Holiday rentals and lettings in Paros

The island of Paros is an increasingly popular holiday destination cherished for its unforgettable beaches and cosy Cycladic villages of snow-white houses. Completely free of high-rise resorts and ugly kitsch, Paros embodies the independent spirit. Find a holiday rental in the popular seaside villages of Parikia and Naoussa, the top destinations on the island for tourist amenities, or on Antiparos for that wonderful off-the-beaten-track fly and flop ultra-relaxed vibe.

Holiday rentals are in abundance on Paros, many with their iconic whitewash walls and blue doors and shutters. How does a marvellous garden with a veranda from where you can enjoy a full view of the Aegean sea sound? Lettings located within the labyrinthine villages are impossibly pretty and put you within a short walk of myriad lovely restaurants and bars.

The island’s two main villages, Parikia and Naoussa, both in the north of the island, are bustling hubs, popular among tourists and offering easy walking access to fine beaches, and a wonderful array of eating, shopping and nightlife options. If you want to get rough and ready with the locals, the sugar cube fishing villages of Piso Livadi, Ambelas, Aliki, and Drios boast authentic tavernas serving fresh-caught seafood and a vibe that harks back to yesteryear.

At the end of the day, most people come to Paros for its stunning beaches, On the south side you'll find all the windsurfing and watersports beaches, with the rest of the island alternating between rocky cliffs and sandy stretches. Antiparos Island, Paros’ sister island just to the south, is a wonderful spot to spend the day or even your entire holiday. Surrounded by sandy beaches, it completely redefines the concept of mellow.

Paros draws adrenaline junkies from all over Europe to its glorious shoreline. Kite and windsurfing is popular in Pounta, Golden Beach and Molos, standup paddleboarders congregate at Antiparos, Golden Beach and Paros Park, and human fish head for the best dive sites on the island at Pounta and Aliki. Even if you are not crazy about water sports, grab a snorkel and goggles and discover the magisterial blue-green aquatic underworld that encircles Paros.

Looking for a beautiful beach with all the amenities? Playa Marcello is what most people agree is the finest beach on the island. With a crescent of white sand, crystal-clear waters, and wait for it, full waiter service, it's a mystery that Marcello isn't busier! Prefer something more on the wild side? Kolymbithres Beach is actually a chain of sandy coves, all separated by surreal granite rocks. For many millennia these rocks have been chiselled by the sea and wind into all sorts of strange shapes that appear to have been sculpted by an abstract artist. Between the rocks, you will find attractive sandy beaches, and the rocks create pools of water, like your very own swimming pool, just perfect for kids.

The charming village of Naoussa is many people’s favourite on Paros. It is a picturesque little fishing village located in the northeastern part of Paros, and an absolute dream for any photography lover. The port is stocked with traditional fishing boats and overlooked by the remains of an old Venetian castle.

Public transport is good on the island, but your very own moped is the best way to discover the hidden jewels of Paros. Avoid the rental agencies right in the port – just a few minutes’ walk into the village and you will find much better deals.

The main port of Paros, Parikia, is a charming maze of streets and passageways paved with marble and lined by cube-shaped Cycladic houses with doors and shutters painted blue. Geraniums, bougainvillea and potted flowers bring splashes of colour to the white city walls.

The Ai-Yannis Detis peninsula, north of Paros, is a cultural and recreational park of extreme interest. Tackle the trails that will guide you through extravagant rock formations, caves, a lighthouse, and hidden coves, and marvel at the herbs and wild-flowers and spectacular views of Naoussa Bay. Then finish your hike at Monastiri beach and dive head first into its pure and crystalline water.