Paros Greece 2017 Traveler Guide

Total: 554
Facebook551
Twitter3

In the shape of a pear, the Greek island of Paros is located some five hours by ferry or 40 minutes by plane from Athens. Paros Greece, the Cycladic isle is one of the most popular destinations for holidaymakers keen on water sports, sea, sun, luxury and good food.

One of the Cyclades, Paros is located in the central Aegean Sea, some 8km west of Naxos, approximately 150 km (93 miles) southeast of Piraeus, the port of Athens.

Besides its wide choice of sandy beaches, Paros is dotted with tiny chapels and settlements and offers travelers the genuine Cyclades experience.

Its capital, the town of Parikia, is famed for its traditional Cycladic architecture – small white-washed houses with sky blue shutters on either side of narrow walkways adorned with bright pink bougainvilleas. On the northwest side of the island, Parikia overlooks the island’s main harbour where ferries, sailboats, yachts and catamarans dock.

Things to do on Paros

First and foremost: swim! Paros is known for its wonderful variety of sandy beaches most loved of which are wind-protected Martselo for its gold-colored sand, the impressive Kolybithres for its cool rock formations and Ai Yiannis, aka Monastiri for its Environmental and Cultural Park.

Have fun: Paros is known as one of the hottest windsurf and kitesurfing destinations in the world. Thanks to the “meltemi” winds – primarily strong in July and August – Paros’ famed Chrissi Akti (or Golden Coast) is the place to be if windsurfing or kitesurfing is your thing. Events and happenings including the PWA (Professional Windsurfing Association) World Cup are a common thing in the summer.

Kite surfing at Paros in Greece.

Visit Panagia Ekatontapiliani (or ”the church of a hundred gates”) standing proudly over Parikia. Its Byzantine church and museum as well as the archeological museum right behind showcase local island finds many made of white Parian marble (once extracted from the now abandoned quarries near Marathi), considered to be among the world’s finest and used by the likes of Praxiteles and other great Greek sculptors as well as for the the tomb of Napoleon.

Eat: while on Paros make sure to sample traditional Cyclades cuisine which includes fine locally produced cheeses, wine, honey and of course, fish. The old port and fishing village of Naoussa is renowned for its fresh fish. While there order ”gouna” – a local variety of mackerel dried in the sun with herbs and then grilled.

Paros Greece Gouna mackerel dried in the sun

‘Gouna’ – a local variety of mackerel dried in the sun.

Get credits: Study at the Aegean Center for the Fine Arts: The center’s study-abroad program complete with credits offers small groups and one-to-one instruction on everything from drawing and creative writing to photography and art history in English during its fall, spring and summer semesters.

How to get to Paros?

Getting to Paros is easy: there are daily ferry connections from the ports of Piraeus and Rafina in the summer with the car ferry taking about five hours, the faster sea jets (catamarans) around 2.5 hours and daily flights from Athens to Paros (from Athens International Airport) at about 40 minutes.

There are also daily regular ferry services from Paros to Naxos, Ios, Santorini, Mykonos and Heraklion on Crete.

What’s near Paros?

A favourite for nature-buffs and campers is neighboring Antiparos islet, 1.9km southwest of Paros, with regular access by local ferry or boat.

Naxos, the largest island of the Cyclades and one of the most diverse, is about 45 minutes by ferry.

Ferries to Paros / Athens to Paros / Paros ferry tickets

From Athens via the port of Piraeus for 2017

Blue Star Ferries schedule to Paros

Daily at 07:25 with the Blue Star Delos.
From 25/06 to 03/09 every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 06:45 with the Blue Star Naxos.
From 15/07 to 12/08 every Saturday at 09:00 with the Blue Star Patmos.
Through to 23/06 every Wednesday at 17:30 with the Blue Star Naxos.
From 06/03 to 30/10 every Monday and Saturday at 17:30 with the Blue Star Naxos.
From 28/06 to 27/10 every Wednesday and Friday at 17:30 with the Blue Star Patmos.
Through to 22/06 every Thursday at 17:30 with the Blue Star Naxos.
Through to 09/04 & from 23/04 to 18/06 every Sunday at 17:30 with the Blue Star Naxos.
From 25/06 to 03/09 every Tuesday and Sunday at 17:30 with the Blue Star Patmos.

Hellenic Seaways ferry schedules to Paros

From 07/04/2016 to 01/10 daily at 07:15 with the Highspeed 4.
From 31/03 to 15/06 & between 11/09 and 29/9 every Monday – Wednesday – Thursday – Friday at 16:30 with the Nissos Samos.
From 16/6 to 10/9 daily at 23:55 with the Nissos Samos.

Seajets ferry schedules to Paros

From 07/07 to 03/09 at 07:00 with the SeaSpeedJet.

