MYKONOS – ULTIMATE GUIDE
Are you going to Mykonos in Greece and you need help with planning your trip? You’ve come to the right place!
Mykonos has a reputation as the party island, but it has been changing and it has become slower and more authentic.
Together with Radisson Blu Euphoria Resort, we explored the island to find the best places to visit.
This complete and up-to-date guide will lead you straight to the best restaurants & bars as well as things to do, and all the logistics necessary to make this an unforgettable experience.
So let’s not waste any more time and go straight into planning your perfect holiday!
*This post has been sponsored by Radisson Blu
What you need to know before you go
Before you visit Mykonos, here are some top tips so you have the smoothest trip possible:
- Make sure you always have cash, as plenty of places don’t accept cards.
- There are very few taxis across Mykonos. Therefore, if you don’t hire a car or want to drink alcohol, it’s worth pre-booking to ensure peace of mind.
- Mykonos is a very windy place. Therefore, you might want to pack some extra layers and consider this when heading out for certain trips – watch out for waves if you’re by the sea!
- Because of the island’s size and popularity, you’ll want to book restaurants well in advance. This is especially true of the famous ones.
Is Mykonos worth visiting?
When you hear ‘Mykonos’ you probably immediately think of buzzing beach bars and packed night clubs. It’s probably one of the most famous party destinations in the world. Also, it has attracted glamorous celebrity visitors from the 1960s right until the present day. Therefore, it’s no shock it has this reputation as a resort for the wild and wealthy.
However, in recent years Mykonos has been changing. There are still many chances to party or visit designer stores if that’s your thing. But, it’s now easier to have a slower, more chilled out and authentic time on the island. This is thanks to a host of great new bars and restaurants, as well as the fact that more and more people are seeking out the incredible historic and cultural sites the island has.
So the island offers something for everyone – if you know where to look and what to do. Luckily, our guide tells you everything you need to have an unforgettable holiday on Mykonos.
How to get to Mykonos?
Thanks to an International Airport, it is easy to fly directly to Mykonos from most places in Europe. Flights from Europe are short haul and usually quite cheap. That said, it’s probably worth booking early and spending slightly more on your ticket if you don’t want to be on a plane full of partygoers!
Otherwise, there are frequent ferry crossings from Piraeus in Athens to Mykonos. Depending on which company you sail with, these can be as short as 2 hours, 35 minutes. Therefore, you could combine your trip to Mykonos with a tour of some of Greece’s other amazing destinations! This would also be a quieter travel option and lets you bring a rental car from the mainland.
Getting around the island
The most practical way of getting around Mykonos is by driving. There are plenty of car rental businesses on the island. However, you’ll want to book this far in advance of your trip to avoid disappointment! Otherwise, bring a car from the mainland on the ferry!
However, the more adventurous would probably most enjoy hiring a scooter. You can pick these up from as little as 20 euros a day from many places in Mykonos Town (Chora). They’re more fun to drive along the coastal rides, easier to park, and you can’t beat feeling the Aegean breeze on your face.
Be aware you’ll obviously need a driving license in your home country as well as an International Driving Permit (IDP). It’s easy and cheap to get these in your home country though, and definitely worth doing to have the smoothest trip!
Best Time to Visit
The best time to go to Mykonos is in the off-season. Normally, the island is busiest in July and August. Therefore, going then means everything will be more expensive and crowded.
Also, it gets scorching hot then! However, if you can go early in May or later in September, you’ll have a much more pleasant visit.
You’ll have the run of the island and will benefit from the best accommodation prices. And the average temperature is still in the balmy low twenties in both months!
How many days to spend?
We’d recommend staying at least three nights in Mykonos.
While it’s a small island it still takes about 30 minutes to drive from one side to the other and there’s plenty to see all over. Also, you’ll want to make the most of the nights as well as the days!
Where to eat & drink in Mykonos
Rhapsody Bar
In the heart of Little Venice, this informal bar is a great place for a fun, relaxed, and reasonably priced cocktail. There’s a popular happy hour here, and afterwards you can dance the night away to pop hits. As for seating, there’s a long bar, a comfortable lounge area, and a tiny balcony over the sea.
