Antiparos is not only a refuge in the Cyclades for actor Tom Hanks. A good friend of ours told us a few years ago how, as a young father, he needed a break from everyday family life and fled to the small island for a few weeks. Just to be for yourself.
»Far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Antiparos offers a place to get off the carousel of thoughts, sort yourself out and recharge your batteries.«
The 12.5 km long and about 5.5 km wide island of Antiparos is, as the name suggests, opposite Paros (Greek “andi” for opposite). Only a narrow strait separates the formerly connected land masses from each other. Today, about 1,000 people live on the tranquil island, where the clocks seem to tick more slowly.
Whether you’re spending just a day on Antiparos (also known as Andiparos) or planning to stay overnight, we’ll show you everything there is to discover on this tiny island:
#1 Walk through the main town
In the main town of Antiparos, also called Chora, you set your first foot on land. Chora is a typical Cycladic village like out of a picture book. Winding alleys with white, cube-shaped houses, blue shutters and colorful bougainvilleas on the house facades.
From the ferry dock it goes along the photogenic harbour pier with its colourful fishing boats until Supermarket Market In. This is also where the Café Sorelle brunch, where you can have a wonderful breakfast and just let your mind wander. Behind it, turn left into the main street of Chora.
The promenade of Antiparos with its white floor pattern leads you past many interesting shops. You can find high-quality leather sandals e.g. at Sandali Antiparos and tasteful souvenirs in the VOLTO Concept Space. Don’t forget to look left and right into the side streets, where there are often typical Greek photo motifs.
The shopping street ends at the central Platia of Antiparos with the striking eucalyptus tree and the Church of Agios Nikolaos. Especially in the evening, the atmosphere in the bars on the square is exuberant (bar tip: The Smile or Lime Bar).
Kastro of Antiparos
Behind the church, an alley leads through a stone archway to the Kastro of Antiparos. The former fortress was built by the Venetians in the 15th century and is located on the highest point of the village. In the narrow streets with their vaults, you sometimes feel like you’ve been transported back to the Middle Ages.
The Kastro has a square floor plan with partly three-storey residential buildings, which originally had no windows to the outside for defensive reasons. In the courtyard there is a slightly elevated area with the former watchtower (closed for renovation) and several medieval churches.
Some of the residential buildings have been used for private purposes or renovated as elegant Antiparos holiday homes. Unfortunately, the entire Kastro district seemed a bit neglected and unkempt during our visit. Outside the old castle walls, however, the Platia with its numerous trendy pubs is the most popular meeting place in the city every evening.
💡 Viewpoint of Antiparos: Outside the city, about a kilometer after the AB supermarket, you should stop at the Church of the Prophet Elijah. From here you can enjoy a magnificent view over Chora and the north coast all the way to Paros.
#2 Antiparos Cave
After exploring the main town, it is worthwhile to drive south and see the most important sight of Antiparos . Even cave grouches will be surprised at what this small island has to offer.
The Cave of St. John (Spilia Agiou Ioannou) is a true natural wonder and was probably already used in ancient times as a sanctuary of the goddess Artemis. Via an asphalt road that leads through the interior of the island, you will reach the huge stalactite cave. Alternatively, you can take the municipal bus to the cave.
In front of the vault-like cave entrance of the »Cave of Antiparos« stands the whitewashed church of Agios Ioannis Spiliotis, which gives the cave its name. 400 steps lead into the depths, past impressive stalactite formations that have received their current shape over millions of years.
A stalactite takes 100 years to grow 1 cm, the huge (unfortunately broken) stalactite at the entrance is said to be over 30 million years old. At 5,600 m², the accessible interior of the cave is almost as big as a football field. It is interesting that as a vertical cave it does not carry water on the bottom.
The stalactite cave of Antiparos has been visited by people since time immemorial, originally as a place of refuge and, interestingly, as a tourist attraction for centuries. In the process, stalactites and stalagmites were destroyed, stolen and even exhibited in museums in other countries.
