Car Hire in Parikia

About Parikia

Parikia is the capital and main port of the island of Paros, and it is located on the western side of the island. Paros is a Greek island in the central Aegean Sea. It is part of the Cyclades archipelago and lies to the west of Naxos, from which it is separated by a channel. The municipal area of Paros includes numerous uninhabited offshore islets. In the past, the island was mainly known for its high-quality marble, which was quarried here and exported to other parts of the country and beyond Greece. Today, Paros is known primarily as a popular tourist destination. Parikia is the capital of the island and also the best known and most populated settlement in the Cyclades. Apart from its charming traditional architecture (old churches, typically blue and white houses, narrow cobbled streets, small shops, cafes, and bars, etc.), Parikia is also known for its lively nightlife. In the last decades, Parikia has established itself as a perfect destination for all tourists who like to combine sightseeing and partying. Parikia offers it all. You can walk around the town and explore its beauties and hidden places, but in the evening you can join the many different parties that often take place, especially in summer.

Parikia is also called Paros town or Hora. It is an important port here in the Cyclades, as this port serves as a connection point to many other islands in the area. This is why Parikia is so popular, especially during the summer months. It is the first stop on the way to the more famous and visited islands such as Santorini and Mykonos, and many other Cyclades islands. The ferry connects Paros with the ports of Piraeus and Rafina in Athens. Many people do not explore Parikia because the ferry docks here are pretty short, so people do not have time to get off the ferry and explore the beautiful town of Parikia. With that said, Parikia is an excellent base for exploring the Cyclades. It is a good starting point to visit other places. Of course, you can explore Paros Island first if you are already here. The island is relatively flat and easy to walk. The best way to explore the island is by car. This way, you will save a lot of time because buses do not run that frequently on the island. Besides buses, you can also use a taxi or a bicycle. The bicycle is an excellent solution to explore the closer surroundings of the city because the landscape is relatively flat, so you can easily ride around by bike.

Walking around the town of Parikia, you will feel the spirit of the island. This island has a very long post as it has been inhabited for several thousand years. You can explore the island's past by visiting the many historical, religious, and cultural sites in and around the town. The traditional architecture gives the city a unique charm. Whitewashed houses with light blue coloured doors and window frames, which perfectly harmonize with the many bougainvillaea trees in the streets and squares of Parikia. In addition, there are some beautiful beaches on the island. Some are located in Parikia or the surrounding area, so you do not have to go far from the city to spend a perfect day at the beach.

The excellent gastronomy and friendly locals are another pluses when deciding whether you should visit Parikia or not. One thing is for sure, Paros Island and its capital Parikia will not disappoint you. You can enjoy many different things here and have an excellent opportunity to explore the Cyclades for what they are.

Basic info and car hire in Parikia

• Location: Cyclades, Greece
• Population: 4,500
• Official language: Greek
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Parikia has a Mediterranean climate  
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Parikia are in good condition.
• Car hire in Parikia: The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Parikia is at Parikia downtown and Parikia Port. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks before your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Parikia!

 Driving in Parikia

Renting a car on Paros is the best way to explore the island properly. The road on the island is built around Paros, so you practically always pass the sea on one side and beautiful landscapes or towns and villages on the other. Traffic is very light here. If you are used to driving in big cities, you will find going here to Paros an actual holiday.

It is good to know that some road sections on the island are a bit narrower, so you will have to reduce your speed on those sections. Besides the road that goes around the island, there is also a road that goes through the middle of the island. Visibility on this road is sometimes quite limited due to the many curves, so you will need to drive extra carefully on this road.

To reach some of the beaches on the island, you will need to use a dirt road as not all roads are paved. Reduce your speed on these roads because there are some holes, and you risk damaging your car.

All in all, you will have no trouble driving in Parikia and the broader area of Paros if you follow the road signs and obey the rules.

