This Gorgeous Island Is One Of The Best In Greece With Breathtaking Beaches

In Greek, there's a word for sun-lovers: "heliophiles." And if you identify as a heliophile, you're likely planning your next sun-soaked escape to a destination with warm weather, jaw-dropping natural landscapes, and breathtaking beaches. One such mesmerizing locale is the small Greek island of Paros, where pristine rows of stacked, chalk-white buildings and colorful bougainvillea-draped cobblestone alleyways nestle comfortably between the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea and the lush green foothills of Mount Agii Pantes, the island's tallest peak. Touted as a peaceful alternative to Mykonos and a Santorini look-alike without the crowds, Paros offers all the perks of Greece's more popular island destinations — including amazing food, vibrant nightlife, and gorgeous beaches — without the crowds, influencers, and overpriced chaos that define its more well-worn shores. It's no wonder it's been voted the best island in the world in Travel + Leisure's 2025 "The World's Best Awards."

To begin your Cycladic getaway, you'll first need to fly into Athens International Airport (ATH). Once in Athens, several smaller and budget airlines offer short domestic flights to Paros. If you'd rather start soaking up Greece's infamous sun and salt air as soon as possible, make your way to Piraeus Port and board one of many ferries for a three- to five-hour journey across the Aegean Sea.

Home to 60 magical beaches across just 75 miles of coastline, Paros is a mecca for windsurfing, scuba diving, and yachting. The Greek island is replete with endless seaside delights, and no matter your vacation style, its stunning beaches offer something for every taste, budget, and activity level.

On the island's northern shore lies the award-winning Lageri Beach, an exotic and lesser-known escape with crystal-clear waters, rolling sand dunes, and uninhibited shores that are both nudist and LGBTQIA+ friendly. Nearby, popular Santa Maria Beach is a hotspot for travelers who crave sun, sand, and action. Nestled in a sheltered bay, its calm waters create ideal conditions for water sports like windsurfing, kitesurfing, and canoeing. Along its golden shoreline, beach bars and restaurants beckon, while umbrellas, loungers, and sun beds invite travelers to spend a relaxing day in the beaming sun and velvety sand.

Across Naoussa Bay, Kolympethres Beach is renowned for the smooth, sculpted granite boulders that dot the immaculate, shallow, blue-green waters. The scattered formations create natural coves and hidden hideaways along the water's edge, while its shore is lined with cozy loungers and umbrellas that offer a welcome reprieve from the island's bright, warm days. Waterskiers and wakeboarders flock here, and several small bars and taverns provide the perfect spot to unwind after a long day of play. Further south along the island's eastern shore, Golden Beach, also known as Chrissi Akti, is almost half a mile long and arguably one of the best swimming and water sports destination on the entire island.

No Greek getaway is complete without indulging in the authentic Mediterranean cuisine, and Paros is an island spoilt for culinary choice. On the island's north coast, Ο ΚΑΤΣΟΥΝΑΣ is a beloved spot highly rated by locals and tourists alike. The authentic menu features "Mama's traditional dishes" including mousakka, beef in tomato sauce, and stuffed vegetables starting under $10, while freshly grilled Greek staples, including chicken souvlaki, burgers, and pork chops, top out at less than $13 (as of this writing). For those who don't mind splurging, dive into the scorpion fish pasta, lobster spaghetti, or fish soup with potatoes, carrots, and zucchini.

Safran is also highly rated and a 2025 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best award winner. Set back from the busy coastline, this intoxicating restaurant is centrally located in Naoussa Bay and boasts a menu of traditional salads and appetizers, fresh seafood, and featured specialities including orzo pasta with mussels and baby squid, homemade black ravioli with seafood, and fried cannelloni with lamb. After dinner, walk to Loukoumades To Paradosiako, not to be confused with the restaurant of nearly the same name on the stunning and budget-friendly Greek island of Zakynthos, for traditional Greek desserts, including its Instagram-famous fried doughnuts.

For those seeking a traditional summer vacation with warm waters and sun-filled days, visit from May to September. While Paros is considered less crowded and less expensive than more popular Greek islands, plan your visit just after the peak summer months for even better deals and fewer crowds. If Paros is just one stop on your Cycladic island-hopping getaway, don't miss neighboring Naxos. Just a short, 25-minute ferry ride from Paros, Naxos is a low-profile island promising even more golden beaches, whitewashed villages, and sun-soaked adventures.