Thanks for doing this site! Naxos and Paros are somewhat similar so if you wanted something different then Milos is a good candidate. E le spiagge: lunghe distese soffici a Naxos, a perdita d’occhio; piccole baie raccolte a Paros, di sabbia dura o di ciottoli. In Chalki there are a handful of workshops selling artisanal cheeses, local products, and crafts all made in the traditional way. Georgina. 3) is it necessary to book ferry tickets this far in advance as I have for Santorini? But be prepared for weather that is not completely beach-friendly. En plus, tu ne croiseras pas de voiture dans la ville. En effet, à cette période, les bougainvilliers viennent embellir les lieux grâce à leurs couleurs éclatantes. The boat gets to Mykonos about 5pm and stops at the Old Port right by Mykonos Town. Personally, I find Naxos more attractive due to the family-friendly atmosphere you mentioned. For a more romantic dining experience with seafront views, head west of the old port to Taverna Glafkos. février 8, 2021 par chrysoula. Paros is a flatter island with a ring road around it, making it easy to explore the whole island. Such a helpful comparison! The days when you could lodge economically are long gone, let alone sleep for free on a beach for two weeks as many who are old enough to remember Mykonos in the 70s did! I am thinking of sailing with BLUE STAR to Santorini, Paros, Naxos and wish to walk the trails, eat in local taverns and stay in small family run places, perhaps AirBNB. I am wondering what the best way is to handle the ferry tickets from Athens to Naxos and back again. The islands are only 40 minutes apart by Greek ferry and have small, straightforward ports, so traveling from one to the other is easy. Would you suggest we spend longer on one island than the other with us having young children? Both are wonderful islands. You can even do Naxos for just one night. The only luggage restrictions are what you can carry on board. Thanks, Andrea, Perhaps a slight recommendation for Naxos but both would be great in October. The larger ferries use the New Port which then requires taking a bus to town. This is the view of Chora from ruins of Apollo Temple. Both have great beaches but the beaches on Naxos are a slightly higher quality. Both islands produce high-quality olives, olive oil, wine, dairy products, and local spirits. On most days there are a couple boats that will get you to Paros by 10:30. Hi Dave, Sifnos has great beaches and a slower pace than both Santorini and Naxos. I figure we will at least do a day trip to Mykonos on one of the days we are on Paros or Naxos (I think I saw that option). Thanks a mill spent hours searching! May 15-17 Naxos (3 days, 3 nights) Naxos is the breadbasket of the Cyclades with farms, olive groves, vineyards, and dairies in its interior and traditional villages in the mountains. Blue Star Ferries operate their crossing up to 3 times per day, SeaJets 3 times per day & the Golden Star Ferries service is available up to 14 times per week. Yeah, after some more research I think 4 nights in Mykonos is more than needed anyway. Sounds busy but very doable and a great mix of islands. Agios Prokopios is a fantastic beach with plenty of beach clubs, restaurants, and hotels. You could have some coolish non-beach days as you get into October but beautiful sunny weather is more likely. We don’t want to have a tight schedule and be super tired when we get home. As I say, I think it’s a good mix of beach (where after a week you’ll probably want a little more to do) and town (where after a week you’ll probably want to be steps from a beach instead of a bus or boat ride away). deux bons choix, même s'il risque d'y avoir du monde. More so looking to end the trip with a lot of romance and relaxation in Santorini. From Paros we would go to Mykonos for 2 nights then ferry to Athens for 2 nights. Voici quelques éléments pour t’aider à faire un choix . Or would we need to plan an overnight in Santorini because it is off season? Naxos has a mountainous interior, Paros has a hilly interior. Voyage en Grèce. Ferry to Paros and stay there 2-3 nights Best island - Milos, Sifnos, Paros or Naxos? A little smaller, but a village no less is Piso Livadi on Paros east coast you can rent a place literally on the beach if you desire. Naxos’ main port is west of the castle and faces toward the sunset. Our plan is to catch an early ferry from Rafina and get into Naxos by noon. I really welcome any of your suggestions as