Particularly curious are the immortalizations of visitors engraved everywhere with names and dates. They are a kind of vandalism, but also a piece of contemporary history that makes the cave something special.
Even if the authenticity cannot be proven, the oldest inscription is said to come from Macedonian generals from the 4th century BC who fled from Alexander the Great.
Below the cave you can park for free. From the parking lot you have a fantastic view of the south coast of Antiparos. From Chora you can take the municipal buses. The cave is open daily from May to October from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission costs €6.
💡 Island hopping in Antiparos: Get on the ferry and off to the Aegean Sea! Our guide Island Hopping Cyclades takes you to 8 islands, shows you the best highlights, beautiful beaches, cozy tavernas, great accommodations and explains how you can organize an island hopping on your own. More information and excerpt here: Cyclades Guide
#3 In the south of Antiparos
After visiting the cave, you continue south and leave the scattered settlement of Agios Georgios on the left for the time being. Behind the hamlet of Soros, the asphalt road turns into a bad gravel road and leads to the Faneromeni Peninsula.
The uninhabited strip of land with its rugged coastline is home to some beautiful bays that shimmer in the most beautiful shades of blue. In the very south of Antiparos you will reach a parking lot (Ubini Parking) where you can park your vehicle.
To the east, an inconspicuous path leads to the sea and to a geological feature, the »Ubini Rocks«. The extensive geopark consists of volcanic rock that has been exposed to the weather for millions of years and has taken on interesting shapes over time. The white-gray rock is washed by the salty sea water and literally scratched and polished by the Meltemi wind.
The extreme heat favors the formation of the lunar landscape, it makes the rock porous over time and it disintegrates. On the coast, veritable furrows have eaten into the rock in a north-south direction. In other places, the rocks look like coral, some with honeycomb-shaped holes (tafoni).
Above the rocky landscape rises the white church of Panagia Faneromeni. This meditative spot is great for a short rest and offers great views of the southwest coast. From here it is another 500 m to the South Cape, the path is not signposted, you just follow the coast.
Now it’s time for a swim stop at one of the most beautiful Antiparos beaches. Just five minutes west of the church you can reach the beach of Faneromeni. The deeply cut bay is a real postcard motif. At the end of September, the lonely beach was hardly visited, in the high season you have to expect a little more crowds. The descent is along a narrow path, partly overgrown with maquis.
In the northwest of the peninsula there are hardly any swimming opportunities because of the cliffs, but interesting sea caves, which you can see during an organized Antiparos Boat Tour (Provider: Captain Ben Daily Cruises).
💡 Hollywood on Antiparos: Even Hollywood stars seem to feel at home on the small island dwarf. The most prominent guest is Tom Hanks, known from Forrest Gump or The Green Mile. Together with his wife Rita Wilson, also an actress and producer (including My Big Fat Greek Wedding), Hanks even owns a villa on Antiparos, where they stay every summer. Hank’s love for Greece earned him honorary citizenship in 2020. Other celebrities have also been here, including former US President Obama with his family or Madonna and Bruce Springsteen.
#4 Agios Georgios and Despotiko
On the way back, there is a stopover in the Coastal settlement of Agios Georgios in the southeast of Antiparos. During our visit, the proverbial hay bale blew through the sleepy village, which used to be used by only a few fishermen as a port settlement.
Agios Georgios only comes alive in midsummer. Then the many chessboard-like villas above the village are inhabited and the taverns fill up with holidaymakers.
Personally, we liked the golden sandy beach of the hamlet best, which was deserted when we visited. The shore area slopes very gently into the crystal-clear sea and is therefore also ideal for families with children.
North of the beach, at the level of the Rocky island Tsimintiri, between Agios Georgios and the island of Despotiko, the picturesque chapel of Agios Georgios is located directly on the sea. If you stay a little longer on Antiparos, a boat trip to the neighboring island is worthwhile.
