14 Best Instagram Spots on Paros (With a Map!)

Paros is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea known for its whitewashed villages, turquoise water, and endlessly photogenic streets. We spent a few days adventuring around the island and exploring the island’s villages where it seemed like every corner was another perfect photo op.

I may have driven my husband slightly crazy with all the requests to stop for photos, but honestly, Paros is one of those places where you constantly want to pull over and capture the scenery.

If you’re searching for the best Instagram spots on Paros or wondering where to find the most picturesque places on the island, this guide covers my favorite photo spots from iconic viewpoints to hidden gems, as well as the exact location linked on Google Maps.

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Overview & Map: Best Instagram Spots on Paros

Looking for the best photo spots on Paros at a glance? This quick overview includes the top Instagrammable places across Naoussa, Parikia, Lefkes, Marpissa, and some of the island’s most scenic beaches.

1. Naoussa Pedestrian Area
2. Linardo
3. Paros Viewpoint
4. Barbarossa
5. Port of Naoussa
6. Church with Bougainvillea (Naoussa)
7. Parikia Church
8. Old Town Parikia
9. Pink Door
10. White Church (Marpissa)
11. Lefkes Cafe
12. Bougainvillea Corner House
13. Santa Maria Beach
14. Paros Park

If you’re planning a photography-focused itinerary, this map makes it easy to organize the best Instagram spots on Paros by region so you can group nearby locations together.

Best Instagram Spots on Paros

1. Naoussa Pedestrian Area (Naoussa)

Google Maps Location: Here
Best for: Classic Greek island street photos

We’ll start our list of the best Instagram spots on Paros in Naoussa. Naoussa has a little bit of everything – restaurants, nightlife, and one of my most favorite downtown areas. I’d recommend spending some time walking around the Naoussa pedestrian area, which is closed to cars.

The white stone houses, pebbled streets, and plentiful bougainvillea create that quintessential Greek feel. The location I tagged on Google Maps is the location of my first photo, but I’d definitely recommend spending a morning wandering through the town and you’ll be sure to capture plenty of memorable shots. Early morning is the best time to photograph Naoussa if you want empty alleyways and softer lighting before the crowds arrive.

2. Linardo (Naoussa)

Google Maps Location: Here
Best for: Best iconic Paros Instagram shot

Linardo is one of the most renowned Instagrammable locations on Paros. This is easily one of the most recognizable photo spots on Paros and often appears in travel photography across Instagram and Pinterest.

Fun fact about Linardo: it is actually a night club that is open until the wee hours of the morning. I cannot attest to how late because I’m an early-to-bed and early-to-rise kind of girl, but I can say that when we were walking around at 7:00am, the workers at Linardo were just finishing up their cleaning routine and closing the doors. On the plus side, there was absolutely no line to take pictures at that time of day.

Naoussa is so incredibly scenic that one of the best things to do in Paros is to schedule a vacation photographer to commemorate your time on the island! Whether you’re traveling solo, planning a proposal, or just want to capture picture-perfect shots with loved ones, it makes for a memorable experience!

3. Paros Viewpoint (Naoussa)

Google Maps Location: Here
Best for: Best drone photography location

From Linardo, walk toward the Aegean Sea, and you’ll see this viewpoint of Paros to your right. The early morning light was spectacular here with the sun sparkling off the sea. A wide-angle lens works especially well here since you can capture the “stage” area in the foreground with the Cycladic architecture and ocean in the background.

Paros Viewpoint gives you the perfect view of the island’s whitewashed houses over a sparkling blue sea. This is also a cool spot to launch a drone and get views of the entire town. We use a DJI Mini 3 Pro, which for anyone considering a drone, is so easy to learn! A word of caution: Paros was extremely windy while we were there, making it somewhat difficult to launch a drone. If you decide to fly a drone, make sure to check the weather conditions and drone regulations in advance!

4. Barbarossa (Naoussa)

Google Maps Location: Here
Best for: Best staircase photo spot on Paros

In the same area as Linardo, you’ll find Barbarossa. Barbarossa is a restaurant, but also makes for a cute backdrop for your Paros Instagram photo. Walk up the stairs, strike a pose, and use the classic white building to frame your shot. Since it’s a functioning restaurant, I’d recommend taking photos while the restaurant is closed so you don’t disrupt guests or staff.

5. Port of Naoussa (Naoussa)

Google Maps Location: Here
Best for: Best sunset photography spot

The port of Naoussa was one of my favorite Instagram spots on Paros and it truly felt like the port was the heart of the town. After making your way through tiny pebbled alleys, you arrive at the port, which is home to an array of restaurants and bars.

You can also see the traditional fishing boats and the fishermen that still work in the industry. Throughout our time there, we saw the fisherman mending nets, working on their boats, and hanging up the octopi and fresh catch of the day.

I’d recommend visiting the port multiple times throughout the day – the morning is the quietest time and gives you the most relaxing view. As the day progresses, the restaurants and bars fill up, which makes for great people watching. Make sure to catch a sunset one evening…best done with a tasty beverage in hand! Sunset creates some of the best lighting conditions around the harbor, especially once the sea begins reflecting the golden light.

