Paros Honeymoon, Greece

With its picturesque landscape of undulating verdant hills sprinkled with whitewashed villages, unspoiled fishing villages, lively nightlife and beautiful beaches, Paros offers all the ingredients you need for a perfect Greek Island honeymoon or romanric getaway.

Things to do and see
Stroll the picture-perfect winding stone streets of Parikia, past marble fountains and humble whitewashed houses adorned with blue-painted doors, window frames and shutters.

Wander under whitewashed arches past churches and shops selling handicrafts and local artwork. Visit the remains of a medieval Venetian castle and ponder the impressive 6th century Byzantine Church of Ekatondapiliani (Church of a Hundred Doors).

One of the best ways to explore the rolling hills and fertile valleys here is by hire car. Discover scenic landscapes and picturesque villages such as Dragoulas, Mármara, Tsipidos and the sleepy mountain village of Lefkes, nestled on the slopes of the Mount Profitis Ilias (770m), the highest point on Paros.

Or discover on foot some of the numerous old stone-paved roads and dirt tracks that connect the island’s villages. Try the so-called Byzantium Road, a 4km path that links Pródromos and Léfkes, paved for the most part with marble slabs.

In antiquity, Paros was renowned for its white marble – most famously, the Venus de Milo was carved from Parian marble – and you can still visit some of the old quarries.

From Léfkes, follow a trail to the summit of Mount Profitis Ilias and be rewarded with panoramic island views. In the north of Paros, just 10km east of Parikia, visit the picturesque fishing village of Naoussa, which faces the wide Plastira Bay.

Here, explore the maze of narrow stone-paved streets and admire the many whitewashed houses and churches. Then relax on one of the many golden-sand beaches that fringe Naoussa Bay.

Best time to visit Paros?
The best time to honeymoon in the Cyclades is during the mid-season (May, June, September and October) when the weather is warm and the islands are less crowded.

Note: Peak season generally runs from July to August and is best avoided due to temperatures often exceeding 38°C and to the fact that the main islands are swamped with European holidaymakers. From March to May, the temperature is cooler, hotel prices are more reasonable and the crowds non-existent. The winter off-season, from November through February, is generally quiet everywhere, however many hotels are closed.

Location – Paros is one of the Cyclades, a group of islands that comprises Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Ios and Santorini, plus a number of smaller islands. The Cyclades is located in the Aegean Sea, south-east of mainland Greece.

Getting there – By air, Paros is just 35 minutes from Athens. By ferry, Paros is just 1 hour from Naxos, 2 hours 30 minutes from Ios, less than 2 hours from Mykonos, 3 hours from Santorini and 5 hours from Piraeus. How to get to Paros . . .