The 'best all-round' Greek island that gets hardly any visitors

Metro

2 days ago

Mykonos is a mecca for clubbers and celebs, but it's not to everyone's taste.
If you're inclined towards a quieter and cheaper summer break, there's another Greek island blessed with similarly stunning views and weather.
Nestled in the Aegean Sea is Paros, a place of remote beaches, memorable seafood and half-abandoned marble mines.
With rolling hills, calm azure waters and some of Greece's most fascinating ancient history, it has all the benefits of its more famous neighbours without the crowds. Paros has so far resisted expanding its airport to take flights from the UK.
While Mykonos welcomes an estimated two million tourists each year,less than 200,000 head to Paros, making it an excellent antidote to the overtourism sweeping holiday hotspots.
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Paros was once famous for its white marble quarries, from which Parian marble was produced. It was the crème de la crème for artists during the classical era; the Venus de Milo was carved from blocks of the stuff.
Its stunning villages are surrounded by nature, with the liveliest being Parikia, is a port town and the island's capital. If you choose to arrive on Paros by ferry, this is where your feet will first hit land.
There's plenty to keep you occupied here, from the independent boutiques in the old town to ancient treasures like the church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, the 13th-century Venetian Castle, and the remains of the Old Temple of Athena.
Compared to the thronged sands of Crete and Santorini, Paros's beaches are practically deserted. TripAdvisor gives its top spot to Kolymbithres Beach, a small beach with quiet coves and unique rock formations.
Other popular choices are Lageri Beach, for golden sand, and Martselo and Santa Maria, which deliver the ultimate Instagram backdrop. A common complaint from visitors, however, is the price of sunbeds and umbrellas, which range between €30 to €60 for two.
Paros also featured in the smash hit Netflix drama One Day. In episode four, Dexter (Leo Woodall) and Emma (Ambika Mod) reunite in Naoussa (which is sometimes spelt Naousa).
In this harbour village you'll find a labyrinth of cobbled streets and a lovely fishing pier.
Data from Airbnb shows that searches for stays in Paros increased by almost a third (32%) since the series aired.
Paros Airport (PAS) is located 11km south of the city of Parikia.
While there are no direct flights from the UK to Paros, you can travel to Athens and hop on a connecting flight, which takes around 45 minutes.
All told, the travel time from London to Paros should take roughly six anda half hours. Return fares can be as little as £170 in low season, increasing to well over £300 in the peak summer months of July and August.
Ferries to Paros run from neighbouring Naxos, Mykonos, Santorini and Milos, which is handy if you're open to a bit of island-hopping.
Prices vary depending on the ferry company but tickets can be found on Ferry Hopper for around €32
Paros has a good range of hotels and Airbnbs. Luxury resort Cosme, near Naoussa, was ranked by The Telegraph as the number one hotel on the island. However rooms will set you back upwards of £347 per night.
For more affordable options, highly-rated hotels on Booking.com include Meridiano in the capital Perikia, where prices start from £69 a night.
If hotels aren't your thing, Airbnb has got you covered. Fancy calling a Secret Garden Maisonette in Naousa your home for a few days, or how about a summer breeze cycladic apartment situated on the cobbled residential streets? More Trending
There are also deals available via platforms like Kayak, with rooms on Paros starting from £34.
Whatever your vibe, you won't be short of options.
Paros has a hot Mediterranean climate just like its neighbours. As southern Europe swelters through a record-breaking heatwave for the second year in a row, tourists are swerving the traditional summer season.
The best time to visit the Greek islands is in shoulder season, around late May into June or September into October.
Azure waters, bombshell beaches, charming fishing villages, and traditional tavernas.
We're talking, of course, about Greece, the holiday hotspot blessed with a Mediterranean climate and over 250 days of sunshine a year.
The European country, which boasts around 6,000 islands, has long been a top summer destination for British holidaymakers. In 2024, Greece welcomed 4.5 million visitors from the UK, with many flocking to popular choices such as Santorini and Mykonos.
However, both islands have recently been feeling the effects of overtourism. In 2024, a new tourist tax was introduced for cruise ship passengers, charging a levy of €20 (£16.88) each for disembarking during peak summer. The money is invested back into local infrastructure.
Last year, the mayor of Santorini, Nikos Zorzos, warned that high tourist numbers coupled with a construction boom could 'destroy' the island. This is on top of the recent earthquakes that saw thousands evacuate over safety concerns.
To promote sustainable tourism, we asked Metro readers to tell us about their favourite Greek islands that aren't the old reliables. You can find our audience's insider tips here.
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