Antiparos sits just a narrow strait from Paros, but it feels a world apart. This small, low-key island has attracted artists, writers, and those seeking a slower pace — Tom Hanks famously owns a house here. The main village is a single pedestrian street that winds through a Venetian kastro, ending at the harbour where fishing boats bob alongside tenders from visiting yachts.
The island's coastline is ringed with secluded coves and sandy beaches, many accessible only by boat. The famous Cave of Antiparos, with stalactites dating back millions of years, lies in the island's interior. Nearby, the uninhabited island of Despotiko holds an important ancient sanctuary of Apollo, still being excavated.
Antiparos works beautifully as a day stop on a Cyclades charter or as a quiet overnight anchorage after the bustle of Paros. The anchorage at Faneromeni on the south coast is one of the most sheltered in the area.
Cave of Antiparos — spectacular stalactite cavern
Despotiko island — ancient Apollo sanctuary
Bohemian village with Venetian kastro
Crystal-clear coves accessible only by yacht
Quieter alternative to Paros across the strait
