Best of Greek Island hopping: Paros, Naxos, Santorini

First off, I have to say, I absolutely love Greece. It is the third country I had ever visited and the one that helped me fall in love with a country remarkably different from my own. Besides the beautiful scenery, the Greek islands also have some of the kindest, most welcoming people I have met, saliva-inducing foods, and fascinating history hiding around every corner of the country.

Out of all of the countries I have been to, I have easily spent the most time in Greece. I studied abroad on the Cycladic island of Paros for a month in the summer of 2018. I learned so much about the culture, the history of the islands, and honestly, a lot about myself, too. Not only that, but it was the first country I went back to when countries started opening again after covid, and I fell in love all over again.

After having spent an extensive amount of time on the Greek islands, my favorite and most recommended islands to visit are Paros, Naxos, and Santorini. This blog will give a brief overview of the islands, general advice, and unique recommendations for things to do.

What to expect

When to go: I suggest visiting Greece in May. The weather is spectacular and it hasn’t hit the peak tourist months of June - August.

Costs: While it might be more on the expensive side to get to Greece, you might be surprised to learn that accommodations, food, and transportation are pretty inexpensive once you get there. Of course, this is dependent on the choices you make for these expenses. I have always been on a budget while staying in Greece and that hasn't stopped me from having amazing experiences, delicious food, and nice accommodations. It is definitely not a place you need to spend a lot of money to have a good time.

Language The official language is Greek, although many people know English, especially younger greeks. However, it is good to learn some common phrases not just to be polite but in case you meet someone who does not know any English. For example, I was at a small, local restaurant run by a sweet, elderly woman who did not speak English, so I used the little Greek I knew and the woman seemed really grateful that I was making an effort to speak her language.

Currency: Greece uses the Euro, which has a similar value system as the US dollar. It's good to keep some cash on you in Greece, as not every place accepts credit cards.

Safety: I have always felt very safe in Greece, especially on the islands. As long as you use common sense, you shouldn't run into any problems.

Tipping: Tipping isn’t required but it is polite and appreciated to give a small tip at sit-down restaurants. Think around 10%.

Toilets: Look for WC signs. Toilets are (usually) the standard style, but you cannot flush anything down them, including toilet paper. Old towns = old sewer systems!

Wildlife: Expect to see a lot of cats around. They typically stay to themselves and are well taken care of by the locals.

Paros

I might be biased from the month I spent studying abroad in Paros, but it is definitely my favorite island. There is so much to do, from wandering around traditional villages to soaking up the sun at countless gorgeous beaches. I could easily spend another month in Paros, but if you are on a tighter schedule, I suggest spending at least 3 days. While the island isn’t unknown, it’s definitely not as busy with tourists as other islands in the Cyclades, which has allowed it to keep the Cycladic original charm. Additionally, Paros is easy to get to from Athens either by ferry or plane. It’s a great first stop for island hopping as it’s an effortless ferry ride to Naxos and Santorini.

What to do in Paros

When visiting Paros, I suggest going to as many cities as your schedule allows because all of the villages are different and special in their own ways. The best part is you don’t need a large budget to get around. Public transportation is cheap and frequently available. It is possible to visit many villages by bus for less than €4 round trip. The bus schedule is easy to understand, and many time slots give you plenty of time to explore a village for the day. If you only have a few days, I suggest visiting Naoussa and Lefkes.

If you have extra time or want a day trip away from Paros, Antiparos is a picturesque island just a short ferry ride away. Here you could spend a day strolling through the quaint port city, take a tour of an ancient cave, or sail along the rugged shores of the island. There is something quite special about Antiparos, which is probably why Tom Hanks has a summer home here.

Wanderer tip: If you make the trip to Lefkes – which you definitely should because it’s stunning – I highly recommend going on the Byzantine Road hike. It’s a 1000-year-old ancient route made of marble with gorgeous views of the mountainside and the sea. It can be a little hard to find the trailhead even with the signs posted around the city, so give yourself enough time to wander around the city and do the hike, probably around 3-4 hours.

