Paros is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea, about halfway between Mykonos and Santorini. Part of the Cyclades Islands, Paros shares territory with Mykonos but has avoided the same flocks of foreign tourists. This means that, while the water is just as sparkling, the buildings are just as iconic, and the shopping and dining rival those on any other island, there are fewer people competing for space on the cobblestone streets.
Home to more than a dozen notable villages, Paros is much less a sleepy island than a hub for holidaymakers or a jumping-off point to nearby islands like celebrity haven Antiparos or hidden gem Naxos. Cruisers who are lucky enough to visit Paros can strike out on a ferry adventure or stay and wander the maze of boutiques, gelato shops and cozy cafes in the capital, Parikia, where ships tender.
Why go to Paros?
Parikia, where you'll arrive, is walkable and warrants getting lost in winding streets of shops and cafes
Paros is a tender port, and not many cruise lines call there
Charming villages and cheaper prices have led locals to call Paros the "poor man's Mykonos"
