A Paros donkey ride is a guided ride on calm donkeys along the old tracks in the foothills above Parikia, the port town of Paros. Riders follow a handler past fields and chapels, and one format ends with a village dinner. Tours across the rest of the country are listed on Greece Tours.
The sections below cover the rides, the routes, the steps, the courtyard dinner and the place of donkeys in island life. They also cover welfare, who it suits, what to bring, durations, timing, getting there and booking, with links into the Paros pages. The rides shown are checked on GetYourGuide and Viator.
What is a Paros donkey ride?
A Paros donkey ride is a guided walk on donkey back through the countryside around Parikia, the island’s port town. A local handler leads a small group along farm tracks and old paths. The riding itself lasts 1.5 to 3 hours.
The donkeys walk at a slow, steady pace. The handler sets the speed and chooses the path. No riding skills are needed, so complete beginners can take part.
Rides leave from Kakapetra, a rural area on the south side of Parikia. Riders pass fields, stone walls and small chapels on the way into the hills.
Polos Tours describes the donkey as an animal of patience and endurance. That calm nature is what makes a Paros donkey ride safe for first-timers.
Which Paros donkey rides can you book?
You can book a Paros donkey ride through GetYourGuide, Viator or local operators in Parikia. Both online listings cover the foothills of Parikia. Local firms run their own rides from farms in Kakapetra, just behind the town.
- GetYourGuide: Paros: Donkey Ride with Optional Dinner, based in Parikia.
- Viator: Afternoon Donkey Ride Along the Mountain Foothills of Parikia, guided in English.
- Polos Tours: a travel agency in Parikia with morning, sunset and dinner rides from Kakapetra.
- Paros Horse Riding and Donkey Tours: a riding school at Kormos Farm in Kakapetra.
- Donkey Trips on Paros: a Parikia outfit with horse and donkey rides all year round.
Polos Tours lists three formats. The morning ride goes to the Valley of the Butterflies. The sunset ride heads south to Almyros. The third adds a farm dinner.
Paros Horse Riding and Donkey Tours is mainly a horse riding centre. Guests there can still choose a donkey for a slower Paros donkey ride.
Where does a Paros donkey ride start and go?
A Paros donkey ride with local operators starts at Kakapetra, just behind Parikia. Routes then climb the foothills to chapels and viewpoints over the bay. The longer route runs 5 kilometres south to the Valley of the Butterflies.
- Sunset route: Kakapetra, Parasporos, Aspries and Almyros.
- Chapel route: Kakapetra, Aspries and the small chapel of Taxiarchaki.
- Valley route: Kakapetra, the Monastery of Agios Arsenios and Petaloudes.
- Dinner route: the Aspries or Petaloudes area, ending at a farm.
On the sunset Paros donkey ride, the chapel of Taxiarchaki gives a wide view over Parikia bay. The return follows a side path with sea views all the way.
Petaloudes means “butterflies” in Greek. The valley lies near the Monastery of Christ of the Woods. In summer, Jersey tiger moths cling to its trees and stone walls.
These rides stay close to the port. They do not reach the inland villages of Paros, such as the old mountain village of Lefkes.
What happens on a Paros donkey ride, step by step?
A Paros donkey ride follows a simple order. You meet the guide at the farm, get matched to a donkey and climb into the saddle. The group then rides out, stops at a viewpoint and returns to base.
- Arrive at the meeting point 20 minutes before the start.
- Meet the guide and get help climbing onto your donkey.
- Ride out along farm tracks and narrow back lanes.
- Stop at a chapel, a viewpoint or the valley for photos.
- Return to the farm for treats or the optional dinner.
Polos Tours keeps its groups small, with no more than two donkeys and one horse. An extra rider joins on a horse at the same pace.
The Polos guide, Yannis, speaks Greek and English. He has worked with the donkeys for more than 20 years. Water, soft drinks and traditional treats come with each Paros donkey ride he leads.
What is the traditional dinner after a Paros donkey ride?
The GetYourGuide Paros donkey ride ends with an optional traditional dinner in a family courtyard. Guests who choose it eat with a local family once the riding is over. Polos Tours serves its own dinner on a traditional farm.
Polos Tours lists a set menu for its farm dinner. The meal comes after the riding part of a Paros donkey ride, which lasts 1.5 hours.
- Greek salad or dakos, a barley rusk with tomato and cheese
- Courgette balls
- Fried aubergines
- Tzatziki, a yoghurt and cucumber dip
- Giouvetsi, baked pasta with lamb or goat
Hot bread and local wine join the dishes on the table. GetYourGuide lists start times from 17:30 to 19:00, so the meal falls in the evening.
