Usually when we travel, we’re looking for the hot spots. In Greece, this means Mykonos and Santorini are high on the list. But every once in a while, we like to hit something that’s up & coming and a bit more tame than our usual. On our recent trip to the Greek Islands, we decided to get a little R & R by trying a less touristy (compared to Mykonos), neighboring island in the Cyclades called Paros.
Perfectly clear and calm waters, white sandy beaches, friendly Parians and a shockingly fun night life make Paros a perfect up and coming Jet Set Destination! There are many active port towns, some more touristy than others. My favorite is Naoussa. Naoussa is the most cosmopolitan town on the island. And, with the beautiful Santa Maria beach nearby, it is undeniably the best area on the island to stay.
Here are my tips for finding your own Heaven in Paros!
Getting There
Getting to Paros is easy both by air and by sea. Personally, I prefer to fly directly from Athens. The reality is, by the time you taxi to Piraeus (the port in Athens) and take a ferry, it’s almost the same price to fly and the flight takes 35 minutes instead of 3-5 hours by ferry. The flight is quick, the views from the plane are stunning and the airport is so tiny and adorable it’s worth flying into!
Ferries: Hellenic Seaways, Blue Star Ferries, Aegean Speed Lines
Airlines: Olympic Air
Where to Stay
Heaven Nauossa
In Paros it’s all about the traditional B & B. For Rob and I, we chose the subtly chic and aptly named Heaven Naoussa. Heaven Naoussa is gently tucked in the quiet pedestrian streets of Naoussa, just steps from the main port town and a short 10 min scooter ride to the beautiful beaches of Santa Maria. It’s simplicity at it’s best. We chose one of five suites called the Lavender Iris Blue Grey Suite, which had more space as it can accommodate up to four persons. Our suite was traditional and elegant with a bedroom, bathroom, sitting room and a huge balcony overlooking the beautiful islands landscape. All Suites include air-conditioning, dial-phone, fridge, satellite TV, a safe, beach towels and breakfast delivered to the room.
Breakfast at Heaven
Our favorite part of Heaven Naoussa was having breakfast on our huge balcony! Each morning, our pre-arranged breakfast arrived at 10:30am, as requested. Our breakfast consisted of the most flavorful Greek yogurt we’ve ever had and of course, honey; Greek coffee for myself, and Espresso for my husband; a basket of breads and pastries and a hard-boiled egg. Simple, perfect, delicious!
Once breakfast was complete, we’d grab our beach towels and jump on our scooter which we rented just steps from the hotel and hit the nearby beach of Santa Maria!
Where to Spend the Day
Santa Maria Beach
For us, it’s all about Santa Maria Beach. Santa Maria is an organized beach with something for everyone. Whether you want to come early, grab a 4 euro lounge chair, a 30 euro massage on the beach and just chill- or show up later in the day, play volleyball, paddle ball and sip amazing mojitos and dance to the DJ’s beats- it’s up to you! There are two restaurant/bars on the beach. our favorite is Nava.
Where to Eat Lunch
Nava Beach Bar & Restaurant
This one is easy! On Santa Maria beach there is a restaurant that opened this year (Summer 2011) called Nava. The bright blues of the sea are a perfect contrast to its open air, white on white, beach-chic design. The service is top-notch and the view is second to none!
The menu is a blend of traditional Greek Island fare- octopus, Greek salad, fresh fish and they’ve borrowed a bit from their Italian counterparts as they also serve Caprese salads and pastas.My choice is Yianni’s Octopus cooked in a red wine sauce. So delicious!
Where to Watch the Sunset
Since the location of Heaven Naoussa is just only a few steps from the port, it’s easy to just walk into town for sunset at our favorite secret spot Fotis! Fotis is an all-white lounge with both in and outdoor seating. It’s tucked down a little side street and away from the hustle and bustle of the port itself. Super chill and directly on the rocky beach of a tiny bay. If you want a hip vibe and a cool cocktail while you watch the sun set over Paros then Fortis is the place to be!
Where to Eat Dinner
The port town is filled with restaurants, some touristy, some not so touristy. But, if you want a romantic dinner that’s sure to not be a tourist trap, then hop on the scooter and head about 5 minutes down the road to the beautiful open air restaurant called Siparos. Siparos serves traditional Mediterranean dishes. If you go a little early you can catch a magical sea view of the gorgeous sun set.
Where to Grab a Drink
Cafe Del Mar is a great place to stop for a drink or two around midnight. Grab a table and listen to all of your favorite tunes and either wind down or get ramped up for an even later night!
Where to Party
If you’re still awake and have some energy after 4am, head toward the bus station and you’ll find club after club, all begging for your attention. Each night is different and the music changes from club to club- so see what you like and pop in! (The great news about staying at Heaven Naoussa is your bed is only a few steps away! No taxis. No scooters. No problems!)
Paros is definitely one of the most relaxing, beautiful, friendly and safe islands in the Cyclades. The local Parians make you feel almost as if you are family. It’s easy to explore the entire island by scooter. We even found some restaurants that can compete with many of the best on neighboring islands. And of course, the sunsets are absolutely magical. Overall, you get a real sense of what it could be like to actually live in the Greek Islands. Definitely worth a visit for a few nights, if not more.