Where to stay in Paros: Naoussa, Parikia, Golden Beach and Aliki

Paros has achieved something difficult: it has become popular without losing its sense of scale. It has two proper towns, dozens of beaches for every taste and a road network that allows you to cross the island in half an hour. This is precisely why where to stay in Paros doesn't have one correct answer, but rather depends on whether you're looking for nightlife, family tranquillity, or watersports.

Below we break down the main accommodation areas with real distances and suggest twelve accommodations, each one checked for its booking page and location.

Paros at a glance: what you need to know before booking

Paros is located in the heart of the Cyclades, covers an area of 196 square kilometres, and has approximately 14,500 permanent residents. Distances are short and comfortable: from Parikia to Naoussa is 10 km and a fifteen-minute drive, to Aliki 12 km, and to Golden Beach 20 km. This means that wherever you stay, you can reach anywhere on the same day.

Parikia is the capital and main port, built around the Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, one of Greece's most significant early Christian churches, dating back to the 4th century. It features a Venetian castle, a commercial street with marble-paved alleys, and all essential services: banks, pharmacies, a medical centre, and the KTEL bus station.

Naoussa, in the north, is the most cosmopolitan part of the island. Its small fishing harbour with its caiques and the ruins of the Venetian fortress have become some of the most photographed images of the Cyclades, while high-end restaurants, bars, and boutique hotels operate around it. It is also the base for Kolymbithres, Monastiri, and Santa Maria beaches.

To the south and east are the more family-friendly options: Aliki with its fishing village and shallow waters, Drios, Logaras, and Pounta. Golden Beach, with its two kilometres of sand, hosts international windsurfing competitions and is the top choice for anyone interested in watersports.

The island is connected to Parikia Airport, 9 km from the town, with daily flights from Athens, while ferries from Piraeus and Rafina arrive in three to five hours. From Pounta, a small ferry crosses to Antiparos every half hour, taking seven minutes.

Which area to stay in

Naoussa: food, atmosphere and northern beaches

Naoussa is the choice for anyone who wants nice restaurants, late-night life and the best northern beaches within a ten-minute radius. Hotels are mostly boutique, and prices are the highest on the island. In summer, parking near the small harbour is difficult, so opt for accommodation with its own parking.

Parikia: practicality and better prices

If you're travelling without a car, Parikia is the logical base: all buses and ferries arrive here. It offers good prices, a wide variety of accommodation, and a pleasant promenade. It may not have Naoussa's picturesque charm, but it boasts authenticity and year-round life.

Aliki and Drios: quiet family holidays

To the south, Aliki has a shallow sandy beach, fish tavernas and a relaxed pace, while Drios is even quieter. These are the best areas for families with small children and for those who want to sleep early. They are twenty minutes from Naoussa.

Golden Beach and Pounta: watersports

The east coast has consistent winds and large sandy beaches. Golden Beach is the hub for windsurfing and kitesurfing, with schools and frontline hotels. Pounta, to the west, is the departure point for Antiparos and also has a fair amount of accommodation.

Lefkes and the interior: for a different Paros

Lefkes, at an altitude of 300 metres, is the most beautiful mountain village on the island, with a marble Byzantine path that descends towards Prodromos. Staying here offers coolness and tranquillity, but you lose direct access to the sea.

12 accommodations in Paros that we checked one by one

We checked the booking page of each accommodation and confirmed its location. Prices are indicative for a double room in mid-season.

1. Parilio, a Member of Design Hotels
A designer hotel located between Naoussa and Kolymbithres, featuring a large swimming pool and excellent gastronomy.

• Area: Naoussa
• Average cost: 420€ per night

2. Yria Hotel
A quiet complex with gardens and a pool near Parikia, popular with couples and families.

• Area: Parikia
• Average cost: 230€ per night

3. Andronis Minois
A luxury hotel above Parikia, with an infinity pool and views of the Aegean sunset.

• Area: Parikia
• Average cost: 380€ per night

4. Summer Senses Luxury Resort
A large resort near Pounta Parikias, with a spa, multiple pools, and services for families.

• Area: Parikia
• Average cost: 340€ per night

5. Poseidon of Paros Hotel & Spa
Frontline at Golden Beach, with pools, spa, and direct access to the watersports sandy beach.

