Hidden Greece Colin Murison Small's  
 
Hidden Greece
Hidden Greece HOME :
Hidden Greece
CYCLADES

Antiparos

ParosMap

Size: 15km x 3km
Martian Risk:
Almost nil

As the blurb on the best map says, “Antiparos is a picturesque island with beautiful beaches, many ciders, solitary whitewashed chapels….” Don’t bet on the cider though: just sip an ouzo under a cedar.

Antiparos is 30 minutes by small ferry from Paroikia or eight minutes by car ferry from Pounta (between the town and airport) which runs every half hour from dawn to after midnight. That makes it an island which you can actually treat as a dormitory for much busier Paros. With frequent ferries (including the late ones via Pounta) you can even eat out in Paros and return to Antiparos for the night; or you can cross to Paros after breakfast, spend a whole day exploring (perhaps by car or scooter) and regain the friendly peace and pace of Antiparos the same evening. If you insist on spoiling yourself, you can hire a car on Paros and drive back to Antiparos every night! The water-sports facilities at Pounta on Paros are actually closer to Antiparos, being eight minutes away by ferry.

Life revolves round the harbour-front and the main street leading from there to the square, taking you past dozens of tavernas and restaurants and many of the island’s shops. There is real atmosphere here in a very laid-back way and people return again and again. There are plenty of beaches to choose from: several are within easy walking distance of the village, others are a few km south on the east coast – use the bus or hire a bike. On some it doesn’t matter if you forgot your swimsuit.

Getting there

There are direct charters from Gatwick and Manchester on Fridays (and scheduled services on Thursdays and Sundays from Gatwick) to Mykonos, the best gateway for Naxos and Paros as well as Mykonos itself. There are direct charters on Tuesdays from Gatwick and Manchester to Santorini which is usually also the best gateway to Folegandros but can sometimes also work for Paros and Naxos too.  However, the increasing number of comfortable fast ferries from Piraeus is making that option much more attractive even for the more distant islands. – access them by flying into Athens on OA from Heathrow, Gatwick or Manchester.  Lastly, from Athens you can fly on direct to Mykonos, Naxos, Paros and Santorini by OA “connecting” flights – but remember that in OA parlance a connecting flight is the one you see leaving runway 2 just as you land on runway 1; and often the ensuing wait makes a ferry crossing much quicker. There are ferries linking Santorini with Folegandros and frequent small boats serve Antiparos from Paros.

antiparos

Antiparos high street

antiparos

Antiparos: in the square

antiparos

Antiparos: more high street

antiparos

Antiparos: harbour-front and view to Paros from Hotel Mantalena

antiparos

Antiparos: Soros beach

antiparos

Antiparos: cove near Athina's villas. Clothes optional.

ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Mantalena, Antiparos

Hotel Roussos
Right on the harbour-front. From its huge first floor communal terrace there is a magical view across the harbour to Paros, whose hills blush with red as the sun sets behind you. The 32 rooms all have their own balcony.
Air-con, sat TV, phone, fridge; B&B.

Enquire about: flights + accom'n at Hotel Mantalena

More pictures

Hidden Greece

HG Client Reviews

from Antiparos

Margos Apartments

Margos Apartments
Quietly set overlooking a paved patio amidst a jungle of flowers, is an old village house a minute from the square, converted into three simple studio/ apartments plus a garden cottage. Formerly called Roussos Spitakia.
Two with air-con. S/C 2-4 pers.

Enquire about: flights + accom'n at Margos Apartments

More pictures

Hidden Greece

HG Client Reviews

from Antiparos

Maria's Place

Spyros Place
About a dozen rooms encircling a couple of shady patios; half way between the harbour and the nearest town beach. Upstairs terrace offers views through the foliage over the harbour and out to sea.
Air-con, fridge, coffee/tea maker. RO.

Enquire about: flights + accom'n at Maria's Place

More pictures

Hidden Greece

Athina's Houses

Spyros
The same family have a splendid new establishment just out of town between the first town beach and the first of two small coves where you may officially forget your swimsuit. The four or five houses give on to a huge communal terrace with open views over the bay to the village. All with living room, separate bedroom (or two) and kitchen. Perfect for families.
S/C 2-6 pers.

Enquire about: flights + accom'n at Athina's Houses

More pictures

Hidden Greece

REVIEWS

Edward and Jacquie travelled to Antiparos via Athens in Sep 2023
Louise and Catriona travelled to Naxos and Antiparos in Jul 2023
Bernie and Greg travelled to Antiparos in Jul 2022
Jon and Ursula travelled to Antiparos in Aug 2021
Niki and Caroline travelled to Antiparos in Sep 2022
Andrew and Anna travelled to Paros and Antiparos in Sep 2022
Rob and Keith travelled to Crete Antiparos and Iraklia in Sep 2022
Chris and Kathleen travelled to Antiparos in Jun 2022