If you’re planning on island-hopping around Greece in the coming weeks, chances are Santorini is high on your wishlist. We personally wouldn’t be getting the first flight out this summer.
With an average 3.4 million tourists per year, your average day out in a tiny Santorini consists largely of elbowing your way through an indiscernible mass of bodies, lining up for several long minutes for a table at a restaurant, and shelling out an average $317-a-night on cave hotels.
Lucky for those of us who are keen on escaping overtourism, Santorini doesn’t hold a monopoly on all that Aegean charm:
An equally fascinating island in its vicinity, Paros also has whitewashed chora, buzzing beach bars lining turquoise seas, and of course, the iconic blue domes—but none of the surging crowds.
Discover Paros: One Of Greece’s Most Gorgeous Offbeat Gems
Roughly 75 square miles in size, Paros is the third-largest of the Cyclades island group. At about 2.6 times larger than Santorini, it has double the number of attractions but far fewer tourists.
It’s estimated that it hosts only 400,000 visitors on average per year. With most of the action centered around Parikia, the capital and main port, the island is largely unspoiled, full of picturesque villages and paradisaical beaches.
Speaking of Parikia, it is a vibrant coastal hub home to the landmark Panagia Ekatontapiliani, or ‘The Church of 100 Doors’, built in the 4th century. It is one of the oldest Orthodox temples in the Aegean, and it also has a plethora of traditional taverns serving delicious seafood.
If you’re craving Greek-style ceviche and seafood orzo, make sure you check out Mario Restaurant, near the harbor.
For grilled octopus, moussaka, and other Greek classics, the locally owned Bountaraki is a must-try. Finally, if you’re after Paros’ signature stuffed squid, get them at Taverna Mouragio.
Lots Of Uncrowded Chalk-White Villages To Explore
Parikia may be the administrative center and busiest port, but the true star of Paros is Naoussa, a laid-back village where you’ll find those traditional, chalk-white cubic houses, winding pathways, and a bar-packed waterline.
The Venetian Castle ruins are particularly scenic, especially at sunset, though if you’re hoping to explore a medieval gem, look no further than Lefkes:
Perched on a hill, Lefkes has more postcard-ready whitewashed houses. It’s famous for its myriad of historic churches, most notably the soaring Agia Triada, and family-owned eateries. On that note, Aranto serves some mouth-watering pastrami pie with local cheese.
Yet another Parian gem the Santorini crowds are yet to ruin, Marpissa is a frozen-in-time village, and we mean that in the best way possible, where front doors are painted in vibrant colors, and every arch-framed alley seems to lead to a picturesque piazza.
Paros Is All About Relaxing
Santorini is more of a boujee coastal destination, where people go to be seen and to get those Instagram shots. Gorgeous as it may be, it’s not particularly great for swimming, with its rugged, volcanic nature and pebbly beaches.
Paros, on the other hand, has Faragas, a beautiful golden-sand beach lapped by crystal-clear waters. Even though there’s a beach bar on-site, it doesn’t get too loud or busy, and you can always walk further west from the main beach to find quieter spots.
Over in Tripiti, there’s a serene stretch of soft sand awaiting discovery. As it has no facilities, and it is only accessible via a dirt road, most people rarely make the effort to go. To the east, Kalogeros Beach is just as scenic and quasi-deserted:
Locals often use it for DIY spa days, thanks to its mineral-rich clay deposits, which are said to have healing properties, and soft, relaxing waves.
Then there’s Glyfa, a short drive from the much-overlooked coastal village of Drios, offering more soft sands and shallow seas, and Lageri, close to Naoussa, where naturists usually go to bare it all, and feel closer to nature.
How Much Cheaper Is Paros?
Not only is Paros less crowded than Santorini, it can be a lot more affordable, sometimes up to 55% less costly to visit.
If you’re wondering how exactly both islands compare, take a look at the chart below, with figures drawn from websites like Budget Your Trip and The World Travel Index.
| Category | Santorini | Paros | Percentage cheaper than Santorini |
| B&B/guesthouse | €118 | €53 | 55% |
| 3-star hotel | €200 | €120 | 40% |
| Luxury hotel | €400 | €200 | 25% |
| Budget restaurant | €15 | €12 | 20% |
| Mid-range restaurant | €30 | €25 | 17% |
| Fine dining | €80 | €60 | 25% |
| Car rental | €50 | €40 | 20% |
Looking for more affordable, less-busy islands to explore in Greece this summer?
Check out the charming, largely crowd-free Chios, home to UNESCO-listed monasteries and well-preserved medieval windmills, or have fun exploring the narrow back streets, red dome churches, and paradisaical beaches of Karpathos.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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