Paros island hopping: 5 extraordinary itineraries to easily do on your own

last updated: February 2024

Paros is definitely the new ‘place to be’ in the Greek islands and rightly so. Its unparalleled Cycladic architecture and landscape, golden beaches, countless charming venues for wining and dining and easy access from Athens, make visiting Paros a no-brainer. Furthermore, there are so many beautiful islands close by (10min boat journey to 1h+), all of them unique and definitely worth exploring.

Given the island’s central location in the Cyclades (the islands in the centre of the Aegean Sea), starting (or ending) an island hopping trip from Paros is a great idea, and one quite easy to implement. Why not visit other famous islands such as Mykonos and Santorini or go off the beaten track in the Small Cyclades? And while you are there, check out the secret celebrity haunts of neighbouring Antiparos or continue your wind surfing tour in Naxos!

In this blog post, you’ll find the 5 best island hopping itineraries starting from or ending in (or passing through) Paros. You can do all of these, completely on your own. No guides or ‘experts’ required. You don’t even need to speak a word of Greek (though you will get big smiles if you try!). Grab your friends, partner, family or no one, hop on a ferry and let’s explore some of the best corners of Greece.

TOP 5 PAROS ITINERARIES:
NO1. THE AUTHENTIC CYCLADIC ITINERARY

The Authentic Cycladic Itinerary | Paros & Antiparos – Sifnos – Serifos [or Milos]

Why have I named this itinerary ‘Authentic’? Not sure. I went with my gut on this one.

I guess it’s because Serifos and Sifnos have more Greek visitors than most of the islands I mention in this blog post. Or because, growing up in Greece, summer holidays in Paros and Milos were super common, a classic solution to the ‘which island should we visit this year’ problem (tough, I know). I do have to admit though that, today, Paros and Milos have become a hotspot of travellers from around the world, with all the fancy restaurants and luxury hotels that this entails. Does this negate my title, then? Absolutely not.

This is an itinerary filled with pure Cycladic beauty. Classic sun drenched sugar cube houses and wind swept landscapes, surrounded by serene sandy beaches or wild jagged cliffs and the heartachingly blue sea. As Greek of a blue as it can be.

To be honest, the rest of the itineraries in this blog post also exhibit the qualities of the Cycladic archetype. So, you will just have to trust me on this one. It does not get more Cycladic than this. You’ll see.

CHECK OUT THE TRAVEL GUIDES:

Paros: Planning your trip to the most ‘marblellous’ Greek isle
Sifnos island: A taste of delicious Greek summer

TOP 5 PAROS ITINERARIES:
NO2. THE BEACH BUM’S ITINERARY

The Beach Bum’s Itinerary | Mykonos – (Ano) Koufonisi – Naxos – Paros – Antiparos

Going to the beach is serious business in Greece.

For us Greeks, summer doesn’t start until that first swim in the sea, that first iced coffee or cold beer with your feet buried in the sand and your hair dripping of salt water. I am talking on behalf of the whole Greek nation when I say that this is the highlight of our year, so simple and yet so precious…

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Greece, join us on our national pastime and spend the day by (and in) the water. Happily, the Beach Bum’s itinerary caters for both beach bums by birth and sworn winter lovers! Mykonos, Koufonisia (Ano Koufonisi & neighbouring Kato Koufonisi), Naxos, Paros and Antiparos have some of the best beaches you can find in the Cyclades and maybe even Greece*. Pack your swimsuit and let’s go!

*Competition is fierce for a place in the list of best beaches in the whole of Greece as there are so many beautiful (and swimmable) beaches throughout the country…

CHECK OUT THE TRAVEL GUIDES:

Koufonisia: Beach bumming in the most exotic Greek islands
Paros: Planning your trip to the most ‘marblellous’ Greek isle

TOP 5 PAROS ITINERARIES:
NO3. THE WINDSURFER’S ITINERARY

The Windsurfer’s Itinerary | Tinos – Mykonos – Paros – Naxos

Ready for an adrenaline rush?

Tinos, Mykonos, Paros and Naxos are amongst the most classic holiday destinations in Greece, welcoming visitors for many years before the Greek islands solidified their position amongst the world’s top destinations. Further than that, they are the place to be if you are into windsurfing and kitesurfing.