6. Church with Bougainvillea (Naoussa)

Google Maps Location: Here
Best for: Best hidden gem photo spot

I’ll be frank about this next location…I may have gotten a bit turned around, stopped to check my phone for directions, and when I looked up, this church was right in front of me. Sometimes getting lost down the side streets without a plan leads you to the hidden gems you never knew you needed to find!

In any case, I absolutely loved how I could frame this church with bougainvillea to give it that traditional Greek aesthetic. The combination of the blue and white plus bright flowers transformed it from a simple church to one of my favorite Instagram locations on Paros.

7. Parikia Church (Parikia)

Google Maps Location: Here
Best for: Best classic Cycladic architecture photo

Moving on from Naoussa, head over to Parikia, which is the capital and main port of Paros. It is bigger than Naoussa and I honestly didn’t love it as much as I did Naoussa. However, there are still plenty of Instagrammable locations in Parikia, so I’ll pass along a few of my favorites.

First up is this perfect little church in Parikia’s pedestrian area. To find the church itself, find Vanilla Gelateria on the corner, turn down the alley next to the gelateria, and in about 300 feet, you’ll see this pretty church. It was a great photo spot on Paros and the church walls bracketed with blooming bougainvillea give it that unmistakably Aegean vibe.

8. Old Town Parikia (Parikia)

Google Maps Location: Here
Best for: Best street photography

As the location of the main port on Paros, the streets of Parikia’s pedestrian area can get pretty busy, especially just after the ferry has arrived. However, a lot of the congestion seems confined to the main thoroughfares.

We spent a few hours just meandering through the back alleys, and the narrow streets were just so quaint. Even though Parikia is compact, I’d recommend penciling in a couple hours to slowly explore the area, take in the sights, and maybe stop for a gyro or glass of wine. Some of my favorite photos in Parikia actually came from the quieter side streets away from the busiest pedestrian areas.

9. Pink Door (Marpissa)

Google Maps Location: Here
Best for: Best colorful door photo on Paros

Head on over to Marpissa, where you’ll find the iconic pink door. The soft pink color stands out beautifully against the otherwise whitewashed village, especially in bright morning light. I’m honestly not sure how the pink door became one of the top Instagram spots on Paros, but make sure that in addition to seeing the pink door, you give yourself some time to walk around the streets of Marpissa.

The village has gorgeous traditional Greek homes, small squares, and so many churches. One of my favorite things about Marpissa was how quiet it felt, especially after coming from Parikia. We opted to stop for lunch at a local café to enjoy some authentic Greek food.

10. White Church (Marpissa)

Google Maps Location: Here
Best for: Best architectural photo location in Marpissa

This little white church in Marpissa also turned out to be one of my favorite photo locations on Paros. I’d recommend shooting from the corner at a slight angle so you can capture both the bell tower and the front façade of the church in the same frame. The perspective makes the composition much more visually interesting, especially with a wide-angle lens.

11. Lefkes Café (Lefkes)

Google Maps Location: Here
Best for: Best café-style photo spot on Paros

I refer to this spot as Lefkes Café, though I’m really not sure whether or not it is truly a café – it just has that café vibe with outdoor tables. This spot is located within the square by the Agia Triada Church. I especially loved the light blue doors and window frames paired with the bougainvillea blooming overhead. The tiny tables and chairs outside also make perfect props for photos and add to the cozy Greek café atmosphere.

12. Bougainvillea Corner House (Lefkes)

Google Maps Location: Here
Best for: Best quiet village photography location

Lefkes is also home to this adorable house on the corner with flowering bougainvillea. It can be somewhat difficult to find since Lefkes has lots of small, winding paths, so make sure to use my Google Maps link!

Lefkes was the former capital of Paros during the Middle Ages and is one of the most mountainous villages on the island. There are several parking areas located on the edge of town, so after parking, you will be free to explore Lefkes on foot.

We visited around midday, which created some pretty harsh overhead lighting for photos. If possible, I’d recommend coming earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon when the light is softer.

13. Santa Maria Beach

Google Maps Location: Here
Best for: Best beach photography spot

Santa Maria Beach is located in northeast Paros and has beautiful blue water. You can choose to splurge for a sunbed or bring your own blanket to the free part of the beach. I really enjoyed just walking down the beach and taking in the views. For me, the Aegean is a bit cold (I’m a true Florida girl), but the weather was perfect for a walk down the coastline.

The contrast between the turquoise water, golden sand, and rocky coastline makes Santa Maria Beach one of the most scenic beach photo spots on Paros.

14. Paros Park

Google Maps Location: Here
Best for: Best coastal landscape photography destination

Paros Park is a protected seaside nature reserve with a network of hiking trails. The rugged coastline and panoramic sea views offer a completely different photography style compared to the island’s villages and beaches.

Within the park, one of the paths leads to Korakas Lighthouse, located on the point. If you’re interested in the lighthouse, follow trail number 1. There is also a 3.9 mile loop that is a popular spot for an easy hike. AllTrails includes all sorts of hiking tips, maps, and recent trail conditions if you are interested in a hike.

