Have read a lot about beachlife on both islands, but would be interested in hearing which of the two, Naxos or Paros, offer things to see and do outside of the beach.

You can't go wrong with either. Both have interesting choras with kastros (castles). Of the two, IMO Paros has a slight edge, with Lefkes, Naoussa, and other picturesque villages. Paros has a good museum, the "Church of 100 Doors" and the cave on nearby Antiparos. From either island you can visit Delos, but the trip is shorter from Naxos.

The best thing is, they are only 30 min apart by highspeed ferry. Why not visit both?

I would agree -- slight edge to Paros, with the Valley of the Butterflies and the cave at Antiparos, for example.

We visited Paros last summer and loved it. We stayed inland in Lefkes, a medieval village. We stayed at a hotel called Lefkes Village, just on the edge of town. Our room was fairly spartan, but it had a lovely patio overlooking a dovecote and the countryside. There is a beautiful pool overlooking the town on one side and on the other hills of olive groves rolling down to the sea.

We enjoyed exploring the fishing village of Naoussa and Parikia. The Valley of the Butterflies did not have any moths when we were there in June.

Naxos is bigger, and you might have more to do there.

Having stayed in Paros three times and Naxos 6 times I have to admit a bias for Naxos. The main town is larger and the kastro area much more extensive on Naxos and the beaches are better as well.

Other posters are correct Naoussa on Paros is very cool.

Here are some of the things to do on Naxos.

Naxos town is situated along the ocean, where fishing boats, yachts and ferries come and go at all times of the day. The main street is lined with shops and tavernas, and the city climbs the hill to the kastro walls built by the Venetians in the 1500’s. The city was built in a maze to confuse pirates and tourists alike. I made the mistake of not buying a gift at a little shop and it took me three day to find it again.

In the old market area of town we found a bakery that still uses a wood fired stove. The bread there is unbelievable and costs 60 cents for a small loaf and €1.20 for a large one. We visited every day and became regulars.


Our very favourite taverna is Taverna to Kastro which sits just under the wall of the kastro. This restaurant is written up in many guide books and it’s reputation is well earned for good food and personal service from the host, Soulis. Tricky to find as there are four different approaches. Beside the jewellery store on the main waterfront is a small street with a blue overhead sign that says ‘To Kastro and Museum.’ Follow that laneway until you come to a dead end and turn right, then immediately turn left, to another dead end, turn right and you will come to the bottom of a wide set of stairs. The restaurant is at the top.

Other sites and activities.
There is a private museum just inside the kastro walls called the Dorius Della Rocca Barouzzi Venetian Museum. This is a private residence occupied by the same family for several hundred years. It has recently been turned into a museum and is well worth the visit. Most evenings the museum has a sunset concert on the patio beside the museum. They have local Naxos music and dances that depict tales of the sea, and farming in the hills. Also while we were there they had a classical guitarist and a piano and violin concert.
The symbol of Naxos is the Portara situated on a high point just outside the harbour. It was constructed in the 6th century BC as a temple but was never finished. All that is standing now is two rectangular columns supporting a roof lintel, standing tall overlooking the ocean. People flock to this place for a picture at sunset.

Villages
Naxos is dotted with lovely villages like Chalki (where they distil the local liquor Citron a unique tasting treat), Aparenthos (a town where the streets are paved in marble blocks), Filoti and Apolonos (where one of the 6th century Kouros statue still lie where they were abandoned in a marble quarry.) and lastly Melanes where there is a Venetian tower house and an abandoned Jesuit Monastery built in the 1600’s

Most impressive is Demeter’s Temple. This was at one time an ancient temple, and then a series of Churches. It was destroyed; however unlike many other parts of Greece the ruins remained mostly undisturbed. The local authorities have taken most of the original stones and rebuilt parts of the temple and the churches creating a remarkable site.


To see pictures of our trip go to www.webshots.com and click on the Community Page. In the 'Find Member' window type lollypeter100 and you will be taken to our home page and the Greece 2005 album.

I'm with Stanbr (no surprise to regular readers) on this one. I haven't much Paros experience, but I think the diversity of experiences is tough to beat on Naxos.

The drives through the interior and to the less busy side of the island are stunning -- and the towns Stanbr mentioned, especially Chalki and Apiranthos, make for great exploring.

This, as others have noted, is a can't- go-wrong decision -- plus you could day trip to either island from the other if the ferry skeds work out.

A big yes to Citron and Demeter!

I forgot to mention that if you like to hike, the Byzantine Trail is a beautiful hike that originates in Lefkes.

I have been to Paros once and several times to Naxos. Naxos is great to explore. I found a neat pottery store up in the north corner of the island. In Naxos town there are lots of great shops. There is a cheese and spice store that is amazing. I did a trail hike from one village to another.

I have 8 days to split between Naxos and Paros (after spending 5 days in Santorini). I originally wanted to go to Folegandros for 3 of the eight days and spend the other 5 on Naxos but the ferry schedules are not accomodating. Having read the above would you split your time 4 days in Naxos and 4 days in Paros or differently? The concern I have is that Naxos and Paros are too similar and I wanted a different island experience. Any comments on the similarity, or not, of Naxos and Paros and the time split would be appreciated.

Maybe go to Naxos then to Antiparos by way of Paros? Antiparos is very quiet like Folegandros

Thanks everyone for your great responses. Sounds like we should try and fit both islands in. Any suggestions on small hotels or BnBs on either Paros and Naxos? We enjoy places that are small with local charm 150 euros or less.

150 euros is quite a hefty number for either island. You are likly looking at the most luxurious accomodation either island has to offer. There is little to be gained on telling you all about my favorite hotel, Glaro at 50 euros a night if you are looking for 5 star accomodation.

Stanbr - We are definitely not looking for a 5 star accommodation. Glad to hear that the hotel rates are so much lower than what I've seen for some of the other Islands. So if there are nice, charming places that are less inexpensive, would love to hear about them. Googled Hotel Glaros - if this is the place to which you're referring, looks perfect http://www.hotelglaros.com/accommodation.html What else can you tell me about it?

"Glad to hear that the hotel rates are so much lower than what I've seen for some of the other Islands."

I don't recall ever paying the advertised rate for a room in the Cyclades. Of course if you go in high season and make advance reservations, then you probably will.

Travel in May/Jun or Sep, call ahead a few days before arrival (or just turn up on the island) and you will be surprised at how cheap even luxurious accommodation can be. In Jul and Aug, though, rooms are booked up, and advance reservations essential. Mykonos and Santorini are more expensive than the others.

I stayed in Glaros Studios and I actually prefered Hotel Argo.http://www.thegreektravel.com/naxos/argo/index.html
but both are nice. At Argo I was able to get a room with a kitchen on the main floor so I could walk right out to a table. Nazos town has allot of accomodation so the prices are very competitive and you can get good deals out of season.