Mykonos, Greece
Mamma Mia! Here I go again
There are few summer destinations better than Greece, in my opinion.
It’s an ideal place to escape to when you need some fun and adventure. And that’s exactly what I did on a vacation through Greece in 2017. We spent Labor Day Weekend in Mykonos, soaking up the end of Summer as August slipped away into September.
It was one of my favorite places I’ve ever been, and I’ll tell you why!
Must visit Kastro’s for this gorgeous lunch view
While Mykonos is known for being a party island, it’s not all the island is about. You have the same beautiful white washed Cycladic buildings and stunning sunsets as the rest of Greece, but here you’ll also find gorgeous beaches and a bustling town. It’s become so popular for good reason!
It’s also super progressive and you’ll see people wearing what they want, doing what they want with who they want — and I love that. It’s gay friendly, and Lindsay Lohan is a legend here at her own beach club.
I hadn’t heard too much about Mykonos other than that it was the party island. I figured it was mostly about the beach clubs and nightclubs.
But it has so much more to offer than that. I was blown away by this place, and I’m still looking forward to the next time I’ll be back!
Planning on traveling to Mykonos this summer?
Here are some helpful recommendations if you’re considering to travel to Mykonos, or headed there later this year!
And as always, reach out if you would like me to help plan your vacation for you :)
Best Beaches in Mykonos
One of the differences between Santorini and Mykonos (and why I ended up favoring the latter) is because Mykonos has much better beaches than Santorini. Where Oia and Imerovigli or Fira are gorgeous villages in Santorini that overlook the ocean, they are perched high upon a cliff with no direct beach access.
Mykonos has a huge emphasis on it’s beaches. You can relax on them, dine on them, party on them… it’s the vibe of the island.
Here are some of the best beaches in Mykonos!
Platis Gialos
Psarrou
Ornos
Paralia Megali Ammos
Paradise Beach
Seeking peace & quiet? Some of the more remote beaches include Kalo Livadi, Kalafati, and Agia Anna.
Things to Do & Tours in Mykonos
While there aren’t as many ancient Greek ruins to explore in Mykonos as some other islands, you can still geek our (or dare I say GREEK OUT) on the island if you’re seeking some culture. Here are ideas!
Take a quick ferry to the archaeological site of Delos (ruins from the birthplace of Apollo)
Buy tickets for a 4 hour tour here
Explore the cute little town of Ano Mera - it’s so bright and colorful!
Visit the beautiful Monastery of Panagia Tourliani
Things To Do In Town
There is so much to explore in Mykonos town. I could’ve spent a few more days on the island but this village was a huge part of that. I loved between being so close to the sea, and wandering the tiny alleyways that revealed one shop more beautiful than the next.
Don’t miss this in Mykonos Town
Visit the windmills, great photo spot
Have lunch in Little Venice along the water
Look for Mykonos Sandals for great Grecian slides
Visit the churches of Panagia Paraportiani and Agios Nikolaos
Matoyianni Street has many boutiques covered in bougainvillea
Where to Shop in Chora, Mykonos
There is some great shopping in town, and my sister and I loved walking around and taking advantage of some end of summer sales!
Here are some places to check out!
Savvas
Triciclo
Enny Monaco
Sketch
Cosset Mykonos
The best place to do designer shopping is at Nammos Village! Even just window shopping at the open air Mall is worth a visit.
It’s new, beautiful, and features many of the popular high end luxury stores - Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel and so on.
Cycladic Homes & Architecture
The architecture of the white Cycladic style buildings may seem similar and minimalistic but I took a lot of pleasure in noting the subtle differences of churches versus homes, and that of retail stores or a club. They each had their own character that played a role in the special stories this town is known for.
One thing I loved particularly about Mykonos though was all the color we found around town! It wasn’t just a white canvas
We saw many pretty little churches that had their own unique style too. I loved capturing pictures of them along our walks in town.
Getting to Mykonos
Coming from another island or planning on jetting to one after Mykonos? There are ferries that run daily to and from Mykonos. My sister and I took one from Naxos, and it was very easy, affordable, and comfortable. We used the company called Sea Jets. Make reservations in advance!
Coming to or from Athens? I’d recommend flying directly from Athens airport when you arrive. It’s so quick and definitely worth the money. In my opinion, you don’t need to spend much time in Athens anyway. It’s a 2 night stop at the end of your trip.
Once you’re in Mykonos, you can take a bus around the island. Be aware that Uber’s can be hard to find, but your hotel can help you schedule taxi’s to your destinations!
Going Out in Mykonos
It really is as fun as they say. Don’t miss an opportunity to hit at least one of these amazing spots! Whether you drink and party or not, it’s sure to be a fun vibe and good view.
180 Bar at sunset is 100% a must do
Scorpios for sunset drinks by the beach
Principote (a vibey beach club)
Nammos (I loved it here)
Buddha Bar (Santa Marina)
Dining in Mykonos
I love Greek food. I tend to eat it a few times a week, and cook up different meals at home. So I was really looking forward to spending two weeks in Greece, having all the best Greek food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Not as familiar with Greek? Well get excited! You can’t go wrong with a Mediterranean diet, fresh seafood, briny olives, and pita with tzatziki at every meal. Gand don’t forget to have the best Greek salads of your life!
Casual Options
Nice n Easy in Mykonos
Jimmy’s Gyro (late night post bars)
To Maereio in Chora
Gioras Bakery (Wood Medieval Mykonian Bakery - oldest in Mykonos)
Kiki’s Taverna at Agios Sostis Beach - this is a local secret and such a gem!
For Dinner
Dinner at Hippie Fish in Ornos
Beefbar at Bill & Coo Coast (the view!)
M Eating (fine dining)
Matsuhisa Mykonos (Asian fusion to switch up the flavors)
Yialos in Platis Gialos
Where To Stay
Mykonos has many gorgeous hotels, here are a few of the best!
Katikies Mykonos: A stunning 5 star hotel, with a great reputation in Greece. Pricier but a strong option!
Petasos Beach Resort & Spa - Small Luxury Hotels of the World: This is where I stayed and I can’t recommend it enough! Amazing beachfront location close to Platys Gialos but not far from Mykonos town. Great pools and views
Petinos Beach Hotel: beautiful option close to Petasos, but slightly more affordable.
Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort: Dying to stay here on a future visit! It’s oceanfront, private, and chic at Ornos beach.
Here are a few dreamy photos from Petasos Beach Resort!
Summer Getaway
Sold on Mykonos yet?
It’s not too late to plan your vacation! It’s the perfect destination for a little Euro trip.
Not sure when to go? While the whole summer is a good vibe, it can be hot and slightly more crowded in July and August. September is a fantastic time as well.
Hope you enjoyed reading about Mykonos, and if you do visit this summer that you love it like I did!
Xx
Gab
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