The little-known Greek island of Antiparos puts its famous neighbours to shame.
Located 51km southwest of Mykonos, this hidden gem has all the charm with none of the crowds — for a fraction of the price.
With a €150 budget, I covered eight days of supermarket groceries and handmade souvenirs, plus plenty of gyros and taverna trips.
It was my first holiday outside the UK, and I’d heard horror stories: rowdy Brits battling for sunbeds in 30°C heat. On the ferry from Athens, my stomach was in knots imagining the throngs of tourists I’d find at my final destination.
But on the last leg of my journey, a short boat ride from Pounta to Antiparos, I realised I’d stumbled across a place few foreigners visit. The ferry that greeted me was practically deserted and cost just €1.50 for the trip.
As the Aegean Sea gave way to golden sands, tiny Antiparos revealed its secluded coves and deserted beaches. Here’s what I saw and did in a part of Greece few people reach.
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Things to do
Each summer, Greece’s megawatt islands are overrun by tourists. Restaurants have been shamed for charging €18 a cocktail, and beach resorts are stuffed to max-capacity. Popular islands, such as Mykonos and Santorini, struggle under the weight of their own success.
Antiparos, on the other hand, remains blissfully unspoiled.
The island’s crown jewel is the Cave of Agios Ioannis, open daily from 10am to 4pm. Plunging 85 metres, it’s home to the oldest stalactite in Europe, at a mind-bending 45 million years old. Admission costs €6, with a 50% discount for children aged 6-12.
Psaralyki Beach is my top choice for shallow water ideal for swimming, and trees that provide welcome shade. Panagia Beach is another picturesque option offering a little more privacy and softer sands.
If you’re looking to do more than fly and flop, boat tours will take you to the uninhabited island of Despotiko and the sea caves that surround it.
While there are future plans for an open-air museum, today it houses the excavation site of the 6th-century Temple of Apollo. This ancient Greek god of arts, truth, and healing is one of the most influential; legend has it he invented archery.
Nightlife on Antiparos is surprisingly upbeat. Doors, the oldest bar on the island, is a must visit if you’re up for dancing the night away to Europop bangers. Disco La Luna, recommended to me by locals, proves you don’t need to go to a party island to have a good time.
Best places to eat
Like any trip to Greece, my impression of Antiparos depended on the quality of its food — it didn’t disappoint.
The best days began with breakfast at Blender. Their Instagrammable pancakes and loaded bagels (washed down with a €3 smoothie) were excellent.
I made a daily lunchtime pilgrimage to Grillhouse: To Ntopio for their mouth-watering €4 gyros. By the end of my visit, I was considered a regular.
Klimataria Tavern is undoubtedly the island’s most beautiful restaurant. With a menu featuring fresh moussaka, dolmades, fava, and seafood, it consistently left me opening a button or two by the end of the night.
Vicky’s Ice Cream, offering close to 40 different flavours, is an affordable option for sweet treats.
Where to shop
Antiparos is off the main tourist track and at times, it can feel a little sleepy.
But Chora town offers a sense of close-knit community you don’t find in mainstream holiday hotspots. Lining the streets are bougainvillea trees that bow their bright heads in greeting, and there are a decent range of independent shops.
Chora has a dozen fashion boutiques selling summer clothing, handmade jewellery and woven handbags.
The island prides itself on local craftsmanship, with artisan workshops featuring custom woodworks, pottery, and hand-painted ceramics.
Where to stay
Unlike Greece’s mainstream tourist islands, Antiparos has not been crippled by overdevelopment.
Short-term rental platforms like Airbnb and VRBO have contributed to overtourism in several European cities, with tens of thousands of holiday listings pricing locals out of affordable homes.
But on Antiparos, independent hotels and family-run summer houses make up the bulk of accommodation. There is a sense that locals have a genuine interest in the people who visit.
I stayed at Kastro House, metres from the main square and overlooking the ancient Kastro (castle) courtyard. Dating back to the 1400s, the view was well worth the £60 per night.
How to get there
If you’re flying from the UK, direct flights from London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports will get you to Athens in 4 hours.
From Athens, take the train to Piraeus. Trains run every 30 minutes, and cost €10 one-way for a one-hour journey (half-price tickets are available for children, students and seniors).
Leaving Piraeus station, cross the pedestrian overpass to the port and follow the signs to the gate of your departure ferry. Blue Star Ferries and Seajets will get you to Parikia, Paros in under three hours. One-way tickets start at €40 during peak season.
Once you’ve reached the port of Parikia in Paros, a 20-30 minute boat ride to Antiparos completes the final leg of your journey. Tickets from €2-€5.
Alternatively, Pounta port (approximately an 8-minute taxi ride away) offers more frequent crossings, a faster 10-minute journey, and €1.50 tickets.
Best time to visit
Surprisingly, late June is the perfect time to visit if you’re after an energetic buzz. On Antiparos, tourist season has not yet peaked, with bars and clubs only starting to open their doors for the summer.
For a sleepy island experience and deserted beaches, start your trip earlier, in May. Temperatures average 26-27°C, and the coastal breeze keeps the heat at bay.
Worried about cash? Many establishments welcome card payment methods. If not, Antiparos has several ATMs across the town.
To save on extra spending, I made use of the Faroupos supermarket selling fresh produce to cook in the Airbnb.
