Paros Greek Island Guide: Money saving hacks and what to eat

Paros is one of my favourite islands in the Cyclades. I had stayed here one before with my friend and we decided we had to go again this time around.
Paros is an island that has something to offer for everyone with beautiful beaches, great food, boutique shops, nightlife and watersports.
The main town, Parikia is a little further along the coast from the port and is the easiest place to stay. I could spend hours wondering around the winding cobbled streets and reading all the menus at the tavernas. At night the restaurants along the seafront start to fill up. There are plenty of bars and clubs along the strip as Paros is a favourite with backpackers travelling around the islands. Food in Paros needn’t be expensive. Restaurant prices aren’t high and the best thing to do is order a few appetisers to share and make your own mezze.

This time round we stayed in Santa Maria Surfing beach huts. These little were pretty basic, just beds with shared bathroom and a toilet but they were ridiculously cheap. We paid just 16 euros for the two of us per night and we got a very decent breakfast included in that price as well as pickup to and from the port. The beach huts are located right on Santa Maria beach which is beautiful, although out of the way from Parikia. The resort however offered a free shuttle bus to Naousa, the bohemian port town at night, which was great.

Last time we only visited Naousa in the day and there was little to see. However it comes alive at night. Bustling tavernas, cafes and bars, streets and streets of independent shops selling handmade clothes and jewellery. If you’re visiting naousa then it can’t be missed.
We had the most amazing food in a taverna called kafenio Palio Agora. The food looked so good when we first walked by we decided we had to go there later on that evening. We came back and a big queue had formed but we decided it had to be done. The meatballs and zucchini balls were well worth the wait. I found out later online that the taverna is number one in Naousa for cheap eats.