Andiparos holidays

How to reach Antiparos

• Flight time: Flights to Athens from London and other major UK cities take around 3 hours 40 minutes to 4 hours. Flights to Paros from Athens take about 40 minutes.

• Transfer time: New Paros Airport (PAS) is within a 12-minute drive of Pounta Port. From there, a 7-minute ferry ride will get you to Antiparos.

• Price: Taxiing from New Paros Airport to Pounta Port costs around €15. A one-way bus ticket from the airport to the port costs under €2. The ferry to Antiparos is very affordable: €1.50 for foot passengers.

Best time to visit Antiparos

The best time for your holidays to Antiparos depends on your preferences for weather and crowds.

• April to June is ideal if you want to get ahead of the tourist crowd. With temperatures ranging from 20°C in April to 28°C in June, up to 10 hours of sunshine daily, and minimal rainfall (it peters out in May for a dry June), these months are ideal for outdoor activities.

• July to August sends temperatures soaring to around 30°C and offers up to 12 hours sunshine. This is Antiparos’ high season, so expect higher prices and busier beaches.

• September to October brings a drop in temperatures, 28 to 23°C, around 4 days of rain come October and thinning crowds.

• November to March is off-season. Temperatures drop from highs of 20°C in November to around 15 or 16°C, and you can expect an average of 9 days of rain per month. With several tourist facilities shuttering for the season, it is very quiet. However, it’s a peaceful time to explore the island’s natural beauty without the crowds.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Greek is the official language. Most likely, the locals’ English will be better than your Greek.

• Currency: Greece uses the euro (€). The only ATMs are in Antiparos Town.

• Getting around: Antiparos is small and easily explored on foot. For longer distances, there are local buses and a couple of taxis. Bus fares are around €1.80 per journey. Renting a bike or scooter is also a popular way to get around.

• Electricity and plug types: The standard voltage is 230V 50 Hz. Plugs are two-pin Type C and F.

• Time zone: Greece uses Eastern European Time, 2 hours ahead of GMT (3 hours ahead during Daylight Saving Time).

• Required travel documentation: UK citizens need a valid passport (issued less than 10 years before the entry date and valid for at least 3 months after the departure date) but don’t need a visa for stays up to 90 days in a rolling 180-day period.

Local dishes in Antiparos

Dining out is one of the unexpected pleasures of Antiparos holidays. This tiny Cyclades island punches well above its weight when it comes to the food scene, offering a mix of rustic, unpretentious seaside taverna fare and refined Aegean cuisine.

Some typical dishes

• Moussaka: It’s an unwritten rule: you can’t go to Greece and not try Moussaka. Layers of aubergine, minced meat, and potatoes are decadently topped with béchamel sauce and baked to perfection.

• Ravioli: Not the Italian pasta; these are sweet fried cheese pies.

Meze dishes

• Marides Tiganites: Whitebait dusted in flour, golden fried and eaten whole with a squeeze of lemon.

• Loukaniko: Fresh, smoked or cured sausages typically flavoured with orange zest and fennel.

Meat dishes

• Kleftiko: Slow-cooked lamb marinated with herbs and lemon, traditionally baked in a sealed clay pot.

• Stifado: A rich beef stew made with tomatoes, onions and a hint of cinnamon, slow-cooked until tender.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Chtapodi Si Schara: Fresh octopus grilled and served with lemon and olive oil, a simple yet flavourful dish.

• Kakavia: This traditional fisherman’s soup can include shellfish and vegetables such as carrots, celery and tomatoes, but the star ingredient is whole fish.

Street food

• Souvlaki: The king of street food, skewers of marinated pork or chicken, grilled and served with pitta, salad and a dollop of tzatziki.

• Gyros: Similar to souvlaki but in sandwich form, pitta loaded with meat shaved from a vertical rotisserie, tomatoes, onions and tzatziki.

Sweets and desserts

• Zaxaroladopsomo: A puffy, sugary, bready pastry with sesame seeds.

• Kolokithopita: Doused in sugar syrup, this sweet squash-filled filo pie is a must-try.

Local drinks

• Ouzo: Greece’s most famous alcoholic beverage. Characterised by its strong liquorice taste, it’s best drunk Greek-style, diluted with water, which gives it a cloudy appearance. However, you can also mix it with orange or tomato juice.

• Retsina: A traditional Greek wine with a unique love-or-hate flavour imparted by pine resin.