Open from noon until late seven days!
INSIDER INFO: Rhapsody Bar is proudly LGBTQIA+ friendly.
Scorpios
This classic Mykonos destination offers everything you’d want from a bar on the island. It is a beach club with an enviable spot on golden sands just south of Chora. It has delicious drinks and food, and a slightly more mature crowd than you find at other beach spots like Paradise or Super Paradise. Finally, great DJs play music that is as good for dancing as it is relaxing. What’s not to like?
Open every day, 11 am until midnight.
INSIDER INFO: Reserve an evening spot on Sunset Beach to enjoy great music and a beautiful golden hour.
Bao’s Cocktail Bar
Open 10 am until 4 am seven days a week.
Named after a fearsome pirate from Mykonos, this Little Venice spot is appropriately unruly. It has a great cocktail list and a spot to watch the sunset. However, it really comes to life after dark – its motto is ‘sleep all day, party all night’. Therefore, definitely one for the party animals but not if you’re looking for a quiet drink.
INSIDER INFO: Choose one of the signature cocktails for something unique like the surprise drink ‘5 Daughters’!
Negrita
Negrita is another great partying spot in Little Venice. It has a brilliant menu of cocktails and its small dance floor goes wild after dark. Also, it has a terrace with unbelievable views of the sunset. Note that they don’t serve food and it gets pretty busy at peak times. Therefore, it’s more of a going-out destination than a place to unwind.
Open seven days until late!
INSIDER INFO: Make sure you reserve if you want to sit on the terrace. Normally, you can have a spot out there for two hours but there is a minimum spend.
180 Sunset Bar
As its name suggests, this has one of the most spacious, relaxed, and panoramic terraces for watching the sun go down in Mykonos. It is perched on a hilltop just north of Chora and serves tasty Mediterranean food and drinks in the evening. Its vibe is more casual and relaxed than many of the places on this list. Therefore, it’s a great place to enjoy the sunset and a meal without hordes of revelers.
Open seven days, 6:30pm until 10:30pm.
INSIDER INFO: Booking is essential, and make sure you specify where you want to be. Our favorite part was the Upper Terrace.
What to do in Mykonos
You could find enough for a week to do In Stuttgart but realistically you will only be able to do a few things, so we have listed our favourites below:
Little Venice
Full of charming houses and wooden balconies overhanging the water, it’s no mystery how Little Venice got its name. Also known as ‘Alefkandra’, this charming part of Mykonos town is on the west coast of the island and is a must-visit. Get lost in its picturesque streets, visit its cute boutiques, and enjoy a delicious meal at one of its great restaurants. Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of photo opportunities. Little Venice is one of the best places in Mykonos to enjoy the sunset and gives you a great view of the Mykonos Windmills.
INSIDER INFO: Don’t miss a drink with a sea view when visiting Little Venice. Our favorite spot for this would be Negrita, which has an unbeatable terrace and serves delicious cocktails. Just be sure to reserve a spot on their website to avoid disappointment!
Windmills
You can’t miss the windmills just outside Little Venice! These historic sights, some built as long ago as the 1500s, were originally used to mill wheat for flour. Usually, they were run by rich families or the monasteries on the island. Because Mykonos is so windy, they used to do pretty well! Now, they’re no longer operational but are still gorgeous to walk around. Boni Windmill has been turned into a museum that will tell you more about these fascinating structures. Don’t miss a trip to Gioras Bakery nearby, serving delicious baked goods. This place also gives you an idea of what the area might once have looked like, as it has the oldest woodfired oven in Greece and traditional items on the menu.
INSIDER INFO: The windmills offer an incredible view of the sunset. Just be sure to check when the sun is going down and head over a little early to find a good spot.
