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A WEEKEND IN | CABANA TRAVEL | WORLD OF CABANA
A small jewel in the centre of Greece’s Cycladic archipelago, Antiparos is beloved for its slow rhythms, bustling town and family-friendly vibe. From the boutique hotels to the best villas, relaxed taverns and stylish bars, Athens-based writer Kate Lough shares the best places to bookmark on the island.
BY KATE LOUGH | CABANA TRAVEL | 10 SEPTEMBER 2025
Bedroom view at The Rooster, photographed by Yannis Rizomarkos © The Rooster
Where to Stay
The Rooster: The only five-star boutique hotel on the island (long may that last), The Rooster sits on the west of the island above Livadia Bay. You stay in mini villas built from Antiparian stone rather than rooms, each with its own plunge pool. Wellbeing is a big focus here, so make sure to visit the House of Healing for a massage or yoga flow session.
The Farmhouse: Sleeping six with a small pool and outdoor spaces to read, eat and chat, The Farmhouse - nestled in Kambos, rural Antiparos - is a great option for those that like to hide away. It's also where The Rooster has begun to host annual panagiri-style celebrations with makers from Greece, barbecue, traditional dancing and live music.
The Beach House: Recently refurbished and taken over by The Rooster, The Beach House is very much of the Antiparos old guard. Set back just behind Apantima Bay, these relaxed rooms marry Cycladic architecture with a palette of red, white and blue. By day, you can relax on the hotel’s loungers and day beds, with steak sandwiches, watermelon and feta salads and rosé delivered right to you. Or, for something a little more elevated, book in at the Cookoovaya restaurant.
Villa Patitiri: Right on the water and not far from the Chora, Villa Patitiri is part of OLIAROS Villa Rentals’s portfolio on the island. A former grape-crushing workshop on the beach, the traditionally designed three-bedder is ideal for a small family.
The Rooster
Plunge pool at The Farmhouse
The Rooster restaurant
Cosy corners outside at The Farmhouse
Where to Eat & Drink
Taverna Peramataki: Above Soros Beach with views of the sea, Peramataki is my favorite of the classic taverns on Antiparos. Family-run, all the dishes are homemade on the day, with everything from excellent spinach and mushroom pies, seasonal salads such as carrot and cabbage or beetroot, and mageiremeno (cooked food).
Captain Pipino’s: A delightful fish taverna hanging over the water on the south of the island, Pipino’s is a much loved Antiparos institution that looks towards Despotiko. Order grilled fish by the kilo, patatas and horta and settle in for a long lunch.
Casa Fistiki: A Mexican restaurant, bar and bodega on a small Cycladic island might sound a little incongruous but it works. Come for dinner with a large party and drink smoky mezcal cocktails alongside sharing fish tacos.
The Rooster: Open to outside guests, the restaurant at The Rooster is equally lovely on the terrace overlooking the sea at lunchtime or inside the courtyard by night. Expect dishes from Chef Simos Trianafyllou such as tomato and orange salad, red mullet ceviche and pasta vongole. Accompanied by fine wines from Crete and Santorini.
Maison Bardot: On a side street off the main square in Chora, you will find the pretty, contemporary Cycladic restaurant and bar Maison Bardot. Come here for after dinner margaritas in the courtyard garden.
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Marinated anchovies by the sea at Captain Pipino
Grilled fish at Captain Pipino
Patates and horta at Pipinos
Beetroot salad at Peramataki
Pipinos by night
What to See & Do
Despotiko: An uninhabited island southwest of Antiparos, which is being hailed as the ‘Other Delos’ due to its treasure trove of archaeological excavations. You can reach Despotiko by a short ferry from Agios Georgios, disembarking to discover pretty virgin beaches, as well as the ruins of a Temple of Apollo
Boat Day: Thanks to its central location in the Cyclades, Antiparos makes for the ideal launchpad for a day out on the water. You can easily reach many desirable islands in the archipelago by boat including: Sifnos for lunch at Omega 3 or To Steki on Plati Gialos; swimming in the aquamarine waters of uninhabited Polyegos; and the lunar cliffs of Sarakiniko in Milos.
Wild Beaches: In the south of the island, a 20-minute drive from the chora, there is a clutch of wild beaches. Our favourite is Fanoromeni, which is quiet even in the high summer months and rewards with crystalline waters.
Where to Shop
10AM Apotheke: A newcomer for the 2025 season, the former folklore museum in the Chora has been transformed into a lighted-filled apothecary-come-cafe-come-bar — led by 10AM founder Eva Papadaki and designed by Studio Andrew Trotter. Come for the handmade ceramics, stay for the botanical cocktails.
More Than This: A tight edit of Greek jewellery designers, More Than This is the place to pick up elegant Evil Eye rings designed by architect Leda Athanasopoulou, gold hoops from Maggoosh and chunky rings from Neso.
Mini harbor at Apantima Bay
Kittens at The Farmhouse
Antiparos north western coastline
Aerial view of The Rooster
Kate Lough is a freelance writer and editor based in Athens
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