Best things to do in Antiparos

Holidays to Antiparos offer natural beauty in spades, historical sites and charming local culture.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Cave of Antiparos: This magnificent cave is one of the most famous attractions on the island. Descend into the depths to see stunning stalactites and stalagmites; breathtaking views at the entrance offer a sweeping panorama of the Aegean Sea.

• Soros Beach: This beautiful beach on the southern part of the island provides a stunning view of the crystal-clear waters and nearby islets.

The best districts

• Antiparos Town (Chora): The main town is picture-perfect with narrow streets, whitewashed houses and traditional tavernas swathed in blooming bougainvillaea.

• Agios Georgios: A small village on the southern coast, Agios Georgios offers stunning views of Despotiko island and is a great spot for a quiet getaway. The village also boasts some excellent seafood restaurants.

Museums

• Historical and Folklore Museum of Antiparos: Located in Antiparos Town, this small museum holds an interesting collection of archeological artefacts, prints, photos and antique maps.

Historical monuments

• Castle of Antiparos: Located in the heart of Antiparos Town, this Venetian castle dates back to the 15th century. Wander through the narrow streets within the castle walls and imagine life in a bygone era.

• Despotiko: Take a boat trip to the nearby uninhabited island of Despotiko, where ongoing archeological excavations reveal fascinating insights into ancient Greek civilisation. Explore the ruins of the sanctuary of Apollo and enjoy the serene landscape.

Day trips in the area

• Paros: Just a short ferry ride away, Paros is an excellent destination for a day trip. Visit the lively town of Naoussa, relax on the beaches and explore the charming village of Lefkes.

• Sifnos: Another nearby island, Sifnos, offers beautiful beaches, hiking trails and traditional villages. It’s known for its excellent cuisine, making it a perfect destination for food lovers.

Activities for families in Antiparos

Holidays to laid-back Antiparos are very much an eat-sleep-swim-read vein, ideal for a relaxed family break.

• Beaches: With shallow waters and sandy shores, many of Antiparos’ beaches are perfect for families with young kids. Soros and Agios Georgios beaches are especially popular. For active teens, Pounta Beach is a good option for water sports.

• Outdoor cinemas: During the summer, the open-air cinema in Antiparos Town shows family-friendly films in the evenings.

• Boat trips: With swimming, snorkelling stops, and possibly cliff jumps, island boat tours have a broad family appeal.

Free things to do in Antiparos

Between festival events and lazy beach days, getting the most out of your holiday to Antiparos doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

• Free events and annual festivals: Dates to note for your calendar include the Feast of Agios Ioannis Spiliotis on 7th and 8th of May, celebrated with traditional food and wine; Bonfire Night on 23rd of June, perfect if you’ve ever fancied leaping over open flames; and the 3-day festival of Agia Marina, beginning on 15th July, which features yacht and swimming races, plus a lively dash through the streets.

• Beaches: Access to the island’s beautiful beaches is free. Spend your days swimming, sunbathing, and snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters; though you may have to do without the creature comforts of a sunlounger, they can be surprisingly expensive on the island.

Wellness in Antiparos

• Spas and thermal baths: Many hotels in Antiparos have luxurious spa facilities offering a range of treatments, from massages to facials.

• Yoga and meditation centres: Situated above Livadia Beach, The Rooster epitomises lifestyle and wellness, from its House of Healing to its farm-to-fork ethos. Meanwhile, Another Island in Agios Georgios hosts yoga retreats, perfect for aligning your body and mind.

Nature and outdoor activities

• Hiking: The island has several scenic trails, including the path to the Cave of Antiparos and coastal walks around Agios Georgios. These hikes offer beautiful views and a chance to see the island’s natural beauty up close.

• Cycling: Whether it’s family rides or tackling dirt trails to hidden shores, Antiparos has plenty to offer cyclists. There are various rental outfits in the town. The island also hosts mountain biking competitions in the summer.

• Kayaking and paddleboarding: Soak up Antiparos’ stunning marine landscape on a leisurely paddle around the coastline. Antiparos Sea Activities on Agios Georgios rent kayaks and SUPs.

• Kitesurfing and windsurfing: The island’s surf scene is centred on Pounta Beach; the strait separating Antiparos from Paros provides the ideal conditions for serious surfers.

• Scuba diving and freediving: Explore the depths of the Aegean Sea, from wrecks to underwater caves, with Blue Island Divers. They offer PADI courses in both disciplines.