Antiparos, Cyclades
View of the beach, Panagia, at the Greek island of Antiparos.jpg · UW-1991 · CC0

Cyclades

Antiparos: ten minutes from Paros, and far quieter for it

Ten minutes across the channel from Paros, and most of Paros never comes. Superb sand, safe swimming and a village built against pirates.

Antiparos sits across a narrow channel from Paros: ten minutes on the water, which is barely four metres deep at the crossing. Plenty of people spend a fortnight on Paros without ever making it.

Antiparos rewards the short crossing that keeps most visitors on Paros. The established sophistication of Paros gives way the moment you set foot on dry land from the landing barge-ferry that shuttles back and forth all day between the two islands. The village of Antiparos, Kastro, has that wonderful, vibrant air of a small, compact Greek harbour. Tavernas, hotels, cafes and shops lie concertinaed along the waterfront. Delve inside the village and all manner of delights await. The two main squares are linked by archways, one the perfect spot to enjoy a coffee under an enormous eucalyptus, the other the starting point of the old village wall and castle built in 1440 and designed to protect the inhabitants from pirate raids.

Venture away from the village and both beach lovers and walkers will be spoilt for choice. Antiparos is noted for its superb sandy beaches, and safe swimming. There are a handful of beaches within easy walking distance of the village and even the more far flung coves and bays are accessible seeing as the island is only 12.5 km long and 5.5 km wide. One such area is Agios Georgios on the southern coast of Antiparos. Located opposite Despotiko island, Agios Georgios with its sandy beach, translucent waters, handful of tavernas and tranquillity is a gem.

Things to do

Trips that must not be missed include a visit to the cave at Agios Ioannis where spectacular formations of stalactites and stalagmites are the main attraction and a super day trip by caique around the island including lunch and time to swim and visit some of the many coastline beaches and caves.

It is also possible to nip across to Paros to pick up the excursions to Santorini, Delos, Mykonos, Tinos & Koufonissia. There are two sea kayaking concerns, one based near Antiparos Town and one in Agios Georgios. Both offer fantastic, guided tours exploring the Antiparos coastline and the best part is no previous sea kayaking experience is necessary. One can explore sea caves and fossil beds and there is always the possibility of encountering seals and turtles. With lunch on an unspoilt beach and time for snorkelling, these activities are really super value for money. It is also feasible to scuba dive on Antiparos. A fully qualified PADI dive centre offers courses for all abilities from beginners right up to Divemaster certification. Exploring the island’s reefs with visibility of 30 to 40 metres is a truly astounding experience.

Getting there

Travel between Santorini and Antiparos is by ferry first to Paros (3 hrs. 15 mins.) and then a short hop to Antiparos.).

Getting to Antiparos
LegByRoughly
London Gatwick → Santoriniflight—
Santorini → Parosferry3 hrs 15 min
Paros → Antiparosferry10 min

Crossing times are the scheduled durations of the route, not a timetable. Sailings vary by season and operator.

Islands that pair with Antiparos

3 routes

Antiparos: the practical questions

How do you get to Antiparos?
Via Paros. The landing barge-ferry shuttles back and forth all day across a channel that takes ten minutes and is barely four metres deep. From Santorini it is about three and a quarter hours to Paros first.

Is it just a day trip from Paros?
It is treated as one, which is the opportunity. The island is 12.5 kilometres long and 5.5 wide, with a proper village and enough beaches to fill a week, and the character changes the moment you step off the barge.

What is the village like?
Kastro has the compact, vibrant air of a small Greek harbour, with tavernas, cafes and shops concertinaed along the waterfront. Inside, two squares are linked by archways, one shaded by an enormous eucalyptus, the other at the start of the old village wall and the castle built in 1440 against pirate raids.

Which beaches are the good ones?
Several are within walking distance of the village, and because the island is small even the far-flung coves are reachable. Agios Georgios on the south coast, facing the islet of Despotiko, has sand, clear water, a handful of tavernas and very little else.

What is worth doing beyond the beach?
The cave at Agios Ioannis, for its stalactites and stalagmites, and a caique day trip round the island with lunch and swimming stops. Two sea-kayaking operators run guided tours of the coast with no experience needed, and there is a PADI dive centre with visibility of thirty to forty metres.

More of the Cyclades