Paros Karpathos ferry

Paros Guide

Paros Ferry Port

Lying in the Aegean Sea, Paros is a Greek island forming part of the Cyclades island group. There are many ferry routes departing the port, heading to other coastal towns belonging to Greece, and are supplied by four ferry companies.

What is there to do in Paros?

Primarily known as a ferry hub, Paros has remained under the radar among the hype of other popular Greek holiday destinations. Though its relative anonymity is quickly coming to an end; warm and welcoming rural villages surround the alluring capital city, offering visitors the chance to indulge in Greek cuisine in beautiful surroundings. The harbour still attracts the biggest crowds, especially in the spring time when the island is less busy, the weather is pleasant and the water become slightly warmer. The shoreline is constructed of unique rock formations and golden sands; Kolymbithres Beach is perhaps the most aesthetically interesting area across the coast, which provides unmatched views of the endless azure blue seas engulfing the smaller neighbouring islands. Away from the waters, myriad of historical and cultural sites are dotted about the island, providing a fascinating insight into the history of Paros. Panayia Ekatondapiliani Cathedral is typically at the top of the itinerary for most tourists, and for an extended look at the archaic architecture, head to Parikia Town which is host to many cultural landmarks.

How do visitors get around Paros?

Car and motorbike rental companies are fairly cheap throughout the year, though the prices increase in the summer months. In terms of public transport, a bus service operates frequently throughout the towns, and are generally quite affordable.

Karpathos Guide

Karpathos Ferry Port

The island of Karpathos is a bastion of Greek tradition. This roughhewn sliver of land, found in the far-flung reaches of Greece’s vast collection of Aegean Sea islands, has preserved many of its ancient customs and a unique island dialect. Some locals still wear the native dress too; a peculiar style of brightly-coloured patterns stitched onto fabric of contrasting black. Literary buffs will also recognise Karpathos from the pages of Homer’s epic poem the Iliad as a participant in the Trojan War. With such a deep-rooted culture and an average temperature that surpasses that of any other region in Greece, there is little wonder Karpathos has blossomed into such a popular tourist destination. During the summer, visitors flock to the island to make the most of the sultry Mediterranean warmth from one of the beaches that run in a broken chain along the rutted coastline. From here one can watch the sun set over the glistening blue surf of the Carpathian Sea. The port in Karpathos is found in the town of Karpathos that sits on the edge of a bay to the south-east. It is a small facility formed around an artificial inlet created by a single pier and a breakwater. Ferries leave from a wide spot on the surrounding promenade, just before the road tapers into the pier. Though there is no terminal building, passengers can make use of the facilities that line the curve of the promenade, including an ATM machine and a host of cafes and restaurants selling hot food and drink. Though the island is largely remote and dominated by a vista of steep, barren hills, most populated areas are well supported by a number of transport links. Though most locals travel across Karpathos’ twisting network of paved roads by car, visitors will find it far easier to make use of the year-round bus service that shuttles passengers between the major towns of Olympos, Diafani and Karpathos. Fixed-rate taxis called agoraias can also be found lurking by the harbour offering reasonably-priced trips to a range of destinations. A vast number of ferry routes currently operate from the port in Karpathos throughout the week. Services hosted by Anek Lines stretch in all directions, largely to the neighbouring islands across the Aegean Sea: Kasos, Chalki, Rhodes, Thira, Anafi, Milos, and the towns of Sitia and Heraklion on the large island of Crete. Another service makes the longer voyage north to the Greek mainland and the city of Piraeus near the centre of Athens.