On the island, which is now uninhabited, numerous archaeological finds have been made during excavations. Despotiko is to become a kind of open-air museum in the next few years. Insiders suspect that the island has a similar importance to Delos near Mykonos. The Archaeological Commission of Greece has now established a settlement and an imposing Temple of Apollo on Despotiko reconstructed.
The Provider Captain Sargos Departs with his Kaiki boat several times a day from the pier Agios Georgios in summer. Departure and arrival times are to be agreed with Captain Sargos. The last ride takes place at sunset.
#5 Hiking in Antiparos
From the hamlet of Agios Georgios, a hiking trail leads to the Profitis Ilias, with 301 m of the highest mountain on the island of Antiparos. On the summit there is a typical blue and white chapel that invites you to take a break.
The steep hike (approx. 1.6 km, 1 hour) begins near the holiday home “Another Island”. After a short time, the gravel road turns into a shepherd’s path and leads straight up the mountain, past dense juniper bushes, wild herbs and silver mines from the 19th century.
Once at the top, you can enjoy a 360-degree panorama of the neighboring islands of Paros and Sifnos. In good visibility, Folegandros, Sikinos and Ios can also be seen. With an all-terrain vehicle, you can also reach the summit via the northwestern gravel road from Agios Georgios.
More information about the Hike to the Profitis Ilias and other beautiful hiking routes on Antiparos can be found at: Antiparos Routes
More Antiparos travel tips
Antiparos beaches: The most beautiful swimming spots
Apantima Beautiful bay in the southeastern hamlet of Soros. The bright sandy beach is lined with tamarisk trees and slopes gently into the crystal clear water. Especially in the low season, you can spread out your towel here undisturbed. In high season, an expensive beach bar offers high-priced loungers.
Faneromeni Deep bay in the very south of the island with a bright sandy beach and crystal clear, turquoise water. No operator on site, heavily frequented in midsummer. Access via bumpy gravel road.
Naturist Beach Legendary (former) nudist beach in the north of Antiparos near the only campsite. Beautiful lagoon with wide, golden sand beach and crystal clear waters. Very shallow shore. Except for a beach volleyball court, it is natural and hardly any shade.
Panagia Long sandy beach in the east of the island with a flat shore. Tamarisk trees provide shade. Popular with locals, including many families with children. Without an operator and pleasantly quiet even in the high season.
Paralia Sostis Lonely bay in the remote southeast of the island. Light sand and pebble beach with shallow entry into the turquoise blue sea. No shade, no service. Access via gravel road.
Psaraliki Beach Long, organized sand and pebble beach on the east coast south of the town of Antiparos. Clean sea water and lots of shady tamarisk trees. Some loungers are provided by the beach tavern, otherwise natural.
Vathis Beach (Ag. Georgios) Wide headland near Agios Georgios with golden sandy beach and shallow shore. Loungers available, but largely natural. Sometimes covered with some seaweed.
💡 Diving around Antiparos: You can explore the diverse underwater world around the island with sunken shipwrecks, sea caves and underwater canyons on a guided dive. More information about the provider at: Blue Island Divers
Restaurants & Cafés: Our Recommendations
Dazzler
Modern café opposite the pharmacy in the main street. From superfood bowls to hearty ham and egg bread, there is everything your breakfast heart desires.
Casa Fistiki
Extravagant beach restaurant in the hamlet of Agios Georgios with chairs and tables in the sand. Mediterranean cuisine with a Mexican twist. Very short season!
Kalokéri
Creative restaurant with fusion cuisine in the main alley. Delicious Mediterranean dishes and extensive wine list.
My Little Garden
Hidden behind the Kastro of Antiparos, restaurant with a green courtyard. Creative Mediterranean cuisine at gourmet level. Very romantic ambiance.
