Naxos vs Paros?
 

We will be island-hopping and would like to spend two nights in either Naxos or Paros.
Any input is appreciated.

Naxos and Paros are both wonderful. If I had to choose: NAXOS! wins...

You'll know once you get there. Spend a night after dark walking up in the old town getting lost. Wonderful.

If you read this forum much, you'll know I choose Naxos--beaches, ruins, wonderful strolls up the lanes of Old Town (naxos Town); in my 6 trips Naxos is the only island I've always included.

Paros is nice, but really need to rent a car to get to the better beaches.

PLUS: Sunsets are really nice from Naxos harborside cafes, Paros harbor not as well sited for same. A small matter, but with only 2 sunsets, both matter!

Hi

Haven't been to Naxos but stayed on Paros and can definitely recommend it. Lovely beaches, very laid back. I don't know what your budget is but we stayed at the Sunset View - http://www.sunsetview-paros.com. You can view our photos here - http://s62.photobucket.com/albums/h1.../Greece/Paros/

You can't go wrong with either. Personally I prefer Paros, but it's more suitable for a long stay.

Naxos, although the larger, has most of its tourist development and beaches concentrated in a small area around Naxos Town and to the south. It's very easy to get around the town on foot, and to take the bus to the wonerful beahces

Sorry - fumble fingers.

...to the wonderful beaches Agios Prokopios and Plaka. Perfect for a two day stay.

Paros, together with Antiparos, has much more for the visitor who can stay longer. Many people who stop at the port don't leave Parikia, and never see the best of the island. There are beaches for everyone, from those on the east coast, popular with windsurfers, to small sheltered coves with good snorkling. Naoussa, the fishing port, and Lefkes, the mountain village, are very picturesque. A car is an advantage, but Paros has an excellent bus service.

For a short stay of two nights it is unlikley you will have time to even consider exploring the countryside of either Island. Naxos has a lot to offer in a very concentrated area around Naxos town, a good beach at St George, the castro with its walls and museums, the twisting streets in the old market area, its shopping and dining opportunities as well as antiquities all within a few minutes walk.
If you choose Naxos I would suggest that you consider a hotel on or near St George Beach. This area has the advantage of a beachfront experience but with only a 10 minute walk to the action of Naxos town and its busy waterfront. After dinner it is just a short stroll back to your hotel and the quiet of being right beside the beach. Anyone who has tried to sleep in a Greek Island town will attest to the advantage of being away from the very late nightime noise of the town.

We would pick Naxos but either would be great. Don't miss the sunsets.

I join in voting for Naxos! Not only is the main town full of architectural, archaeological, and human interest. Inland, there are a number of attractive towns and archaeological points of interest, and the landscape is unusually rich and varied for a Cycladic island. Paros is more developed as a tourist destination especially for partying Athenians, and is more typically "Cycladic" in appearance, both its dry, bony natural environment and the proliferation of white-cube buildings.