I am a bit nervous about traveling off season. Naxos offers fantastic boat trips to visit the harder-to-reach beaches and sea caves. Si le shopping est ta passion, tu trouveras bon nombre de boutiques chics. For swimming and watersports, June through September is best. We are considering just staying on Santorini and really exploring and spending one more day in Athens and cutting out the Naxos portion. Both have great hiking trails, though Naxos has better hiking in general. May 20 fly out for home. Personnellement, je ne pense pas que le Kouros de Mélanes vaille le détour, mais je le cite au cas où cela pourrait t’intéresser cher voyageur . We just really want to relax and swim. Monastiri is the third beach accessible by the Naoussa water taxi. Milos is much less touristy as is all the western Cyclades islands with foriegn tourists anyway. Parikia is a pleasure to get lost in, made of cobblestone paths, old stairways, and ancient churches. Upper 30s, no kids, looking for most relaxing on the islands with some wineries in Santorini and then doing the tourist thing seeing the sites in Athens. My family of 4 and my mum who is well but elderly are travelling from afar back to Greece after many years. If you don’t have much you should be fine. Nous décidons donc de passer d'abord 3 nuits sur Paros puis 4 nuits sur Naxos. Chora is densely packed with restaurants and boutique shops tucked under archways, in tunnels, and stacked over multiple levels. I’d really love to check out Naxos, but wasn’t sure if I had enough time. Appréciée des Grecs comme des touristes venus du monde entier, l’ïle de Paros n’a vraiment rien à envier à Naxos, sa grande voisine ! Parc national de Plitvice ou parc national de Krka ? We are looking for a mainly relaxing trip with some exploring (we love hiking) and of course a lot of eating, we also Won’t say no to a few nights of partying. Your itinerary looks good. Near Sangri village are the ruins of the Temple of Demeter, goddess of agriculture. We visited it three times with my family and enjoyed it so much, that we decided to buy a house in Naxos just to have some constant place to go to. Naxos in Oct. was pleasantly busy but not over-run with other tourists. Go to Naxos for sandy beaches, traditional mountain villages, local crafts, hearty food, natural beauty, historic churches and ruins, adventurous hiking, sailing, family vacations. There is a small archaeological museum on site, too. A lot of mining for minerals is going on, which does result in some areas being scarred. I was wondering if you could tell me if this is a good location to stay and what are some fun activities to do in this area? Naxos needs exploring though, there is just so much to see here. I find it much more relaxing. Paros has boat tours visiting the nearby islands of Antiparos and Despotiko. A Paros, vous pouvez faire beaucoup de choses : visiter ses nombreux villages blancs, lézarder au soleil sur ses plages de sable blanc, vous dégourdir les jambes dans ses paysages escarpés ou encore vous régaler grâce à sa cuisine savoureuse ! I really want to soak up the beauty of the islands! We loved the laid back, slow-paced attitude of Paros. Both are quite large. You’ll want reservations for this spot, too. I know both will be pretty quiet in early May. That said, I’m sure you’ll have a great trip. Any advice for a newcomer to Greece? In Paros beaches are away from the towns. Should I cut an island out? We definitely want to spend a week on Naxos to enjoy the beaches and walking, and are thinking of staying at Agios Georgios area (maybe Galaxy hotel). Beaches in Naxos tend to get better the farther south you go. My partner and I will be in Santorini in early June for a wedding. Les 2 îles, distantes de seulement quelques kilomètres, se situent en plein coeur de la mer Egée. If you want to leave nothing to chance then buy in advance on the Blue Star website then pickup from kiosk at Piraeus ferry port (close to the metro station and easy to find – just get there at least 45 minute before your ferry). You mentioned that both islands are year-round ones. The tiny island is less than a kilometer and a half away, this little jewel is ideal for a day trip. We will be immediately visiting Santorini after this so any place closer to Santorini will be good. Tu te demandes que faire à Paros ? I started 25+ years ago with 3 weeks in which I stayed on Paros, Naxos, Ios. These are the temple ruins, commonly called the Portara. Literally, every