How to get to Antiparos

Get to Antiparos from Paros

The easiest way to get to Antiparos from Paros is to take the small ferry from Pounta in western Paros (careful – Pounta is also referred to as Pounda or Punda but do not confuse with Punda Beach which is in the east of Paros).

The ferry is small but carries cars/bikes as well as passengers.

Key points:

The ferry takes about 7 minutes to make the crossing from Antiparos to Paros
You can take your rental car (check with rental agency first)
Its an easy process as long as you can reverse your car on to the ferry
In 2023, tickets were 1.50 Euro for adult passengers, 7.30 Euro for a car
The ferry goes every day (weather permitting)
The service starts at 7am and goes until midnight with departures every 20 minutes at peak times

Parikia to Antiparos

A second option to get to Antiparos for passengers from Parikia wanting a daytime trip is to take the Express Panormitis from Parikia (main Paros port)/ It does not take cars and runs only up until the last 18.00 departure from Antiparos. In 2023 the fare was 7 Euro per passenger.

There are also KTEL buses from Parikia to Pounta and back if you want to take the main ferry option to get to Antiparos. Here is the page for Parikia to Antiparos buses

Naoussa to Antiparos

If you’re staying around Naoussa and want to get to Antiparos you have a few options.

Drive yourself – take your rental car on the Pounta to Antiparos ferry as described above. The drive from Naoussa to Pounta is easy and takes around 25 minutes for the 17kms trip.
Take the bus – it’s not the easiest option as you’d have to go via Parikia and the journey will take around 1,5 hours.
Taxi – will cost around 30 Euros each way.

I’d recommend staying for dinner on Antiparos – it’s a great atmosphere. The ferry runs till late if you’re driving otherwise you coudl arrange for a taxi to meet you on your return to Pounta to transport you back to Naoussa.

Top 10 questions about Antiparos

Can you swim from Paros to Antiparos

Well yes you can. In fact Tom Hanks has! Once a year (typically early July) there is a community swim from Paros to Antiparos and in 2014 Mr Hanks took part and completed the 1.5km crossing. But being part of an organised event or party is suggested rather than an individual swim crossing. I’d just take the ferry but it’s up to you.

Can you fly to Antiparos?

No, there’s no airport. You can fly to Paros airport on a domestic Greek flight (eg from Athens to Paros) then get to Pounta for the ferry to Antiparos.

Can you take a car to Antiparos?

You definitely can using te ferry. If you have a rental car on Paros, you should check with your agent – normally it is allowed under your rental agreement but always worth checking.

How far is Antiparos from Paros?

It’s about 1.5kms and takes around 7 minutes on the ferry.

How much is the ferry from Paros to Antiparos?

The Pounta to Antiparos ferry cost 1.50 Euro per adult in 2023, 7.30 Euro for a car. Children were charged 0.75 Euro with small children free.

The Parikia to Antiparos service cost 7 Euro in 2023.

What celebrities visit Antiparos?

Well the affection that Tom Hanks has for the island is well documented (his wife Rita Wilson is of Greek descent and they have a villa there) but of course given the private nature of many of the celebs, its hard to be certain. But there’s no doubt that the tranquility and privacy appeals to teh celebrity set.

Other visitors that have been mentioned:

Jeff Bezos

Oprah Winfrey

Ryan Gosling

Madonna

Bruce Springsteen

But celebrity spotting is not the best reason to come to Antiparos.

Why visit Antiparos?

What are the main reasons people want to get to Antiparos for a visit?

It’s quiet – you’ll notice a difference coming from Paros – there are less people, it’s less developed (but that’s changing so visit soon!)
The Chora is nice – mostly car free as you move away from the port front with attractive street fronts, shops and cafes.
Nice beaches – maybe not the best you’ve ever seen but nice enough and (again) mostly quiet
Antiparos cave – 411 steps to descend 85 metres into the impressive cave (and yes you have to climb back up, no lift). Comfortable shoes and water recommended. Antiparos Cave Information
To see why Tom Hanks bought a villa there – well not really a good reason 🙂

How to get around Antiparos?

You can just look round the Chora and visit nearby beaches if you’re on foot but it’s great to explore further afield. If you bring your car you’ll be fine, but another option is to rent a scooter at the port and look round the island. Some of the roads near the beaches are more suited to scooters than cars anyway.

There is also a local bus service which runs around the island in summer but timings are restricted and may not suit your schedule.

Does Antiparos have beaches?

Yes. Generally not many organised (ie sunbeds/umbrellas) and thats not a bad thing if you’re seeking a quieter time.

Some beaches to visit are:

Sostis

St George

Livadia

Sifneiko

Psaraliki

Is Antiparos better than Paros?

These questions are difficult to answer and it depends on what you are looking for. Antiparos provides a quieter and slightly more authentic experience than Paros – big brother Paros provides more sophistication and variety. So its really up to the visitor to choose – if it’s your first visit, why not do both?

Antiparos map

Antiparos Restaurants

Captain Pipinos – Family-run taverna known for its fresh seafood and traditional Greek dishes served on a breezy terrace. Specialties include grilled octopus and whole roasted fish.
Heaven all day bar/rest – just behind Glyfa beach – nice location and comfortable setting for drinks and food.
Kalokeri – modern and creative food but based on Greek traditions – recommended.
Taverna Kyklades – authentic Greek food at value prices

Best coffee in Antiparos

Try Blender in the Chora – good coffee and breakfast style dishes in general, especially the pancakes.

Best ice cream on Antiparos

Try Gelato di Nonna – good choices in a nice location.