Mykonos is a small island in a grouping of islands called the Cyclades on the Aegean Sea. The Cyclades translates to the group that surrounds the sacred Island of Delos. Delos is the birthplace of Apollo, who in Greek mythology, is the god of Daylight. After spending a week there, we can attest to the enchantment of its twilight. People ritualistically gather all over Mykonos to celebrate the day and watch the sun go down over the Aegean Sea. Maybe there’s some truth to the mythical legend of Apollo riding his sun-pulling chariot across the sky and creating a glow like no other upon this place!
Due to this legend and the discovery of the archeological site of Delos, people were drawn to the nearby island of Mykonos. They felt a magnetism to the land and found the welcoming hospitality from the locals unparalleled. People came to escape reality and meld together with artists, fishermen, celebrities, and politicians; in a place that was excepting of those with unconventional lifestyles. Today this island is a cosmopolitan centre, with a unique style of its own.
Mykonos is a pricey place to travel to. We knew this going in and so should you. Some of the best designers, chefs and DJs in the world have come here to express their art and this comes at a price. We chose to go during the shoulder season at the end of September. This is a great time because the hotels are cheaper, it’s not as crowded, and the water is still warm enough to enjoy. You could also come in May or early June to find some savings. Avoid going in winter because most of the island is closed. If finances are not an issue and you love the heat and want to be there for headliner DJs and concerts and spend long days at the beach, July and August is the optimal time for you!
Part of the allure is the Cycladic architecture of the whitewashed cubed buildings with minimalist lines, rounded corners, small windows, and brightly coloured blue doors. They are often covered in bougainvillea flowers in brilliant fuchsia that provides a pop of colour amongst all the white. The whitewash is made of limestone which is a disinfectant that also helps keep the homes cool, and the blue was an easily accessible colour to make…. just a bit of info for any of you who may be curious.
The main town of Mykonos is called Chora or Hora. This is undoubtedly where you will want to spend most of your time and an ideal area to stay if you won’t be renting a vehicle. It’s very walkable and the local bus will take you to most of the points of interest outside the town. If you choose to stay out of the main city, taxis can be hard to get. Renting an ATV or scooter is a fun option to explore the neighbouring places and beaches. Just make sure to get yourself an international driver’s licence ahead of time because they require it to drive on the main streets. Some places will turn a blind eye, but it will ultimately be at your cost, if you get injured or in an accident.
We were there for just over a week. I feel like it was the perfect amount of time to experience the island at a relaxed pace, although you could easily do it in 3-4 days. There are approximately 10,000 permanent residents, and that population expands tenfold come summer. While a week was sufficient, I often wondered what it would be like to be one of the 10,000 and be a local… Ahhhhh one can dream!
Here is how we spent our time and our top things to do in Mykonos!
Old Port
Relax and watch the fishing boats along the picturesque Old Harbour. It is the opposite of the New Harbour, which is the busy terminal for large ferries and commercial cruise ships. The Old Port is where you can catch a boat to Delos for the day or go on a sailing tour. Here you can appreciate the peaceful surroundings and dine at one of the restaurants facing the harbour. There’s also a little beach, where you can spend some time relaxing or enjoying the sunset, although it’s not the best for swimming.
Shopping in Chora
The people of Mykonos have a unique style that can be found at many of the boutiques and jewelry stores in town. Both Tyler and I really enjoyed shopping there. We were able to find airy linen and cotton attire that we enjoyed wearing while on the island… I also love when Ty wears some of the shirts he got there during our hot summers back home in the Okanagan, he looks like a sexy Greek man. Oh yes, have I mentioned that Greek men and women are ridiculously beautiful? Well, they are! I admittedly took a few pictures of some of the men, to prove this reality to my girlfriends back home… and they all agreed! LOL!
Mykonos has some very high-end stores that cater to the rich and famous, but you can also find some cool stuff too at reasonable prices! One of the popular streets to wander down is Matoyianni St. We personally, had no idea what street we were on or where we were going half the time, but that made it all the more fun. It is a small town that is super safe any time of day, so it never was a concern for us… we knew eventually we’d find our way out. This is also a great way to find some of the best-hidden restaurants both traditional and modern. If you don’t become “hangry” you can take your time and find some affordable places too.
One of the most popular souvenirs to buy in Greece would be anything with an Evil Eye on it. It is thought in Greek culture that people can have the power to send harm to you from their jealousy. By wearing the Evil eye or putting it in your home is supposed to protect you… we thought we would err on the side of caution and pick one of these up, because why the heck not?!
** Keep your eye out for the local pelicans walking through town, I guess you could say they are the mascot of Choro. There have been a few throughout the years that have passed on. When we were there Pelican Pete was still alive and he was trotting down the back streets of town looking like he belonged there and was just out doing a bit of shopping and meeting up with friends LOL!