• Area: Golden Beach
• Average cost: 260€ per night

6. Paros Palace - Adults Only
A quiet, adults-only hotel near Parikia, with a lovely pool and good value for money.

• Area: Parikia
• Average cost: 190€ per night

7. Paros Agnanti Resort & Spa
An amphitheatre-style complex with Aegean and Antiparos views, ten minutes from Parikia.

• Area: Parikia
• Average cost: 200€ per night

8. Lilly Residence
Adults-only suites with sea views, within walking distance of Naoussa's small harbour.

• Area: Naoussa
• Average cost: 310€ per night

9. Stelia Mare Boutique Hotel
A small boutique hotel in Naoussa, with a pool and a quiet atmosphere near Piperi beach.

• Area: Naoussa
• Average cost: 240€ per night

10. Argonauta Hotel
A classic family-run hotel in Parikia's main square, with excellent reviews for its service.

• Area: Parikia
• Average cost: 130€ per night

11. Ambelas Mare Apartments
Apartments with kitchens in quiet Ambelas, next to a fishing village and a small sandy beach.

• Area: Ambelas
• Average cost: 150€ per night

12. Paros Paradise Apartments
Affordable apartments in Parikia, ideal for groups and families seeking independence.

• Area: Parikia
• Average cost: 110€ per night

How to get there and how to get around

Paros has an airport 9 km from Parikia, with daily forty-minute flights from Athens and seasonal direct connections to European cities. Buses and taxis cover the route to the town in fifteen minutes.

Ferries from Piraeus take three to five hours, and from Rafina, approximately three and a half hours by high-speed ferry. Paros is the main transport hub of the Cyclades, with daily connections to Naxos, Mykonos, Ios, Santorini, Sifnos and the Small Cyclades, making it ideal as a first stop on an island-hopping trip.

What to do besides the beach

Panagia Ekatontapiliani in Parikia is one of the most important early Christian monuments in the country, and a visit is free. Just outside the town, the ancient marble quarries at Marathi provided the material for the Venus de Milo and Praxiteles' Hermes.

The Byzantine path from Lefkes to Prodromos is an easy three-kilometre hike on a marble-paved road, ideal for morning or afternoon. In Naoussa, the Cycladic Folklore Museum and Kolymbithres with its sculpted rocks can fill a day.

Antiparos is worth a full day: the ferry from Pounta takes seven minutes, while the cave with its stalactites and the beaches of Soros and Agios Georgios are among the best in the area.

When to go and how prices change

Paros has a long season, from mid-April to mid-October. June and September are the ideal months, with warm seas, fewer crowds, and prices 30 to 40 percent lower than in August.

In August, demand is enormous, especially in Naoussa, and bookings are made from winter onwards. The 'meltemi' wind often blows, making the south and west sides more comfortable for swimming, while favouring surfers in the east.

In May and October you'll find very good prices, around 80 to 130 euros for decent accommodation, with most restaurants open. This is the best period for hiking the Byzantine path and visiting the Marathi marble quarries.

Practical tips before booking

Small details that count:

• If you don't have a car, prefer Parikia or Naoussa, where all bus lines pass through.
• Ask for accommodation with parking if you're staying in Naoussa in August; parking near the harbour is almost impossible.
• For families with small children, Aliki and Logaras have the shallowest and most protected waters.
• Allow half a day for Antiparos; the ferry from Pounta departs every thirty minutes.
• Many accommodations in Parikia are next to the port; ask about noise if night ferries arrive.
• Check if the hotel offers transfer from the port, especially if you arrive by late ferry.

Read also

See also our guides for Naxos, Mykonos and Sifnos.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best area to stay in Paros?

Naoussa for food and atmosphere, Parikia for practicality and better prices, Aliki for quiet family holidays and Golden Beach for watersports.

Do I need a car in Paros?

Not necessarily. The bus network connects Parikia, Naoussa, Aliki and Golden Beach very frequently in summer. A car helps if you want secluded beaches and to visit Lefkes.

How far is Naoussa from Parikia?

The distance is 10 km and the journey takes about fifteen minutes by car or twenty by bus.

Is Paros expensive?

It is cheaper than Mykonos and Santorini, but more expensive than Naxos. In August, a good double room costs 180 to 300 euros, while in May, the same accommodations start from 90 euros.

Is it a good choice for families?

Yes, one of the best in the Cyclades. It has shallow sandy beaches in the south, short distances, good paediatric services in Parikia and many accommodations with kitchens.

How many days do I need for Paros?

Four days are enough for the main beaches and the two villages. With six days, you can also fit in Antiparos, Lefkes and a day of hiking.