Latest news with #Paros
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
It's official: the world's best island is in Europe and I visited this summer – it's stunning but has one big downside
PAROS has been voted the world's most beautiful island, and it happened to be where I went on holiday this year. It's got everything you want from a Greek destination with white and grey-lined pavements, chalky houses with blue window frames, all adorned with pink bougainvillea flowers hanging across from verandas - so I'm inclined to say it's a must-see. 7 7 Paros had never been on my radar up until this summer when it kept popping up on social media - and now it's been dubbed the 'best island in the world' by Travel + Leisure. The island is known for having beautiful beaches, traditional villages and a buzzing nightlife. Inspired by Instagram, I booked the tickets, confirmed an Airbnb, and was on my way. The journey wasn't an easy one I'll admit, my friend, Phoenix and I flew to Athens before getting on a connecting ferry to Paros, which took five hours. It was much cheaper than flying though, ferry trips to the island can be as little as €20 (£17.23). But if you're in a rush, you can fly from the UK to Athens, then take a connecting flight to Paros which is just 45 minutes. Of course, the island's major downside - how difficult it is to get there - is why it's also so wonderful, as it means that it has evaded the overtourism that has plagued some of the other pretty Greek islands. I was staying in the second largest town on the island, Naoussa, but the ferry stops at the capital Parikia. Parikia was chaotic, it's where you'll find the port and it's the hub of the island. Phoenix and I were ushered into a taxi by a very friendly local who drove for 20 minutes across the island to Naoussa where we found paradise. It was completely different to Parikia, the streets were quiet, there were incredible beaches and I could hear the chatter of stall owners at the local shops selling jewellery, linen dresses and souvenirs. The unknown European island that is the -new Mykonos- but with cheap hotels and quiet beaches 7 7 But unlike other places I've visited, the locals were friendly, didn't push me to buy anything and instead simply smiled. As I said, my trip was Instagram-inspired so there were already some pre-planned stops on holiday. The first was to Monastiri Beach, and beach club. It's one of those places that you'd only end up at if you know about it beforehand as it's tucked away on the north of the island. We took a water taxi across the bay to the club and got two return tickets for €13 (£11.20) - the taxi is regular, going back and forth every hour. Deciding to spend our day there, we rented out two sunbeds which were more like memory foam mattresses and a sun umbrella for €60 (£51.20). It was lively with a DJ and tasty cocktails available to order from the bar. Monastiri Beach was by far my favourite; apart from the club, it was remote with shallow and warm waters that were literally turquoise. Something I found about the island was that it remained quiet until 1am. We often booked to have dinner between eight and nine o'clock and it would still be peaceful with the bars not filling up until the early hours of the morning. That's when I discovered another Instagram hotspot on the island was called Barbarossa. It's a famous cocktail and seafood bar having served celebrities, members of royal families, and it has become a hit on social media because of its white cloth waving parties. I wouldn't say cocktails were cheap, but they weren't too expensive either, the average I spent on a drink was €17 (£14.65). 7 The food on the island was delicious, particularly the seafood - there were lots of sushi and fish risottos. Some of our favourites were Almond, Tsachpinis-Ouzeri ton Nautikon and Fotis All Day Bar. Luaz was especially popular as you get to eat dinner right on the water's edge which is particularly impressive during golden hour. As for activities, being an island, the boat tours and parties were a big hit and of course, we had to hop onboard one. We joined Captain Ben's Cruise which took us around the island, it stopped five times for us to dive into the water. On the way we stopped by the Blue Lagoon and a sea cave as well as Despotiko Island where we lazed about on Livadi Beach. The tickets were €110 (£94.77) each, that included the tour as well as breakfast, lunch, snacks, ice cream, and five alcoholic drinks throughout the cruise. My favourite part was when everyone dived into the water and had Prosecco in the water which bobbed around on an inflatable table. One thing I loved about the island is that it has everything you want out of a holiday. Whether that's a quiet spot on a sandy beach to relax, head off on a wild boat party, or eat authentic Greek food on a candlelit table. I'm so happy that Paros has been recognised for its beauty and everything it has to offer, but I'll be sad that it will no longer be the quiet gem I discovered. And here is another small Greek island with 70 beaches that experts say you should visit before it gets too popular. Plus, the four Greek islands you can easily hop between in one holiday – for as little as £6.
