This Fast-Rising Greek Island With Turquoise Coves, $55 Hotels, And Smaller Crowds Is The New Mykonos

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Forget Mykonos and the elitist, invite-only white parties.

Greece’s trendiest island right now is a compact, rugged gem in the heart of the Cyclades, where timeless fishing villages are fringed by turquoise waters, ancient castles lie in romantic ruins, and crowds remain manageable.

Not exactly zero, but not Little Venice-level crazy, either, though it could get there real soon. In plain terms, it might look like a very different island by 2028, so you better get those bookings in before it’s too late:

Paros Is Greece’s Hottest New Island Escape

This is Paros, a long-time favorite among domestic travelers that has seen international tourism really start booming in recent years.

Now, its small local airport is gearing up for a major infrastructure update, potentially paving the way for more international routes before the decade’s up, and it’s gone as far as topping new building permits in the Cyclades, surpassing Mykonos and Santorini.

In 2025 alone, Paros issued 305 building permits, more than any other island in the group.

In other words, these might be the last few years until you’re able to enjoy one of Greece’s former best-kept secrets before it becomes unsustainably crowded.

Paros is where you go for that slow, Mamma Mia-esque life and sun-drenched Aegean swims: think whitewashed old towns, picturesque harbors with your usual family-owned tavernas and bobbing boats, and a more family-friendly atmosphere.

There are clubs popping up hither and thither, sure, but this isn’t just another Mykonos copycat in the making:

It’s Mykonos-adjacent, yet it hits that sweet spot between the chaotic, week-long party experience of Greece’s most touristy island, and somewhere really quiet, properly underdeveloped like Folegandros.

Gorgeous island, by the way, but I digress.

Could Paros Become The Cyclades’ Next Tourism Hotspot After Mykonos And Santorini?

Paros Airport (PAS) is set to get a brand-new terminal, measuring 12,117 square meters, see a runway extension from 1,400 to 1,799 meters, which should be enough to accommodate larger aircraft, a larger aircraft parking area, fire station, and upgraded passenger facilities.

Oh, and it’s even getting a brand-new control tower!

Paros’ growth has been partly hampered by its tiny airport, which primarily accommodates smaller turboprop aircraft, rather than the larger jets you see landing in Mykonos or Santorini.

Getting to Paros, most tourists must first connect in a larger Greek hub, usually Athens, before boarding a short domestic flight.

Or then, face a 3–4-hour ferry from Piraeus, if they’re coming from the mainland, or a shorter 35–45-minute hop from Mykonos aboard a high-speed ferry.

In recent years, small charter airlines have also operated flights from lesser-known Austrian gateways like Graz and Klagenfurt, though some services involve a stop en route. Still, it’s nowhere near unlocking Paros’ true potential.

Last year alone, it welcomed around 66,000 more passenger arrivals compared to 2024, combining ferry and airport traffic, and numbers keep growing.

In the first half of 2026, ferry passenger traffic was up roughly 7% year-on-year, and by 2028, Paros could be an even bigger player in the Cyclades, challenging the dominance of that power duo that keeps coming up.

This does not mean the island is already ‘ruined’, and it’s lost its authenticity compared to what it was, unlike some of the doomsday commenters would have you believe.

However, it’s definitely not the offbeat destination it once was… but the good news is, there’s still time to enjoy it while there’s a good ounce of old-school Cycladic charm left.

Check The Entry Requirements Before Flying To Europe

Heading to Europe in 2027?

U.S. passport holders can generally stay visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, but the continent’s new fingerprinting procedures, and their upcoming ETIAS travel authorization, mean there’s waaaay more to keep track of before boarding.

Not sure what applies to you? Use our Entry Requirement Checker to find out which documents and travel authorizations you may need for your trip, based on your nationality and destination.

Mykonos Has Little Venice. Paros Has Naoussa.

If Little Venice is the main reason why everyone goes to Mykonos, with its colorful waterfront houses hugged by an azure Aegean, Naoussa is the end-all, be-all Parian village.

Arguably the prettiest spot on the island, it’s not perched above a thunderous caldera, but rather a picture-perfect cluster of chalk-white houses arranged around a picturesque harbor, guarded by the remains of a Venetian fortress.

Less about sightseeing, and more about soaking up the atmosphere, this is where you go to wander at leisure, linger under bougainvillea-framed terraces, and toast the sunset with a raki in hand.

It’s stunning, sure, but also Paros at its most commercial.

If you’re looking for a taste of the old Paros, the one yet to be completely taken over by throngs of Instagrammers and luxury-hotel guests, Lefkes is where you should be headed:

The island’s former capital, perched on a hillside and crisscrossed with marble-paved lanes, it has the same flower-filled courtyards, traditional Cycladic houses, and an imposing Church of Agia Triada at its heart, with maybe half the daytime buzz.

