Some day trips require planning, patience and a very early alarm. The trip from Paros to Antiparos requires none of these. The little sister island sits just across a narrow channel, ten minutes by ferry, yet it feels like a different world: smaller, slower, effortlessly cool. If you are staying on the south coast of Paros, the crossing at Pounta is practically on your doorstep, which makes Antiparos the easiest great decision of your holiday.
Here is how to spend a perfect day there.
Getting Across
Two routes connect the islands. From Pounta, on the southwest coast of Paros (about 15 minutes from Faragas and Aliki), the car ferry shuttles back and forth all day, every half hour or so in season. The crossing takes under ten minutes and you can bring your car, which we recommend for exploring the island properly. From Parikia, a passenger boat runs directly to Antiparos Town, taking about 30 minutes; pleasant, but the Pounta route is faster and more flexible for south coast visitors.
No booking is needed for the Pounta ferry. Simply drive up, buy a ticket, and roll on. Island life at its most refreshingly simple.
Morning: The Cave of Antiparos
Start with the island’s great natural wonder. The Cave of Antiparos, in the hills of the southern half of the island, is one of the most impressive caves in Greece: a vast chamber descending about 85 metres into the earth, filled with colossal stalagmites and stalactites formed over millions of years. At its entrance stands a stalagmite estimated at 45 million years old, among the oldest in Europe.
Visitors descend by a long series of steps (over 400, so wear sensible shoes and take it steadily) into a cool, cathedral like space that has fascinated travellers for centuries; the walls carry inscriptions from visitors as far back as antiquity. Go in the morning when the site is quiet and the temperature outside is still kind. Allow about an hour.
Midday: A Swim at Soros
Descending from the cave, reward yourselves with a swim. Soros, on the southeast coast, is many people’s favourite beach on Antiparos: a generous sweep of sand with calm, shallow, brilliantly clear water and a couple of laid back tavernas just behind the beach. Sheltered and family friendly, it is the natural lunch stop as well.
If you prefer to be closer to town, the beaches just south of Antiparos Town, such as Psaraliki, offer easy swimming with shade from tamarisk trees, a short stroll from the cafes.
Afternoon: Antiparos Town
Save the town for the golden hours. Antiparos Town is essentially one long, pedestrian main street running from the harbour to the central square, and it is one of the most charming streets in the Cyclades: whitewashed houses draped in bougainvillea, small boutiques, gelato spots, relaxed bars and absolutely no hurry anywhere.
Halfway along, duck through the archway into the Kastro, the 15th century Venetian settlement built as a fortified square; families still live within its walls, and stepping inside feels like entering a small, secret village within the village.
Antiparos has long attracted a quietly bohemian, celebrity adjacent crowd, yet the island wears its style lightly. There is nothing exclusive about it; just good taste, cold drinks and time moving slowly.
The Slow Lunch (or Early Dinner)
Eating well is central to any Antiparos day. Options worth lingering over:
- By the water at Soros or Agios Georgios: simple tavernas with fish, salads and sea views, where the afternoon dissolves pleasantly.
- In town: from classic Greek tavernas in the back streets to more contemporary kitchens along the main street. Quality across the island is impressively high.
Order the local catch, a horiatiki salad, cold white wine, and refuse to check the time.
When to Go and Practical Notes
- Duration: a full and unhurried day. Leave Paros by 9:30, return on an evening ferry.
- Best days: any day works, though midweek is quietest in high season. The Pounta ferry runs until late, so an early dinner in town is entirely feasible.
- Bring: cash for the cave and small tavernas, swimwear, sensible shoes for the cave steps, and sunscreen.
- With children: the ferry ride, the cave and the shallow beaches make Antiparos a natural family favourite.
The View from Home
One of the quiet pleasures of staying on the southwest coast of Paros is watching the sun set behind Antiparos in the evening, knowing you can be there in minutes whenever the mood strikes. Few luxuries beat having a whole second island as your casual neighbour.
Villa Azzuro sits 200 metres above Faragas Beach, about 15 minutes from the Pounta ferry. Antiparos, the cave and the slow lunches are all waiting just across the water.
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