Greece › Paros › Parikia
Updated: June 26, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Paros Hotels: My Favorites
- Parikia: Argonauta
- 5-Star: Cosme (Naoussa)
- 4-Star: Opal (Naoussa)
- Cheap: Villa Isabella (Naoussa)
- Beach Resort: Cove (Naoussa)
- For Couples: Mythic (Agia Irini)
- For Families: Poseidon (Chrissi Akti)

Panagia Ekatontapiliani (the Church of 100 Doors) in Parikia.
Parikia is the best place to stay in Paros for ferry convenience, good value, easy buses, sunset walks, and a more local feel. It is not as polished or romantic as Naoussa, but it is more practical, less expensive, and much easier for short stays or no-car trips. If you are arriving by ferry, leaving early, visiting Antiparos, or planning to explore by bus, Parikia is the smartest base on the island.
The best Parikia hotels are small, friendly, and central. Do not expect big luxury resorts here. The appeal is walkability: ferry port, old town, waterfront restaurants, Livadia Beach, sunset bars, the bus station, and Panagia Ekatontapiliani are all close together. For many travelers, that convenience matters more than a pool or a private beach.
Staying in Parikia – My Tips
- 1. Choose Parikia for convenience, value, and a real-town feel.
Parikia is the ferry port, transport hub, commercial center, and capital of Paros. It does not have the polished boutique-resort feel of Naoussa, and that is part of the appeal. The waterfront is busy with ferries, cafes, shops, rental agencies, and local life. It can feel hectic when boats arrive, but it is also practical, lively, and better value than Naoussa. For short stays, early ferries, and travelers without a car, Parikia is the easiest base on the island.- 2. Stay in the Old Town, near the waterfront, or by Livadia Beach.
For restaurants, shopping, sunset drinks, and evening wandering, stay in or just behind the Old Town. For easier beach time, stay north of the port near Livadia Beach. South of the port can work well for sunset views and some good-value hotels, but the northern side is generally more convenient for beach access. The best Parikia hotel location is close enough to walk to the port, but not directly exposed to ferry traffic and waterfront noise.- 3. Do not judge Parikia by the port road.
The ferry area is useful but not charming. The real Parikia begins one street back, where the lanes turn into a classic Cycladic maze of whitewashed houses, small chapels, boutiques, cafes, courtyards, and quiet corners. The remains of the 13th-century Venetian Kastro sit within the old town, built partly with marble from ancient temples.- 4. Visit Panagia Ekatontapiliani.
Panagia Ekatontapiliani, the Church of 100 Doors, is one of the most important Byzantine churches in Greece and the best cultural sight on Paros. It dates back to the early Christian era, and the stone complex feels old in a way that many island sights do not. It is close to the port, easy to visit, and genuinely impressive.- 5. Use Parikia’s bus connections.
This is Parikia’s biggest practical advantage. The main KTEL bus station is beside the port, with routes to Naoussa, Lefkes, Piso Livadi, Logaras, Golden Beach, Drios, Alyki, the airport, and Pounta for Antiparos. In summer, buses are useful for most day trips, though schedules still matter. Do not cut ferry or flight connections close, and do not assume buses will work well for late dinners or spontaneous beach-hopping.- 6. Livadia is easy. Krios and Marcello are better.
Parikia’s main town beach is Livadia, a sandy, convenient stretch just north of the port. It is not the best beach on Paros, but it is perfect for an easy swim before dinner or on arrival day. For better sand, clearer water, and a more relaxed beach day, take the small summer boat across the bay to Krios and Marcello. These beaches have great views back toward Parikia and feel much more like a proper beach escape. You can also drive, but the boat is more fun when running.- 7. Make Antiparos easy.
A day trip to Antiparos is one of the best things to do from Parikia. The most reliable route is by bus, taxi, or rental car to Pounta, then the short car and passenger ferry across to Antiparos. The crossing is quick, frequent in summer, and works well even if you are bringing a rental car. In high season, there are also passenger boats from Parikia harbor, which are more scenic and convenient if the timing works.- 8. Do sunset on the waterfront.
Parikia faces west, so it has something Naoussa does not: easy sunset views from town. The long waterfront promenade is one of the best places on Paros for a low-effort sunset drink or dinner. Some restaurants are better for the view than the food, so choose carefully. But on the right evening, watching the ferries move through the bay as the sun drops behind the water is one of Parikia’s best moments.- 9. Book Parikia if you want Paros to be easy.
This is the mistake I see most: travelers dismiss Parikia as “just the port” and automatically book Naoussa. Naoussa is prettier, but Parikia is easier, more useful, and more interesting than many visitors expect. It has better transport links, good restaurants, real history, a proper old town, nearby beaches, better value, and the easiest access to Antiparos. For many travelers, especially first-timers doing Paros without a car, Parikia is the better base.The Best Hotels in Parikia, Paros
Parikia is not where you come for large luxury resorts. The best hotels here are small, central, good-value, and easy to use. The key is choosing the right micro-location: Old Town for atmosphere, Livadia for beach access, and the port area for ferry convenience. If you want a pool and more space, look slightly outside the tight center. If you want to walk everywhere, stay close to the waterfront or Old Town.
