What to Wear in Paros: Grippy Sandals for Painted Flagstones, Byzantine Road Trainers & Layers

Paros has an effortless, sun-bleached 'Cycladic resort chic' style: airy white, sand and sky-blue linen shirts, flowing maxi dresses, tailored cotton shorts and flat Greek leather sandals take you seamlessly from a morning boat to Antiparos to a candlelit seafood table in Naoussa harbour. However, three specific surfaces on the island should dictate your shoe choices. Before setting out, review our paros travel guide and things to do guide so you can coordinate local transport, walking distances and seasonal daylight hours across each neighbourhood.

Four Practical Packing Rules for Paros

1. Skip Stiletto Heels, Pack Flat Leather Sandals or Wedge Espadrilles with Rubber Grip: the pedestrian alleys of both Naoussa and Parikia are paved with smooth grey stones bordered by thick white paint, and walking out along the sea-splashed stone mole to Naoussa's sunken Venetian castle can be damp and slippery. Even at the most upscale restaurants in Naoussa, flat metallic or tan leather sandals, platform espadrilles or clean white trainers are the universal dress code.
2. Closed-Toe Cushioned Trainers for the Marble 'Byzantine Road' & Antiparos Cave: if you walk the 3.5-kilometre 1000 AD Byzantine Road from Lefkes to Prodromos (paved with large slabs of solid Parian marble polished smooth over a thousand years) or climb the 411 steps down and up inside the Cave of Antiparos, wear proper closed-toe trainers, flip-flops slide on smooth marble and humid cave steps.

3. A Light Denim Jacket, Linen Blazer or Pashmina for Breezy Harbour Evenings: sitting right on the water's edge in Naoussa's Old Port or riding the upper deck of the evening ferry back from Antiparos or Naxos can feel cool once the sun drops and the northern breeze picks up.
4. A Snug Sunhat + A Modest Scarf for Panagia Ekatontapyliani: keep a light cotton scarf or sarong in your bag to cover shoulders and knees when visiting 326 AD Panagia Ekatontapyliani in Parikia and Agia Triada in Lefkes. Check seasonal weather before flying.