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Tiny European island named the best in the world – and people say it's a ‘smaller Mykonos'
THE Greek island of Paros has been declared the best island in the world. Travel + Leisure 's annual World's Best Islands reveals some of the finest across the globe based on thousands of reader responses. 4 4 Paros is part of the Cyclades and last year was 24th on the list, but for 2025 has come in first place. Travel + Leisure readers said they loved the delicious food on the island as well as "picture-perfect blue and white villages like Naoussa. Paros was so well-loved by the voters that it received a vote of 96.50 out of 100. The Greek island has been up and coming for a while, a study last year by American Express Travel included the island in their 2025 Trending Destinations list. The website stated: "Laid-back Paros has become the Greek island of choice for many. "The cultural scene is vibrant here, and the rocky coastline is studded with beaches, secluded coves, and sea caves. "A mere 40-minute flight from Athens—or three hours on a ferry—this windblown retreat is also easy to get to." The main town on the island is Parikia which is not only the capital, but the port too. It's the hub for ferry traffic which connects it to neighbouring islands. One of the most popular towns on the island is Naoussa which is second largest on the island and has been called a "smaller version of Mykonos". How to do two Greek islands in one holiday - with stunning private-pool rooms 4 The town is on the northern side of the island and is considered one of the prettiest in the whole of the Cyclades with chalky white buildings and deep blue detailing. Lageri Beach, which is popular in Naoussa was described as being "heaven on earth" by more than one visitors on Tripadvisor. Up on the hillside is Lefkes, a mountain village surrounded by olive groves and pine forests. The village has winding stone streets full of bright, contrasting bougainvillea flowers. Being surrounded by the sparkling Aegean Sea means that Paros is popular for boat trips, snorkelling, diving and water skiing. The streets are lined with tiny cafes and bars which light up in the evening. There's also a vibrant nightlife scene with clubs and even boat parties. For anyone visiting Greece, Paros is pretty easy to visit thanks to the ferry service. From Mykonos, you can hop on the ferry to Paros which cost £28 and is just 45 minutes. Afterwards, you can explore the neighbouring island of Naxos which from Paros costs just £6 with Omnio, and is also the quickest journey taking 25 minutes.
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Travel + Leisure
4 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Is the No. 1 Island in Europe—and No, It's Not in Italy or Croatia
Europe's best island destinations are perfect for travelers who want (as one reader put it) 'more than just a beach trip.' Sure, most of the winners this year are located in sunny corners of the Mediterranean, where there are plenty of gorgeous beaches, as well as rich history, wine tastings, and idyllic vibes. However, this year's list also includes further-flung archipelagoes known for their rugged landscapes, hiking trails, and hot springs. Read on to find out which European island destinations made the World's Best Awards in 2025. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). Islands were specifically rated on the criteria below: Natural attractions/beaches Activities/sights Restaurants/food People/friendliness Value For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses. Travelers on the island of Paros, Greece. Thomas Gravanis/Travel + Leisure As might be expected, the majority of our readers' favorite European island destinations are located in the sunny Mediterranean. And five of them—including this year's winner—are in Greece, a country with thousands of islands scattered across the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Italy, too, is home to multiple winners, such as Sicily (No. 10), Sardinia (No. 9), and the small island of Ischia (No. 2). But three winners on this year's list feel a world away from the Mediterranean and provide very different landscapes and experiences for travelers. Two Portuguese territories in the Atlantic ranked among readers' favorites, including Madeira (no. 4), where travelers sipped local wine and enjoyed the dramatic landscapes. 'If you like Kauai scenery, you'll like Madeira even better,' one reader wrote. Scotland also made an appearance in the rankings with the Isle of Skye and the Hebrides (No. 12), proving that sun-soaked beaches aren't necessarily on everyone's travel agenda. One reader described it as 'not overdeveloped and a gorgeous place to enjoy nature and peace.' Páros, Greece Swimmers and sunbathers on Paros, a Greek island. Thomas Gravanis/Travel + Leisure This Aegean isle has made the European islands list every year since we added the category to our 'World's Best Awards' survey. This year, it takes the top spot for the first time since 2020—and readers named Páros not only their favorite island in Europe, but also the best in the world. Survey respondents noted the freshness of the seafood, shopping options, natural beauty, and warm hospitality from locals. What truly set the destination apart, though, was the sheer diversity of things to see and do. 