Parikia

Paros, Greece

The main port, a functioning town with open cafes, bakeries, and shops for locals.

Places in Parikia

Parikia local tavernas Open cafes and traditional tavernas in the functioning main port town for locals.
Parikia open cafes Open cafes, bakeries, and shops for locals in the main port.

Best time to visit: September offers the perfect balance, with the sea like bathwater and the Meltemi winds calmed, and evenings in Naoussa lively but not overwhelming.
Getting around: Paros' towns, including Naoussa, Lefkes, and Parikia, are each walkable; a car or scooter connects them and the island's beaches.
Currency: Euro (€)
Language: Greek. English is widely spoken.
Timezone: EET (UTC+2, UTC+3 in summer)
Current trends: Paros continues attracting a more up-scale, luxury-seeking crowd, particularly in Naoussa, with trendy bars and restaurants serving variations on the traditional Greek menu, while the island remains a top spot in the Aegean for wind sports with beginner and pro-friendly beaches along the south coast.

Naoussa — The chic, trendy, upscale 'Mykonos' side of Paros, with a harbour lined with high-end restaurants and boutiques.
Lefkes — The former medieval capital, a quiet amphitheater-style village with neoclassical buildings and zero car traffic.