PAROS FAQ'S

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

Paros airport is located 9 km south of Parikia, in the region of Alyki. Transportation from the airport to Parikia is provided by bus from the nearby bus station. There is also taxi service available to any destination on the island. The taxi fare to Parikia is about 15€. You may also want to check if your hotel provides airport shuttle service.

How do I get from the port to my hotel?

Paros is known as the transportation hub of the Cyclades. Almost all ferry boats stop here en route to someplace else and many people stay here for a night or two while waiting for a connection. If you haven't booked a private transfer with us then the bus office and main station in Parikia is on the waterfront, to the left of the windmill. There is frequent service around the island and schedules (not always current) are usually available inside the bus office. Alternately, taxis can be booked or hailed at the windmill taxi stand. Be sure to agree on a fare before you get in.

When do the hydrofoils operate between the islands?

Boat travel in Greece is common and relatively inexpensive. Timetables change according to seasonal demand and boats may be delayed by weather conditions, so your plans should be flexible. That being said, ferries and hydrofoils for the Greek Islands only operate between May and September due to annual weather changes including rough seas and high winds. For travel beyond these months, your itinerary will include transportation by flight between the islands.

Note: The Athens airport authority advises you to allow a minimum of 45 minutes to make a flight connection; which should be adequate if you arrive and depart from the main terminal and do not have to clear Customs. Allow at least 60 to 90 minutes if you have to clear Customs or if you arrive or depart from the satellite terminal. At present, many charter flights use the satellite terminal.

How do I get around the city using public transportation?

Getting around Paros is not too difficult. The bus office and main station in Parikia are on the waterfront, to the left of the windmill. There is hourly service between Parikia and Naoussa, from 8am to midnight in high season. Other buses from Parikia run frequently, from 8am to 9pm, in two general directions: south to Alyki or Pounda, and southeast to the beaches at Piso Livadi, Chrissi Akti, and Drios, passing the Marathi Quarries and the town of Lefkes along the way. Schedules (not always current) are usually available at the Parikia bus office.

Please Note: Buses on Paros usually have no signs indicating their destination. The place where you are dropped off is seldom the place you should be waiting to be picked up again. Be persistent in getting useful information on which bus is yours and where you should be for your return trip from the bus office staff or bus driver.

Where can I rent a bicycle in Paros?

One of the most popular means of getting around the island is by moped or bicycle. Bikes are cheap to rent (about 7€ per day), and are an ecological way to travel around the island. Rental agencies can be found at the ports and in the business districts. Expect to pay about 15€ to 30€ per day for a moped, depending on the engine size. It's a good idea to check the brakes and steering before you ride off. Greek law now requires wearing a helmet, but not all agents supply one. Also, don't wear shorts or sandals; be sure to get full insurance and get a phone number, in case of breakdown.

Warning: The roads are not only tricky and steep, but also narrow, and it can be dangerous due to cars and motorbikes overtaking you at high speed. When you are cycling, be sure to ride behind one another, not next to each other! Beware of the heat (sunstroke) and take plenty of water with you!

How do I call/hail a taxi?

Taxis are the most convenient means of transport because you can visit many places on the island quickly. However, it is the most expensive. Taxis can be booked or hailed at the windmill taxi stand.

Please Note: Before getting into a taxi, carefully check the rates for your destination (if they are not on display ask the driver). Being informed is crucial since there are no taxi meters.

I will have a car in Paros, where can I park?

Hiring a car is an option to get around Paros as it will provide the most freedom and comfort for travel. However, during the summer, the roads become very hectic since many drivers are visitors to the island and do not know their way around, while locals tend to drive at full speed. Get a map if you intend to travel. But get a Greek language one as well as an English one as the Greek place names are more likely to correspond with the local road signs. And be aware that many maps can have little or no relation to the roads, especially in rural areas. Road edition maps are usually the most accurate.

There are many agencies along the waterfront where you can expect to pay from 30€ per day for a car. Be sure to get full insurance and check the brakes. During peak season finding a parking space is quite a challenge.

Please Note: If you park in a no-parking area, the police will remove your license plates, and you, not the car rental office, will have to pay a hefty fine to get them back!

