Paros has become one of the most popular islands in the Cyclades for its colorful ports and unique beaches. However, the hidden mountain village of Lefkes Paros is also something to behold! Lefkes is the ancient capital of Paros Greece, filled with historical sites and amazing local restaurants. For many travelers, the old towns of Parikia and Naousa are all they get to experience. Yet, once you see Lefkes with your you’ll understand why it’s a must-visit on Paros Island.
How to Get to Lefkes Paros
We started off our Greece island hopping journey on Naxos and took the ferry to Paros Island. Many of the most famous attractions and towns on Paros are on the coastline, but you’ll have to go inland to get to Lefkes Village. Fortunately, there are many different modes of transportation to find your way!
Bus: Like many other Greek islands, Paros does have a working and inexpensive bus system. You can catch the bus from most major coastal towns and the routes run more frequently in the summertime. If you’re on a time crunch though you may want to rent a vehicle.
Renting a Car: Renting a car on Paros is a great option if you’re planning a visit to Lefkes Village. Just make sure to book your car in advance as they can often sell out in the summer! Here’s some pros and cons to consider about Paros rental vehicles.
From the main town of Parikia, it is 11 km to Lefkes Greece with about 20 minutes of driving time. There are also multiple free parking lots surrounding the town.
Adventure Vehicle: Another fun option is renting an ATV, dune buggy, or scooter! We would actually recommend going with a rental car to Lefkes as it’s high in the mountains.
Yet, an ATV is perfectly suitable for beach hopping, as many of the best beaches are down bumpy dirt roads. Keep in mind these adventure vehicles are booked up quickly in the summer months, even faster than the cars.
5 Fun Facts About Lefkes Greece
1. Lefkes was the first capital of Paros and was established during the Middle Ages.
2. Many of the first settlers in Lefkos were immigrants from Crete which is the largest Greek Island.
3. Some of the beautiful churches in Lefkes date back to the 15th century. There are also old windmills and stunning Venetian architecture to admire.
4. The town was built high in the mountains to avoid the constant pirate attacks which plagued this region of Europe.
5. Lefkes Paros still has around 500 permanent residents many of which now work in tourism.
Best Things to do in Lefkes Paros
Walk Down Ramnos Street
Ramnos is the main street of Lefkes Paros and where you’ll find many shops and sites. This fun pathway turns into a pedestrian-only walking street with narrow alleyways that are full of local charm. Once you enter the walking zone you are in the heart of Lefkes and the best area to explore.
See the Historic Lefkes Churches
Our favorite thing to see in town was the Lefkes churches. The church of Agia Triada was built in the 1830’s and is easily one of the most beautiful buildings in all of Paros. It acts as the centerpiece of the village and is the first thing that sticks out when driving up to the village. Below are 3 other important religious buildings to see in Lefkes Greece.
- Panagias Ypapantis
- Agios Ioannis Prodromos
- Agias Kyriakis
Take on the Epic Hiking Trails From Lefkes
Lefkes is Paros’s highest settlement, and with that comes incredible views of the countryside. You will see neighboring Naxos island from here, especially on a clear day!
If you’d like an even better view check out the hiking trails from Lefkes. The oldest trail on the island is the Byzantine Road which connects Lefkes with the village of Prodromos.
We should also point out that you get some great shots of Lefkes on the drive in from afar! Definitely take advantage of the pullovers on the side of the road and have your camera ready.
Do Some Shopping
Lefkes is one of the most traditional villages in Paros so it is a great place to grab some souvenirs. As you stroll your way through the colorful streets, it’s easy to get lost dipping in and out of the local shops. We found some great gifts on our way to the Lefkes restaurants!
Visit the Lefkes Folklore Art Museum
For history lovers, there may be no better place than Lefkes to get a taste of the past. If you’d like to learn more about this amazing village definitely make a visit to the folklore museum. Here you can view artifacts that tell the story of daily life hundreds of years ago in the ancient capital of Paros.
Lefkes Restaurants and Cafes
One other thing not to miss out on is the delicious Lefkes restaurants! Some of the best traditional food on Paros Island can be found here as well as a number of cute cafes with views. You will have no problem finding one yourself as you walk the streets of Lefkes Greece. Nevertheless, here are a few of our favorite Lefkes restaurants and cafes for you to check out on your visit.
- Restaurant Flora
- Aranto
- Cicada View Lounge Cocktail Bar
- Ramnos Cafe
- Agiazi Cafe
More Mountain Towns on Paros Island
Lefkes may be the most popular mountain town but there are several others to explore! We actually stayed in the village of Marpissa which is located at the base of the mountain from Lefkes.
It was such a nice change from the touristic beach towns and just what we needed to get away for a few days. Don’t worry though… When you do need a dip in the Aegean Sea the paradise of Piso Livadi is just a quick drive away.
Another beautiful mountain village to experience is Prodromos which we mentioned you can hike to on the ancient trail from Lefkes. Definitely make a stop in these places if you enjoy your time in Lefkes Paros!
→ 8 Most Beautiful Towns You Can’t Miss on Paros Island in Greece
Have any questions on Lefkes Greece or want to share your own favorite things to do in this incredible mountain village? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
Where to Stay on Paros
Parikia – Hotel Dina – Pelican Paros
Naousa: Saint Andrea Resort Hotel– Parian Lithos Residence – Bungalows Marina
Aliki: Aphrodite Boutique Hotel – George’s Beach Studios Aliki Paros – Dahlia Apartments & Studios
Drios: Golden Beach Hotel – Poseidon of Paros Hotel & Spa – Golden Sand Paros
Piso Livadi: Elena Studios & Apartments – Anna’s Studio – Nomads House
Lefkes: Villa Byzantino – Sweet Path Villa
Marpissa: Ventu Paros Villa – Tsigonias Traditional Villa
Paros Travel Inspiration
- 14 Fun Things to do on Paros Greece For Your First Visit
- Parikia Paros: Guide to the Lively Port and Stunning Old Town
- 16 Magical Beaches on Paros For Your Next Vacation
- Kalogeros Beach: How to Give Yourself a Natural Clay Treatment on Paros
- 8 Naxos to Paros Ferry Tips That Every Traveler Should Know
Explore all our Greece articles to help plan your trip! We cover everything from general travel tips to amazing destinations such as Santorini, Paros, Rhodes, Karpathos, Crete, Milos & more beautiful islands!
PIN FOR LATER ↓
Greece Travel Planning
When island hopping use FerriesinGreece to compare different routes, prices, and companies.
Flights: We always check Skyscanner and Kayak to search for cheap flights. That’s how we got from Crete to Athens for under $50 USD!
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Rental Car: You can book a rental car for around $20 a day in Greece! We use Discover Cars to explore the larger islands with a vehicle.
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for thousands of activities in Greece. You can find everything from visiting the Acropolis in Athens to wine tasting in Santorini, and a boat tour in Milos.
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without protection. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
