A 2024 Guide to Naoussa Paros – Beaches, Restaurants & Ferries

Naoussa is the second-largest town on the Greek island of Paros. It is a quaint fishing village surrounded by whitewashed buildings, blooming bougainvillea, boutique shops & chic restaurants.

It’s hard not to be impressed by Naoussa Paros from the moment you set eyes on its picturesque fishing village and harbor. I spent the first couple of hours walking around Naoussa with my jaw firmly planted on the ground. I don’t think I’ve ever been so floored by a place like I was with Naoussa Paros.

The harbor is still used as an active fishing port and every evening you will find fishing vessels bobbing in the waters of the beautiful Naoussa Harbor amidst some of the most picturesque restaurants in all of Greece.

Note: Naoussa is occasionally spelled Naousa.

Naoussa Paros is Greece at its finest, and for first-time visitors to the magnificent country, it will delight and enchant travelers with its quintessential Cycladic architecture, and fantastic culinary scene. Romantic Naoussa is somewhere to lose yourself amidst the bougainvillea, cobblestones, and whitewashed buildings. 

The town of Naoussa Paros is beguiling for first-time visitors and even repeat visitors find it’s hard not to be impressed by the charming backstreets and alleyways that are mazelike and picture-perfect. And if you’re torn between staying in Naoussa or Parikia, make sure to check out my guide.

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What is Naoussa known for?

The village of Naoussa is known for its stunning fishing harbor that is lined with delicious restaurants. Naoussa is also known for its picture-perfect alleyways, with blossoming bougainvillea, excellent boutiques, and a bustling environment.

Naoussa’s popularity over the years stems from people seeking an alternative Mykonos or Santorini, and Naoussa fits the bill perfectly. 

The prices on Paros are considerably cheaper than most of the popular spots on Mykonos or Santorini. The town has increased in popularity, but you won’t find yourself fighting to get sunset pictures or tables in restaurants. Naoussa is the perfect blend of sophistication but without the hefty price tag. 

Is it better to stay in Parikia or Naoussa?

Parikia is the main town on the island of Paros and has an abundance of restaurants, bars, and accommodation choices. Parikia is also the arrival and departure point for ferries coming from and to the island of Paros. The town of Naoussa is jaw-droppingly pretty and in my opinion the better of the two towns to stay in.

Naoussa has easy access to some of the best beaches on the island, Monastiri beach and Kolymthibres beach, which can be accessed by water taxi or with your own vehicle. The town also has the popular Piperi beach less than a 3-minute walk from the harbor. 

Whilst both places in Paros are each popular for their own reasons, Naoussa is the better place to stay for on Paros for excellent restaurants, stunning sunsets, and chic cocktail bars. 

Torn between either staying in Parikia or Naoussa? I’ve got a guide on which town is a better choice for your vacation.

Where can I watch the sunset in Naoussa?

There are ample places to watch the sunset in Naoussa from. A popular spot in the town is the harbor where you watch the sunset behind the Venetian Castle. It’s hard to miss the sunset in the town as it’s so small, so you are bound to see it from wherever you end up. 

Where to stay in the Naoussa Paros

There are many options of places to stay in Naoussa from adorable Airbnb with private hot tubs to rooftops that have outdoor pools and stunning views over the Aegean Sea.  The town has a small beach close to the center of town – Piperi beach.

There are numerous accommodations ranging from hotels to chic Boutique-hotels in this area. The walk into town is a short 5-minute walk and especially beautiful as you head into the town as the sunsets in the Aegean sea. 

Read more: Best 15 Hotels in Naoussa Paros

Paros is one of the prettiest Islands in all of the Greek Cyclades and the town of Naoussa is especially beautiful. This is still an operational fishing village that has a fleet of vessels and its harbor and accommodation are based in the town and the outskirts. Most hotels are completely within walking distance and have views over the Aegean sea. 

Budget Hotel – Irini Rooms

Midrange Hotel – Hotel Senia

Luxury Hotel – Sandaya Luxury Suites

Things to do in Naoussa Paros

Moraitis Winery

There are several things to see when visiting Paros, one of the most popular being the Moraitis Winery located on the edge of town. The winery has tours available throughout the day with many tastings of the grapes that are harvested on the island.

We enjoyed the wines from Moraitis Winery a lot and ended up drinking it almost every night of our stay in Paros. The Moraitis Winery is a great activity to do whilst staying in the town of Naoussa Paros. 

Venetian Castle 

Naoussa has a beautiful Venetian castle that was leftover from when the Venetians ruled the area during the 13th century. This is now one of the most iconic spots in the Naoussa with a view over the harbor and the whitewashed buildings.

At Sunset, this is an incredible place to witness the sun going down over the town. Be prepared to get wet as the walkway between the castle and the harbor can be notoriously wavy.

Beaches in Naoussa

Basing yourself in the town of Naoussa Paros is a great way to explore some of the most stunning beaches in all of the Greek Islands.

The fantastic Kolymthibres Beach is accessible either by your own vehicle or by catching the local ferry taxi from the harbor directly to the beach. During the high season, the ferry becomes more frequent and it departs at various times throughout the day.  