restaurant in the strip seen here is amazing. With the wind and rain it can be cold on the islands. Any advice is great! But I also don’t want to be hopping around and not really see anything. Milos is a little out of the way (though in August there are so many ferries it should still be pretty easy to do Naxos – Milos – Santorini). I just want to get the most in for the time we have, this is a lifelong dream of mine, don’t know if I will be able to go back. The main reason for loving this place for me is the best beaches even in comparison to Paros, whose beaches are also good. Paros et Naxos font toutes les deux parties de ce que l’on appelle communément les Cyclades centrales. And I have read good things on Hyrda, which I think could be a day trip from Athens but that might be too much traveling. Naxos et Paros  comptent toutes les deux pas mal de belles églises à visiter. Or would a smaller island like Koufonisia or Antiparos be a better contrast, or would we get bored too quickly? I’m torn between Naxos and Paros but would like to stay on one of those islands for three nights before heading to Mykonos. My husband and I are two active people who enjoy hiking, swimming, boating, wine and food, and beautiful scenery, and art and history. The best restaurant in Parikia is Stou Fred, run by renowned French chef Fred Chesneau and hidden in a narrow lane. Great guide to both islands. . The best restaurant at Naxos Port is Boulamatsis (written on the sign as Μπουλαμάτσης), located on the second-floor balcony above the red sign. Naxos and Paros are easier to explore on your own (either by bus or rented car) and they’re also easier to get to and from Santorini. We got engaged in 2007 in Santorini! May 18, and 19 Athens (2 days, 2 nights) Also, some really incredible local restaurants. This is one of the beaches accessible by water taxi from Naoussa. (So will Naxos and Paros but both have a bit more of a local vibe that’s interesting.) Only change I’d recommend is to add a night or two for Mykonos at the end of your island itinerary. Where would you recommend we will find something similar on Paros or any other close island? Both Paros and Naxos have better beaches than Santorini. Do you believe this possible. We have found accommodation in Parikia and Agios Prokopios and flights via Athens both ways. Both have amazing restaurants that serve fresh, local food – especially seafood. En ambas islas, hay grandes playas que se encuentran alrededor de su periferia. If there’s no one at the boat to greet you ask around at the restaurants near the ferry port and they’ll invariably know someone who rents out there place. At the north end of Aliko Beach, you’ll find the ruins of an unfinished, abandoned hotel, which is now filled with amazing graffiti murals. Paros is a wonderful choice. Laggeri Beach is a popular, clothing-optional beach accessible by water taxi. And the sea is chilly (even with nice weather) until mid-June. Plenty enough to wander around Parikia and then get to Naoussa for a look around and late lunch/early dinner. I lived on Paros in 1999 and 2001, and have spent a fair amount of time there in other years as well. I am writing for your advice. We are visiting Greece in the first week of April. My boyfriend and I are planning on visiting the start of Sept so far the plan is Santorini > Milos or Naxos by ferry > Mykonos by ferry > Athens by plane. Kalogeros Beach is another fantastic beach, known for its natural clay, which visitors use to make a full-body mud mask. You’ll need a car to get here. Combiné Cyclades 3 îles : Santorin, Naxos, Paros 3* ou 4* REF : 272402 -0 % dès 815 € TTC / personne en Séjour à l'étranger de 8 jours / 7 nuits au départ de Lyon le 07 oct. 2021 Voir les prix Your site is great! Lefkes, quant à lui, est un charmant village typique perché sur une montagne verdoyante qui se trouve au coeur de l’île de Paros. I am really enjoying your website. I’m not too bothered with essentially spending no time in Athens as I am more interested in the Islands. Both islands have charming villages by the sea, gorgeous traditional villages in the hills, and smaller beach resorts around the coasts. Paros/Naxos/Ios are mainstream touristy islands in the central Cyclades islands coming in just behind Mykonos/Santorini. I am planning a trip in mid-August with my boyfriend to Paros and we are staying on Golden Beach. It is a larger island; it has an airport and a busy boat port so getting there is easy. Louridis