From Athens via the port of Rafina for 2017

Seajets ferry schedules to Paros

From 19/05 to 31/05 daily except Sundays at 15:45 with the Superjet
From 01/06 to 30/09 daily at 07:10 with the TeraJet
From 01/06 to 30/09 daily at 15:45 with the TeraJet

From Athens via the port of Lavrio for 2017

Hellenic Seaways to Paros

Every Friday at 07:00 with the Artemis (schedule not finalized yet)

Sea Jets to Paros

Every Thursday at 07:00 with the Aqua Spirit (schedule not finalized yet)

All ferries from Athens to Paros are available for online booking via danae.travel

How much does it cost to travel to Paros / Paros ferry tickets price

Prices for 2017 ferries connecting Athens’ main port of Piraeus to Paros start at 34.00 euros per person in economy and for ferries connecting Athens’ port of Rafina to Paros start at 48.80 euros. Ferry schedules and prices from Athens’ port of Lavrio have not been announced yet.

There are both conventional and high speed ferries operating the ferry route. Below you can find the prices for each company and vessel operating the Athens-Paros ferry routes in 2017:

From Athens via the port of Piraeus to Paros

Prices with Blue Star Ferries from Piraeus Port to Paros

The Blue Star Delos morning ferry from Piraeus to Paros offers both seats and cabins at the following rates:

Economy deck / lounge: 34.50 euros
Economy numbered seats: 39.00 euros
Business Class lounge: 48.50 euros
Internal 4-bed cabin: 56.00 euros per bed.
External 4-bed cabin: 58,00 euros per bed.
External single cabin: 85.50 euros
External 2-bed cabin: 131.00 euros
LUX external double bed cabin: 145.00 euros
LUX external single cabin: 94.00 euros

The Blue Star Patmos afternoon ferry from Piraeus to Paros offers both seats and cabins at the following rates:

Economy deck / lounge: 34.50 euros
Economy numbered seats: 39.50 euros
Business Class lounge: 48.50 euros
Internal 2-bed cabin: 63.50 euros per bed
Internal 4-bed cabin: 56.00 euros per bed
External 4-bed cabin: 58.00 euros per bed.
External single cabin: 85.50 euros
External 2-bed cabin: 131.00 euros
LUX external single cabin: 94.00 euros

The Blue Star Naxos ferry from Piraeus to Paros offers both seats and cabins at the following rates:

Economy deck / lounge: 34.50 euros
Economy numbered seats: 39.50 euros
Business Class lounge: 48.50 euros.
External 4-bed cabin: 58.00 euros per bed.

Prices with Hellenic Seaways from Athens via the port of Piraeus to Paros

The Highspeed 4 morning ferry from Piraeus to Paros offers 3 types of seats at the following rates:

Economy numbered seat: 49.50 euros
Economy table seat: 49.50 euros
Business numbered seat: 59.50 euros
Business table seat: 59.50 euros
VIP numbered seat: 65.00 euros
VIP table seat: 65,00 euros

The Nissos Samos afternoon and night ferry from Piraeus to Paros offers both seats and cabins at the following rates:

Economy deck / lounge: 34.00 euros
Economy numbered seats: 39.00 euros
Internal cabin bed: 55.00 euros
External 3- or 4-bed cabin: 57.00 euros per bed
External 2-bed cabin: 64.00 euros per bed
LUX external 2-person cabin: 69.00 – 80.00 euros / person

Prices with Seajets from Athens via Port of Piraeus to Paros

The Seaspeed Jet morning ferry from Piraeus to Paros offers 2 types of seats at the following rates:

Economy (silver) numbered seat: 50.60 euros
Business (club) numbered seat: 59.30 euros

From Athens via the port of Rafina to Paros

Prices with SeaJets from Athens via Rafina Port to Paros

The TerraJet morning & afternoon ferry from Rafina to Paros offers 3 types of seats at the following rates:

Economy (silver) numbered seat: 48.80 euros
Business (club) numbered seat: 68.80 euros
VIP (platinum) numbered seat: 76.00 euros

Paros Ports – Information for Travelers

Paros has two ports: the main Parikia and Pounta. Located on the western side of the island, Parikia is home to some 4,500 permanent residents and is also the bustling main port of Paros. It serves incoming ferries, offers docking facilities for sailboats and catamarans as well as for local fishermen. There are, however, limited facilities in the marina: no public restrooms, no parking and no ATM’s. Around the port though, in walking distance, one can find cafes & restaurants, travel agents and ATM’s. Parikia also connects Paros with Antiparos via small car ferry. The trip takes about 30 minutes.

Paros’ second port is Pounta, on the western coast of the island, about 8km southwest of Parikia. Pounta is also a popular summer destination and connects Paros with Antiparos via frequent boat services all day. The Pounta – Antiparos car ferry takes about 8 minutes. You can get to Pounta from Parikia by regular bus services – approximately 15 minutes – or by taxi.

Athens ports with ferry departures to Paros

Athens has three ports: Piraeus, which is the main port, Rafina, a secondary port on the northeastern coast of Attica and the not-as-busy port of Lavrio, southeastern Attica.

