Antiparos

Antiparos is a small island in the Cyclades, opposite Paros. It’s an ideal destination for a relaxing vacation and laid-back entertainment, with plenty of traveler amenities. On Ferryhopper, you can find useful tips about holidays in Antiparos and discover the best beaches, sights and activities on the island. Find ferry schedules to Antiparos and start planning your trip!

The heavenly turquoise waters of Antiparos

Vacation in Antiparos

Antiparos charms visitors with its easy-going atmosphere, divine beaches and quaint alleys. It attracts celebrities such as Tom Hanks and Matthew McConaughey and it’s also a favorite among campers! Antiparos is really close to Paros, making it a perfect choice for day trips, as well as extended vacations. There’s everything you need for your summer holidays and you can find most bars, restaurants, hotels and cafés in the main village.

How to get to Antiparos

The only way to get to Antiparos is by ferry from Paros. There are daily ferry crossings from the island of Paros to the port of Antiparos throughout the year. Sailings are really short due to the proximity of the islands. Learn how to purchase tickets and find more information about ferry schedules from Paros to Antiparos below.

What to do in Antiparos

In Antiparos, you can swim in crystal-clear waters, explore interesting natural and historical sights and enjoy ambient nights at the island’s villages. The famous cave of Antiparos surprises visitors with its intricate rock formations. There are remote beaches popular with nudists, as well as family-friendly golden-sand coasts. Moreover, the food is simply delicious! Discover the best of Antiparos below.

Beaches in Antiparos

Despite its small size, Antiparos is known for its plethora of beautiful beaches for all tastes! You can swim in clear waters, catch the sun lying on golden shores, experience the bohemian clothing-optional lifestyle, drink at beach bars and try water sports. Explore the sea caves, live romantic moments watching the sunset and take thousands of photos! Ferryhopper suggests you visit the following beaches in Antiparos:

• Psaraliki: this beach is made up of two coasts and it’s one of the most popular on the island. There are visitor amenities, a beach bar and a water sports center.
• Faneromeni: Faneromeni is on the southern part of the island. It’s perfect for relaxation and there are no visitor amenities.
• Camping: the beach close to the camping site of Antiparos is a 5-minute drive from the port. It’s a popular beach with sandy coast and shallow waters, and it’s a favorite meeting spot for campers. The east part of the coast is a designated nudist beach.
• Agios Spyridonas: it is a family-friendly sandy beach with shallow waters. There are trees for shade, as well as many dining and accommodation options.
• Soros: this is a large sandy beach with deep waters. You can easily get there from Chora. There are two tavernas serving exceptional food in the area.
• Sostis: Sostis is a small beach with dreamy emerald green waters. There are no visitor amenities, so make sure you bring all beach essentials.
• Sifneiko: this is the perfect beach to enjoy the sunset in Antiparos (it's known as the "sunset beach", after all). It’s really close to the main square of Antiparos and it’s one of the most romantic spots on the island. On windy days, you can expect large and playful waves here, so make sure not to go too deep.
• Agios Georgios: the beach of Agios Georgios is a small coast with crystal-clear waters. There are no umbrellas or visitor amenities. The beach is located by a Cycladic chapel.
• Glyfa: it is located on the southern part of the island, close to the cave of Antiparos. You can catch a public bus to the beach. It’s great for families with kids and groups of friends. You can also try windsurfing.
• Kako Rema: Kako Rema is one of the least-known beaches in Antiparos. It’s great for private moments, relaxation and serenity. It has crystal-clear waters, sand and small pebbles. There are no visitor amenities.
• Livadia: the beach is on the western coast of Antiparos. It has golden sand and clear waters, but there’s no shade, so you may want to bring an umbrella. This is the place to be if you’re after peace by the sea.
• Panagia: it’s a beautiful serene beach with sand and crystal-clear waters next to Psaraliki. There's plenty of natural shade.
• Fanari: the beach of Fanari is beautiful and wind-protected. You can swim and try canoeing in safe waters.

The clear waters of Kako Rema in Antiparos

Activities and sightseeing in Antiparos

Antiparos is an island with a rich past and rare natural beauty. There’s a lot to see and do on the island, from ancient caves and wild coasts to Venetian fortresses and art museums. You can discover the secrets of Antiparos by boat, hike to beautiful chapels and attend unique local festivals. Here are the best activities and attractions in Antiparos according to the team of Ferryhopper:

• Explore the stalagmite and stalactite formations in the cave of Antiparos
• Visit the remnants of the Venetian Castle and the old town
• Catch a boat to explore the coast of the island
• Learn about the history of Antiparos at the Historical and Folklore Museum
• Sail to the uninhabited islet of Despotiko
• Admire chapels of Cycladic design, such as Agia Marina and Agios Nikolaos
• Attend the Bonfire Night local festival in June
• Go island hopping from Paros and explore the Cyclades
• Swim to the small uninhabited island right off the beach that is close to Antiparos camping site (the path is so shallow that you can actually "walk" to the island!)

Ιmpressive stalactites and stalagmites in the cave of Antiparos

Nightlife in Antiparos

There are many options for night fun in Antiparos! You can enjoy the boho atmosphere at one of the lounge bars in Chora, enjoy a Greek feast at traditional tavernas or dance till morning at vibrant clubs. The best bars on the island are in Chora and the port, where you can also find dance venues. One of the top clubs on the island is the open-air disco La Luna, a cult legend of Antiparos, founded in 1981!

