Paros or Naxos?

Hi

Can I suggest stating what interests you, what you're looking for on an island, nightlife, shopping, what standard of accommodation etc. As amateurish as they are my photos of Paros may give you an idea - http://s62.photobucket.com/albums/h100/worldinabag/Greece/Paros/

We chose Naxos over Paros last Spring when faced with the same dilemma. We felt, based on research, that the larger Naxos offered a greater variety of antiquities, mountains, small interior villages, beaches adn more of the traditional Greece than Paros would, and we are happy with our choice. On the ferry from Piraeus we sat next to a couple one of whom was a native of Paros and he confirmed our decision. We rented a car and drove the entire island over 5 days and had a great time. We stayed at Kavos Hotel in Agia Prokopios - check out its reviews on Trip Advisor.

Hi,

We are hoping to enjoy a nice beach and take it easy during the day, but having a fun nightlife would be a plus. Also, we will leave from either Paros or Naxos to Santorini, so having enough choices for ferry schedules is also important for us. Thank you very much!!

Threegigs: Naxos sounds very appealing to me now Thanks for sharing your experience.

Here's a wonderful slide-show by a Fodorite that will give you a taste of the beauty of Naxos -- it starts with getting off the ferry... goes to exploring the town, the beaches, driving around theisland, the sunsets, and a farewell wave as the ferry leaves... sometimes I click on this at night, just before I close down my computer... it makes for sweet dreams!

http://travel.webshots.com/slideshow/552001505EYxVYT

If my words didn't convince you to choose Naxos, that slide show surely should. Thanks, Jan - it brought back many good memories. As for the "emporium," our innkeeper at Hotel Kavos told us that unassuming little old man who runs it is the richest landowner on the island, having bought up properties many years ago.

Thank you for all information It is very helpful. I guess next step for us is to look for a nice but afordable hotel in Naxos. Any thought?

Here are 2 very useful websites... they list hotels by area. Click on a photo & you see rooms & amenities. Also contact info, so you can e-mail the hotels directly. I would advise emailing a whole bunch of them, to see which respond first.

If you like to stay up in clubs in Naxos town a nite it is handier to stay at St. George beach, so u can walk home not drive or do a scooter while "feeling no pain." St. G. is shallow, but u can get a bus to the best beaches every 15-30 minutes, or rent a 4-wheeler for your stay.

http://www.naxos-island-greece.com/naxos-hotels/naxos-hotels.html
http://www.thegreektravel.com/naxos/hotels.html

In July there is also nite life at Ag. Anna & Ag. Prokopios so u may wish to book there; many reasonable priced places right on the beach.

Many Thankss!!

I was in Paros last September 2007 and LOVED IT!!!! We stayed at the Stelia Mare Boutique hotel and HIGHLY recommend it!!! We didn't want to leave!

Sure you can do both! Stay a night on each, one on the way to Santorini, one on the way back. It will break up the ferry trip. I preferred Paros, but you'll never know unless you see both.

My husband and I experienced both Naxos and Paros. Each are wonderful. We stayed at the Hotel Philoxinia in Paros and loved the staff and environs. We rented a scooter to explore the island. It was very fun. Naxos Town was much busier and, I felt, more overrun with tourists. Again, we explored by scooter and found a wonderful, out of the way, brand new, traditional hotel in Mikro Vigla. We had a taxi drop us off there for a few days and we loved the privacy and tranquility. We are budget travelers and out two best hotels only cost us 55 Euros per night. You will love the Greek Isles!