While Paros has suddenly become fashionable, how does it toss-up against its neighbour Naxos, described by historian Herodotus as the “happiest of islands”? Each with sparkling shores (some of the best in Greece), Cycladic village charm, cultural attractions, airports and other family-friendly conveniences, there’s a distinct personality difference that appeals to different types of travellers. Here’s how they weigh-up.
If dining well for you sounds more like ceviche and champagne than a Greek salad and moussaka, choose Paros.
With polished facades set in insta-perfect corners of whitewashed villages framed by tumbling bougainvillea, the scene is curated and cosmopolitan. In Naxos, even the snazzier restaurants have a more laidback way about them. Picture nursing an ouzo over grilled octopus with sand between your toes, while the children skip around in sprawling taverns. The most fertile island in the Cyclades, Naxos also attracts with the wholesome goodness of food grown and grazed locally.
Pictured above, from left: Fine dining in Naoussa, Paros ; dining in Kastraki in Naxos
If you’re looking for design-forward hotels and swanky villas, Paros is the savvier.
The newest Greek island haunt for fashion designers, celebrities and the well-trodden, a string of luxury properties have followed suit. Paros also has more beachfront properties set right in sands that scallop the island’s gentle coastline. Step off your porch, and few skips over sizzling sand away, you’re in the sea. A perfect setup for families with young kids.
Naxos’ accommodation options are not without good looks, stylish suites, and swoon-worthy comforts. You’re just less likely to find Aesop products in your bathroom, hot stone massage services, and a sushi bar on your property.
Pictured above, from left: 5 star Avant Mar in Paros, and Seaside Naxos boutique villas in Plaka
If you appreciate an assortment of beaches for every mood, Paros is more impressive.
Swim between the exotic rock sculptures of eccentric kolymbithres, the golden windswept shores of surf hotspot Chryssi Akti, or the twinkling privacy of Faragas bay.
While Naxos is larger and has a longer coastline, most of the swimming takes place in what is essentially the same length of sand on the island’s west coast. Dreamily clear, and sandy, expansive horizons backed by beach bars dominate the busy end (starting from Agios Georgios), emptying out as you head south.
Pictured above, from left: Kolymbithres beach in Paros, and Mikri Vigla beach in Naxos
If you’re a naturist and enjoy quiet communes with the countryside, Naxos has diverse swathes of untouched land.
Hike to Mount Zas, the highest peak in the Cyclades. Roam authentic mountain villages that feel lost in time, and explore stone-paved footpaths leading to springs, waterfalls and Byzantine monuments. Smaller and flatter, Paros’ countryside is more developed and infiltrated by an extensive road network.