Read more: Best Beaches in Paros

There are several nice tavernas to enjoy lunch at near Kolymthibres Beach. Kolymthibres Beach is perfect for families as the water is quite shallow and crystal clear, perfect for wading and enjoying a swim.

The unusual rock formations make the beach a perfect place to sunbathe or you can take advantage of the sun loungers and umbrellas for a small sum of money.

Restaurants in Naoussa 

Dining in Naoussa is a real treat, in fact, I have a whole guide about where to eat when in Naoussa. Some of the prettiest and also delicious places to eat at are based in the unique and stunning harbor of Naoussa.

During the evening the town is a vibrant place to have a meal with decorative lights strung up over the small square of the harbor and creating a stunningly romantic setting. It’s one of the best places on the island to enjoy excellent and freshly caught seafood.

Notable restaurants in Naoussa:

• Yemeni Wine Restaurant
• Marios
• Safran Restaurant

Cocktail Bars in Naoussa

There are also numerous cocktail bars in this area from which you can enjoy watching the sunset or savor some of the fantastic people watching. The cocktail bars in Naoussa are fantastic and atmospheric. You can find them dotted around the town, in alleyways, or in the harbor. 

Read more: Best Cocktail Bars in Naoussa Paros

Naoussa has a vibrant nightlife scene and whilst it may not have the nightclubs and bars of Mykonos or Ios, it still has a throbbing nightlife that goes onto the early hours of the morning. 

How do I get to Naoussa Paros?

There are a number of ways to get from Naoussa Paros. In fact, the island of Paros is well connected to the other Cyclades islands and mainland Athens. 

Paros Airport to Naoussa 

Paros Island has a small regional airport that has several connections with Athens throughout the day. During the high season, there are an increased number of flights, and flight times are relatively short, with the journey taking just under an hour. The airport in Paros is quite small and is a great alternative for visitors who are pressed for time. 

There are a small number of taxis that operate on the island, so in order to avoid disappointment, make sure to arrange transportation in advance of arriving at Paros Airport. A taxi from the Paros Airport to Naoussa should cost around €60.

Another alternative is to arrange for your hotel to arrange a transfer from Paros Airport to your accommodation in Naoussa. 

There is a local bus that connects the airport with Parikia. The buses are timed to meet the flights and you usually don’t have to wait long. 

You can also rent a car from the airport through local companies on the island or through larger operators such as Avis and Hertz. 

Ferry Port to Naoussa Paros 

The busy ferry port in Parikia has several arrivals throughout the day from across the Cyclades and Athens. The ferry is a fantastic way of getting around the Cyclades islands and tickets can easily be purchased on the day of departure or up to 90 days in advance.

I recommend during the busier months of July & August to book your tickets a couple of days if not weeks in advance in order to avoid disappointment. 

Read more: How to Travel from Santorini to Paros 

The town of Parikia becomes a hive of activity as the ferries arrive and upon departing the vessel you will find a number of people awaiting offering services of rental cars, mopeds, ATVs, and other means of transportation around the island. 

You can catch the local bus from Parikia to Naoussa. Or one of the few taxis on the island is usually waiting nearby to take visitors to their destination. 

The best way to get around the island of Paros is to have your own vehicle. Driving around the island is highly recommended as you can circumnavigate the entire island in just under an hour. Plus there are plenty of beaches and villages to explore. Not to mention the superb island of Antiparos. 

Taxi to Naoussa Paros 

There are a small number of taxis on the island of Paros, so if you need to travel from Parikia or Paros Airport, it’s best to book ahead of time in order to avoid disappointment and delays. 

Where to Park in Naoussa Paros?

There is car parking on the perimeter of the town in Naoussa. During the high season, you may have to park a little bit further out, but if you are staying in a hotel or accommodation in the area, I recommend you walk.

Most accommodation is within walking distance of the town, with everything less than 10 minutes from restaurants and bars.  

How much is a taxi from Paros Port to Naoussa?

A taxi from Paros Port to Naoussa should cost around €30 each way. 

Naoussa Paros

Most visitors who make the journey to visit Naoussa will be thoroughly impressed by this charming fishing village. It’s an easy place to lose your heart to, and it’s the perfect time to discover the town before it becomes the next Mykonos or Santorini.

The island of Paros is one of the prettiest and most delightful spots in the Aegean Sea, make sure you add it to your vacation bucket list for your next Greek adventure. 

What island is Naoussa on?

The fabulous town of Naoussa is located on the dreamy island of Paros. Paros can be found in the Cycladic Islands, a chain of islands that also contains Mykonos and Santorini.

Other popular islands also include Ios, Naxos, and Milos. These islands are easily accessible by ferry and can even be visited on day trips.

Meet Missy…

Missy spent the first 2 decades of her life living in her native Dublin, Ireland. Before a life living overseas called to her, and she spent the next decade living in China, Laos & Belgium. She now splits her time in Antwerp, Belgium, and wherever the sun is currently shining. You can follow Missy’s real-time travels on her Instagram.