See Also
- Where Travelers Can Stay in Naxos
- Locations Recommended for Staying in Paros
- premium lodging on Naxos Island
- Best Accommodations on Naxos
- Affordable Accommodations: Wonderloft Hostel Jogja • “NOMORE” Gallery and Guesthouse • Agung Inn • Yogyakarta BnB • Hati Hati
Paros or Naxos – Summary
- Naxos is somewhat more family-friendly, while Paros is somewhat more couples-friendly.
- Both islands have picturesque villages by the sea, magnificent traditional villages in the hills, and smaller beach resorts around the coasts.
- Both Naxos and Paros boast some of the Finest Beaches in Greece and the islands are famous for their wonderful sand, great swimming, and sunbathing. Naxos has kilometers-long stretches of golden sandy beaches, while Paros has smaller, rockier coves, and more unusual shorelines. Both islands have secluded, nude beaches.
- Both islands are known for windsurfing, kitesurfing, waterskiing, and sailing. Both have well-maintained hiking trails, though Naxos has better hiking generally.
- Both locations feature incredible restaurants serving fresh, locally sourced food – especially seafood. Naxos tends to have more casual tavernas, while Paros includes more trendy restaurants, and a handful of fine dining establishments.
- Both islands produce high-quality olives, olive oil, wine, dairy products, and local spirits. Naxos is the agricultural heart of the Cyclades, known for its potatoes, cheeses, and meats.
- Paros features improved nightlife (though nothing too wild) and a somewhat trendier vibe with added shopping and boutique accommodations. Naxos has a bit of nightlife but additional historic churches and archaeological sites.
- Paros has better public transportation connecting its main villages to nearby beaches. Naxos has frequent buses in high season from Chora (Naxos Town) to the most popular beaches, but you’ll need to rent a car to truly explore the mountain villages.
- Naxos and Paros have suitable roads for driving. Paros features a flatter landscape with a perimeter road encircling the entire island, allowing easy exploration across it. Naxos is mountainous with steep paths heading over the mountains rather than surrounding them. Most of the smooth paved routes are on the busier western side of the island; the less populated eastern side has numerous winding dirt roads and rocky trails.
- Both islands are well-connected to Athens and neighboring islands by ferry. Paros has a better airport than Naxos and provides more frequent flights from Athens and Thessaloniki. Neither island hosts an international airport.
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Where to Go – Paros or Naxos?
Paros is a lively island divided between two enjoyable and fully unique towns to portion time at, renowned cuisine and nightlife, and unique beaches. Naxos is a relaxed island wrapped in expansive beaches, with a charming central village, traditional towns to explore, and many hiking routes.
If you have adequate time (at minimum 5 days) visit both locations; they are only 40 minutes apart by ferry. If you’re dividing time on Paros or Naxos with time on Santorini, either island complements a trip to Santorini well. If you’re splitting time on one of these islands with Mykonos, Naxos (rustic, traditional) offers more of a contrast than Paros (busy, cosmopolitan).
Visit Naxos for beaches with sand, traditional mountain villages, local crafts, hearty food, natural beauty, historic churches and ruins, adventurous hiking, sailing, family vacations.
Go to Paros for unusual beaches, gourmet eateries, busy nightlife, charming seaside villages, boutique shopping, beginner hiking, sailing, romantic vacations.
The Weather in Paros and Naxos
Paros and Naxos sit side by side, around 10 km apart. The weather conditions are quite similar on both islands. The ideal time for visiting due to weather is from late May to early October. June through September offers the best conditions for swimming and watersports. April, May, and October also present wonderful opportunities for sightseeing, dining out, and nightlife activities.
Visiting Both Paros and Naxos
- Central World – Stores include Isetan, Zen, Toys R Us, SuperSports (athletic gear), PowerBuy (electronics), and H&M. For amusement there are 15 movie theaters and an ice rink with skates available for rent. Connected to Siam and Chitlom BTS stations but both require about a 5 minute walk in opposite directions.
You can purchase ferry tickets for the route between Naxos and Paros, but you will rarely need advance tickets outside of July and August. If you’re already in Greece you can buy tickets from any travel agency a few days in advance of your ferry trip.
Day Trip to Paros or Naxos
Since Paros and Naxos are so close in proximity, day trips are a great way to explore the highlights of both islands. Both islands offer sightseeing bus tours to the main villages and cultural highlights. Naxos offers fantastic boat trips to visit the harder-to-reach beaches and sea caves. Paros has boat tours visiting the nearby islands of Antiparos and Despotiko.
Paros vs Naxos in Photos
Naxos: A Photo Guide
Paros: A Photo Guide