Enjoy a day at a beach club
You can’t visit Mykonos without spending a day at a beach club. The island is known all around the world for these chic party venues. And, there’s a reason they’re so popular! Two of our top choices would be Nammos and Alemagou. Nammos is on a lovely sandy beach just south of the town. It serves great drinks and delicious, fresh seafood including sushi. Alemagou is in a gorgeous bay on the north side of the island. Go for its signature cocktail, the ‘Alemagou’, and try some of its food – just be sure to book your table and a sun lounger in advance!
INSIDER INFO: Go earlier in the day if you want a more relaxed time – ideally before noon. Or, head after dark if you’re looking for a party!
Discover the Old Town
Getting lost in the charmingly crooked streets and alleyways of the Old Town is unmissable. The area is picture perfect. Keep an eye out for flashes of the Aegean on the horizon. And don’t miss a photo by the glorious bougainvilleas. Their bright purple really pops in front of the neighborhood’s spotless white walls. Otherwise, see what you find in this treasure trove of designer shops, stalls selling local crafts, bars, restaurants, and cafes. Our favorite street was Matoyianni Street, with its cobbles, flowers, and bright blue doors. Also, it isn’t far from the Aegean and a sea breeze – ideal for a hot summer’s day!
INSIDER INFO: The Old Town gets crowded in the afternoon and evening. Therefore, if you want the most peaceful experience visit early in the morning when most tourists will be sleeping off a party!
Go on a boat trip with @lifestylecooking_mykonos
Booking a boat trip with Lifestyle Cooking is an unforgettable experience. They’ll pick you up from Mykonos and take you on a stunning journey to the nearby island of Rhenia. There, you can explore Rhenia’s peace and beauty, and sunbathe and swim to your heart’s content. Meanwhile, the head chef Teo Iliopoulos will be preparing a sumptuous meal using only the freshest, tastiest seafood and local, organic ingredients. Enjoy this unique meal in a comfortable, bohemian set-up on the beach as you watch the sunset. Truly, a one-of-a-kind experience – not to be missed!
INSIDER INFO: As this is a tailor-made, exclusive experience, you’ll have to get in touch with Lifestyle Cooking directly for more information about timings and prices, and to organize everything.
Explore the beaches
Obviously, lots of people come to Mykonos for the beaches. However, so you don’t get caught anywhere less than heavenly, here are some of our favorites:
Agios Sostis Beach
Our personal favorite as you won’t find that many tourists here. You’ll need to drive to the north side of the island and then head down a slope to reach it but it’s well worth the effort. It is the most natural, authentic, and, in our opinion, beautiful beach on Mykonos. Just be sure to bring everything you need with you as it’s quite far from any shops! However, there is a cute restaurant just above it – Kiki’s Tavern.
Psarou
To the south of Mykonos, this gorgeous beach is a little quieter than others and tends to attract celebrities.There are plenty of great shops and restaurants nearby too.
Paradise Beach
To the south of Mykonos, this gorgeous beach is a little quieter than others and tends to attract celebrities.There are plenty of great shops and restaurants nearby too.
Ornos
Ornos is in a tranquil bay on the southwestern tip of Mykonos. It offers a long, wide beach with loungers and calm waters for swimming. It can get busy during high season so get there early for the best spot!
Kalo Livadi
If you’re already staying at the Radisson, you can’t get more convenient than Kalo Livadi right next door. Not too busy, with loungers, parasols, and magnificent views of the hills, you can’t do much better. Plus, the waters are calm – perfect for a dip on a summer afternoon!
INSIDER INFO: Check online before you head to a beach to see if you need to book a lounger or not. Otherwise, make sure you bring sunscreen and bottled water – otherwise you’ll get fleeced!
Explore the Churches
Obviously, most people visit Mykonos for partying and sunbathing. However, there are amazing cultural and historic sites on the island too, including some beautiful churches. A visit would be incomplete without seeing these stunning sites. Our favorites were Agios Nikolaos and Panagia Paraportiani. Both of them are a short walk from the center of town and offer stunning architecture and fascinating history.
INSIDER INFO: Panagia Paraportiani isn’t far from the windmills. Therefore, dusk is a great time to visit as the sunset seen from here is magnificent!
