Day 8: Naxos to Paros, Another New Greek Island

With my ferry ticket secured the night before, I woke early, eager to catch the 9:30 AM departure to Paros. After a light breakfast and a final check of my bags, I asked the hotel to call a taxi to the port—well worth the €10 to avoid dragging my case through the sand again! Feeling much better, though still a bit worn from two days of sparse meals, I boarded the ferry, waving goodbye to Naxos. For a brief visit, this island left a mark, and I’d love to come back for a deeper dive into its charm.

I arrived at Paros just after 10 AM and made my way around the harbour to my next stop, Hotel Livadia. With plans to meet up with friends by 11, I was on a mission! My room wasn’t quite ready, but the hotel owner kindly let me store my bags and freshen up quickly.

With minutes to spare, I reached the bus stop and hopped on with my friends for a quick ride to Pounda, where we’d catch a ferry to Antiparos. The scene at Pounda was breathtaking—a bay dotted with colourful kites from local kite surfers, swaying over the water.

Waiting for the Antiparos ferry at Pounta. The bay here is very pretty and popular with kite surfers.

Once on Antiparos, we spotted a small bus offering trips to the island’s famous Cave and Soros Beach for just €6 each. The cave turned out to be a thrilling descent into the earth, with countless steps spiralling down, lit well enough to highlight every twist and turn. A little eerie but an adventure worth taking!

The cave at Antiparos is worth visiting – it’s huge!

From there, we hit Soros Beach, a lively spot with soft sand and clear waters. The beach bar was pricey—€3.50 for a Coke, €5.50 for a beer, and €12 for a cocktail—but we indulged in the beach vibes, swimming and lounging under the warm sun. After a full afternoon, we caught the bus back to the ferry, ready to head back to Paros.

Starving by this point, we stopped in town for a bite, and I had my very first Greek gyros—possibly the best thing I’d tasted, though hunger might’ve made it even better!

Back in Paros, I took some time to unwind, shower, and rest at the hotel before heading out again with my camera for a sunset stroll around the harbour. My appetite didn’t justify a sit-down dinner, so I grabbed some bottled water and biscuits from a local market and called it an early night, ready to recharge for more island adventures tomorrow.

Paros Bay at night.