Warning: Drive with caution, especially at night, when you will undoubtedly be sharing the roads with motorists returning from an evening of drinking.

Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency of Greece is the Euro. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for euros upon arrival. There are several banks with ATMs in Parikia on Mavroyenous, the main square, and one on the square in Naoussa. Bank hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 2:00pm. For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in Greece by clicking here.

I don't speak Greek. Will many people speak English?

English may be spoken at your hotel and in the tourist areas, but not everywhere. Greeks do have great regard for those that try to speak Greek so it is a good idea to learn a few phrases. We suggest you get a good English-Greek guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

What is Greek food like? What is the standard for tipping?

Greek food comes in many shapes, forms and varieties to keep even the most demanding traveler satisfied! Paros has its own culinary specilaties and food products. Don't be afraid to sample the best each island has to offer.

A service charge of 15 percent is usually included in the bill, but if service is good, then it is customary to leave 10 percent.

Can I drink the water?

Yes, but many find it bitter as it usually has a high mineral content.

Where can I buy necessities like bottled water and toiletries?

Most villages have small markets where you can buy water and food and other household items. Greek pharmacies are usually excellent with a qualified doctor or medic on staff (who usually speaks some English), but medicines can be more expensive than at home.

What are the best beaches in Paros?

Paros has fine sand beaches, all with chairs and umbrellas to rent as well as lots of tavernas and cafes. Chrissi Akti (Golden Beach), on the island's southeast coast, is a 1/2 mile of fine golden sand, and is generally considered the best beach on the island. It's also the windiest, although the wind is usually offshore. As a result, this has become the island's primary windsurfing center and has hosted the World Cup championship every year since 1993. There's frequent bus service here from both Parikia and Naoussa. One of the island's best and most famous beaches, picturesque Kolimbithres, is also served by bus from Parikia and Naoussa. It has smooth giant rocks that divide the gold sand beach into several tiny coves. As at Golden Beach, there are umbrellas and chairs to rent and lots of places to have a bite. There's bus and caique service from Naoussa to Santa Maria beach, one of the most beautiful on the island. It has crystal clear water and shallow dunes (rare in Greece) of fine sand along the irregular coastline. Please visit our dedicated page on Paros beaches for more information.

Please note: It is common for women to go topless on beaches. And while public nudity is illegal in Greece, every island has at least one beach where nudity is allowed.

What are the most popular clubs in Paros? Where are they located?

The island of Paros has plenty of drinking and dancing venues for an exciting night out. Perhaps it doesn't have the outrageous nightlife that you find in the neighboring islands of Mykonos or Ios, but Paros certainly knows how to party! As on all the islands, what's a hot place this year is often forgotten by the next year. You'll know what the hot places are since they'll be the ones packed with customers and playing loud music.

Warning: Several places on the strip in Parikia offer very cheap drinks or 'buy one, get one free.' However, what you'll most likely get is locally brewed alcohol that the locals call bomba. This homemade brew is usually made illegally. It's a quick way to get drunk and a sure way to feel awful in the morning!

What else is there to do on Paros besides clubbing?

Paros's beaches and nightlife have made it a popular destination in its own right, but because of the absence of any antiquity (like Santorini's ancient Akrotiri), a lot of visitors come here just to have a good time. With its rich history, quaint villages, museums and other attractions, there is plenty to keep you busy! Paros offers many activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, water skiing and wind surfing as well as hiking trails. We especially recommend exploring the Byzantine Road. And if you want to visit Paros to see its famous butterflies, remember that they come here in May and June.

What are the best areas for shopping?

There is no shortage of shopping opportunities on Paros! Market Street in Parikia is the main shopping area of the island, with lots of jewelry, leather, pottery and shoe shops. Several shops selling local produce, including cheese, honey and wine, are all worth a visit. Across the island, in the old part of Naoussa, you can also find locally crafted jewelry and exhibitions of paintings by local artists, which are sometimes for sale. Hera, which is just down the lane from the Naoussa Sweet Shop, offers local pottery, jewelry, carpets and books of local interest. In Lefkes, Anemi, by the kafeneion on the plateia, has hand loomed and embroidered fabrics.