Parikia, Paros: The Capital That Gets Unfairly Dismissed
Parikia gets overlooked in favour of Naoussa, but we feel it shouldn't. Here's our honest guide to the best things to do, eat and see in Paros's vibrant capital in 2026.
Nobody falls for Parikia immediately.
You step off the ferry into port chaos, with scooters, luggage, tourists going in every direction, and if Naoussa is your frame of reference, the comparison isn't flattering.
But Parikia has never tried to be Naoussa, and once you accept that, the town starts to make a lot more sense.
The Islands’ historic capital is nestled on a small hill overlooking the Port, and the old town is filled with cobbled laneways, old churches, shops, restaurants and the historic Frankish Castle.
It’s also the epicentre of life and commerce on Paros; it’s here where locals go about their daily lives, so the town has a far more raw feel to it. The town caters not only for tourists, but for locals too, so prices are lower, and you can find just about anything you need on the streets.
It's the lived-in capital of a Greek island, doing what capitals do. Spend a proper half-day here, more if the culinary scene hooks you, which it might, and you'll leave wondering why everyone told you to skip it.
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PARIKIA
SNAPSHOT
WHERE | Paros Island, Cyclades
HOW TO GET THERE | Ferry from Athens, Bus/Car from Naoussa
WHERE TO STAY | Yria Boutique Hotel
WHAT TO SEE | Panagia Ekatontapiliani, Frankish Castle, the old town laneways, watch sunset
WHERE TO EAT | Stou Fred, Boutaraki, Hops & Colors, Cuoro Rosso
PLAN YOUR VISIT TO PARIKIA, PAROS
Parikia sits on the western coast of Paros, about 190km southeast of Athens, and as the island's main ferry port, it's where almost every visitor to Paros arrives.
The ferry from Piraeus takes 3–5 hours, depending on the service; the fast ferry gets you there in under 3.
The town is compact enough to cover on foot in a few hours, which makes a half-day the natural minimum. That said, the culinary scene and sunset bars south of the harbour have a habit of extending plans, so if you're based in Naoussa, it's worth coming back more than once.
For getting here from Naoussa, our Parikia to Naoussa transport guide covers buses, taxis and car rental. For getting here from Athens, the Athens to Paros guide has everything you need.
WHERE TO STAY IN PARIKIA
Parikia has accommodation options across every budget, from a 400-year-old historic townhouse in the heart of the old town to the best-value backpackers on the island.
For those after luxury, Yria Boutique Hotel sits on a verdant hill overlooking Parasporos Bay with a pool, spa and gardens worth the splurge - just request a renovated room when booking.
For the full breakdown of every option across every budget, our where to stay on Paros guide has it all covered.
THINGS TO DO IN PARIKIA, PAROS
STEP INSIDE THE HISTORIC PANAGIA EKATONTAPILIANI CHURCH
Parikia's most important landmark, and one of the most significant Byzantine churches in Greece, is the Panagia Ekatontapiliani, the so-called 'Church of 100 Doors.'
The story behind it is incredible. St Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, stopped at a small chapel on this very site while travelling to the Holy Land, and vowed to build a church here if she found the True Cross.
She did, and after her death, her son built the basilica, a grand structure of arches and domes that has stood, in various forms, for over 1,600 years.
What makes it extraordinary is what lies beneath: the church sits on top of an ancient temple dedicated to Aphrodite, whose pillars are still visible through the glass floor below.
The interior is equally striking: a marble screen inlaid with gold and silver icons, an intricately carved Madonna, and walls of beautiful stone masonry in place of the standard frescoes. Minimalistic, humble and completely unlike any church we've been in.
It’s worth your time, even if you have zero religious affiliation.
THE DETAILS
Where |Panagia Ekatontapiliani, Parikia
Cost | Free
Opening Hours | Daily: 7 am - 9 pm
Tips | Act respectfully, and remember to cover shoulders and knees, and go early before the day-trippers arrive
EXPLORE THE OLD TOWN & FRANKISH CASTLE
High above Parikia, the Frankish Castle is not a castle in the conventional sense, no towers, no drawbridge, no battlements.
Built by the Venetians in 1260 AD, it's more accurately a fortified section of the old town, constructed largely from marble pillaged from ancient temples.
The thick walls and incorporated corners and squares make it as much an archaeological site as a historic quarter.
