A Guide to Parikia on Paros Island, Greece

Parikia, the capital and main port for Paros Island, is a small but lively town. It’s one of the busiest areas on Paros, along with Naousa to the north. Parikia adorns that iconic Cycladic look with its slew of white-washed, blue roofed buildings. With multiple restaurants and shops nestled on the shore of the Aegean Sea, it’s the perfect spot to unwind on your Greece vacation.

Here’s a guide to Parikia on Paros Island, Greece:

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About Parikia

While the actual date of establishment for Parikia is unknown, the town itself contains many historical places. The church was said to have been built before Christianity was even the State religion, which would have been before 300 A.D. The cemetery located on a hill near the port has held bodies dating back to the 8th century B.C.

Acting as the capital of Paros Island, Parikia is a Cycladic dream. The flat roofs, whitewashed walls and blue painted doors give it that charming effect. Homes dotted around Parikia and the outskirts feature gardens of fresh fruit and small vineyards. The narrow cobblestone alleyways in the town zig-zag you past shops and parlors where you can smell the aroma of flowers dangling over wrought-iron baskets.

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Where to Stay

• AirBnb – Nesaea apartment, Kastro Sea View, Βougainvillea House
• Hotel – Apollon Boutique Hotel, Sunset View Hotel, Oasis Hotel

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Where to Eat

• Breakfast – Parea Cafe, Aliprantis Bakery, Stou Fred
• Lunch – Ela Paros, Trata, To Mortari
• Dinner – Levantis, Cuore Rosso, The Little Green Rocket
• Traditional Greek Food – To Souvlaki tou Pepe, Taverno Paros
• Seafood – Trata, Aeoli
• Drinks – Tango Mar, The Beer House

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What to Do

Walk Around Old Town Parikia

I’m not lying when I say you will be completely taken aback by the beauty of this little town, especially if it’s your first time visiting the Cyclades. Many shops, ice cream parlors, cafe’s and restaurants dominate the narrow, cobblestone alleyways of Parikia.

Enjoy a Beach Day

• Krios Beach – About a mile north of Parikia town. Chairs and umbrellas are available for rent and large trees offer some shade near the shore.
• Livadia Beach is probably the most popular in Parikia. It’s large and sandy, has many chairs and umbrellas to rent and is close to town.
• Parasporos Beach is my favorite in Parikia, mainly because how soft the sand is. Although it’s somewhat busy during peak season, the beach itself is long and wide with many chairs and umbrellas to rent. A snack bar is on the beach for a convenient refreshment.

Take a Donkey Tour by Sunset

Ride on a donkey around the streets of Parikia and over the hilltops of the island, stopping to watch the beautiful sunset with a bottle of wine. A 3 hour tour is only 25 Euro!

Participate in a Greek Cooking Class

Have you ever wondered how Greeks prepare their meals? Cook side-by-side with a true Greek local, learning about their ingredients and how to achieve their delectable tastes. When you’re done, enjoy eating your meal with a glass of wine.

Visit the Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani

Literally translating to “The Church with 100 Doors,” this old Church complex was built in 326 A.D., before the Roman Empire had even adopted Christianity (that happened in 391). Ekatontapiliani was founded by the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, Saint Helen.

Enjoy a Day-Long Boat Tour

If you want to dive into more serene waters and sail along on a boat all day, check out the Regaki Boat Trips. Try this 7 hour tour over to Antiparos and around Paros, visiting sea caves, swimming in the most transparent waters you have ever seen and enjoying a variety of snacks and refreshments.

Rent an ATV and Explore the Island

The best decision we made on our visit to Paros was renting a quad. We went village hopping all around the coast of Paros, stopping at beaches just to dip our toes in and then take off again. There are many options for quad rentals in Paros that are noticeable from the street. I suggest trying to rent from a place that isn’t so close to the port to save you some money.

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My Experience in Parikia

On a pit stop during our trip to Crete, we came to Paros Island for only one full day and night. Since I had always naturally been dreaming of Mykonos and Santorini, I wasn’t sure what to expect when coming to Paros. As soon as I stepped foot into Parikia, I was taken aback by those Cycladic features.

We stayed at Nesaea Apartment and it was everything we needed. It was a small studio on the bottom floor of a duplex home where the hosts lived above.

We had a patio looking out over the gardens and the ocean and a private entrance to our own private beach. The hosts also stocked our fridge with fresh Souma, other refreshments and snacks. We would definitely repeat our stay here if we ever have the chance to go back!

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