Look west from the coast of Paros and you will see a low, tawny island so close it seems you could swim to it. That is Antiparos: smaller, sleepier and a touch more bohemian than its big sister, with a bougainvillea-draped main street, a miniature Venetian castle, sandy beaches you can walk to and some of the best sunsets in the Cyclades. The crossing takes less than ten minutes. It is, by some distance, the easiest day trip you can make from Paros — and one of the most enjoyable.
Here is how to do it well.
How to get from Paros to Antiparos
Option 1: the ferry from Pounta (any time of year)
Pounta is a tiny port on the west coast of Paros, about 8 km south of Parikia. From here a small open-deck car ferry shuttles back and forth to Antiparos all day.
- Crossing time: around 7–10 minutes
- Frequency: roughly every half hour in summer, from early morning until late at night; less often in the low season
- Tickets: bought on the spot — no reservation needed, for passengers or vehicles
- Getting to Pounta: about 15 minutes’ drive from Parikia and 25–30 minutes from Naoussa. Buses run from Parikia to Pounta, timed loosely around the ferries.
Do not confuse Pounta (west coast, ferry and kitesurfing) with Pounda beach on the east coast — it has caught out more than one visitor with a sat-nav.
Option 2: the passenger boat from Parikia (in season)
From around late spring to early autumn, small passenger-only boats sail from Parikia’s port directly to Antiparos village. The trip takes about 30 minutes and is a pleasant mini-cruise along the coast. It is ideal if you are coming by bus from Naoussa, since Parikia’s bus station is beside the port. Check the day’s departure and return times on the quayside board, as they vary and boats do not sail in strong wind.
Should you take a car across?
For the village and nearby beaches, no — everything is walkable, and leaving the car at Pounta (there is parking by the quay) saves money and queuing. Take a vehicle, or rent a scooter or bike on arrival, if you want to reach the cave, Soros beach and Agios Georgios in the south within a single day. If your hire car is going on the ferry, check that your rental agreement allows it.
What to see and do on Antiparos
Wander the Chora
The ferry drops you at the edge of the island’s only village. A pedestrian street lined with cafés, small shops and bars runs from the harbour to the main square, shaded by an enormous eucalyptus. Just beyond it is the Kastro, a 15th-century Venetian fortified settlement: a circle of houses forming a defensive wall around a central courtyard, entered through a Gothic archway. It takes ten minutes to see and is surprisingly atmospheric.
Swim at the village beaches
You do not need transport for a good swim. Psaralyki (first and second) is a five-minute walk south of the port: sandy, shallow, sheltered and lined with tamarisk trees. On the other side of the village, Sifneiko faces west towards Sifnos and is the place to be at sunset. To the north, a 15-minute walk brings you to the beach by the campsite, where at low water you can wade across towards the islet of Diplo.
Visit the Cave of Antiparos
On a hillside in the south-centre of the island, about 8–9 km from the village, the cave is one of the oldest visited caves in Greece — travellers have been scratching their names into it for centuries. More than 400 steps lead down past huge stalactites and stalagmites, one of them thought to be among the oldest in Europe. It is cool inside, so it makes a good midday escape from the heat. The cave is open seasonally; a local bus connects it with the village in summer.
Head south: Soros, Agios Georgios and Despotiko
The road south passes Soros, a wide beach of sand and fine pebbles with deep-blue water and a couple of tavernas, before ending at Agios Georgios, a scattering of houses and fish tavernas facing the uninhabited island of Despotiko. Small boats cross from here to Despotiko in summer, where archaeologists are excavating and restoring a large sanctuary of Apollo, and where the beaches are empty and the water extraordinarily clear. Lunch at Agios Georgios, looking out over the strait, is one of the great simple pleasures of the area.
Or see it all from the water
If you prefer not to organise anything, day cruises from Paros (leaving from Pounta, Aliki, Parikia or Naoussa depending on the operator) sail around Antiparos and Despotiko, stopping to swim at sea caves and the turquoise shallows known as the Blue Lagoon. It is a different experience — more sea, less village — and many visitors do both.
A perfect Antiparos day trip itinerary
- 9:30 — Leave Naoussa. Drive to Pounta (25–30 minutes) or take the bus via Parikia.
- 10:15 — Ferry across. Coffee on the main street and a wander up to the Kastro.
- 11:30 — Head south (car, scooter or the seasonal bus) to the cave. Allow 45 minutes to an hour.
- 13:00 — Swim at Soros.
- 14:30 — Long fish lunch at Agios Georgios, with an optional boat hop to Despotiko.
- 17:30 — Back to the village for a stroll and some shopping as the lanes come to life.
- 19:00 — Sunset swim and a drink at Sifneiko beach.
- 20:30 — Early dinner in the village, or ferry back to Paros and dinner in Naoussa.
Without a vehicle, swap the southern loop for a lazy beach day at Psaralyki and the campsite beach — it is no hardship. More tips for car-free travel are in our guide to Paros without a car.
Practical tips
- Best months: June and September, when ferries are frequent but the village is relaxed. In August, go early; in October, the island is very quiet and many businesses are closed, though the Pounta ferry keeps running.
- Wind: the crossing is so short that it is rarely cancelled, but the passenger boat from Parikia and the little boats to Despotiko do stop in a strong Meltemi.
- Cash: carry some for the ferry, the boat to Despotiko and small purchases.
- Footwear: the cave steps can be slippery; wear shoes with grip rather than flip-flops.
- Last ferry: in summer they run late, which means you can stay for dinner. Check the time of the last sailing — and the last bus from Pounta, if you are using it — before you settle in.
- How long to allow: a full day. If you only have two or three days on Paros, prioritise Paros itself; see how many days in Paros.
Where to base yourself on Paros
Antiparos is reachable in well under an hour from anywhere on Paros, so there is no need to choose your accommodation around it. Most visitors are better off staying where the best beaches and restaurants are — around Naoussa — and making Antiparos one memorable day out. Our where to stay in Paros guide explains the options.
At Paros Comfy Suites, 2 km from Naoussa on the Xifara peninsula, we can arrange a hire car for the day or book you onto a boat trip around Antiparos and Despotiko — then have your sea-view suite (and, in several suites, your private pool) waiting when you get back. Browse the suites and book direct at paroscomfysuites.com; we are always glad to help plan days like this one.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get from Paros to Antiparos?
There are two ways. A small car and passenger ferry crosses from Pounta, on the west coast of Paros, in under 10 minutes and runs frequently all day, year-round. In the tourist season a passenger-only boat also sails from Parikia port, taking roughly 30 minutes.
Do I need to book the Antiparos ferry in advance?
No. For the Pounta ferry you simply turn up, buy a ticket at the quay or on board, and take the next boat. In July and August there can be a queue for vehicles in the late morning, but foot passengers always get on.
Is one day enough for Antiparos?
Yes. The island is small, and a day is enough to explore the village, swim at a beach or two and visit either the cave or the south coast. It is a full day rather than a half-day if you want to see more than the village.
Is Antiparos worth visiting?
Definitely. It has the look of Paros with a slower, barefoot, slightly bohemian atmosphere — a car-free main street, a Venetian castle quarter, easy beaches and wonderful sunsets. It is one of the simplest and most rewarding day trips in the Cyclades.
Can I visit Antiparos from Naoussa without a car?
Yes. Take the bus from Naoussa to Parikia (about 20 minutes), then either the seasonal passenger boat from Parikia port or the bus to Pounta and the short ferry. Once on Antiparos, the village and nearest beaches are all walkable, and a local bus runs to the cave in season.