Wander up through the narrow laneways, and you'll find the blue-domed Church of Agios Konstantinos at the highest point, which is one of the best viewpoints in Parikia, with panoramic views over the port and the Aegean beyond.
The surrounding laneways and small courtyards are worth exploring slowly, particularly in the late afternoon when the light turns the marble walls golden.
This is also where you'll find some of Parikia's best sunset bars, but more on those below.
GO SHOPPING ON OLD MARKET STREET
Deep in Parikia's old town, the market street is a genuine labyrinth worth losing an hour in.
Linen, ceramics, handmade jewellery, local soaps, art, summer clothing and craft stores all jostle for space along the cobbled lanes, which are the kind of unhurried, affordable shopping that Naoussa's boutiques have long since priced themselves out of.
It's not all tourist trinkets either. Mixed in among the souvenir shops are some genuinely good finds, including original pieces, local makers and a more relaxed browsing experience than anywhere on Mykonos or Santorini. Prices reflect the fact that this is a town that still caters to locals as much as visitors, which keeps things honest.
For something more upmarket, Leto is the pick, which is well-curated and well-priced. For handmade and one-of-a-kind pieces, Magissa Handmade Creations is our favourite shop in the old town. Go in without a budget and leave with more than you planned. You've been warned.
VISIT PARIKIA’S BEST BEACHES
The island's best beaches are to the east and south, but Parikia has a handful of decent options for those who want a lazy afternoon by the water without jumping in a car.
The bonus: most are naturally sheltered from the meltemi, making them some of the more comfortable spots on the island on windy days.
PARIKIA BEACH
The best of the bunch. A long stretch of white sand with clear, shallow water and a relaxed atmosphere. Perfect for families or anyone who wants to wade rather than swim.
Tango Mar beach club is the pick for sunbeds and food. The sunset view from here is lovely.
KRIOS BEACH
Across the bay from Parikia, and our pick for the best free beach near town. Sheltered, clear and quiet, with Marcello on the eastern end for sunbeds and food.
The water taxi from Parikia harbour takes minutes and is the easiest way to get there. Come late afternoon, when the crowd thins and the light starts to pop.
LIVIDIA BEACH
Close to town and popular for good reason, particularly at sunset when the promenade restaurants fill up.
Decent rather than special, and we'd walk the extra few minutes to Parikia Beach if the choice is between the two. The restaurants lining the shore are a draw, though - good food at prices that won't sting.
READ MORE | Best beaches on Paros, including all the best beaches a short drive from Parikia
PAROS ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
For a small island, Paros has an outsized archaeological history, and this modest museum in downtown Parikia does a genuinely good job of telling it.
The collection spans thousands of years: statues of Artemis, Athena and the Nike of Paros, Roman mosaics, ancient amphoras, burial casks and coins, all with English and Greek placards throughout.
The highlight is a fragment of the Parian Chronicle, a marble slab inscribed with a timeline of ancient Greek history, one of the most important historical documents from the ancient world, discovered right here on Paros.
Allow 30–45 minutes and go in with low expectations. It's a small museum, not the Acropolis.
But at €2, it's one of the best-value hours you'll spend on the island, and the context it gives the rest of your visit is worthwhile.
THE DETAILS
Where |Archeological Museum of Paros
Cost | €2 per person
Tip | Combine with Ekatontapiliani - both are within easy walking distance of each other
WATCH A FAMOUS PAROS SUNSET FROM PARIKIA
Parikia's sunset is its own thing, not a Santorini consolation prize, but a genuinely spectacular evening ritual in its own right.
The light hits the marble walls of the Frankish Castle at golden hour in a way that's hard to overstate, and the bars tucked into the castle laneways are perfectly positioned to make the most of it.
Our favourite is Bebop, a boho-chic bar with a sprawling outdoor terrace, Peruvian small plates and some of the best cocktails in Parikia. The Bebop Zombie is the order, which features multiple rums, lime, passionfruit, pineapple and aromatic bitters, but an Aperol Spritz or Negroni works just as well if you want something simpler.
Cocktails run €11–15. They also pour a Cycladic craft beer called 56 Islands that's worth a cold one on a hot afternoon.
If Bebop is full, Kastro next door is an excellent backup.
But get there early. The good terrace spots go fast.