Art around the Island
The art scene in Mykonos has grabbed global attention. Over the last few years, they have worked in conjunction with local artists to put on an Art Festival that runs throughout the summer months to include a diverse platform to express art in all mediums. Concerts, dance, theatre, and cinema as well as unique art exhibits are organized all over the island to illuminate significant monuments and landmarks. I personally would like to experience the cinema viewing over the sea during the full moon!
If you are an art enthusiast, you will be enthralled by all the galleries on the island. I think of them as eye candy displayed in all the colours of a rainbow.
Here are some of the best:
HOFA – House of Fine Art, located in the heart of Mykonos village of Chora. They showcase some of the most established contemporary artists around the world, and they are the first gallery to offer sales in cryptocurrency.
Rarity Gallery has been open since 1995. You can find the works of well-known and to be discovered artists in a variety of mediums. This gallery is housed inside a 200m2 Manor with over 80 exhibits in Chora.
Dia Horia has a residency program and a gem of a rooftop bar to help support these artists. This unique gallery expands over 3 floors and changes its exhibits monthly. As with many of the galleries in Mykonos, the focus is on contemporary art.
Eden Fine Art Gallery
Located in the posh Nammos shopping village at Psarou Beach. It is a stunning 4000 sq ft. gallery plus a 2000 sq ft. outdoor space that is creatively curated and picture ready.
There are many more galleries to discover while in Mykonos, the talent on display is incredible. We enjoyed a look, do not touch mentality. Some of the prices might blow your socks off!
Little Venice
Little Venice is a picturesque neighbourhood in Mykonos village with the famous fishing homes turned into cafés and restaurants that provide that perfect location to take in the view of the sea and the windmills off in the distance.
Katerina’s Restaurant
Katerina’s Restaurant is a favourite for Greek Mediterranean dishes with an emphasis on seafood and shaking up stellar cocktails. The martinis are amazing, especially the espresso Martini. If you can, try for the balcony on the 2nd floor. Because of its popularity, it is always a good idea to book a reservation.
The narrow pedestrian streets are fun to explore, the only vehicles to be seen are little mopeds and tiny narrow trucks that bring in supplies to the local stores and restaurants.
Panagia Paraportiani Church
This is also the location of the Panagia Paraportiani Church (Our Lady of the Side Gate). This iconic Cycladic monument dates way back to the 1400s.
Windmills
These 5 windmills are a landmark of Mykonos that stand along the shore in the Kato Miloi area, right next to Little Venice. Mykonos tends to be very windy, which made for the perfect location for these windmills to grind the wheat for the locals and to supply neighbouring areas. Some of the windmills have been transformed into guest suites that can be rented out by the night.
Activities for All
Mykonos has a lot to offer besides shopping and sunbathing. Because of its windy nature, people are drawn to the island to windsurf and kitesurf. As far as these go, Kalafatis and Korfos Beach are where it’s at. This holistic island offers Yoga and meditation as well as Pilates and paddleboarding classes. You can cycle in the mornings and snorkel in the afternoons. Other attractions include jeep tours around the island and ATV excursions.
Seaside Hike, Beach to Beach
Mykonos is known for having some of the most appealing beaches in all of Greece. Some of them are close together and can be reached by a trail that goes along the sea. We decided to check out a few of them one day, starting at Psarou Beach. As our cab driver dropped us off, he asked if we had been there before and when we said “no”, he clenched his fist and said, “Be careful, it’s so expensive here, they really grab you by the ass”. We quickly found this to be a true statement. Although being the shoulder season, they had lunch and drink specials that we took advantage of. Psarou Beach has upscale restaurants, art galleries and a luxury shopping area.
From there we hiked to Platis Gialos Beach. This is a large beach with a lot of hotels right on the water. We saw many families there and it seemed like a peaceful place to rent a parasol and lounge the day away. You can also catch water taxis to other beaches from here.
The next one we arrived at was Agia Anna Beach 1 (not to be confused with the other Agia Anna Beach on the other side of the island). We had a look at the many waterfront restaurants and decided to return at the end of the day to have dinner and watch the sunset. This felt like a quiet romantic area. We ate at Nikolas Taverna, which we highly recommend!
Next was Paraga Beach. You can take a direct bus here from Chora. This area has a few highly regarded beach clubs! We spent an evening at Scorpio, and I’ll get more into that later. It is a smaller beach with a nude section off to one side.
From there, it was just a short walk to Paradise Beach. We were there in the afternoon and the party had already started! The DJs were playing, and groups of people were enjoying the 2-for-1 cocktails and dancing on tables! This is where many of the music festivals and large parties happen. The sand and water are perfect for swimming.