Poet
Cozy restaurant near the waterfront with a nice roof terrace. Attractively served traditional cuisine with a focus on fish and seafood. A little more expensive.
Sunset
Excellent gourmet restaurant west of Chora on Sifneiko beach with amazing sunset.
The Smile Company
Cocktail bar with rooftop terrace on the Platia of Antiparos (Kastro district). Friendly service and normal prices.
Time Marine Beach Bar
Boho bar just outside Chora, about 100m from Kato Psaraliki beach. Great ambience, delicious (beach) cuisine and very friendly staff.
Yam
Quietly located restaurant with interesting cuisine and delicious breakfast offer. Beautiful outdoor area with children’s playground. Open from 6 p.m.
Getting to the island
Antiparos does not have an airport and can only be reached by Ferry via Paros . The port of Antiparos is located on the outskirts of the main town of Chora. The compact car ferries run several times a day during the season, sometimes every 15 minutes, from the port of Pounda in the west of Paros to the island. You can book guided day tours to Antiparos here through our partner GetYourGuide*:
➲ To the day trips to Antiparos*
A trip from island to island takes about 7 minutes. In summer, the islands are even connected until late at night. The ticket is purchased directly at the port or on the ship, online booking is not possible. Whoever is first at the pier gets on the ferry first (€1.50 per trip, for cars from €7.50). You can find the departure times at: Antiparos Ferry Boat Schedule
From June to October, a small passenger ship also runs several times a day from Parikia on Paros to Antiparos. It does not transport vehicles. The 30-minute one-way ticket costs from €7 per person. Click here on the GetYourGuide* tours to Antiparos for more info:
Our personal travel tips for the Neighboring island of Paros we have summarized for you in this article: Paros Highlights
Where to stay in Antiparos
Large hotel complexes have not yet settled on Antiparos. You will find numerous apartments and studios, family-run hotels or guesthouses as well as luxurious villas and holiday homes. Enclosed we give you a personal selection of beautiful accommodations on Booking.com*:
ThalaSEA
Apartment complex in a quiet location in the south of Chora. Basic but good facilities and friendly owners.
➲ To the booking of the ThalaSEA*
Degaetas Resort
Family-run resort on a hillside above Chora. Magnificent panoramic view all the way to Paros. Fair prices!
➲ To book from Degaetas Resort*
Kouros Village
Compact hotel complex with pool on the northern outskirts of the city. Beautiful rooms and amazing view of the Chora.
➲ To book from Kouros Village*
Antiparos Vibes
The warm hosts Fany and Dimitris rent spacious and well-equipped apartments with sea views in an idyllic location at the end of Agios Georgios. Car rental recommended!
💡 Camping Antiparos: The only campsite on the island has been in existence since 1978 and is probably one of the oldest campsites in Greece. Here you sleep in a tent or under the open sky. The beautiful lagoon around Naturist Beach on the northern tip of Antiparos is just a stone’s throw away. The facilities are very simple, the atmosphere loose and relaxed.
Getting around Antiparos
If you want to explore the island extensively, it is worth taking a rental car or scooter on Antiparos. Off-road vehicles such as quads are also recommended. At the harbour you can get to the Dimitris (Antiparos Rent A Car | Moto | Bike) choose a suitable vehicle. Information at: Dimitris Antiparos Rent a Car
In principle, there are only two paved roads, one leads along the coast, the other through the interior past the Antiparos Cave. In the hamlet of Apantima the two roads meet again and in Agios Georgios is the final stop. A petrol station is located at the AB Vassilopoulos supermarket.
During the summer season, the Antiparos Bus (Oliaros Tours) from the port of Chora to the south, stopping at the famous stalactite cave and numerous beaches (Panagia, Glyfa, Apantima, Soros and Agios Georgios). Departure times change regularly. It is best to inquire at your local accommodation.
→ Even more travel tips for Paros and the Cyclades islands you can get here in the overview: Cyclades Islands
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