Finding heaven in Paros

Usually when we travel, we look for the hot spots. In Greece, this means that Mykonos and Santorini are high on the list. But every now and then, we like to hit something that is to come and a little more tame than usual. On our recent trip to the Greek islands, we decided to get a little R&R by trying a less touristy neighboring island (compared to Mykonos) in the Cyclades called Paros.

Perfectly clear and calm waters, white sand beaches, friendly Parians, and surprisingly fun nightlife make Paros a perfect and promising Jet Set destination. There are many active port cities, some more touristy than others. My favorite is Naoussa. Naoussa is the most cosmopolitan city on the island. And, with the beautiful beach of Santa María nearby, it is without a doubt the best area of ​​the island to stay.

Here are my tips for finding your own paradise in Paros!

Get there

Getting to Paros is easy both by air and by sea. Personally, I prefer to fly directly from Athens. The reality is that, by the time you take a taxi to Piraeus (the port of Athens) and take a ferry, flying is almost the same price and the flight takes 35 minutes instead of 3-5 hours by ferry. The flight is fast, the views from the plane are breathtaking, and the airport is so small and adorable that it’s worth flying.

Ferries: Hellenic Seaways, Blue Star Ferries, Aegean Speed ​​Lines

Airlines: Olympic Air

Where to stay

Nauossa sky

In Paros this is the traditional B&B. For Rob and I, we chose the subtly chic and aptly named Heaven Naoussa. Heaven Naoussa is nestled gently on the quiet pedestrianized streets of Naoussa, just a few steps from the main port city and a short 10-minute scooter ride to the beautiful beaches of Santa Maria. It’s simplicity at its finest. We chose one of the five suites called the Lavender Iris Blue Gray Suite, which had more space as it can accommodate up to four people. Our suite was traditional and elegant with a bedroom, bathroom, living room and a huge balcony overlooking the beautiful landscape of the islands. All suites include air conditioning, dial phone, refrigerator, satellite TV, safe, beach towels and breakfast in the room.

Breakfast in heaven

Our favorite part of Heaven Naoussa was having breakfast on our huge balcony! Each morning our preset breakfast arrived at 10:30 am, as requested. Our breakfast consisted of the tastiest Greek yogurt we’ve ever had and, of course, honey; Greek coffee for me and Espresso for my husband; a basket of breads and cakes and a hard-boiled egg. Simple, perfect, delicious!

Once breakfast was complete, we grabbed our beach towels and hopped on our scooter that we rented just a few steps from the hotel and headed to the nearby Santa Maria beach.

Where to spend the day

Santa maria beach

For us, it is the beach of Santa María. Santa María is an organized beach with something for everyone. Whether you want to get there early, grab a 4 euro lounge chair, a 30 euro massage on the beach and just relax, or show up later in the day, play volleyball, paddle ball, and drink amazing mojitos and dance to the beat of the DJ, en It’s up to you! There are two restaurants / bars on the beach. our favorite is Nava.

Where to have lunch

Bar and restaurant on Nava beach

This one is easy! On the beach of Santa María there is a restaurant that opened this year (summer 2011) called Nava. The bright blues of the sea are a perfect contrast to her white-on-white, beach-chic outdoor design. The service is top notch and the view is second to none.

The menu is a mix of traditional Greek island fare – octopus, Greek salad, fresh fish and they have borrowed a bit from their Italian counterparts as they also serve salads and Caprese pastas. So delicious!

Where to see the sunset

Since Heaven Naoussa’s location is just a few steps from the port, it’s an easy walk into town to watch the sunset at our favorite secret spot, Fotis. Fotis is an all-white lounge with indoor and outdoor seating. It is tucked away in a small side street and away from the hustle and bustle of the port. Super laid back and directly on the rocky beach of a little bay. If you want a modern atmosphere and a cool cocktail while watching the sunset over Paros, Fortis is the place to be!

Where to dine

The port city is full of restaurants, some touristy, some not so much. But, if you want a romantic dinner that is surely not a tourist trap, hop on the scooter and head for about 5 minutes down the road to the beautiful open-air restaurant called Siparos. Siparos serves traditional Mediterranean dishes. If you go a little earlier, you can enjoy a magical view of the sea of ​​the beautiful sunset.

Where to have a drink

Café Del Mar is a great place for a drink or two around midnight. Grab a table and listen to all your favorite songs and relax or enjoy an evening even later!

Where to party

If you’re still awake and have some energy after 4am, head towards the bus station and you’ll find club after club, all begging for your attention. Every night is different and the music changes from club to club, so see what you like and jump in! (The great news about staying at Heaven Naoussa is that your bed is just steps away! There are no taxis. There are no scooters. No problems!)

Paros is definitely one of the most relaxing, beautiful, friendly and safe islands in the Cyclades. The local Parians make you feel almost like family. It is easy to explore the entire island by scooter. We even find some restaurants that can compete with many of the best on the neighboring islands. And of course, the sunsets are absolutely magical. In general, you have a real idea of ​​what it might be like to actually live on the Greek islands. It’s definitely worth a visit for a few nights, if not more.