Antiparos Cave and Town

Antiparos lies just across a narrow strait from Paros, so close that a short ferry from Pounta or a boat from Parikia reaches it in about half an hour. It is a small, easygoing island with a pretty chora, clear beaches and a famously deep cave. The tour linked here is a full-day guided tour of Paros and Antiparos in English, which pairs the crossing with a walk through the sights. Check the exact itinerary when you book, because operators vary the order and stops. The Antiparos Cave is the star. A long staircase leads down from the entrance into a vast cavern hung with stalactites and stalagmites, some forming great columns that glitter under the lights. Visitors descend a staircase of several hundred steps to the main chamber, which is cool all year and dramatically lit. The cave has been known since antiquity, and graffiti from visitors across the centuries hint at its long fame. Some accounts connect the cave with royal visitors from earlier centuries, but treat such stories as local tradition.

Antiparos town, the island's main settlement, is a delight. Whitewashed houses open on to lanes lined with bougainvillea, small cafes and boutiques, and the Venetian castle square, built in the fifteenth century as a fortified residential enclosure, gives a glimpse of how the islanders once lived behind walls. The harbour front is lined with tavernas serving fresh fish, and the town beach is a short walk away. The atmosphere is quieter than on Paros, which is why many visitors find it refreshing.

Practical points matter. The cave is cool and damp, so bring a light layer even in summer, and wear shoes with grip because steps can be slippery. Opening hours and entry arrangements can vary by season, and the cave may be closed in winter or during maintenance, so check locally. Those with mobility problems or claustrophobia may find the staircase and enclosed space difficult, and there is no lift. Photography is allowed in most places, but lighting is dim, so a phone with night mode helps.

On a guided tour you will probably have transport to the cave from the harbour, since it is a few kilometres inland. If you go independently, buses and taxis run from the port in summer. Consider combining the cave with a swim at one of the beaches, such as Sifneiko or Psaralyki, if your schedule allows, or with a boat trip to Despotiko and the Blue Lagoon described elsewhere in this guide.

Allow a full day for a guided tour, or half a day if you visit independently. The tour suits couples, families with children who can manage the steps, and anyone who likes caves and small-island charm.