48 Hours in Paros, Greece: Boutique Hotels, Yacht Days, and Good Food in the Cyclades
After the cliffs of Santorini, Paros felt softer, slower, and unexpectedly cool. Less polished than Santorini, less hectic than Mykonos, and with a laid-back energy that made us immediately relax into island life. This was my first time visiting Paros and also our annual bestiemoon trip with my best friend Connie, a tradition centered around good food, long conversations, and destinations that balance beauty with ease.
We arrived by ferry from Santorini and spent 48 hours on the island before continuing on to Naxos. Two nights ended up being the perfect introduction to Paros, enough time for a yacht day, seaside dinners, local dancing, and wandering through whitewashed villages without feeling rushed.
If you are planning a Paros itinerary and want a mix of boutique stays, local food, beach clubs, and authentic Greek island moments, this guide covers exactly how we spent two days in Paros, Greece.
Where We Stayed in Paros
For our stay, we booked La Maltese Boutique Paros, a boutique property with a clean Cycladic aesthetic, small luxury hotel energy, and a location that worked well for exploring the island. The design felt elevated but relaxed, exactly the kind of place that fits Paros well.
Compared to Santorini’s dramatic caldera hotels, Paros accommodations feel more understated and intimate. The pace here is slower. People linger longer at dinner, beaches feel less performative, and evenings stretch naturally into late-night cocktails and dancing.
Getting Around Paros
On our first day, we used the public bus system, which was surprisingly easy and affordable for short routes around the island. Paros is one of the more accessible Greek islands for travelers who do not want to rent a car immediately.
For our second day, we rented a car for 24 hours, mainly because we needed flexibility for our yacht departure from the port. Driving in Paros was relatively straightforward compared to larger Greek destinations, and having a car made it easier to move between beach clubs, villages, and restaurants at our own pace.
If you are spending more than two days in Paros, I would absolutely recommend renting a car for at least part of your trip.
A Full-Day Yacht Cruise Around Paros
One of the highlights of our Paros trip was a 9-hour cruise with Brama Yachts.
Spending a day on the water completely changes your perspective of the Cyclades. Hidden coves, impossibly clear water, dramatic coastlines, and long stretches where you feel far removed from the busy ferry ports and tourist centers.
The cruise gave us a different side of Paros that you simply cannot experience from land. The pace of the day felt effortless: swimming stops, lounging on deck, music, sun, and hours of uninterrupted Aegean blue.
For travelers deciding between beach hopping and a yacht charter in Paros, the yacht day easily became one of the most memorable parts of our Greece itinerary.
Where to Eat in Paros
Food ended up being one of the biggest surprises of the trip. Some of our favorite meals in Greece happened here.
Lunch at Piperatto by Kanales
After hours in the sun, lunch at Piperatto by Kanales felt exactly right. Relaxed atmosphere, seaside setting, cold drinks, and Mediterranean dishes that worked perfectly after a yacht day.
Paros has a more understated dining scene than Santorini, but that is part of its appeal. Restaurants feel more local, less curated for tourists, and generally more relaxed.
Dinner at Orbis Restaurant
The beef cheeks at Orbis ended up being one of the best dishes we had during our entire Greece trip.
Rich, tender, deeply flavorful, and the kind of meal you keep talking about days later. After multiple islands filled with seafood, grilled meats, and traditional Greek dishes, this dinner stood out immediately.
If you are planning where to eat in Paros, Orbis deserves a reservation.
Greek Dancing and Cocktails at Takimi
One of the most memorable nights happened at Takimi, where the evening slowly turned into authentic local dancing, cocktails, and one of the best memories we had in Greece.
This was the kind of experience that reminded me why I love the Greek islands beyond the scenery. Tables filling with locals, music getting louder as the night went on, spontaneous dancing, and everyone lingering longer than planned.
It felt genuinely local rather than staged for tourism.
Farewell Dinner at Meraki
For our final dinner in Paros, we ate at Meraki and ordered the beef ribs with orzo. Comforting, rich, flavorful, and admittedly a little greasy in the best possible way after multiple days of island hopping.
Sometimes those are the meals that end up being the most memorable.
Coffee Before the Ferry
Before departing for Naxos, we stopped at Arsenis Delicatessen for coffee and Greek yogurt before boarding the ferry.
Simple, casual, and exactly what we wanted before another island transfer. Strong coffee, fresh yogurt, and a slower morning before continuing through the Cyclades.
What to Wear in Paxos
Paxos is livelier with harbor views and beach clubs, so lightweight and bright outfits work especially well here.
For this trip, I packed:
- Lightweight dresses
- Cute pastel color or straw hats
- Linen pieces
- Flat sandals
- Neutral layers
- Sunglasses
- Bathing suit and cover-up for yacht day
- A carry-on only wardrobe
See my outfit recommendations for Greece here and what to pack in your carry-on here.
Is Paros Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
Paros feels like one of the Greek islands that still balances style with authenticity. You can spend your mornings on a yacht, afternoons wandering quiet villages, and evenings drinking cocktails while locals dance around you in a taverna.
Compared to Santorini, Paros feels more relaxed and less curated. Compared to Mykonos, it feels more grounded. And for travelers looking for beautiful hotels, incredible food, beach clubs, and a slower Cycladic atmosphere, Paros makes an excellent stop between Santorini and Naxos.
Planning a Greece Island Hopping Trip
Our route was:
Athens → Santorini → Paros → Naxos → Athens
Paros worked perfectly as the in-between island. Relaxed enough to slow down after Santorini, but still lively enough to keep things interesting.
If you are planning a Greece itinerary and want help booking boutique hotels, ferries, yacht charters, or curated island experiences, contact Nomoon Travel for custom Greece travel planning.
