Panic in Greece as the crowds that ruined Mykonos discover another beautiful island

The masses that descended on Mykonos have now started invading another beautiful island. (Image: Getty)

The once-hidden gem islands of Mykonos and Santorini are no more. 50 years ago, tourism on the Greek islands was still in its early stages of development. Fast-forward to today, Santorini received an estimated 2.9 million air passengers alone in 2024, while Mykonos received 1.6 million.

With such large crowds, many are turning their attention away from these spoiled hotspots and are on the hunt for the next island to explore. Paros, a Cyclades island located almost directly between Mykonos and Santorini, was until recently the "chilled alternative to Mykonos" by Vogue. However, the masses have begun to follow the crowd, and the beautiful island is now set on a similar course to its neighbours. 

Every summer, around half a million people flock to the island. (Image: Getty)

The island of Paros covers an area of 76 square miles - roughly the size of Liverpool - and is home to around 12,000 locals. However, every summer, around half a million people flock to the island.

Historically known for its fine white marble, Paros was once a top holiday destination for celebrities including Tom Hanks, Ryan Gosling and Julia Roberts due to its exclusive hideaways away from the prying eyes of the world. However, once an island boasting family-run tavernas in tiny villages and endless stretches of deserted golden beaches, today Paros has been transformed into a party destination with beach clubs, gourmet restaurants and large hotels.

This, as a result, has put resources under strain.

“Rising costs for locals are a huge concern,” ceramic artist and long-time island resident Christiane Smit told The Telegraph.

In 2022, residents of Naoussa sent a petition to government representatives asking them to stop the relentless building in their village. (Image: Getty)

Meanwhile, a recent LinkedIn post from former MEP and environmentalist Kriton Arsenis said that Paros has topped the demand for new building permits in the Cyclades in the last five years, surpassing both Mykonos and Santorini. 

Paros is being "overbuilt at a dramatic pace," Mr Arsenis warned.

In 2022, residents of the tiny resort of Naoussa sent a petition to Government representatives asking them to stop the relentless building in their village, describing it as “a severe test of all the fragile infrastructure of a small place”. One member of the movement said that locals have started to "feel like outsiders in their own community due to increasing frustration [caused by] invasive investors and a decline in their quality of life due to overtourism".

Then, in 2023, locals formed the Paros Citizens’ Movement for Free Beaches to protest the "illegal privatisation” of beaches in Greece. While the Government has promised to tighten regulations, one hotel barman told The Telegraph that "many hotels just removed the sunbeds when there was going to be an inspection and returned them once the inspectors had gone".