Fun Things To Do in Paros (Without a Car!)

When Kris and I decided to add Paros to our Greek island-hopping adventure, we initially thought we would need to rent a car.

Paros boasts several fabulous things to see – from gorgeous coastlines to traditional villages – and a vehicle provides the most freedom to explore. But the more we thought about it, the less we wanted to get behind the wheel.

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Neither of us particularly like to drive and we weren’t looking forward to driving on Paros. Roads are narrow. Parking is limited. Gas is expensive.

We had managed to get around Santorini using public transport – and we wondered how far we could get with buses on Paros.

So, we switched gears and started planning a car-free trip to Paros. What we found surprised us. First, there is an actual, up-to-date Paros bus schedule online.

Second, the routes could take us to all of the places we wanted to go. Beautiful beaches, countryside hikes and quaint, whitewashed towns.

During our weeklong stay, we completely scrapped the idea of a car rental and went all in with Paros public transportation. Now, let’s see how it worked out!

6 Things To Do in Paros, Greece (with no car)

Based on our personal experience in Paros without a car, we’ve rounded up the top things to do that require zero driving!

#1 Discover Parikia

An ancient settlement with a tangle of enchanting lanes, Parikia is the kind of place you go to get lost.

We loved wandering past the brilliant white houses with bright blue shutters and eagerly turned down any path that garnered our attention.

While it’s hard to get truly lost (it’s not that big), there are a few attractions we thought were worth seeking out.

Panagia Ekatontapiliani – or The Church of 100 Doors – is a magnificent complex. Dating to the 6th century, the Byzantine era church is decorated with phenomenal frescoes.

Not much is left of the 13th century Frankish Castle, but what remains is intriguing. Rather than uniform stones, it was constructed using bits and pieces of older buildings.

A few windmills still stand in Parikia, too. The most prominent is the one at main ferry port, but there are a few more along the western shoreline.

The two at City Hall (next to the tiny-but-pretty Church of St. Anna) are both restored. Plus, the elevated view over the Aegean Sea is spectacular.

Finally, Parikia itself is a bustling place full of shops, cafes and restaurants. It’s also a sensational spot to be for sunset…or any time of day, really!

How To Get to Parikia, Paros

Parikia is the easiest place to get to on Paros Island! The capital is home to the main ferry port and primary bus station.

In fact, we made Parikia our home base for our stay – and would choose it again in a heartbeat. It’s the best place to be if you are planning to visit Paros without driving!

#2 Explore Naousa

Naousa is Paros’ most charming town. It boasts picture-perfect lanes, boutique shops and waterfront dining…and we were left swooning at every turn.

The seaside settlement originated as a fishing village but became a Venetian stronghold in the 14th century.

Today, it’s a fashionable destination that’s not to be missed. However, you don’t need a grand plan for sightseeing…just a full dose of curiosity!

We visited when the sun was shining and the sea was shimmering – and we were naturally drawn to the shoreline. We walked the entire stretch from Piperi Beach on the west to the rocky outcrop on the east.

The route passes by the landmark Venetian Castle that’s situated on the protective breakwater. Once used to defend against pirates (and help direct boat traffic), the partially sunken stronghold is free to explore.

Right next door is the Old Fishing Port. We were smitten by the colorful boats bobbing with the day’s fresh catch and the posh tavernas that open to the sea.

From the most eastern point, the turquoise water is sublime – and we could have whiled away the rest of the day gazing over it. But don’t get too comfortable, there is more to see!

Naousa’s twisting lanes to the southeast of the Old Harbor are some of the most atmospheric on Paros. We wound our way through while admiring the bougainvillea draped over doorways and arches that led down quiet lanes.

The Holy Church of Panagia Faneromeni sits at the top of town like a crown. It was closed when we arrived, but the climb up the stairs was still worth the view!

Other places you can easily reach on foot from Naousa are the Moraitis Estate Winery and Agioi Anargyroi Beach. The famous stone-carved Kolympethres Beach is also about an hour walk away.

Getting to Naousa, Paros

The best way to get to Naousa without a car is by bus and multiple depart from Parikia daily. The ride takes about 30 minutes and tickets cost 2 euros.

#3 Take the Ferry to Antiparos

We are always up for a boat ride – so when we found out there are regular ferries to neighboring Antiparos, making the trip was a no-brainer.

Antiparos sits less than one nautical mile from Paros on the southwestern side of the island. Even more relaxing than Paros, Antiparos is an excellent option for an easy and inexpensive day trip.

Top Antiparos Island attractions are the many tranquil beaches and the legendary Antiparos Cave.

As it was too chilly for swimming and the cave was closed during our May visit, we opted to stick to where our own two feet could take us.

Chora – the main town where the ferries dock – is quaint and charming. The main thoroughfare is lined with boutique shops and eateries.

There are not a lot of sights, but it’s worth seeking out the Kastro. The Venetian Castle dates to the 15th century. We also had plenty of time to trek along the northern coastline.