Golden Beach Hotel is a little more organised and has nice sea-facing studios for up to five persons. I loved the bus from Ornos to town and the vibe after a day in the sun. Peter. Farther inland from the beach is CineNaxos, an open-air movie theater. My initial itinerary looks like this, get into Athens morning of the 19th, head straight to Mykonos for 4 nights, then onto Santorini for 5 nights, then Athens for 2 nights and back to the States on the 30th. We are trying to figure out the cheapest options since we are traveling on a budget. If you’re already in Greece you can buy tickets from any travel agency a few days in advance of your ferry trip. QQ for you, I’m heading to the Greek islands next May 19-30th. Not big drinkers but like good food. This site rocks – thank you! If you’re splitting time on one of these islands with Mykonos, Naxos (rural, traditional) offers more of a contrast than Paros (busy, cosmopolitan). I was thinking to take a flight straight to Santorini stay for 3 nights in Oia then ferry to Naxos for 3 nights then ferry to Paros for 2 nights. Many include some sort of free breakfast, though nothing elaborate. There are also 3 small beaches here, making Piso Livadi a wonderful place to spend a day. This Byzantine church dates to the 4th century A.D., and is believed to have been founded by Saint Helene, mother of Emperor Constantine. So can you please give us recommendations for places to visit. Thanks so much for the article! Is there a big price difference between Paros and Naxos? There is a small archaeological museum just steps away from the church, and at only €2 a ticket, it’s well worth a visit. Où trouver les plus belles plages de Marie-Galante ? Naxos est la plus grande île des Cyclades et une des plus peuplées aussi avec plus de 18 000 habitants. Il se trouve à la pointe Nord de l’île, à l’Ouest de Naoussa. And yes, I’d rather ferry than experience the hassle of another flight. Aller à Naxos depuis Athènes dure également 4 heures avec Blue Star Ferries et il y a jusqu’à 4 traversées par jour en haute saison. Here is what I have till now, 3 nights Crete, 3 nights Santorini at the beginning. There are about 8 direct ferries a day in summer between Naxos and Paros, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. You can buy ferry tickets for the route between Naxos and Paros, but you will rarely need advance tickets outside of July and August. And it’s quicker/easier to get from the ferry port to central Athens than from the airport to central Athens. Paros and Naxos are both good for budget travelers – plenty of nice, family run hotels with small clean rooms. Crete and Santorini are the best off-season Greek islands to visit. Required fields are marked *, Newsletter – Get all new and updated articles. Blog Martinique : Pour tout savoir sur cette île des Caraïbes, Plus belles plages de Martinique : notre Top 8, Que faire en Martinique : 14 lieux incontournables à visiter. En une infographie, Le Roma Pass : découvrir Rome en faisant des économies, Que visiter à rome ? If you’re splitting time on Paros or Naxos with time on Santorini, either island compliments a trip to Santorini well. I think Naxos has a little more to see and explore, and a little more history and culture – so it makes a better fit for the quieter months. We are beach people for sure, nice diners at night, not looking for nightlife. Any insight on this would be gratefully received! Any insight is appreciated. We like walking, exploring, swimming and nature as well as good food. Thanks so much for your help! Santorini – 6 nights We have never been and want to go on an island with the best sand beaches. In October you should be able to find some fairly inexpensive accommodations. If you wanted shopping and a restaurant scene then stay closer to Parikia or Naoussa – or at the very least, rent a car. Paros and Naxos sit side by side, around 10 km apart. It’s a tough call but yes I would probably make time for Naxos. Un peu plus de dix-mille âmes peuplent les terres de ce bijou égéen. Both islands have great swimming spots. Paros is nice to visit but possibly even too quiet to stay for long. I'll chip in too. This is the trail leading up to Zas Cave, Zeus’ childhood home, according to myth. Terri Smith. Budget Quelques îles peuvent se rejoindre en avion depuis Athènes (Paros, Naxos, Santorin, Mykonos, Milos). Need your suggestion. Hi Dave Tu te demandes que faire à Naxos ? Naxos, Sifnos, Folegandros would all be great. It