Where to Stay in Paros

I recommend staying in Parikia. It is beautiful, has beaches that are easy to walk to, numerous lovely restaurants along the sea, and beautiful old streets with classic Greek charm. The bus station in Parikia is one of the largest on the island so you can truly get just about anywhere from Parikia with no trouble. Or if you prefer to rent a car, Parikia is an easy place to do that. If you are traveling by ferry, you will likely be let off in Parikia because it is the main Port City in Paros.

Naxos

While I have only spent a handful of days on the island of Naxos, it quickly became one of my favorite islands and one that I look forward to spending more time on. This island has impressive mountain terrain, endearing villages, and incredible archeological sites. The capital city of Chora is an easy 45-minute ferry ride from Parikia. You have the option of getting to the island by ferry or plane from Athens and the surrounding islands. I recommend spending at least 3 days in Naxos to embrace the natural beauty and the history the island has to offer.

What to do in Naxos

Don’t forget to venture out of the town and visit mountain villages, go on hikes, and explore the archeological sites this island boasts. Naxos is an adventurer's dream destination! Similar to Paros, I encourage you to visit as many villages as possible. During my last visit to Naxos, I took an unforgettable bus ride to the mountain village of Apeiranthos. If I’m being honest, the bus ride itself was an adventure with twisting, narrow mountain roads and steep cliffs. Once I arrived, I wandered the quiet streets, enjoyed the breathtaking views and had a bite to eat. With Naxos being the largest of the Cycladic islands, there must be many more villages, ancient ruins, and hikes waiting to be discovered.

Where to Stay in Naxos

Chora is the perfect town to find accommodation in Naxos. It maintains an authentic vibe while offering beaches, nightlife opportunities, and a hub for transportation. I suggest spending an afternoon getting lost in the small, winding streets of Chora. At sunset, take an easy walk to visit one of its most famous attractions, the door-like Portara, or Temple of Apollo, which stands on the end of a small island overlooking the city. Perhaps take a tour of the village to learn more about the varying styles of architecture, the Venetian castle, and ancient sites.

Santorini

By far the most popular island in Greece is Santorini. And while I don’t usually like to encourage people to go to already overly touristy areas, Santorini is touristy for a reason. In fact, many writers, influencers, and bloggers try to sell the luxury dream of going to Santorini, but that’s not what this blog is about. I actually have a confession to make about Santorini. You know those blue-domed buildings you see in every photo of Santorini? Well, there are only a few of those on the island. I was immensely surprised when I went to Santorini and didn’t see these blue domes everywhere. I’m sorry if I ruined any of your dreams about Santorini, but don’t be sad for too long. I’m here to tell you that Santorini is SO much more than those things. It’s rich in history, adventure, and yes, beauty.

Where to Stay in Santorini

I recommend staying at least 3 days in Santorini so you can embrace all it has to offer. Oia is the most popular town for tourists to stay in. If you are looking for a place less crowded, I suggest looking at stays in Fira. Both towns are beautiful and offer a variety of shops, restaurants, and activities. There are public buses that will take you between the two cities, so you don’t need to feel limited by where you stay.

What to do in Santorini

If you are interested, you can visit the excavated city of Akrotiri, also known as “The Pompeii of the Aegean”. Here you can learn about the rich history of Santorini that dates back to 3000 BC. Santorini had a thriving population with running water, sewer systems, and multi-level houses, before the volcanic eruption of 1640 BC devastated the island and gave it its unique crescent shape. I have to admit it was one of my favorite stops on the trip. If you want to learn more about Santorini, and its history, click here.

Santorini is actually great for those who want to be adventurous. I highly recommend hiking to Skoros Rock. It is not an easy hike because of the multitude of stairs. But if you give yourself enough time, you will be fine. I recommend starting the hike at least 2 hours before sunset, so you can get down to the church to watch the sunset and then be able to hike back in the light. Your legs might be sore the next day, but you will not regret it. To this day, that hike sticks in my head as one of my favorite moments in my life. Another adventurous activity I recommend is taking a boat ride to the thermal baths and volcano island. This is another unforgettable experience, if you are interested in this tour, click here.

Santorini is beyond beautiful — I’ve never seen another place in the world like it — but don’t forget to explore and learn about the island when you visit. While I still recommend people go to Santorini, my only suggestion is that you don’t spend all of your time there. There are so many gorgeous islands in Greece that deserve attention too. And by spreading out your time among several islands, the tourist footprint might not be so heavy in Santorini.