We walked the circumference from Sifneiko Beach and around the headland (where we found an empty nude beach), then completed the coastline walk back to the port.

All in all, we were only on Antiparos for about 3 hours, but it was still fun to see and so easy to do by public transport!

How To Get to Antiparos

In the peak summer months, getting to Antiparos is straight forward: Hop on a ferry from Parikia!

To get to Antiparos from Paros without a car when the direct boat is not running, take the bus from Parikia to the Pounda Port, where you can pick up a car ferry.

Passenger tickets are cheap and departures are pretty frequent for the 7-minute ride. Find the latest schedule and current ticket info online.

#4 Hike the Byzantine Path

Hiking the Byzantine Path was one of the things I was most excited about when we put Paros on our Greece itinerary.

The ancient route was built to connect the Byzantine-era capital – Lefkes – with nearby villages. In fact, it extended to both the east coast (Piso Livadi) and the west coast (Parikia).

The trail was paved with the island’s abundant marble, with some sections still bearing the original stone slabs. The most preserved segment is the 2-mile slice between Lefkes and Prodromos.

Wanting to soak up as much of the countryside as possible, we decided to continue on to Marmara, Marpissa and finish in Piso Livadi.

In total, we walked about 5 miles, which took approximately 3 hours (including time to tour each village).

There is no doubt that the trail is most beautiful between Lefkes and Prodromos – the rest is mostly along paved roads, but the towns themselves are lovely places to see local life.

Piso Livadi is an ideal place to end the walk. Here you can take a refreshing dip or refuel with a meal. We ate at Mango Souvlaki and it didn’t disappoint!

Getting to the Byzantine Trail

The best way to complete this one-way hike is with Paros buses! Routes 1 and 5 both stop in Lefkes and Piso Livadi as well as Prodromos, Marmara and Marpissa.

#5 Relax on Paros Beaches

Known for having soft sand and crystal-clear water, it would be a shame to go to Paros and miss out on these!

During our stay, we made our way to countless swaths of sandy shoreline. There are even beaches right in Parikia if you just want to squish some sand between your toes.

If we had to pick one to return to, though, it would be Piso Aliki Beach in the picturesque fishing village of Aliki.

Not to be confused with Aliki Beach, which is just a small triangle right in town, Piso Aliki is the long stretch of golden sand on the south side of the village.

We spent an hour enjoying the scene under the shade of a tamarind tree. With islets in the distance and a gradient of blues across the water, it’s a mesmerizing view.

The beach is unorganized – meaning there are no loungers or umbrellas for rent. That said, it’s just a short 10-minute stroll into town, where there are several restaurants and cafes.

Although it was a little too cold to swim in the Aegean during our springtime visit, I waded into the shallows. Even when knee deep, I could still see my toes!

How To Get to Piso Aliki Beach

Although not all beaches in Paros are accessible by bus, Piso Aliki is one that is! The number 3 departs from Parikia to Aliki with regular frequency and the ride takes about 30 minutes.

#6 Walk Paros Coastal Trails

One of the best things to do in Paros is walking the coastline paths. Whether rambling across jagged, red rocks or along smooth sands, the teal water of the sea is simply tantalizing.

What makes some trails even better is that no car is required to enjoy them. The most accessible coastal walk follows the heart-shaped curve of Parikia Bay.

From Livadia Beach, the trail hugs the shoreline, crossing over a headland and ending at the Agios Fokas Lighthouse. (Although the Church of Agios Fokas is a good end point on windy days!)

It’s about a 6-mile hike roundtrip from Parikia – but you never stray far from the coast and the views back to Paros Town are incredible!

Another option is on the east coast between Piso Livadi and Drios. We didn’t get a chance to trek this 5.5-mile stretch – but imagine that the views toward Naxos are pretty as a picture!

Getting To Parikia Bay Coastal Trail

If you stay in Parikia, then you can set off on the Bay Trail right from town. For the East Coast Trail between Drios and Piso Livadi, use Bus 1 or 5 from Parikia.

Tips for Visiting Paros without a Car

Compared to some Greek islands, Paros buses are easy to figure out. The most current schedule is posted online – as are ticket prices.

The schedule shows the time of departure from each end of the line…but not individual stops. If you are hopping on mid-route, you will need to take a guess and arrive at the stop a bit early.

In Parikia, tickets are available from the kiosk (cash or card). It’s best to purchase the roundtrip, as the ride costs more if you have to buy tickets from the driver (cash only).

Prices are based on distance – so if you’re walking the Byzantine Path or a one-way coastal route, make sure you buy a return for the correct zone. An all-day ticket is available, but we didn’t feel it was worth it.

Food and drinks are not allowed on board…so don’t buy a coffee to-go or plan on eating a packed lunch during the ride.

As we already mentioned, if you are relying solely on the buses to get around, then staying in Parikia is ideal.

We went with an Airbnb, but you can read our tips for booking prime places to stay to find a property that works best for you!

Start planning your trip to Greece! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!

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