Another sunset ride from Kakapetra has ended at a country cottage near the port. Adults got local wine there, and children got soft drinks with snacks. More island dishes feature on the Paros food and wine page.
What role have donkeys played in Paros life?
Donkeys moved goods and people across Paros for centuries. Polos Tours says they helped transport, trade and contact between villagers. A Paros donkey ride today uses the same patient animal on the same kind of rural track.
Polos Tours calls the donkey part of the island’s tradition, history and daily life. The animal is known for its patience and endurance. Those two traits make it a steady ride on rough, stony ground.
The oldest road on the island links Lefkes and Prodromos. It runs for 3.5 kilometres and is paved with Parian marble. Local guides describe it as a stone-paved donkey trail, now a favourite walking route on Paros.
Guides say donkeys once carried mined marble from the island’s centre to the harbour. The road passes old terraced fields, stone farmhouses and traditional wineries. On Hydra, donkeys still do daily transport work, while a Paros donkey ride now carries visitors.
How are the donkeys cared for on a Paros donkey ride?
Greek rules protect every donkey on a Paros donkey ride. A donkey can carry no more than 100 kilograms, or one fifth of its body weight. Sick, injured or pregnant donkeys are not allowed to work.
The Ministry of Rural Development and Food set these rules. They followed reports of spinal injuries and saddle wounds on the donkeys of Santorini. The UK charity The Donkey Sanctuary pushed for the weight limit.
- A top load of 100 kilograms per donkey
- A load under one fifth of body weight
- Animals kept healthy and well rested
- Enough water to keep each donkey hydrated
- No work for ill, injured or unfit animals
Polos Tours asks for each rider’s weight before a Paros donkey ride. Its booking form lists every adult and every child separately. Groups stay small, with a limit of two donkeys and one horse.
Heat matters as much as weight. Polos Tours shifts its summer afternoon start time because of the heat. Visitors who want to meet rescued donkeys can visit a donkey sanctuary near Athens.
Who suits a Paros donkey ride?
A Paros donkey ride suits beginners, families and anyone who likes a slow pace. The Polos Tours booking form takes children aged 6 to 11. No riding skill is needed, since donkeys walk with patience and steady endurance.
Paros Horse Riding and Donkey Tours works from a farm at Kakapetra, near Parikia. Its rules set a top rider weight of 110 kilograms. Riders need no health problem that riding makes worse.
The stable’s listings say its rides are not wheelchair accessible. They are not advised for pregnant guests or people with back problems. Guests with a disability can tell the team ahead, and the tour is adjusted.
Six is the youngest age on the forms, so a Paros donkey ride does not suit toddlers. Families with small children can find other ideas for Paros with kids.
What do you wear and bring on a Paros donkey ride?
For a Paros donkey ride, wear closed-toe shoes and long trousers. The Kakapetra stable bans flip-flops, slippers and sandals for every rider. The stable supplies the helmets, so there is no need to pack one.
- Trainers or other closed shoes
- Long trousers against saddle rub
- A sun hat for the open hillsides
- Sun cream for arms and neck
- A phone or camera for the views
Entry to the Valley of the Butterflies costs extra, so bring a little cash.
How long does a Paros donkey ride last, and what is included?
A Paros donkey ride lasts between one and five hours. The GetYourGuide ride with optional dinner runs for 1.5 hours in a small group. The Viator afternoon ride along the Parikia foothills takes one to two hours.
It offers longer formats than the two booking-site listings, each with its own route and length.
- Sunset ride via Parasporos, Aspries and Almyros: two hours
- Ride to the Valley of the Butterflies: three hours
- Afternoon ride with a farm dinner: four to five hours
- Private routes: on request
On the dinner format, guests spend 1.5 hours in the saddle before the meal at the farm.
Every Paros donkey ride with Polos Tours includes a leader who speaks Greek and English. The Viator listing is guided in English. Kakapetra stable listings include helmets and taxes, but not pick-up, tips or personal costs.
When does a Paros donkey ride run?
A Paros donkey ride runs in the morning, the afternoon or at sunset. Polos Tours states that it offers donkey rides all year round. The two booking-site listings both sell late-day rides, timed for cooler air and evening light.
