Parikia to Naousa | The Classic Paros Drive

The road from Parikia to Naousa is the spine of a Paros holiday. It links the working capital and main port on the west coast with the postcard fishing harbour on the north coast in roughly 12 kilometres and a little over twenty minutes at the legal limit. Almost every visitor drives it at least once, and many take it daily between their hotel and the beach.

Leave Parikia heading east on the main island road. The first few kilometres climb gently through olive groves and low hills, with the bare ridge of Naxos visible across the water on a clear day. There are no traffic lights on the whole route; the limit is 50 km/h through built-up sections and 70 km/h on the open road.

About halfway you pass the turning for Lefkes, the marble mountain village worth a half day of its own. Stay straight for Naousa and the road soon begins its descent towards the bay, with the white town and its little harbour opening up ahead of you.

Parking in Naousa is free along the bay road if you arrive before about ten in the morning in high season, or in the paid car park near the harbour entrance for a few euros. The old harbour itself is pedestrian-only beyond the small bridge, so park once and explore on foot.

Save the drive back for the late afternoon. The light over the Parikia waterfront on the return descent is the best free view on the island. In August, avoid the return between seven and nine in the evening unless you enjoy slow traffic; outside those hours you'll have a relaxed twenty-minute drive.