Definitely base yourself in Lefkes, rather than Naoussa, for quieter evening strolls, unhurried taverna dinners, and cheaper boutique stays.

I also love tiny, sleepy Marpissa for its medieval-looking streets and traditional tavernas serving home-cooked Greek food, and historic windmills.

How Safe Is Paros Right Now?

Greece is currently classified as Level 1 by the U.S. State Department, meaning Americans are advised to exercise normal precautions.

Paros itself is a very safe island for American tourists, with a truly-relaxed atmosphere and incredibly-low levels of serious crime. Petty theft can always occur, sure, but this is not a major urban center like Athens or Thessaloniki where criminals can easily vanish into a crowd, if you know what we mean.

Travel Off Path’s Traveler Safety Index tracks visitor-reported experiences alongside official advisories, and right now, Greece scores 91 out of 100, making it a certified safe destination:

Your Paros Mini Guide For 2027

Top 5 Prettiest Villages

• Naoussa: a picture-perfect fishing village with a Venetian harbor
• Lefkes: a charming former capital tucked into the hills, famous for its marble-paved streets
• Marpissa: a sleepy traditional village with narrow medieval-looking lanes and old windmills
• Prodromos: a whitewashed hamlet known for the flower-filled courtyards and traditional archways
• Aliki: a laid-back fishing village on the southern coast, defined by its colorful boats and quiet harbor

Top 5 Best Beaches

• Kolymbithres Beach: turquoise water and small sandy coves surrounded by granite boulders
• Monastiri Beach: a sheltered, shallow-water bay backed by rugged hills
• Faragas Beach: a beautiful southern beach with golden sand and crystalline seas
• Chrissi Akti: a long, golden-sand beach on the southeastern coast, particularly famous for windsurfing
• Santa Maria Beach: a gorgeous stretch of soft sand near Naoussa with crystal-clear water

Top 5 Best Tavernas

• Tsitsanis (Prodromos): a historic taverna serving traditional chickpea dishes, rabbit cooked in wine and rooster
• Klarinos (Lefkes): a traditional village taverna known for hearty grilled meats, lamb and generous portions, and beautiful views from its terrace
• Chrisoula (Geuseis tis Sintrofias), Lefkes: a homestyle Greek restaurant serving homemade moussaka and other old-fashioned family recipes
• Kafeneio I Palia Agora (Naoussa): a lively eatery tucked into the village’s narrow lanes, popular for its affordable Greek meze and house wine
• To Balcony tou Aki (Aliki): an unpretentious waterfront restaurant serving grilled octopus and other fresh fish

Tsitsanis is easily my go-to taverna on Paros for homestyle Greek cooking.

Paros is no Sifnos, the Cycladic island that has practically become synonymous with foodie culture, don’t get me wrong, but this family-owned, 1969 institution serves up quite the feast of oven-baked chickpeas, wine-braised rabbit, slow-cooked rooster in wine sauce, and seasonal vegetable dishes that are just to die for.

It’s also a great option for authentic local food without the upscale Naoussa prices:

A full three-course dinner here, drink included, should set you back around $30–35 per person, depending on what you order, which, in this increasingly trendy corner of the Cyclades, is about as good a deal as it gets.

How Affordable Is Paros, Greece Still?

Speaking of affordable dining, Paros is still easier on the wallet compared to, again, Mykonos or Santorini, provided you steer clear of its most upscale waterfront restaurants.

The average cost of a main dish at a no-frills, walk-in taverna comes up to around $17–25, a glass of local house wine is $4–6, and modest guesthouse stays cost around $55–70 a night in the off-season (usually just before summer starts, or the fall period).

Keen on adding maybe a plunge pool and room service to that? Then it could rise to about $130–220 per night for a stylish boutique stay, but definitely without the staggering price tags attached to some of Santorini’s most luxurious caldera-view villas.

Naturally, prices climb in July and August, so if you’re looking to save some serious cash, June or September is your best bet.

My Own Parian Coup de Cœur

Wanna know a not-so-secret local treasure that most beach-bum, party-loving tourists end up missing anyway?

Paros is home to one of the oldest churches in Greece, the magnificent Panagia Ekatontapiliani: located in Parikia, a historic town that’s also Paros’ capital and main ferry port, this remarkable monument traces its origins back to the 4th century AD.

It’s known as the Church of a Hundred Doors, thanks to a centuries-old legend claiming that 99 doors are visible, while a mysterious hundredth remains hidden.

Inside, you’ll find ancient marble columns, beautifully carved capitals, fragments of early Christian artwork, and a remarkably preserved early Christian baptistery, considered one of the oldest of its kind in the Orthodox world.

This church is also associated with Saint Helena, mother of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, who, according to local tradition, vowed to build a church here during her journey to the Holy Land.

You know, just in case you might want to pop by and light a votive candle, or then just admire this stunning ancient architectural feat.

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.