- Morning ride: 09:00 to 12:00 with Polos Tours
- Afternoon ride: 17:00 to 20:00 with Polos Tours
- Sunset ride: two hours, afternoons only
- Ride with dinner: an 18:00 start on GetYourGuide in summer
Start times move with the temperature. Polos Tours shifts its summer start because of the heat. The Viator ride sets off once the peak heat has passed.
At the Kakapetra farm, departure times also follow the season and the sunset hour. For temperatures across the year, read Paros weather by month.
How do you get to a Paros donkey ride?
Each Paros donkey ride run by local operators starts in Kakapetra. This rural area lies just behind Parikia, on its south side. Paros Horse Riding & Donkey Tours has its farm there, in Kormos. Riders arrive by taxi, bus or car.
Pick-up is not part of the farm’s ride listings, so plan the trip in advance. The simplest choice is a taxi from Parikia. Ask the driver for Kakapetra and the riding farm.
The Viator listing for the farm marks it as near public transport. Island buses leave from the central bus station in Parikia. The farm also has parking on site.
Coming in by ferry on the day of a Paros donkey ride? Book Paros port transfers to reach your hotel before the ride.
What can you pair with a Paros donkey ride?
A Paros donkey ride takes up one part of the day, so it pairs easily with other plans. The same Kakapetra farm runs horse rides. Evenings suit a Greek night, and mornings suit the Valley of the Butterflies.
- Horse riding: the Kakapetra farm leads Paros horse riding trips to the Taxiarchaki chapel.
- Greek night: follow a morning ride with dinner and dancing at a Paros Greek night.
- Butterfly valley: Petaloudes fills with Jersey tiger moths from June to September.
- Farm cooking class: a farm near Parikia runs a three-hour class with a sunset dinner.
A morning Paros donkey ride leaves the evening free for a show. An afternoon ride with dinner fills the whole evening on its own.
The cooking class runs at sunset too, so book it on a different day from an afternoon ride. The horse tours also stop at Agia Eirini beach for a break.
How do you book and cancel a Paros donkey ride?
You book a Paros donkey ride online through GetYourGuide or Viator, or directly with Polos Tours. Both booking sites list free cancellation for their rides. That means a full refund when you cancel 24 hours or more before the start.
On GetYourGuide, the Paros donkey ride is listed as Paros: Donkey Ride with Optional Dinner. When booking, you pick the ride alone or the ride with dinner.
Polos Tours takes bookings by email from its base in Parikia. A cancellation less than 24 hours before the start earns no refund on the booking sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a friend ride a horse on a Paros donkey ride?
Yes, with Polos Tours. Its small groups take up to two donkeys and one horse. A third person joins on the horse, which keeps the same slow pace as the donkeys. This lets a rider who prefers a larger animal stay with the group for the whole route.
Does Polos Tours offer a private Paros donkey ride?
Yes. Polos Tours organises private donkey routes with a special programme on request. A private route suits families or couples who want their own pace.
Is there an extra fee at the Valley of the Butterflies?
Yes. The Polos morning route passes the Monastery of Agios Arsenios on its way to Petaloudes. The valley charges its own entrance fee, which the ride price does not cover. Riders on the afternoon run of the same route pay it too.
How early do you arrive for a Paros donkey ride?
Arrive 20 minutes before the start time. Polos Tours asks for this on its ride pages. The Kakapetra farm asks the same on its booking-site listings. The spare minutes let the group set off on time, before the light starts to fade.
What happens if bad weather hits on the day of a Paros donkey ride?
The Kakapetra farm’s listings state that its rides need good weather. If a ride is called off for weather, guests choose a different date or a full refund. A spare evening later in the trip makes a new date easy to fit in.
What happens to the Polos donkeys in winter?
Polos Tours says its local guide looks after the animals all year. He feeds the donkeys and arranges any medical care they need. He also gives them shelter through the winter months. The agency describes its aim as passing island tradition on to visitors. That year-round care sits behind every Paros donkey ride the agency runs from Kakapetra.
Can Polos Tours arrange transport to the ride?
Polos Tours runs private transfers across Paros as part of its wider services. Its minibuses seat up to eight people and come with a driver. The service operates every day and around the clock. Riders without a car can ask about a transfer when booking by email. That saves hunting for a taxi before a Paros donkey ride.
What else does Polos Tours run besides donkey rides?
Donkeys are only one part of what Polos Tours offers on Paros. It also runs horse riding tours, bus tours and daily fishing trips. Its daily cruises reach Mykonos, Delos, Santorini and other nearby islands. Car, scooter, quad and bicycle hire also appear on its list. Guests can plan a Paros donkey ride and a sea day with one agency.