During my four week trip through Greece, the last island we hopped was Paros. I think the little island in the Cyclades is underrated as a spot to travel. The island, located nearby to popular Naxos, was my favourite island hands down. It has a laid-back lifestyle vibe on the island; it’s not a crazy tourist spot and its beautiful beaches make Paros the winner.
Paros is all about relaxation. We were able to stay at Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle’s place, which is a cliff-side villa. It was very luxurious, and we spent many hours lounging by their amazing infinity pool.
Butterfly Valley
Her aunt and uncle own Butterfly Valley, a great inland day trip. Every year during the summer months, a particular butterfly migrates here, a little oasis in the middle of the Greek islands. You can walk through the valley and explore some of the old wells and mills that were built during the Byzantine era.
The valley is home to cypress and olive trees that are hundreds of years old. There are also many fruit trees, like apricots and pears, throughout the valley. The whole experience costs 2 Euro.
Related: Searching for sunsets in Santorini, Greece
Wandering Parikia
Parikia is the main port of Paros, and the largest town on the island.
Wander the cobblestone streets and peer into the white-washed shops. Why not grab some gelato from Vanilla Gelateria? Or maybe just sit at one of the many restaurants or cafes that dot the old town. Parikia has everything to keep you relaxed on your Greek holiday.
Related: Exploring the Greek island of Rhodes
Visiting Antiparos
If you’re up for a little adventure, you can take the day ferry over to Antiparos, a small island, just a few minutes away. Here, you can visit the Cave of Antiparos. It’s a neat natural feature of the island. You can even go about 100 metres down into the cave.
Beach day in Paros
There are many beaches on Paros that are perfect for a sun bum. Check out Kolympḗthres, a rocky and sandy beach on the north end of the Island. We got here after a short boat ride from Naoussa, a beautiful fishing town.
Another wonderful beach is Livadia beach, situated just outside the main port of Parikia. If you go here, grab an ice cream from Tango Mar, a little beach-side bar.
After a ferry ride back, a short sleep in Glyfada and a very early wake-up call, Bridget, Elizabeth and I were packed and (not so) ready to fly home to Canada.
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