It’s a Mamma Mia World and We All Just Live in It: Paros Edition

Hibiscus flowers, crystalline waters and white cupolas can all be found along the shores of Paros, Greece. Discover the slightly less-mainstream island that holds Greece’s typical charm without the party atmosphere of neighbouring Mykonos. Dive into an explosion of colours and scents as you step onto this Aegean gem.

By Lucia Cannizzaro / www.curlylines.squarespace.com. If your summer plans for 2024 are currently on the back burner, you’ll want to start planning them after discovering what Paros has to offer. So buckle up and get ready to be completely captivated by this island’s raw beauty. Find out about the top 9 things to do when visiting Paros.

1. Hire a car to visit inland Paros

First and foremost, I recommend renting a car so that you can travel all around the island and see all it has to offer. All ferries to Paros will drop you off in Parikia, which is the island’s biggest town. While you can still get a good glimpse of the island’s raw beauty by staying in Parikia, other inland towns like Lefkes and Naoussa are just as breathtaking. There are buses connecting Parikia to these two locations; however, they’re not super reliable. You can drive around the whole island in less than four hours, and you won’t need to worry about traffic as the island is not highly populated. However, you might need to worry about hills and tiny alleyways but that’s a story for another day…

We rented a Fiat Panda from Surprice Car Rentals in Parikia through Expedia and paid £55 for a day hire. Great service and quality for money. I recommend hiring a small car, as Paros’s roads are mostly paved but not very wide.

2. Pay for an umbrella

Paros’s sun can be beautiful, but unforgiving, even for the darkest skin tones. Luckily there are many shops that sell beach umbrellas or beach clubs that allow you to rent them for the day. Trust me, there’s nothing worse than getting badly sunburnt on your first day on the island. Plus, by renting an umbrella, you can also enjoy comfortable sunbeds and quick access to the bar to keep the Aperol Spritzes going.

3. Buy fresh produce to snack on

One of the many joys of holidaying on a hot island is the chance of being able to enjoy fresh local produce. There are many grocery shops, bakeries and food stalls on the island from which you can buy succulent fruit, soft goat cheese, fragrant bread and aromatic wines. Enjoy them at your Airbnb when winding down after a hot day or as part of a picnic on the island’s many beaches. We personally loved preparing sandwiches with cheese, cured meats and tomatoes to take with us for our lunches.

4. Eat by the sea 

Nothing beats enjoying fresh grilled fish and wine with the sound of the waves in the background. Parikia, as well as the other coastal towns and villages, hosts many restaurants by the seafront. We visited Mira Restaurant, where we enjoyed a delicious fava spread and melitzanosalata, followed by a tuna steak and the catch of the day. Dining with the gorgeous red sun lazily setting below the marine horizon was one of the highlights of my trip. Local musicians often walk around the various restaurants and accompany your dinner with their vibrant voices and soft-tuned bouzouki, playing traditional folk music.

5. Pay that extra dollar for a rooftop happy hour at sunset

Overpriced Aperol Spritzes are worth it if you can enjoy them while looking at the stunning sunset from a rooftop in Parikia. Forget about the budget and take in the dreamy atmosphere at Bebop. This rooftop can be seen from the beachfront; however, it can only be accessed from a half-hidden staircase at the end of a tiny alleyway, making it even more exciting when you find it. 

6. Get a ferry to Antiparos

We ran out of time to visit the neighbouring smaller island, Antiparos. However, we were advised by other tourists and the locals to take a ferry from Parikia and check out this island, too, as it’s apparently even more gorgeous than Paros.

7. Try the most delicious gyros

I enjoyed every meal on this picturesque island, but I have an especially soft spot for the juiciest gyros that my friend and I shared when we first arrived in Parikia. On our evening walk by the seafront, we were approached by a lovely lady outside Brizoladiko, who must have spotted our hungry faces and took pity on us. Despite the fact that it was closing time, they prepared for us the fattest and most delicious gyros I’ve ever tasted. I recommend enjoying it sitting by the beach, with your feet dangling over the sand, surrounded by the many stray cats that inhabit the island.

8. Pet the stray cats

As I just mentioned, Paros is absolutely covered by stray cats. Most of them are friendly, and they love to be petted and fed. You can find all colours, sizes and furriness. These feline inhabitants roam the streets of the island at any time of day, always looking for attention and food.

9. Grab a fresh orange cake at Kafenion Café in Lefkes

Last, but definitely not least, on your visit to Lefkes, stop at Kafenion Cafè right opposite the Holy Trinity Church. Here, try a slice of the traditional orange cake, baked every day with love. The owner is very welcoming and chatty, and the cafe hosts vintage objects from the island, too, including an old typewriter. I obviously had to try it to practise for when I’ll be writing my first best-selling novel. What can I say, keep your eyes peeled, World. 

I hope you enjoyed this snapshot of Paros as much as I loved this little island. Next time you find yourself wondering what your Summer 2024 destination should be, hopefully you’ll think of Paros. 

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