To Do:
Get lost in the alleys of Naoussa
One of the best things to do in Paros is to wander the streets. The white washed cobblestone alleyways around the Old Harbor are stunning with pink bougainvillea flowers peeking out around every corner.
Go Shopping
We we’re impressed with the boutique shops we found in the Old Town if Paros. The stores had a beachy chic vibe and had some great swimsuits, clothing and home decor.
Visit the Church
Around every corner of Naoussa is adorned with cute chapels and lovely churches but the Church of Assumption on top of the hill is stunning and has a great view from its steps of the port and city below.
Explore the Old Port of Naoussa
One of the most special areas on this island is the old fishing port in the town of Naoussa. This little harbor is tightly packed with traditional Greek fishing boats and is surrounded on all sides by restaurants and bars.
This quaint old port is the heart of Naoussa and all of the winding alleyways of the town will eventually lead you here. In the summer this port can be packed with toursits but when we visited in Early September it was fairly quiet.
We felt like we were in a postcard as we walked around the old port and saw freshly caught octopus hanging on the fishing boats, drying in the sun. Some of the colorful buildings and restaurants in the port were literally sitting on the sea; with the waves only inches below your toes.
Go to the Beach
Besides the charming old town and port, Paros is home to some lovely beaches. Molos Beach was located right down the stairs from our hotel. It had a sandy bottom and a fun wave break. Kolymbithres beach, which is only a short drive from Naoussa is perhaps the most famous beach in Paros. Its known for the large granite rocks that have been carved down by the sea over time into strange smooth shapes. If you are lucky you can find your own private bay or pool for the day.
Where We Stayed
Senia Hotel
We stayed at the Senia Hotel loctated only a couple minutes walk to the old town and directly above Molos Beach. We chose it because of the amazing pool with views of the ocean and islands in the distance. Although the rooms were a little outdated we enjoyed our stay at Senia Hotel. The pool and fantastic staff more than made up for it.
To Eat:
Safran Restaurant
Our favorite restaurant in Paros. We luckily decided upon Safran for dinner our first night in Paros and after the fantastic meal we had we chose to come back again the next night. Both meals were equally delcious but the orzo with black squid ink was one of the best meals of our entire trip.
Orzo with black squid ink.
Gelateria S. Cream
Authentic Italian gelato right on the promenade. This shop is a tiny hole in the wall but has over 30 delicious flavors and is owned by the nicest Italian lady. Try the pistachio!
Gyro Stalls
We found that some of the best food we had in Greece was at the gyro stalls hidden within the towns. These no-name little spots would serve up tasty gyros with roasted meat wrapped in a pita with tzasiki and fries. These gyros were only 2-4 euros and could fill you up all day!
To Drink:
Bar hop through the old town
There is an abundance of adorable bars scattered throughout the alleys of the old town. You can find them around every corner and many more down by the port. We spent a lot of our time in Paros hopping from bar to bar in search of the perfect aperol spritz. Surprisingly the best spirtz came from this tiny hole in a wall bar tucked into the side of one of the alleyways. (pictured below)
At night the streets are filled with people sitting outside and eating dinner or enjoying a glass of wine. The charming streets are lit up by candles and lights which bounce off the whitewashed walls. Be sure to grab a drink outside and take it all in.
San Fos
Considering a night cap? Head to San Fos in the old port. This half indoor and half outdoor bar is right next to the water and has a great bar program. The bartender was really knowledgeable about his cocktails and made us one mean Negroni.
View of the port from the bar.
Inside the tiny San Fos bar on the port.
Paros was a dream! We didn’t know what to expect during our visit to Paros and we have to say it completely exceeded our expectations. The old town and port were something out of a fairytale. We are already talking about when we should come back to this charming island in the Aegean!