VISIT PETRA FARM
Just above Kolymbithres, about 10 minutes from Parikia, Petra Farm runs one of the most rewarding experiences on the island.
It’s an organic farm tour and tasting led by Alkis, a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture who has a genuine gift for making the whole thing both educational and entertaining.
The tour covers the terraces, the crops, the goats and chickens, before ending on the family balcony overlooking Naoussa Bay with a tasting of locally grown products, including the best capers you'll eat in your life, accompanied by Petra wine.
One of the best things to do in Paros, without question.
THE DETAILS
Where |Petra Farm, Paros Island
Cost | From €25 per person for tour & tasting, from €35 per person for tour tasting, tasting & lunch
Tour duration | 2 hours
Tips | Organise 48 hours in advance. Book here
EAT ALL THE GELATO
Our life motto, 'an ice cream a day keeps the doctor away,' has served us well on Paros, and Vanilla Gelateria, in the heart of Parikia's old town, is the place to put it into practice.
Fresh, homemade gelato in the quintessential Greek style, thick, creamy, heavier than Italian but no worse for it. The pistachio and Kinder Bueno flavours are the picks, best served in a waffle cone (always the waffle cone).
If sorbet is more your thing, the mandarin is excellent.
Good news for those based in Naoussa: they've since opened a second location there as well.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK IN PARIKIA, PAROS
Parikia's food scene is better than most visitors expect, and considerably more affordable than Naoussa's.
Here are our picks across every occasion.
STOU FRED | Parikia's finest restaurant and the place to go if you want something genuinely special. Set in a beautiful garden, the menu is distinctly French, changes weekly and is executed to a standard that would hold its own in Athens. Book well in advance, tables go fast and for good reason.
BOUNTARAKI | Honest, delicious Greek cuisine in the heart of Parikia. Order the sea bream and the watermelon salad. You can thank us later.
CUORE ROSSO | Authentic Italian pizza in a hidden courtyard in the old town. Go for the pizza, stay for the tiramisu. One of those places you stumble upon and immediately tell everyone about.
CAFE SYMPOSIUM PAROS | One of the prettiest café settings on the island, with exceptional coffee and a brunch menu worth the detour.
DISTRATO CAFE BISTROT | Distrato is set in a beautiful shaded square, relaxed and unhurried, with good food and great coffee. A perfect mid-morning stop.
HOPS AND COLORS | A craft beer bar in the Frankish Castle, unlike anything else on the island. A huge range of Greek craft beers and an unbeatable sunset perch. Don't miss the 56 Islands Cycladic ale.
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN GREECE
Honest take: If you can't afford travel insurance, you really can't afford to travel.
Travel insurance is the difference between a stressful story and a catastrophic one, and after 8+ years of full-time travel, here's what we use and recommend.
FOR TRAVELLERS | HeyMondo: Comprehensive travel and medical cover, with an app offering 24-hour medical support and no out-of-pocket fees. Consistently our top pick. Use our link for 5% off your policy.
FOR DIGITAL NOMADS | SafetyWing: Flexible travel and medical cover with the key advantage of being able to purchase a policy while already overseas.
FOR CAR HIRE | Insurance4CarHire: A solid annual policy worth considering if you're renting cars across multiple destinations.
PLANNING A TRIP TO GREECE SOON?
Make the most of your island-hopping adventure with our essential Greece travel guides.
EXPLORE PAROS
Start with these guides to help plan your time on the island:
The best things to do on Paros Island
Paros Travel Guide - Things to know before visiting
MORE CYCLADIC ISLANDS
Planning to visit nearby islands too? These guides will help:
NAXOS| Top things to do on Naxos, The best beaches on Naxos Island, Where to stay on Naxos Island, Things to do in Chora Town, A guide to the pretty town of Halki, A guide to Plaka Beach, Agios Prokopios, how to get from Athens to Naxos
SANTORINI | Our complete Santorini Guide, The best of Santorini, A complete guide to Oia, Santorini, Exploring the stunning Ammoudi Bay, Our guide to hiking Skaros Rock, How and where to find the best Santorini sunsets, where to stay in Santorini, How to get from Athens to Santorini
MKYKONOS | What to see and do on Mykonos, How to get from Athens to Mykonos
PLAN YOUR GREEK SUMMER WITH OUR USEFUL GUIDES
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