Paros continues to climb in popularity among US tourists, according to a recent readers’ poll by the American edition of Condé Nast Traveler.

In this year’s Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, Crete claimed the title of “Best Island in Europe” with a score of 91.85, followed by Corfu (90.67), Mykonos (87.41), and Paros, which impressed with 86.38 points.

This latest honor caps a string of recent accolades for the Cycladic island. Earlier this year, both American Express Travel and Forbes named Paros among the top destinations for 2025, praising its “easygoing sophistication” and positioning it as a relaxed yet stylish alternative to Mykonos and Santorini. According to Forbes, Paros appeals to “fashionistas and affluent travelers” seeking understated luxury in an authentic Aegean setting.

The island’s reputation soared even higher in July, when it was crowned the “World’s Best Island” in Travel + Leisure’s prestigious “World’s Best Awards,” earning an overall score of 96.50 and leaping from 24th place last year to first place worldwide.

Recent Ferryhopper data for 2025 confirms the island’s widening international appeal, showing Paros among the top destinations not only for Americans but also for travelers from the UK, Australia, and Canada.

“The island’s continuous distinctions are the best confirmation of Paros’ growing reputation around the world, and especially in the American market, which is characterized by high average stays and spending levels,” said Paros mayor Kostas Bizas. “These positive signals are very encouraging and fully aligned with the municipality’s strategy to highlight the island’s quality features in markets with corresponding interests,” he added.

Despite its growing popularity, travel writers consistently note that Paros hasn’t lost any of its laidback Cycladic charm. The island offers the iconic whitewashed houses, windmills, and cosmopolitan flair of Mykonos without the bustling crowds, and the romance of Santorini without the sky-high prices. Many of its boutique hotels remain family-run, combining minimalist Cycladic design with traditional local character. Paros also boasts an abundance of sandy, shallow beaches, making it ideal for families, as well as a wide range of dining options, from rustic seaside tavernas to high-end restaurants.

It seems this balance of authenticity and sophistication has struck a chord with American travelers seeking both style and substance in their Greek island experience.

The rise of Paros reflects a broader surge in American tourism to Greece. The United States is now the country’s third-largest source of travel revenue and the market with the highest per-capita spending. According to data from INSETE, the research body of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), travel receipts from the US reached 1.584 billion euros in 2024 – up 13.6% from 2023 – while visits increased to 2.34 million (a rise of 5.7%). Americans also spend more and stay longer than the average visitor, with expenditures of 676 euros per trip and 107 euros per overnight stay, and an average duration of 6.3 nights compared to Greece’s overall average of 5.9.

Source: moneyreview.gr