Livadia Hotel

Livadia Hotel puts you in the Livadia area of Parikia, the main port town of Paros, which is one of the most practical places on the island to stay if you are arriving or leaving by ferry. Livadia is the stretch of shoreline just beside the harbour, with a town beach, a waterfront promenade and a short, flat walk to the old town, the marble Church of a Hundred Doors and the Venetian kastro. For a first visit, that mix of transport, sightseeing and dining within walking distance matters more than any resort facility, and it keeps the cost of the week down because you can skip the rental car for the first days. This is a modest hotel rather than a resort, so judge it on location, comfort and value. Rooms at properties of this type are usually straightforward: a bed or two, a private bathroom, air conditioning in the warm months and a small balcony or terrace in some rooms. The details vary by room, so ask whether you need a sea view, a quiet side or a room that sleeps three before you reserve. Breakfast arrangements differ between rates, so confirm what is included when you book and plan on the many cafes and bakeries of Parikia for anything else.

Parikia works well as a base for the whole island. Buses leave from the port for Naoussa, Lefkes, Piso Livadi, Drios and the beaches of the south, and the boat to Antiparos departs from the same harbour, so a stay here gives you access without the cost of a car. Evenings in Parikia are lively but not wild: the waterfront and the narrow old town streets have tavernas, bars and shops, and most of the noise stops at a reasonable hour.

If you are a light sleeper, ask for a room away from the main road and from the ferry arrivals, since early boats are part of daily life in a port.

Livadia Beach is the closest place to swim. It is a town beach, with sand, tamarisk trees and a sheltered feel, and is easier and more convenient than it is wild or remote. For bigger beaches, take a bus or a short taxi ride to Krios, Marcello or Santa Maria. Windy days in the Cyclades are common in July and August, so having a choice of sheltered and exposed beaches is useful. A short walk in the evening to the kastro walls and the harbour is a pleasant way to end the day.

Who is it for? Independent travellers, couples on a budget, families who want to be near the port and anyone planning to island-hop and wanting a central night either side of a ferry. It is less suited to travellers who want a pool, a large resort or a secluded setting.

Compare it with Hotel Paros and Panorama Hotel elsewhere in this list if you want to weigh other Parikia options. Check recent guest comments, ask about room types and confirm what is included before you book, and book early for July, August and the Greek holiday weekends when Paros fills quickly.