'More to explore than I expected,' wrote one reader. 'Surprises around every corner.' 1. Páros, Greece WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 96.50 2. Ischia, Italy Reader Score: 93.25 3. Hvar and the Dalmatian Islands, Croatia Reader Score: 91.09 4. Madeira, Portugal Reader Score: 89.93 5. Mallorca, Spain Reader Score: 89.54 6. Crete, Greece WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 89.49 7. Milos, Greece Reader Score: 89.11 8. Azores, Portugal Reader Score: 88.89 9. Sardinia, Italy Reader Score: 88.22 10. Sicily, Italy WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 86.98 11. Malta Reader Score: 86.45 12. Skye and the Hebrides, Scotland Reader Score: 84.94 13. Santorini, Greece WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 84.67 14. Corsica, France Reader Score: 84.00 15. Mykonos, GreeceReader Score: 82.87
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
The four Greek islands you can easily hop between in one holiday – for as little as £6
WAVE RUNNER Plus, one is the island that's been dubbed the smaller version of Mykonos without the crowds ISLAND hopping is one of the most popular ways to spend a holiday and Greece is the ultimate playground - especially as you can do it for cheap. Global travel booking company, Omio, has revealed how holidaymakers can explore up to four islands from as little as £6 this summer. 5 5 A very easy way to get from one Mediterranean island to the other is via ferry - with some prices as low as £6. The entire route that costs £98 in total starts on the mainland in Athens where visitors can catch a ferry to Mykonos. The journey cost £35 and takes two hours and 40 minutes. Mykonos is known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere as well as luxury with beautiful private beaches and vibrant nightlife. In recent years it has been the go-to destination for A-listers like George Clooney and Naomi Campbell. It's incredibly popular, too, with more than a million visitors a year, but if you head there between spring or late autumn you'll have a quieter experience. From Mykonos, Omnio suggests catching the ferry to Paros which cost £28 and is just 45 minutes. The website said: "Laid-back Paros has become the Greek island of choice for many." I found the quieter side of Mykonos with private beaches and and celeb-like luxury 5 It added: "The cultural scene is vibrant here, and the rocky coastline is studded with beaches, secluded coves, and sea caves. A mere 40-minute flight from Athens—or three hours on a ferry—this windblown retreat is also easy to get to." In Paros is the town of Naoussa, which is the second largest on the island, and it has been dubbed a "smaller version of Mykonos". It maintains Mykonos' beauty but at a smaller scale, you'll still find the classic whitewashed buildings, blue seas and vibrant harbour. The cheapest journey is from Paros to Naxos which is £6 with Omnio, and is also the quickest journey taking 25 minutes. Travellers will find it to be one of the quieter islands with around 200,000 visitors per year, which is much less than the two million tourists that descend on Mykonos. It's a popular island for swimming, boat trips, exploring caves, and enjoying the beaches. One Sun Travel writer visited and declared Naxos to be 'better than Mykonos' and a lot cheaper too. 5 From Naxos, hop on a ferry to the southern island of Santorini which is £29 and takes one hour 25 minutes. Santorini is picture perfect and recognisable for its blue-domed churches, especially in the main village of Oia. The island, like Mykonos, is known to be a celebrity hotspot having been visited by the likes of Beyonce and Angelina Jolie. It's also very pretty with thin and winding white streets and the beautiful pink bougainvillea flowers. There are lots of free attractions too including the beaches like Perissa and Kamari which have black volcanic sand. It can be affordable too, according to our experts, who say ditch restaurants with the sea views for local tavernas and cafés. Omnio reveals that on big islands like Mykonos and Santorini, the ferries run all year long and you can usually find routes every single day. Whereas on the smaller islands, most of the ferries usually stop running during the winter, so if you want to island hop, check your journey before booking a holiday. Here's a smaller Greek island with 70 beaches that experts warn you should see before it gets too popular. And one Greece expert reveals the four better value islands where locals go on holiday with Santorini-like houses and secluded beaches. 5
Condé Nast Traveler
24-06-2025
- Condé Nast Traveler
16 Paros Airbnbs for Your Dream Greek Island Getaway
There's something about a property that has been built and designed by locals that adds an essence of authenticity to a stay. This charming, neutral-toned two-bed property has been a three-year labor of love for its owners, who greet guests with open arms on arrival. It's the kind of home that might just have you mentally relocating to Paros full-time, even after a short stay. It sleeps four and has a mini infinity pool overlooking the sea, so there is no need to leave during the day. Unless it's to wander the few steps down to the seafront and lounge on a sunbed at buzzy Cabana Beach Bar Restaurant. Be sure to spend at least one evening on the patio, though, and make the most of cooking al fresco on the barbeque while watching the sunset.