does cost you a few extra hours (depending on whether you go Blue Star or the smaller/faster/rougher Sea Jet) but to fly you have to taxi to the airport, lineup for baggage ticketing, lineup for security, wait some more, fly, taxi into the city when you get to Athens. Hi Dave For sightseeing, dining, and nightlife, April, May, and October are wonderful, too. Robert Raniti. Naxos is mountainous with steep roads heading over the mountains rather than going around. My husband and I are looking to travel to Greece late May/Early June. La plus importante d’entre elles se trouvent à Parikia, la capitale et aussi le principal port pour les ferries en provenance des autres îles des Cyclades. These are the Venetian castle ruins at the Naoussa port. We’re thinking of splitting our time equally between Naxos and Paros with day trips to Mykonos and Antiparos. Thanks so much for the reply. GUIDE DE VOYAGE - Archipel flottant sur l’Egée, le seul nom des Cyclades évoque la mer. Both Milos and Naxos are great islands but Naxos has much better ferry connections with Mykonos. Naxos is the agricultural heart of the Cyclades, known for its potatoes, cheeses, and meats. Ensuite nous sommes allés visiter Paros, là nous avons réservé à l’hôtel “Casa di Roma” là aussi, parfait, au calme, grande chambre avec terrasse ou jardin, jolie piscine, jardin agréable, le personnel au top, très accueillant, ne pas hésiter à demander conseil, nous avons … This is the distillery in Chalki village, operating since 1896. The best, authentic seafood tavernas in Paros are on the east side of the island in Piso Livadi. Europe - Paros or Naxos? I’d prefer to spend the night in Rafina and catch an early ferry as opposed to staying in Athens and rushing to get to Pireaus in the am. Apollo Temple is open to visitors 24-hours a day, but it is most beautiful at sunset. Arrive Sunday May 22 and take flight straight to Santorini – arriving around 2PM Greece time Milos would also be great – and you could do a boat tour around the island which kids tend to love. All are great islands so you can’t go wrong. Paros e Naxos sono entrambe belle ! Would really appreciate your expert advice as I want to make the most of the time we have on these beautiful islands. This photo was taken during the shoulder season; it’s even busier in summer. If you have the time (at least 5 days) visit both; they are only 40 minutes apart by ferry. Paros is a good option and it shares with Mykonos that Cycladic style and look – rocks, sandy beaches, white walled houses and cosy tavernas that beckon you in invitingly. This family-friendly beach offers tons of restaurants, beach clubs, and a water sports center at the south end. My husband and myself, 58 yr & 62 yr olds. Et pour cela le parc de Paros (« Paros Park » en anglais) est l’endroit idéal. Shopping is great in Parikia, with several souvenir shops, clothing boutiques, a perfumery, and a few artisan workshops, like Yria Ceramics, seen here. Hi Dave! Paros is a little trendier with good nightlife. Si vous avez fait des recherches sur les îles grecques et que vous essayez de vous décider où aller, vous êtes peut-être tombé sur ce dilemme : Paros ou Naxos ? Naxos has long, wide, golden beaches with excellent swimming and plenty of room to spread out on the sand. Les deux ?! The ferry port, seen here behind the marina, is in the capital Parikia. Buy your tickets when you first arrive in Mykonos. Voyager aux Etats-Unis : Préparer son voyage, Visiter New York en 3 jours #1 : Manhattan et Brooklyn, Visiter New York en 3 jours #2 : Quartiers mythiques et buildings célèbres, Visiter New York en 3 jours #3 : Musées et Central Park, Vacances en Irlande : Une semaine sur les routes irlandaises, Voyage en Irlande : monnaie, villes à voir, météo…, Que voir dans les Pouilles ? I'd also recommend Paros, although I haven't been to Naxos. With that much island time, yeah, I’d probably trade another island day for a day in Athens but I wouldn’t say 4 nights on Sifnos was “too much”. Certainly no nightlife. Parikia is the historic center of the island and home to the Panagia Ekatontapiliana, aka the Church of 100 Doors. Both islands offer sightseeing bus tours to the main villages and cultural highlights. Naxos vince sicuramente per il mare spettacolare e , la presenza di spiagge sterminate e anche per 1 afflusso turistico maggiore, date le sue dimensioni . The local spirit of Naxos is Kitron, a citrus liqueur. We spent a lot of time exploring the island and