Hi

We visited beautiful Paros Island last month and I've finally uploaded our photos. See http://s62.photobucket.com/albums/h1.../Greece/Paros/

Gorgeous.

Lovely. Thank you for sharing.

Nice photos. It was good that you got to see so much of the island. Did you stay part of the time in Aliki, or just go there from Parikia?

BTW, the title of your post had me worried for a bit!

Thanks everyone. Hi, Heimdall. No we based ourselves in Parikia and did Aliki as part of our day trip. It's a really pretty spot that doesn't seem to get much of a plug in the literature about the island. Not even in my "Bible" - "Greek Island Hopping". I note you have a copy too! If I was to return (oooh and I will) I would look at staying in Aliki, at least for part of the time. I liked the look of Galatis Hotel - www.galatishotel.gr. And don't worry, Paros isn't finished. Not until I've gone to that Greek Island in the sky. 8-)

Beautiful photos! Makes me definitely want to add Paros to our Naxos/Santorini/Anthens trip next year.
Where did you stay in Parikia?

Thanks lhopp

We stayed at the Sunset View Villas - http://www.sunsetview-paros.com. We paid €50 a night for a self contained one bedroom apartment. After 15 September, low season rates kick in. There are photos of the balcony and views from it on the photo site. Paros is a short ferry ride from Naxos. If you want to squeeze it in your itinerary I would only spend say 3 nights on Santorini in accommodation with caldera views.

Cheers

Thanks worldinabag. Sunset View looks nice!

We were thinking of flying directly to Paros upon arrival in Athens, and staying (3) nights each in Paros, Naxos, Santorini (Oia) and Athens.

Timing wise, September--considering first two weeks, but wondering if it will still be fairly crowded then, and should wait until mid-September? Do the ferries run daily between Paros, Naxos, and Santorini mid September?

It'll still be fairly crowded at the beginning of September. The ferries will be running every day along that route then.

Thanks brotherleelove. That's what I thought--not that we mind crowds, but usually opt for a little less crowds if given the choice. I was worried that the ferries would be an issue, but glad to hear they run that route daily.

worldinabag has me interested in Paros; Naxos is for sure, as is Santorini. We're having a heck of a time deciding where to stay in Santorini--Aspaki, Oia Castle, Esperas, or Chelidonia. We'll keep researching. I know there is are a lot of postings here on all of them to read in more detail. I assume Aspaki/Oia Castle must book pretty far ahead.

Hi Lhopp

We visited Paros for 5 days from 15 September. I was surprised how quiet it was. The weather was perfect (28C), the accommodation was cheap, and seafood was plentiful and not pricey. People joke sometimes about being the last to latch onto a good thing and I too was at first sceptical. O-} What's going on - bird flu, maybe? Nahhh...
Brotherleelove is a huge fan of Oia so I hope he sees your post. He can recommend you some hotels. Maybe state your budget to help him. In 2002 I stayed at the Grotto Villas in Firostefani. Awesome caldera views, particularly at sunset. The villas were great value at €120 a night but sadly have since doubled in price.

ALL of those book far ahead, you've identified some of the most popular accomodations in Oia. If you've been reading my past postings here you probably know that Aspaki/Oia Castle gets my strongest recommendation, but any of these are excellent.

Thanks both worldinabag and brotherleelove! Sounds like a great time to visit Paros. We're flexible on when in September to go, so maybe more mid-September vs. earlier would be better. Again, I love your Paros photos.

Yes, Aspaki and Oia Castle look terrific! Endless blue may be a bit beyond our budget, but we may see if it's available. My husband likes his privacy, so although we love Oia Castle as well, he's concerned about the crowds coming over that way at sunset time. We'd better get going on a decision!

We were in Greece for the month of September and found the 2nd half of September to be much less crowded. We were also in Paros around the 15 Sept for a few days and many of the merchants were preparing to shut down at the end of the month. It was very nice and not crowded at all. We stayed in Naoussa at Hotel Petres and really liked the hotel and the town. It was about a 10 minutes drive to Parikia. Owners picked u up at the ferry and returned you there. We stayed in Esperas in Oia--great place, but avoid room 10 if you want privacy. We booked about 5 months in advance. ASsk them about a discount for paying cash. On days the cruise ships didn't dock (I think Friday was one day), it was delighful in town--rather crowded when cruise ships docked.

lhopp, don't worry too much about early Sep being too crowded. I actually prefer to arrive around the last week of Aug - many of the Greek mainlanders return home the weekend after their Aug 15th national holiday, and by Sep 1st the big crowds are gone. When I left Paros/Antiparos on Sep 6th this year, the beaches were almost deserted.

We visited Paros in late September and things were starting to shut down. We ate at wonderful Christos in Naoussa the night before it closed for the season. We liked Paros better than Santorini or Mykonos as it was much less crowded with easy to find out of the way beaches, small towns and dining. The seafood in Naoussa was terrific.