sites surrounding the capital on mainland Greece. Blessed with glorious weather, nature and beaches, see sites that rival anything which you may find on the Greek Islands.
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11 days/ from4872 USD
From Athens to Milos, Naxos and Santorini
Stay in Athens, Milos, Naxos, and Santorini, as well as a day trip to Mykonos. Immerse in history at the Acropolis, bask in the Cycladic charm of Milos, explore Naxos's ancient sites, and savor sunsets in Santorini. Cruise the Aegean, savor food tours, and relish private excursions.
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13 days/ from4404 USD
Greek Dreams: Athens, Corfu, Santorini and Crete
A private journey through Athens, Corfu, Santorini, and Crete, staying in exquisite accommodations. Explore ancient history, savor Mediterranean cuisine, and unwind in stunning settings, creating beautiful memories throughout.
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8 days/ from1809 USD
Athens, Meteora & Santorini
Experience Greece's best: Athens' culture, culinary adventures, Meteora's monastic marvels, and the breathtaking beauty of Santorini. An unforgettable journey awaits!
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10 days/ from5559 USD
Majestic Greece: Temples, Castles, Monasteries & Myths
Go on an epic fast paced 10-day journey with a private driver through Greece's ancient wonders & natural beauty. From Athens to Meteora, experience history, culture & breathtaking landscapes along with local tour guides, all culminating in a journey of a lifetime. Recommended for the months Apr-Oct.
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9 days/ from3968 USD
Mainland & Islands: Athens, Paros and Santorini
Embark on a 9-day Greek odyssey! Begin with an Athens Acropolis tour, relax on the idyllic island of Paros, and then immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of Santorini. Explore history, unwind on stunning beaches, and relish unforgettable moments on this incredible journey.
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12 days/ from3641 USD
Greek Island Hopping: 4 Cycladic Gems
Hop between the islands of Andros, Tinos, Naxos and Syros on this authentic trip. Drive around stunning coastlines, explore mountain villages and unique paths, meet the locals, visit ancient sites, and relax on secluded beaches as you are transfixed by the allure of the Aegean’s turquoise waters.
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12 days/ from3205 USD
Capital & islands - Athens, Mykonos, Santorini and Crete
Experience a diverse Greek holiday exploring Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete. Enjoy daily excursions and the freedom of a rental car in Crete, immersing yourself in rich history, picturesque landscapes, and local charm.
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Parikiá and around
Bustling PARIKIÁ sets the tone architecturally for the rest of Páros, its ranks of typically Cycladic white houses punctuated by the occasional Venetian-style building and church domes. The town’s sights apart, the real attraction of Parikiá is simply to wander the town itself, especially along the meandering old market street (Agorá) and adjoining Grávari. Arcaded lanes lead past Venetian-influenced villas, traditional island dwellings, ornate wall-fountains and trendy shops. The market street culminates in a formidable kástro (1260), whose surviving east wall incorporates a fifth-century BC round tower and is constructed using masonry pillaged from a nearby temple of Athena which is still highly visible. On the seafront behind the port police are the exposed, excavated ruins of an ancient cemetery used from the eighth century BC until the third century AD.
The Ekatondapylianí
Just beyond the central clutter of the ferry port, Parikiá has the most architecturally interesting church in the Aegean – the Katopoliani (facing the town). Later Greek scholars purified the name and connected it with past glories, so they changed it to Ekatondapylianí (“The One Hundred Gated”), a nickname that baffles today’s visitors. Tradition, supported by excavations, claims that it was originally founded in 326 AD by St Helen, mother of Emperor Constantine, but what’s visible today stems from a sixth century Justinian reconstruction.
Enclosed by a great front wall, sign of an Imperial-built church, the church is in fact three interlocking buildings. The oldest, the chapel of Áyios Nikólaos to the left of the apse, is an adaptation of a pagan building dating from the early fourth century BC. On the right, there is another building attached, housing a Paleochristian baptistry, where the initiate used to dip in a cross-shaped pool. Inside the church courtyard, there is a small Byzantine museum (church hours; €2) displaying a collection of icons. Look through the iconostasis (which still retains its ancient marble frame) to observe two unique features: at the back, a set of amphitheatric steps, the synthronon, where the priests used to chant, and, at the front, the ciborium, a marble canopy over the altar.
Archeological Museum
Behind Ekatondapylianí, the archeological museum has a good collection and is definitely worth a visit. Its prize exhibits are a large Gorgon, a fifth-century winged Nike by Skopas and – hidden at the back of the main room – a piece of the Parian Chronicle, a social and cultural history of Greece up to 264 BC engraved in marble.
Áyii Anárgyiri monastery
If you’re staying in Parikiá, you’ll want to get out at some stage. The shortest excursion is the 2.5km along the road starting from the northern end of the ring-road up to the Áyii Anárgyiri monastery. Perched on the bluff above town, this makes a great picnic spot, with cypress groves, a gushing fountain and some splendid views.
Beaches near Parikiá
Less than 1km north of the harbour lies the twin crescent of Livádhia beach, with shallow waters and shaded by salt cedars; further on lies Kriós beach, much better, served by kaïki from just to the right of the ferry terminal (€4). The beaches south along the asphalt road are even better: the first unsurfaced side-track leads to the small, sheltered Dhelfíni; fifteen minutes further on is Paraspóros near the remains of an ancient temple to Asklepios, the god of healing. Continuing for 45 minutes (or a short hop by bus) brings you to arguably the best of the bunch, Ayía Iríni, a palm-fringed beach with fine sand, a taverna and a beautiful campsite.
Petaloúdhes
Not far from the turning to Ayía Iríni, is the “Valley of the Butterflies”, a walled-in private oasis where millions of Jersey tiger moths perch on the foliage in summer (May–Sept 9am–8pm; €2). The trip can be combined with a visit to the eighteenth-century nunnery of Áyios Arsenios, at the crest of a ridge 1km to the north. Only women are allowed in the sanctuary, although men can wait in the courtyard. Petaloúdhes can also be reached from Parikiá by bus during the summer months.
The inland villages
Most people bypass Páros interior, but on a cooler day try walking the medieval flagstoned path that once linked both sides of the island. Start from the main square of the village of Mármara and go west. First up is Pródhromos, an old fortified farming settlement with defensive walls girding its nearby monastery. Léfkes itself, 5km from Pródhromos, is perhaps the most unspoilt settlement on Páros. The town flourished from the seventeenth century on, its population swollen by refugees fleeing from coastal piracy; indeed it was the island’s capital during most of the Ottoman period. Léfkes’s marbled alleyways and amphitheatrical setting are unparalleled – and undisturbed by motor vehicles, which are forbidden in the middle of town. Another 5km towards Parikiá and you hit Maráthi, from where Parian marble was supplied to much of Europe. Considered second only to Carrara marble, the last slabs were mined here by the French in 1844 for Napoleon’s tomb in Les Invalides. Just east of the village, marked paths lead to two huge entrances of ancient marble mines which can be visited with an organized tour only. From Maráthi, it’s easy enough to pick up the bus on to Parikiá.