If you’re looking for family-friendly and quiet nights under the stars, the seaside tavernas at the port are great for delicious dishes and intoxicating shots of ouzo or tsikoudia. There are also some bars, cafés and restaurants in Agios Georgios and Soros.

Local tip: as La Luna opens later at night, we highly recommend doing some bar hopping at the main square of the island, as many of its bars are budget-friendly and play a wide variety of music. Alternatively, you can check out the vibrant Dancing Club Mill.

Food in Antiparos

There are many restaurants and traditional tavernas in Antiparos, where you can taste local delicacies and drink wine and other Greek spirits. The cuisine of Antiparos focuses on simple ingredients such as fresh fish and honey. We recommend that you ty the following delicious dishes and products in Antiparos:

• Fouskoti: sweet squash pie with cinnamon and clove
• Hilos: sweet wheat soup with raisins, sesame seeds and honey
• Saligaria yachni: escargot cooked in tomato sauce
• Mermitzeli: local pasta
• Petinos patido: stuffed rooster
• Tsikoudia: strong alcoholic drink
• Fresh fish and seafood

Tip: If you can hold your liquor, you can try a delicious shot consisting of vodka, honey and grape juice, which is quite popular with young people visiting Antiparos.

Villages in Antiparos

Antiparos is a small island with around 1,000 permanent residents. The heart of the action is Chora, where most hotels, shops, services, bars and restaurants are located. Although you can find everything you need in the capital of the island, we recommend that you also visit the following pretty villages in Antiparos: Agios Georgios, Soros and Kampos.

The chapel of Agia Marina at the port of Antiparos

Useful information for Antiparos

The island is well-developed when it comes to traveler services. There are bars, restaurants, supermarkets, ATMs, hotels, a pharmacy, gas stations, banks, a post office, as well as car rentals in Chora. The capital of Antiparos is also home to the regional medical center of the island. You can find restaurants, vacation rentals, gas stations and shops close to the major villages and attractions too. As for accommodation, you can stay at hotels, short-term vacation rentals, luxury villas or the camping site on the northern coast.

Tip: Discover tips and info about the best camping sites in the Aegean Sea, to plan your camping vacation in Antiparos.

Useful phone numbers for your stay in Antiparos

Here are some useful phone numbers for your trip to Antiparos:

• Port Authority of Antiparos: +302284061485
• Port Authority of Paros: +302284021240
• Regional Medical Center of Antiparos: +302284061219
• Health Center of Paros: +302284022500
• Police Station: +302284061202
• Citizen Service Center of Antiparos (KEP): +302284028314
• Camping of Antiparos: +302284061221

Transportation in Antiparos

Getting around Antiparos is easy, as the island is quite small and there are public buses connecting most major attractions, beaches and villages on the island. If you want to be more flexible during your stay in Antiparos, you can bring your own vehicle or rent it on the island. Many travelers rent bicycles, which is a great idea if you’re staying in Chora.

Ports in Antiparos

The port of Antiparos is in Chora, the island's capital. It’s a small port on the western coast of the island with plenty of traveler amenities, such as a bus stop, car rentals, cafés, restaurants and easy parking. The main square and central shops of Chora are accessible on foot from the port, so you can easily get to your hotel, visit a grocery store or head to a bank once you arrive.

Quaint paved alley in Antiparos

Antiparos ferry: schedules and tickets

The only way to get to Antiparos is to catch a ferry from Paros. There are frequent ferry routes from 3 ports in Athens to Paros throughout the year. There are ferries from Piraeus, Lavrion and Rafina. The best way to travel from Athens to Paros is via the port of Piraeus, as the crossing only takes 3 hours with high-speed vessel. The Athens (Piraeus) to Paros ferry crossing is available daily.

Alternatively, you can travel from Rafina to Paros with standard ferries during the summer or catch a ferry from Lavrion to Paros a few times a week.

Note: don't miss to check our latest travel guide on how to get to Paros and continue your journey to Antiparos!

How to get from Paros to Antiparos

There are daily ferries from Paros to Antiparos, departing from the ports of Parikia and Pounta. The ferry route is in operation throughout the year with several daily crossings, making it easy to travel to Antiparos.

The fastest way to reach Antiparos is to travel by ferry from Pounta on the western coast of the island. The trip duration is only 7 minutes and there are ferries approximately every 30 minutes from early morning to late evening. Single tickets cost €1.3 and there’s no charge for young children. Ferries from Pounta to Antiparos can also carry vehicles.

If you’re in Parikia, you can catch a ferry to Antiparos several times during the day from early morning to late evening. The ferry route Parikia - Antiparos is normally seasonal and it’s in operation from April to October. Tickets are €5 and the journey duration is around 30 minutes. There is no vehicle garage on ferries from Parikia. 

Good to know: Ferry tickets from Paros to Antiparos are only available to purchase on board the ferry and it is not possible to book in advance. Also, make sure you carry cash, as it is the only way to get your tickets.

Fishing boats at the quaint port of Antiparos

Are you looking forward to joining the fun in Antiparos? On Ferryhopper you can find all the tips you need about vacation on the island, as well as information about ferry schedules from Athens to Paros and the crossing to Antiparos. Book cheap ferry tickets from Athens to Paros, plan your trip to Antiparos and get ready to fall in love with the small gem of the Aegean Sea.