It was incredibly windy the day we went, but it turned out to be a really enjoyable hike overall. We enjoyed great views of the Aegean Sea and could look back toward Paros, as well. It was nice to enjoy some time in nature and take a break from the summer crowds.

Where to Stay on Paros

The big question when visiting the island is where to stay on Paros? Your two main options will be Naoussa or Parikia, though there are obviously plenty of small towns and more remote countryside villas if you so desire. I personally opted for Naoussa over Parikia and would make the same decision again. Naoussa has more luxurious accommodations, a  super chic downtown area, trendy cocktail bars, and some of the best vibes on the island. If photography is a priority, I’d personally recommend staying in Naoussa since many of the best Instagram spots on Paros are nearby.

On the other hand, if you’re looking to find more budget accommodations and easy access to public transportation, Parikia may be the right fit for you. Paros’s public transport is centered around Parikia, so if you’re not renting a car, the main bus station in Parikia makes it easier to move around the island. I’ll lay out some of my favorite options for both Naoussa and Parikia so you can pick the correct choice for you.

Naoussa Options

Lilly Residence (Adults Only) – Enjoy luxurious accommodations and breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea at this stunning hotel. This is truly a once in a lifetime experience – take advantage of the champagne breakfast on the sun terrace or tasty cocktails at the pool-side bar. Best of all, this hotel is only a 5 minute walk into town!

Paliomylos Spa Hotel – This mid-range hotel offers a pool with spectacular views of the Aegean Sea. If you get a little chilly, take a dip in the indoor salt-water hot tub. The hotel is located within walking distance of restaurants and bars and is about 10 minutes from downtown Naoussa.

Fotilia Hotel – This mid-range boutique hotel is located just a few minutes’ walk from the center of downtown (and is pretty affordable!) They also offer a free airport shuttle service, which makes getting to the hotel incredibly convenient. It is a family-run business and all of the employees are so welcoming. Fun fact: the hotel has a windmill room if you want to get super into the Greek life!

Parikia Options

Paros Agnanti Hotel – The suites here are absolutely luxurious and this is hands-down the best option if you’re looking for world class service in Parikia. The pool has spectacular views and the rooms all have different features – I’d go for the one with the infinity pool! This is a great spot for couples looking to enjoy some time together and a romantic vacation in Greece. The hotel is located a bit outside of Parikia, but offers a complimentary shuttle bus into town.

Paros Palace – Paros Palace is a mid-range to luxury option (depending upon the room you book) that offers the best of both worlds. Located just a 10 minute walk from the beach, the hotel is near enough to Parikia to partake in the shopping and nightlife (~1km). If you’d prefer to take a shuttle, the hotel also offers complimentary transfers to the town during the day. Paros Palace offers spacious rooms, and some come with private pools!

Roses Beach Hotel – A great mid-range option, this hotel is a 3 minute walk to the beach and about a 15 minute walk to downtown. Roses Beach Hotel is a small, family-run establishment that prides itself on attention to detail, a great location, and the perfect Greek ambiance. The pool, pool-side bar, private parking, and free transfer to and from the port are great bonuses that come with booking this hotel.

Getting to Paros

The two main ways to get to Paros are via air or ferry, depending upon your starting point. If you are arriving from Athens, you could choose to fly (which is what we did) or come via ferry. The flights from Athens are approximately 45 minutes vs. a ferry ride of 3-4 hours. For us, the ability to save time coupled with the fact that we were already at the Athens airport made it an easy choice. Aegean Air offers multiple direct flights per day from Athens to Paros.

Your other option is via the ferry. If you are coming from another island (Naxos, Santorini, Mykonos, etc.), the ferry is an easy option. FerryHopper helps to find the best and cheapest ferry tickets and searches across the main ferry companies in the area. When moving between islands on our Greece trip, we used FerryHopper to book tickets and it was an incredibly easy process.

Getting Around Paros

I personally recommend renting some kind of vehicle to get around Paros. It gives you so much more flexibility to explore the entire island on your own schedule and also makes it much easier to visit lesser-known photo spots around Paros at sunrise or sunset. Whether you prefer a scooter, ATV, or car is completely up to you.

We rented an ATV for a day, a car for two days, and were on foot for one day. Pros of an ATV are that it is fun and easier to park in busy locations. However, if you are driving long distances, it gets a bit sweaty under the Greek sun (and also very windy!) Cars are preferable for driving any longer distances around the island, but ATVs or scooters are sufficient for hopping between the nearby beach and town.

For car rentals, I’d recommend either sticking with a global company you know (e.g. Alamo, Budget, Hertz, etc.) or thoroughly reading the reviews of the smaller companies. There are definitely some great smaller companies out there and we rented our ATV from one of them!

If you’re planning to mostly stay within the town where your hotel is located and/or you prefer to not rent any type of vehicle, you can take advantage of the public bus system on Paros. Parikia is the center of most of the bus routes. The Paros bus timetable is straightforward and ticket prices are reasonable. The main downside of the busses is that you will have less freedom to explore on your own and you will have to be aware of the bus schedules.

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