even more time sipping Mythos beer at the seaside tavernas. We just need a nice beach, possibly a local playground, a couple of excursions during our stay. 22 ferries effectuent la traversée chaque semaine. Paros is best known for its unique beaches, especially Kolymbithres with its lunar landscape. Are there any days the ferry companies don’t operate and are there any luggage restrictions? My wife, my daughter and I are thinking of spending 7 nights in Paros in late June visiting Naxos on a day trip. If you’re on a limited time frame the choice is clear. The Golden Beach Hotel at the west end is more of family place with a restaurant attached from which you can literally step out and onto the sand. Thanks Tu hésites entre visiter Naxos ou Paros pour ton circuit dans les iles grecques ? La ville de Chora (aussi appelée Hora ou simplement Naxos, comme l’ile) est l’un des sites touristiques incontournables de Naxos. Heading south from the Old Port and Chora leads to Agios Georgios (St. George) Beach, the closest beach to Naxos Town. The islands are great in the off season – especially if you get lucky with the weather. Escapade hors de Dubrovnik : Kotor ou Mostar ? So far so good. What is your honest opinion, really appreciate it. Is it ok to visit Mykonos in April or Paros will be a better option? Paros – 3 nights My wife and I have done a good bit of travelling around the Greek Isles back in our ‘youth’, working in Paros as university students for a few summers, travelling latter years when gainfully employed around Paros, Naxos, Santorini, Serifos, Sifnos, Milos and Amorgos (over the course of a few trips/years). Just looking for your advice please if possible. It’s a fast ferry (Sea Jet), and I’m wondering if we’re better off taking a Blue Star ferry from Pireaus instead. We were thinking of flying from Paros back to Athens the day before our international flight home but I read in one of your posts that you think it’s better to catch the ferry? The bus from Parikia to Naoussa leaves from the “bus station” directly beside the ferry port, so it’s very convenient. This post is also available in: Anglais. We only have 10 days so don’t want to spend too much time travelling! We won’t be renting a car so will be relying on public transport/taxis. Thank you so much!! Week end à Venise pour presque pas un rond. Si tu cherches le calme et la solitude, pourquoi ne pas t’ échapper pour Antiparos ? There always a trade off between days in one place and how many islands you see. D’ailleurs les terres de Naxos regorgent de vignes . If the latter, 1) what ferry company is best, 2) is there any preferred day of the week to go on? We initially planned to visit Mykonos for the party scene but later learned that Mykonos will be quiet in April. We need an organised family beach with preferably BnB studio or hotel on the beach or at least close easy access. Now taking into account your age logistics – young and old and somewhere in between, it sounds as though you need a modicum of facilities, and you won’t want that dastardly Meltemi (northern) wind that can play havoc on many of the Cycladic islands. No need to book in advance. Paros has better nightlife with several wonderful cocktail bars in Parikia and Naoussa. Tu prépares ton voyage dans les Cyclades ? Mykonos – 2 nights (flying in from Athens in mid May) Bebop, seen here, is the best spot for a sunset cocktail. Ambas islas son bastante fértiles en comparación con otras islas griegas, pero en su mayoría Naxos mantiene viva la tradición agrícola, mientras que en Paros cada vez más personas abandonan estas ocupaciones y confían en el turismo. En été, Paros et Naxos sont desservis quotidiennement et sont un bon point d'arrivée ou de départ vers d'autres îles des Cyclades. Do you think there’s another island we should consider as well. Mykonos is wonderfully green in April which is great. We tend to seek out the local restaurants when we travel to see what the people really eat in a location. The interior of Naxos has several amazing hiking trails, passing by farms, olive grove, and about 200 Byzantine churches. Parties will be better in Mykonos or Paros in April? This little fishing village has several restaurants owned by fishermen, who cook the fish they’ve just caught themselves that morning. Lis notre article pour découvrir comment visiter les Cyclades, Visiter les Cyclades : conseils pratiques et informations utiles, Le vert est la couleur dominante sur l’île avec, Jardin de Balata