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in Greece is 18 years old. The minimum age to rent a car is 21 years old, and some rental companies for people over 75 years old. Young driver surcharges may apply to those under 25 with many rental companies.
• International Driving Permit:  Visitors need a valid driving license to drive a car in Greece legally. Drivers of motorcycles up to 125cc must be at least 18 years old, while drivers of mopeds (up to 50cc) must be at least 16 years old. Driving licenses issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted. With an International Driving Permit (IDP), you can legally drive in Greece and 174 other countries and present your valid driver's license. Only two organizations issue IDPs in the US: Automobile Association of America (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA), and you can order it online if there is no office near you.
• Additional papers: Identification (passport), a valid driver's license and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to take out insurance with the car rental company if your policy does not cover you when driving in Greece). 
• Additional requirements: Warning triangle (mandatory in every vehicle), headlight deflectors (for cars from UK. Depending on the car, you may either need deflector stickers or have to adjust the beam manually), fire extinguisher (mandatory in every car), first aid kit (mandatory in every vehicle), warning triangles, spare wheels are required, and hands-free devices with hearing aids if you are talking on the phone while driving. 
• Children in the car:  A suitable child seat must be fitted for children under three years of age. Local authorities approve child restraint systems that comply with the ECE R44/03 standard. A suitable child seat should also be used for children between 3 and 11 years of age smaller than 1.35 meters. Adult seat belts are already approved for children over 12 years of age and over 1.35 meters tall. If you wish to fit a rear-facing child seat, you may do so because the front passenger airbag is deactivated.
• Driving side of the road: Right
• Lights: In poor daytime visibility, use low beam headlights. The use of high beams in cities is strictly prohibited.  
• General speed limits: Unless otherwise stated, the maximum speed on the motorway is 120 km per hour. On rural roads, you may drive 110 km/68 mi per hour. In residential areas, the speed limit is 50 km/31 mi per hour.
• Parking suggestions: Parking is prohibited in Greece: Within 5 meters (m) of intersections, within 15m of railway crossings, within 15m of bus and tram stops, within 3m of a fire hydrant, within 5m of a stop sign, or traffic light. In some streets, signs indicate which side of the road to park on. Parking fees vary from city to city, with meters usually operating between 30 minutes and two hours. In Athens, particular parking areas are reserved for tourists. EU disability cards should be recognized in Greece. However, to be on the safe side, you should apply for a card from the Institute for the Rehabilitation of Disabled People in Athens or from local prefects in other provinces.

What to see in Parikia

There are many exciting sights to see in Parikia and on the island of Paros, so a road trip through the island is an excellent idea. In Parikia, for example, you can visit the monastery of Panagia Ekatontapiliani (Virgin Mary of the Hundred Doors). It is considered the oldest church on the island and also one of the oldest in Greece. Another church worth visiting in Parikia is Agios Konstantinos. This church is located by the sea and offers a magnificent view of the sea on one side and the town on the other. The most beautiful church in Parikia is undoubtedly Pamegiston Taksiarxon. If you want to take some great photos, you will not regret it.

Parikia is also home to the magnificent Archaeological Museum of Paros. Here you can see the collection of many excavations on the island. The most famous exhibit is the statue of Gorgo. Another museum in Parikia that you should visit is the Byzantine Museum, located in the church of Ekatontapilian. It exhibits icons, various religious relics, and other ecclesiastical items from the post-Byzantine period.

In Parikia, there are some other sites worth seeing, such as The ancient cemetery, the sanctuaries of Asklepios and Apollo Pythios (on the hill above Parikia), the Paros Park...

Besides Parikia, there are several other places on the island that are worth visiting and exploring. There are some great historical, cultural, and religious sites that you can visit to understand this area's history better. For this reason, car hire is the best solution to get around the island. You can make your plan according to your preferences, and most importantly, you will not waste a lot of time driving around in a rental car. Do not forget that many islands around Paros are worth visiting. So, after Paros, you can take your car to the ferry and explore other places in this area.

Best restaurants in Parikia:

Symposium Cafe

To Bountaraki

Parea Cuisine Paros

Cuore Rosso

Hellas

Ela Paros