Discover Cyclades
Discover Cyclades
Antiparos is 10 minutes by boat from Paros — famous for its spectacular stalactite cave (Europe's oldest graffiti inside), celebrity visitors (Tom Hanks owns a house here), Despotiko archaeological island, and calm family-friendly beaches. Complete 2026 guide.
It's a laid-back spot with a legendary cave, bohemian vibe, and a relaxed pace that artists and celebrities adore, it's Paros's quieter neighbor with a distinct soul of its own
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Antiparos is a tiny, relaxed Cycladic escape that's just a short ferry ride from Paros. It's famous for the spectacular Cave of Antiparos, gorgeous beaches, and a chic, low-key atmosphere. As a favorite of celebrities and repeat visitors, it beautifully combines simple Cycladic life with an understated cosmopolitan style.
Antiparos is the island that proves you don't need size to have soul. Since it's separated from Paros by a narrow channel just 600 meters wide, this pocket-sized gem has carved out its own path as the most relaxed bohemian retreat in the Cyclades. The main town, which wraps around a 15th-century Venetian kastro, runs on charm rather than ambition. You'll find a pedestrian main street lined with quirky boutiques, café-bars playing jazz, and tavernas where the owner's dog sleeps soundly under your table.
The island's main attraction actually lies underground. The Cave of Antiparos is a spectacular stalactite cavern that's drawn curious visitors for over 2,000 years. Lord Byron famously carved his name on a stalagmite here, and the Marquis de Nointel held a full Christmas Mass inside back in 1673. The cave's cathedral-like main chamber is easily one of the most impressive natural wonders in Greece. Above ground, you'll see a landscape that alternates between golden beaches, low scrub, and a rugged southern coast where you'll rarely share the view with anyone but a few goats.
What makes the island so irresistible is how it attracts a genuinely eclectic mix. Hollywood stars like Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have a house here, yet the island never loses its unpretentious soul. You'll find Athenian artists, families, and solo travelers sharing the same tavernas. There aren't any massive luxury resorts or loud nightclubs here, and there's absolutely no intention of becoming the next trendy hotspot. It's simply, contentedly Antiparos. It's a place where bare feet are formal wear and the sunset's always the main event.
Antiparos is the island that whispers when everyone else is shouting, and somehow its voice carries the furthest.
Stay near Chora or Soros; reach via Paros to Antiparos ferry.
Handpicked hotels with exceptional reviews and local character.
Detailed breakdowns of every neighborhood and village.
Expert Recommendation
"For the first-time visitor, staying in the main Chora provides the best balance of accessibility and atmosphere."
The Cave of Antiparos has been a place of wonder for millennia. Ancient Greek inscriptions found inside date back centuries, and the cave's enormous stalactites, which are over 45 million years old, have drawn scholars and adventurers throughout history. The Marquis de Nointel, French ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, even celebrated a Christmas Mass inside the cave in 1673 with 500 guests.
In the 15th century, Venetian lords built the kastro. It's a fortified settlement where the outer walls of houses form a defensive perimeter around a central tower. This clever design, built to protect against pirate raids, survives intact in the village center today and gives Chora its distinctive enclosed feel.
Among the cave's many historical visitors, Lord Byron reportedly carved his signature into a stalagmite during his 19th-century Greek travels. While the writing's authenticity is still debated, it shows the cave's long history as a pilgrimage site for romantic travelers.
From the 1960s onward, Antiparos drew artists and free spirits who loved its cheap living and seclusion. That bohemian vibe grew in the 2000s when celebrities like Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson fell in love with the place. Even with the star power, the island hasn't lost its unpretentious character.
Explore the heart of Antiparos
The island's main settlement wraps around the 15th-century Venetian kastro and spreads along a pedestrian main street. This area, known as the agora, functions as an outdoor living room, café, and social hub all in one. The atmosphere's effortlessly cool with its barefoot visitors, quirky shops, and a vibe that's lazy yet buzzing with creative energy.
Located in the island's center-south, the Cave of Antiparos sits on a hillside you can easily reach by car or bus. The surrounding area offers panoramic views over the southern landscape. It's also the starting point for hikes into the wilder, uninhabited southern reaches of the island.
This small cluster of rooms and tavernas sits on the southwest coast near some of the island's most beautiful beaches. Agios Georgios has a wild, end-of-the-road atmosphere. It's the kind of place where you feel like civilization thins out and raw nature takes over.
The coast south of the village is where the island's best organized beaches are. Soros and the surrounding coves offer golden sand, clear water, and a handful of beach bars. It's the island's answer to a beach resort, but it's still refreshingly low-key.
Just offshore from the southwest coast, the uninhabited islet of Despotiko hosts an ongoing excavation of a sanctuary dedicated to Apollo. While access to the ruins is limited, boat trips around the islet offer views of this archaeological work. You can easily rent a boat or take a taxi from Agios Georgios.
