Parikia or Naoussa – Where to Stay in Paros (2024 Travel Guide)

It seems like pretty much every Greek island has 2 places to stay. A port town that would be a bit more convenient because your ferry will come and go from here, and a more “quaint”, touristy town that’s anywhere from 15-30 minutes outside of the port town. Usually this other town is a bit more expensive, but has nicer shopping and restaurants, and probably a better view. This was certainly the case on Milos (Adamantas or Pollonia) and also happens to be the case on Paros. (Parikia or Naoussa)

So how can you decide between Parikia and Naoussa when you come to Paros? The decision really depends on what you’re looking for. We’ve broken down this post into 4 categories – cost, location, beaches, and shopping/restaurants. We hope to give you an insight into what both are like in order to help you make your decision on where to stay when you come to Paros!

Table of Contents

Parikia or Naoussa in Paros??

Let’s compare these two towns in Paros. In general, Naoussa caters much more to tourists. You’ll find higher end hotels & restaurants, plus white-washed villages. Since Parikia is the port town, the beaches are much dirtier here. Naoussa also has a much more beautiful sunset!

Cost 💲

🏨 Hotels in Parikia

🏨 Hotels in Naoussa

Parikia is much cheaper than Naoussa in pretty much every aspect. Accommodation, food, and shopping are all cheaper in Parikia. There are a lot of high end hotels and resorts in and around Naoussa. You can find nice places in Parikia as well, but in general Naoussa caters much more to the tourist/high-end traveler!

👉 The edge in cost goes to Parikia. (it’s much cheaper)

Location

Parikia is the port town on Paros. If you’re taking a ferry to and from Paros, you will land in Parikia. Another thing to note is that if you are heading to Antiparos for a day-trip, the ferry either leaves from Parikia (if you’re walking) or Pounta (10 minutes South of Parikia – if you’re bringing your car ATV).

Naoussa is on the North side of the island, about a 15 minute drive from Parikia. Paros is not that big, so it really doesn’t matter where you stay in terms of activities. Some of the top spots in Paros (Paros Park, Kolimpithres Beach) are a few minutes closer to Naoussa, while the mountain village of Lefkes (HUGE tourist attraction) is a bit closer to Parikia.

🛶 Top 7 Things to Do in Paros

In all honesty though, you’re going to want some wheels when you come to Paros, so it really doesn’t matter in terms of location if you stay in Parikia or Naoussa. The top spots are mostly somewhere in between Parikia and Naoussa, and staying in one or the other will only save you a few minutes.

We picked up our rental car in Paros right from the port, and drove it to our accommodation. Drop off is the same way. (Pretty much every rental company works the same here in Paros)

If you are not going to have wheels every day that you’re in Paros, we recommend staying in Parikia. It is definitely possible to just rent a 4×4 for a day or two when you come to Paros, and in this case you will want to stay in Parikia.

💡 Overall, we give the slight edge in terms of location to Naoussa. It’s a bit closer to the top spots in Paros, you get a better view of sunset, and you have access to better restaurants & shopping.

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Beaches

The beaches in Parikia are a bit dirty because it’s the port town. Naoussa is closer to the top beaches in Paros, therefore Naoussa definitely takes the cake here. If you care about being close to the best beaches, Naoussa wins by a mile.

🇬🇷 READ: Naxos or Paros – Which is Better?

Shopping & Restaurants

Naoussa caters to tourists much more than Parikia, thus it has much more high-end restaurant and shopping opportunities. (think Mykonos & Santorini) If you’re looking to buy premium Greek clothing (organic cotton & linen) and dine in fabulous Greek restaurants with an amazing view of sunset, then Naoussa is definitely better.

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The restaurants in Parikia are definitely cheaper than those in Naoussa, as some cater to the locals that live there. (Parikia is definitely the more “local” town)

We prefer to eat at the cheaper, local restaurants – so we mainly ate in Parikia. However, if you’re looking for those premium Greek dining experiences, Naoussa is definitely the better option.

🏨 Book Your Accommodation in Paros HERE 🇬🇷

Summary – Parikia or Naoussa?

In summary, Parikia or Naoussa depends on what you are looking for. If you’re traveling on a budget, stay in Parikia. You’ll find much cheaper accommodation and food here. Plus, you can rent a 4×4 for a day or two to explore the island.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for the nicer, more luxurious option – then go with Naoussa. There are much more higher-end restaurants and shopping in Naoussa. The town is much more pedestrian friendly. (cars can’t go in a lot of Naoussa) And you get a much better view of the sunset. (famous in Paros!) Finally, you are a bit closer to the top spots like Paros Park and Kolimbithres Beach.

Enjoy Paros!