Island in South Aegean, Greece
Paros
Easy, friendly Cycladic island with beaches, whitewashed villages and a lively harbor, and a hub for ferries to Naxos and others. Popular with windsurfers; busier and pricier than Naxos in July–August.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$2,140–3,150Comfortable, one person · €1,900–2,800Details
- Value for money40/100Better value than 39% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–Jun, Sep–OctWarmest: Aug, 27°CDetails
- Internet91 MbpsFixed broadband, Greece medianDetails
- Tap waterFilter or boilWater is partly desalinated and can taste salty; most people drink bottled water.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$56–101Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundKTEL Paros busWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards accepted in most hotels and restaurants; carry cash for buses, bakeries and small tavernas.Details
Where to stay in Paros
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Parikia | Main port, old town, nightlife and easy ferries |
| Naoussa | Pretty fishing harbor, restaurants and beach bars; pricier |
| Lefkes | Quiet mountain village, hiking and tavernas |
| Pounta–Golden Beach | Windsurfing and kitesurfing, beach apartments |
Apps that work in Paros
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Viber and WhatsApp
- Ferryhopper: Compare and book ferries between islands
- Taxis: No ride-hailing apps. Buses and taxis cover most trips; ask accommodation for transfers late at night.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Greece.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards accepted in most hotels and restaurants; carry cash for buses, bakeries and small tavernas.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Most Greek bank ATMs charge foreign cards a few euros; Euronet costs more. Decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Round up or leave 5–10% in tavernas and cafés, ideally in cash; card tips often can't be added.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay widely accepted; IRIS bank transfers are for locals with Greek accounts.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (fingerprints and photo) instead of passport stamps.
- ETIAS is not running yet; the EU will announce its start date months in advance.
- Ferries from Turkey and Albania cross the Schengen external border, so expect full passport checks there.
Emergency numbers
Police 100 · Ambulance 166 · Fire 199 · Tourist police 1571 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from Telekom, Vodafone and Nova at Athens airport and phone shops; passport needed. EU SIMs roam at home rates. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Greece
Going to Paros solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.