Boutique villas, cave hotels, and sea-view suites — all in one place.
The best shores of Antiparos
Soros Beach Antiparos is the island's most beloved stretch of sand. It's a long crescent of golden sand with shallow turquoise water, a couple of beach bars, and a friendly, social atmosphere that represents the island's laid-back style.
These are two adjacent sandy beaches just a short walk from the village. It's the closest proper beach to town, with calm water and a taverna right at the water's edge.
A sandy beach next to the island's campsite with a beach bar, driftwood vibes, and a highly social atmosphere. It's the epicenter of the island's backpacker and free-spirit scene.
A beautiful sandy beach on the southwest coast with remarkably clear turquoise water and a wild, uncrowded atmosphere. It's definitely worth the drive if you want a pristine swim.
A very shallow, sandy beach that's perfect for young children. The water stays knee-deep for meters, creating a natural paddling pool where they can play safely.
A small, pebbly beach on the southern coast accessible by a rough dirt track. It's secluded, wild, and surrounded by rugged coastline for those seeking true solitude.
Explore every beach and hidden village at your own pace.
Fresh, unfussy island cooking with a bohemian twist. The ingredients are local and the atmosphere's always relaxed,
Sun-dried and charcoal-grilled octopus served with olive oil and oregano. It's a Cycladic staple elevated by the island's fishing tradition and the waterfront tavernas where you'll eat it.
Local goat cheese with a sharp, tangy character. It's served fresh with bread and olive oil, or grilled with honey and sesame for a delicious sweet-savory meze.
A traditional fish soup made with whatever the local boats brought in. It's tomato-based, brimming with fresh catch, and served with crusty bread for dipping.
The classic Greek summer combination that's perfect on a hot afternoon. We love cubed watermelon with crumbled feta, mint, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Fresh pasta tossed with local lobster in a light tomato sauce. It's a celebration dish that's become a signature at the island's better restaurants.
The island's fig trees produce abundantly, yielding dried figs, preserves, and fresh fig desserts with yogurt and honey. It's a lovely sweet signature.
From sunrise to sunset in Antiparos
Start the day with a swim at Psaraliki beach, just ten minutes' walk from the village. The calm morning water, empty sand, and views across the channel to Paros set the tone for a perfect day.
1 hourWander into the 15th-century kastro at the heart of the village. The outer ring of houses forms a continuous wall, and the inner courtyard reveals a medieval tower, tiny chapels, and a layered history of pirates, Venetians, and island life.
45 minDrive to the island's famous Cave of Antiparos and descend into a cathedral-like chamber. The formations are up to 45 million years old, and the cave's welcomed visitors since antiquity. Don't miss the historical inscriptions and the legendary Byron graffiti.
1.5 hoursSpend a lazy day at Soros, the island's best beach. The golden sand, shallow turquoise water, and low-key beach bar create the perfect setting. It's the quintessential Antiparos experience of doing nothing, beautifully, for as long as you please.
4-5 hoursTake a boat trip from Agios Georgios to the uninhabited islet of Despotiko, where archaeologists are excavating an Archaic-era sanctuary of Apollo. Swim off pristine beaches, admire the excavation from the water, and enjoy the wild beauty of the deserted island.
3-4 hoursSettle into one of the restaurants along the pedestrian main street for a long, lazy lunch. The agora's shaded tables, passing foot traffic, and eclectic menus make this the most enjoyable people-watching lunch in the Cyclades.
2 hoursWalk to the western waterfront for sunset drinks. The view across to Paros and the open sea provides a spectacular backdrop as the sky shifts through gold, coral, and violet. It's best enjoyed with a cocktail from one of the harborfront bars.
1.5 hoursThe main street transforms at night into an open-air social scene. Move from dinner to cocktails to late-night conversation at your own pace. The bohemian atmosphere, live music drifting from bars, and starry sky make leaving difficult.
3 hoursSailing trips, sunset cruises, diving, cooking classes and more.
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Ferry routes and travel connections
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Ferries, hotels, car rental and neighbourhood guides — everything you need after reading this Antiparos guide.
Antiparos connects to 1 nearby islands by ferry. These are the live island-hopping routes from Antiparos, with direct connections drawn from our full Cyclades ferry catalogue.
Naoussa's Venetian harbor, windsurfing, and marble villages, just a 10-minute ferry away.
Curated tours and activities
Guided visit to the ancient stalactite cave with commentary on its geological and historical significance.
Boat excursion to the uninhabited islet of Despotiko with swimming stops and views of the Apollo sanctuary excavation.
Guided sea kayaking along the wild southern coastline with stops at hidden coves and snorkeling in crystal-clear water.
Insider tips for your Antiparos trip
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From the ancient stalactites of the cave to the bohemian buzz of the agora, and from the golden sand of Soros to sunset cocktails on the waterfront, Antiparos is the Cycladic island that feels like coming home.