1. Argonauta Hotel
Hotel phone: +30 22840 21440Best central hotel in Parikia. Argonauta is my favorite place to stay in Parikia: family-run, stylish without trying too hard, and right in the center of town. The ferry port, bus station, old town lanes, waterfront restaurants, shops, and sunset promenade are all a short walk away. This is the hotel I recommend for first-time visitors who want Parikia convenience but still want charm.
Rooms are modern, warm, and comfortable, with single, double, and triple options. Some rooms have private balconies, so check the exact room category before booking if outdoor space matters. The hotel’s traditional Greek breakfast is one of its best features and a real reason to stay here rather than choosing a generic port hotel.
The tradeoff is that Argonauta is a town hotel, not a resort. There is no big pool, beach club, or sprawling grounds. Book it if you want walkability, atmosphere, breakfast, and value. Do not book it if your priority is a quiet beach retreat.
2. Apollon Boutique Hotel
Hotel phone: +30 22840 22364Best Parikia hotel near Livadia Beach. Apollon Boutique Hotel is a small, pretty, well-run hotel just a short walk from Livadia Beach. It is a good choice if you want the convenience of Parikia but also want an easy beach within a minute or two of the hotel. The port, bus station, and old town are walkable, though dragging luggage from the ferry can be annoying on uneven pavement. Pack light or ask the hotel about transfer options if that matters.
Rooms are individually decorated, comfortable, and more polished than most budget and midrange hotels in Parikia. The hotel has a Greek buffet breakfast, snack bar, and massage treatments. It works well for couples, solo travelers, and low-maintenance families who want a quiet hotel base without being far from the action.
The tradeoff is location. Livadia is convenient, but it does not have the same evening atmosphere as the Old Town. That said, it is one of the best areas to stay if you want both beach access and easy Parikia logistics.
3. Pension Sofia
Hotel phone: +30 22840 22085Best good-value guesthouse in Parikia. Pension Sofia is a friendly, peaceful, midrange hotel set around a lush garden of roses and bougainvillea. It has an old-school Greek-island feel in the best way: personal, relaxed, and good value. Rooms are simple, homey, and well-kept, each with a small balcony or patio.
The location is a strong point. It is an easy walk to the ferry port, Livadia Beach, the bus station, waterfront shops, and the old town. The atmosphere is quieter than you might expect for such a convenient location, which makes it a good choice for couples, solo travelers, and budget-conscious visitors who do not want a bare-bones hotel.
The tradeoff is that Pension Sofia is not a luxury property. Book it for charm, price, garden atmosphere, and convenience. Look elsewhere if you want a pool, sea views, or a more polished boutique-hotel feel.
4. Paros Palace
Best Parikia hotel with more space and a pool. Paros Palace is a good choice if you like the convenience of Parikia but do not want to stay in the middle of the old town. It has more of a resort feel than the smaller central hotels, with a pool, larger rooms, and more space to spread out.
The hotel is outside the tight center, so it works best for travelers who want comfort and quiet more than instant walk-out-the-door atmosphere. This is a good option for families, couples with a rental car, or travelers who want Parikia logistics without staying directly in the busy port area.
The tradeoff is that you lose some of the easy charm of being right in the old town. For pure walkability, I prefer Argonauta. For more space and pool time, Paros Palace makes sense.
Where to Stay in Parikia
- Old Town: Best for restaurants, shopping, bars, evening walks, and Cycladic atmosphere. This is where I would stay if I wanted Parikia at its most charming.
- Waterfront: Best for sunset views and ferry convenience. Great for short stays, but check noise and exact room location.
- Livadia Beach: Best for travelers who want an easy beach near town. It is convenient and relaxed, though not the most beautiful beach on Paros.
- South of the port: Good for sunset views and some quieter hotels. Useful with a car, but less convenient for Livadia Beach and some bus routes.
- Just outside town: Best for pools, parking, and more space. Less charming, but more comfortable for families and longer stays.
Parikia Hotel Booking Advice
- Book early for June through September. Parikia has more value than Naoussa, but the best small hotels still fill up quickly in summer, especially for stays near the port or Livadia Beach.
- Do not book only by distance from the port. A hotel can be technically close but awkward with luggage, stairs, traffic, or uneven lanes. If arriving with large bags, ask about transfers or taxi access.
- Check for balconies and sea views carefully. In Parikia, balconies, views, and outdoor spaces are limited to specific room categories. Do not assume every room has them.
- Light sleepers should avoid the busiest waterfront rooms. Parikia is lively in summer, and ferries, bars, scooters, and late-night walkers can all add noise.
- Families should think about beach access. Livadia is the easiest beach area for families staying in Parikia. Old Town is better for atmosphere but less convenient for quick swims.
- No-car travelers should stay central. If you are relying on buses, book within easy walking distance of the port and bus station. That is Parikia’s biggest advantage, so use it.




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