Information about Piraeus Port – Athens

How to reach the port of Piraeus:

Piraeus port is near Athens and can be reached by metro, train, bus and taxis both from the Athens city center and from Athens International Airport (AIA):

From Athens International Airport: Take the express bus X96. It takes you directly to the port, its frequent, cheap and quite fast. It usually takes about 60-90 minutes. The cost is 5 euros / adult. Check the timetables on screens inside the airport. The X96 bus stop is just outside the arrivals level at the airport (check the signs). At the port, the bus stop is near Gate E6 (also close to the metro station). If you choose to take a taxi, it will cost you 50-60 euros and it will take you around 60 minutes.

From the center of Athens: The best way to reach Piraeus port from the center of Athens is by metro / train. You can catch it from the Monastiraki or Omonia stations. It costs 1.40 euros and takes under 30 minutes. If you choose to take a taxi, it will cost you just under 30 euros and it will take you about 30 to 40 minutes. With heavy traffic it might take you up to an hour. If you prefer traveling by bus, there are two options:
- From Syntagma Square to Piraeus: Bus 040, Piraeus bus stop: Korai Square (close to the Municipal Theater) and then a 10-minute walk to Gate E9.
- From Omonia Square to Piraeus: Bus 049, Piraeus bus stop: Korai square (close to the Municipal Theater) and then a 10-minute walk to Gate E9.

We can arrange a private transfer for you from your hotel in Athens to Piraeus port or from the Athens International Airport to the port. You can also book online via danae.travel together with your ferry tickets.

Where or which gates do the ferries to Paros depart from at Piraeus port?

Blue Star Ferries to Paros depart from Gate E7
Hellenic Seaways ferries to Paros depart from Gate E7
Seajets ferries to Paros depart from Gate E9

Note: There is a running port bus which connects departure gates.

Map of Piraeus port:

Athens, Piraeus Port map

Athens, Rafina port Information

Rafina, the secondary port of Athens, is on the northeastern coast of Attica. It is further out from the center of Athens but closer to the airport. Rafina is convenient for travelers traveling to the Northern Cyclades islands of Andros, Tinos and Mykonos as the travel time is much shorter. It is also convenient for those catching a ferry a couple of hours after their arrival at Athens International Airport and who wish to avoid the city center. If your ferry departs from Rafina early in the morning, spending a night in Rafina could be smart. The Avra Hotel is right next to the port. Reaching Rafina from the center of Athens with public transport is not very convenient.

How to reach the Athens port of Rafina:

From Athens International airport: Take the regional bus (KTEL) to Rafina port from the arrivals level. It runs every hour from 04:35 to 22:20 and will take you a little under 1 hour. Your only other choice is a taxi.
From the center of Athens: Take the regional bus (KTEL) to Rafina port from Mavromateon St on Pedion Areos Park. It runs every 30 minutes from 05:45 to 22:30 and will take you about 90 minutes. Again, your only other choice is a taxi.

How long is the ferry ride from Athens to Paros?

In brief: Ferries to Paros take between 2.5 and 5 hours. With a conventional ferry its around 4.5 hours and with a high-speed ferry between 2.5 and 3 hours.

The Blue Star Naxos morning schedule takes about 4 hours 15 minutes, departs from Athens via Piraeus at 06:45 and arrives in Paros at 10:55. The Blue Star Delos morning route takes about 4 hours, departs from Piraeus at 07:25 and arrives in Paros at 11:25. The Blue Star Patmos afternoon ferry also takes about 4 hours, departs from Piraeus at 17:30 and arrives in Paros at 22:30.

The Hellenic Seaways, HighSpeed 4 morning schedule from Athens’ port of Piraeus takes a little over 3 hours, departs at 07:15 and arrives in Paros at 10:20. Its afternoon and night routes with the Nissos Samos from Athens, Piraeus port, takes a little less than 5 hours to reach Paros.

The Seajets, Seaspeed Jet from Athens, Piraeus port to Paros takes a little over 2 hours and 30 minutes, departs Piraeus at 07:00 and arrives in Paros at 09:35. The TeraJet morning and afternoon ferries from Athens’ Rafina port takes 3 hours 20 minutes. On its way to Paros, it stops at the islands of Tinos and Mykonos.

Slow vs. High-speed ferries from Athens to Paros

On conventional ferries there are more facilities like lounges, cabins, dining areas, shops, etc. You can go outside on the deck, walk around the different internal and external areas and in general have a more relaxed journey. They may be slower, but conventional ferries can travel in high winds. Both Blue Star and Hellenic Seaways operate modern vessels offering comfortable accommodation. What’s more, if you are traveling with young children, there is more space for them to move around and explore. Conventional ferries are also cheaper than high-speed ferries.

High-speed ferries are separated into 3 main categories:

Large catamarans like the Highspeed 4 which also transport vehicles.
Large mono-hauls like the TerraJet which also transport vehicles.
Smaller passenger-only hydrofoils like the Superjet or the Flying Cats.

On high speed ferries, passengers cannot go outside. All seats are numbered airplane-type seats. Both Hellenic Seaways and Seajets have a bar offering snacks and beverages. Small hydrofoils do not travel in high winds and when the sea is rough offer a bumpy ride.