Suggestion for things to do/see in Paros, Greece
 

Will be in Greece the first week of September, traveling with my husband and teen daughter. We are staying for three nights in Paros. We really enjoy just wandering and don't care for organized tours. Won't have a car - is one needed?

A car would be an advantage, but certainly not necessary - Paros has a very good bus system. In Parikia, the port town of Paros, walk through the kastro (castle) area. See Ekantontapiliani (Church of 100 Doors) and the archaeological museum just behind it. Outside Parikia there is Lefkes, the mountain village, and Naoussa, the picturesque former fishing village. There are many more things to see, if only you had the time!

I can't end this post without recommending a visit to the island of Antiparos, only 30 minutes from the port of Parikia, an easy day trip. You could take a round-island boat trip (they leave at 10am), or see the stalactite cave, explore the town, and go to one of the many beaches. :-)

Rent a motor scooter (they have automatic transmissions) on Paros and explore the beaches on the far side of the island, then take the scooter with you to Antiparos from the little port of Pounta on the little car ferry. It only costs a couple of euro and it's permitted.

Our hotel arranged a one day rental for us. We went up in the hills to Lefkes, had lunch and visited the Yria Pottery.Pretty town and a beautiful shop. There are the famous Parian marble quarries too.

On the Trip Advisor Paros Forum, a DE (Destination Expert) friend of mine, Mariha, who works on Paros this summer, has helpfully been translating the Greek Activities calendar, here's what she's got so far for early September:

"On September 1rst , in Agios Athanasios in Naoussa starts an exibition of artist Ingrid Heidrich-Siggelaki (till the 15th)
On 5th September in Naousa, in the Cathedral's courtyard live dances and songs from Evia, starting at 9pm.
On the 8th there is the local festival of Pera Panayia in Marmara.

On Sept 11th in the cathedral's courtyard in Naoussa, "On the paths of tradition", performance from the local dancing club.

On Sunday 12th, in Aspro Horio the festival of Chrisostomos Smyrnis is taking place, and there is a meeting of Minos Asia Greeks too,starting at 8pm. Lots of dancing involved of course...

On 14th local festival of Timios Stavros in Agairia. Same date, small local festival in Aliki with traditional dances and songs."

You can get a similar schedule on http://paroslife.parosweb.com/story.html?story=2782. Currently it's showing only August events, but the September schedule will be out at the beginning of the month.:-)

Does anyone have strong feelings which which town in Paros to stay?

We stayed in Naoussa and would return there.

Naoussa is quieter and more charming than Parikia, but Parikia has much more to see and do when you feel like taking a stroll to people-watch or window shop. Nightlife is definitely more diverse in Parikia. That's where most of the restaurants and bars are situated.

Pisso Livadi is another option. It's a small seafront village in a beautiful little bay.

Naoussa if you want a picturesque location, with a number of tavernas and restaurants within walking distance, and three good beaches accessible from Naoussa harbor by taxi boat. It's also where excursion boats to Delos/Mykonos depart. Parikia if you want more to see and do in town, and to have the best bus connections to other parts of the island and to Antiparos. Piso Livadi, Drios, Aliki, and other small resorts only if you want it very quiet, and are prepared to rent a car. All these resorts have bus service, though. Excursion boats to Santorini leave from Piso Livadi. :-)

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Thanks! This has been most helpful!

When facing the restaurant area at Paros port, follow the coastline on the left all the way around to the tip, which is directly opposite the port, where there is an old church, about 1-2 hour return. You will walk pass some nicer beaches and cafes.

We like to stay in Parikia because there are so many lodging and dining choices. Naoussa has always been a charming and sparkling town, but it looked downtrodden and drab this summer - I'm not sure, perhaps the economy is the cause. I also love to visit Alyki on the south coast as well as Leftkes. Bus and taxi travel will be fine but if you were there longer I'd definitely tell you to hire a car. Enjoy!

We stayed near Naoussa this summer and didn't find it drab at all! We much preferred it to Parikia, but we did have a car, so were not limited to one town.

Make sure you visit the lovely Golden Beach, home of the windsurfing championships. It's about a 15-20 minute drive from Naoussa. There are a few small hotels where you can rent umbrellas/chairs for the day. I'd also highly recommend lunch at The Golden Beach Hotel. It was really good!