The wind does not stop blowing in quite a few of the beaches in the islands that make up the Windsurfer’s itinerary providing excellent conditions for those wishing to learn, practice or compete in windsurfing and kitesurfing. Kolymbithra beach in Tinos, Kalafatis, Korfo and Ftelia in Mykonos, Santa Maria and Punta in Paros and Mikri Vigla in Naxos are favourite meeting points for those who love waves.

With crystal clear waters, soft golden sand, great facilities and incomparable Cycladic architecture, Greek cuisine and hospitality, you are bound to have a blast in and out of the water.

The Windsurfer’s itinerary is the perfect trip for your own endless summer.

CHECK OUT THE TRAVEL GUIDES:

Paros: Planning your trip to the most ‘marblellous’ Greek isle

TOP 5 PAROS ITINERARIES:
NO4. THE REVELLER’S ITINERARY

The Reveller’s Itinerary | Mykonos – Paros – Antiparos – Ios – Santorini

Let’s get loud.

But first, I need to clarify. The islands included in this itinerary are by no means only intended for partying. Personally, I have visited most of them with friends and my fiancé and you can definitely have a relaxing / romantic time in all of them. However, if you are looking for beach parties or exciting nightlife, you will definitely find that here too.

Mykonos will give you plenty of opportunities to revel in luxury amongst the international jetset, whether on the beach or in Chora. On the other hand, chic Paros will get you hanging out with a young, energetic crowd and so will hippy Ios. Last but not least, Antiparos is quite the dark horse. It is generally considered as an undiscovered, laid-back kind of a place, and it is. Nevertheless, you can easily find yourself seeing the sunrise with your shoes and a drink in hand!

Where does Santorini fit in all of this? Well, it is the outlier here, even though you will find some clubs in Fira. However, if you actually follow the whole itinerary through, I think you’ll very much welcome the change of scenery!

Best for? The young and young at heart.

CHECK OUT THE TRAVEL GUIDES:

Paros: Planning your trip to the most ‘marblellous’ Greek isle
Santorini: Bold, beautiful & absolutely worth it – Trip planning guide

TOP 5 PAROS ITINERARIES:
NO5. THE GLOBETROTTER’S ITINERARY

The Globetrotter’s Itinerary: Santorini [or Mykonos] – (Ano) Koufonisi – Schinousa – Irakleia – Paros [or Naxos]

One for the explorers. Channel your inner Odysseus, and, here we go.

Living the jet set life in Mykonos or discovering the ancient secrets of Santorini. Beach bumming in Koufonisia, sailing in Schinousa, hiking in Irakleia. And to top all that, Paros and Naxos will offer you any (and every) kind of holiday you wish for. This is an itinerary for those who want it all.

I went on this exact trip very recently and, in all honesty, when I was planning this itinerary, I was certain that I was going to regret it. I thought that even with the 2.5 weeks in my disposal, it would be too much. Happily, I was wrong. The trip was perfect. There were a lot of ferries involved, but most of the journeys were quite short so they were not tiring. So, if you have two weeks or more, do not hesitate, do it! One of my personal favourites.

The Globetrotter’s itinerary is best suited to those of you who travel light. Those of you who are comfortable with ferries and all kind of sea journeys. Those of you who open the map and see endless opportunities rather than one destination.

CHECK OUT THE TRAVEL GUIDES:

Santorini: Bold, beautiful & absolutely worth it -Trip planning guide
Koufonisia: Beach bumming in the most exotic Greek islands
Schinousa: Peace & relaxation in the Greek island of the sun
Irakleia: Journeying into beautiful, off the beaten track Greece
Paros: Planning your trip to the most ‘marblellous’ Greek island

PLANNING YOUR ISLAND HOPPING TRIP

FINAL THOUGHTS

So, that’s all folks! Hopefully, my suggested itineraries provided you with lots of ideas about combining your trip to Paros with other Greek islands with similar or very different vibes, depending on what you want to get out of your trip. Bear in mind that the above mentioned itineraries can also be done partially which I’d strongly recommend if you are planning a short trip or just want to relax and travel slow.

Should you have any questions, feel free to let me know in the comments section below. Lastly, don’t forget to check out my blog posts about Paros island itself, if you haven’t already. See you on the next one!