Enjoy sunset
Unsurprisingly, Mykonos’s heavenly spot in the Mediterranean ensures it gets some of the most gorgeous sunsets on earth. Therefore, one of the simplest but most special things you can do on the island is find a good spot to watch the sun go down and take some beautiful, unique photos. As we mentioned above, Boni’s windmills offer a good spot for a magnificent sunset, and they are outdoors and free! However, if you’d rather enjoy a sundowner cocktail that up to the name, head to 180 Sunset Bar. Just arrive early or book on their website to make sure you get the best spot.
INSIDER INFO: Don’t forget to bring an extra layer as the wind can get chilly after dark.
Visit some of the less-known villages
If you want a break from the crowds and the nightlife, you can’t beat a visit to one of Mykonos’s quieter, lesser-known villages. One of our favorites would be Ano Mera, located in the center of the island. Here, you’ll discover a more traditional, authentic side to the island. Don’t miss a trip to see the monastery Panagia Tourliani, which has incredible old paintings and a beautiful bell tower. Otherwise, wander the village’s pretty streets and sample traditional food at cute restaurants and bakeries without the hefty price tag you’d get in Chora.
INSIDER INFO: Visit Ano Mera on the weekend to beat the crowds of partygoers in Chora!
Visit Delos
This island near Mykonos is so important in history and culture that the whole thing is a UNESCO world heritage site. Therefore, you can bet it’s unmissable! Covered in amazing Ancient Greek ruins and antiques, walking around Delos feels like stepping back in time. You can catch a boat there from Chora. The journey is cheap, and takes about half an hour depending on the weather and sea conditions. Also, it’s well worth hiring a guide to take you on an expert tour of the island and all its wonders.
INSIDER INFO: Pack comfortable shoes and bring lots of water and sunscreen!
Where to stay in Mykonos
So, you know what to do when you get to Mykonos. But, where do you stay to ensure your trip is not only smooth and comfortable, but also unforgettable?
Thankfully, there’s an easy answer – the Radisson Blu Euphoria Resort . It is a welcome addition to a new wave of hotels. These are giving tourists the chance to embrace a slower pace on their Mykonos holidays, in contrast to the island’s reputation. And in our eyes the Radisson Euphoria is the best of these hotels.
It has an unbeatable location just above the gorgeous beach Kalo Livadi. With only 34 rooms, the five-star hotel feels as intimate as it does comfortable.
Rooms & Facilities
All the rooms are spacious and light, with minimalist decor in cool hues of brilliant white and sandy wood. The beds are as comfortable as you’d expect from Radisson. Furthermore, many rooms have a sea view or even exclusive terraces.
Otherwise, there are amazing features such as a gym and an onsite spa. However, the real draw is the outdoor pool with a terrace, bar, and stunning sea views. And the building itself is beautiful too, drawing inspiration from traditional Greek architecture by using cool, calming white plaster and rustic stone as materials.
Restaurant
Add to all this the Euphoria restaurant serving fresh, tasty Mediterranean cuisine, and a poolside bar, and you’ll struggle to leave the hotel! However, when you do head out to explore, you’ll be pleased to discover how convenient the Radisson Euphoria’s location is. It’s on the quiet, southern coast of the island, giving you easy access to all the local attractions and destinations such as Ano Mera. However, Chora is only about 10 km away – not far to go at all for a day’s sightseeing or a night’s partying!
So what are you waiting for? Make the right first step when planning your trip to Mykonos by booking a room at the Radisson Euphoria. As for the steps after that, this list should be all you need!
Final tips
Now is the right time to come and experience Mykonos as it’s changing from a party island to a more relaxed and authentic place to visit.
Please consider the following points to make the most of your stay:
- Mykonos is best to visit in the shoulder months of May and September. avoid July and August if you can.
- Use Mykonos as the base to discover some incredible less-known islands nearby such as Tinos and Andros
- Eat your way through the island, as it has some incredible restaurants. As per usual, book those in advance to avoid disappointments.
Enjoy,
Voyage Provocateur