The next Beach over is Super Paradise Beach, it has fewer beach clubs and is less rowdy. It seems to attract more couples. Just like Paradise Beach, it can be crowded in the summer months. Renting loungers on the beach can be expensive. There is a set price for the day that might include a minimum amount you need to spend. We never paid more than 30 euros, but that was at the end of September.
This was the last beach on our hike and the last that was easily accessible on the trail.
** I must mention Kalo Livadi Beach. It is one of the largest beaches and is very family-friendly. The water is beautiful, and you can walk out a far way before it gets deep. Also, my curiosity peaked when I saw that a reality show with Lindsay Lohan was filmed there. The show itself wasn’t anything special, but I enjoyed seeing parts of Mykonos that we missed and learned that this is the place where Lohan Beach Club which she is part owner, is located.
Armenistis Lighthouse
This fully functioning lighthouse safely guides boats along the coastline and provides one of the most beautiful vantage points on the island. It is located on the northwestern part of the island, 6 km from Chora. Many people make a point to stop here if they have rented a car, or ATV or are cycling around the island, but there are many adventure tours that will take you there as well.
Ornos Village
Ornos is popular with the locals because it is 4 km away from the busyness of Chora. We stayed for a few nights here and enjoyed walking through the village, checking out the tavernas and shops and eating traditional Greek dishes. Ornos Beach and its proximity to some of the other beaches is another bonus!
Delos Island
As I mentioned earlier, the story of this island is what drew people to Mykonos and is the reason Mykonos is on the map today. Only caretakers of the island are permitted to stay overnight, but they allow people to take boats over for the day to explore what is deemed to be the most important archeological sites in Greece. You can visit this mystical place where Leto and Zeus’s children Apollo- God of Daylight, and Artemis- The Moon Goddess were born. If you have an interest in Greek mythology, the stories and history of the island make the trip worthwhile. You can catch a boat there from The Old Port or Ornos Village.
Outdoor Cinema
We didn’t get a chance to do this in Mykonos but had similar experiences in Santorini and Athens, and it was one of our favourite things to do on an evening you just want to chill. Just a short walk from the shoreline in little Venice is Cine Manto Mykonos. This is an experience that they offer through the summer months. You can stroll through the gardens, eat dinner al fresco and sit under the stars while watching a movie on the big screen.
Music, Food and Cocktails
I’m excited to share our Best-Loved places in Mykonos:
Attica Bakeries (Kaminaki St.)
Oh yes, yes, and yes! This is how to start your day off right! They have an endless selection of savoury and sweet pastries, crepes and sandwiches, coffee, and juice. Honestly, this is the only place you need to go for breakfast. Save your money for dinners and cocktails and enjoy the high-quality goods here that won’t break the bank!
Gyros
A Gyro a day will keep the doctor away… or at least that’s what we said while heading to grab ourselves our favourite to-go scrumptious lunch meal for a deal! You can get them all over the island with a beer included for under 5 euros. We found Sakis traditional Grill house on our second day and it was so good, we kept going back!
180 Sunset Bar
Our absolute number one would be the 180 Cocktail Bar. Our waiter that we chatted up one morning at breakfast said it was his favourite spot for sunsets. We got a cab up there and walked back down the hill at the end of the evening… you could walk up, but it was hot that day and I had put some effort into my appearance and didn’t want to show up a sweaty mess. This place is a bohemian paradise. The style is Moroccan, with little copper and wood tables and textile rugs and pillows to sit and take in the views. We didn’t book ahead, so we were lucky to be given a spot on the steps along the sunken viewing deck. They had a DJ playing up front with the view of the town and the Sea in behind. We nibbled on tasty appies and sipped on some well-crafted cocktails with the freshest ingredients. We were happy with our seating because it allowed us to meet some fantastic couples sitting next to us, which made the experience more memorable.
Scorpios Mykonos
This place is next-level cool, listen to unique music and witness the sunsets. A major lure of the island is the music and the rituals that go along with it, and Scorpios is leading that march, with innovative music and artists that come to perform and record from all over the world. They have a music festival at the beginning of June that takes place on their beach and across the way on Delos Island. The music is the draw, but the food and drinks are all next level. Look at this as a special experience and expect to spend some money here.
Hippie Fish
This was another place recommended to us by a local. It’s on Agios Loannis Beach, just a short distance from where we were staying in Ornos. We went for lunch and spent an afternoon on the beach. I loved the earthy design, using natural linens, driftwood, stone, wicker chairs and lamps, live edge tables and wooden dishes. It was a laid-back atmosphere where we felt welcomed and well taken care of. The food was really good and nicely presented.
Compass Restaurant
This seaside restaurant is in Tourlos, close to the New Port in Mykonos. Our vacation home was in close proximity, but what drew us in was the view and the name. I have a compass tattoo on my arm, so I felt a little connection. There was also a chair and suitcase set up outside in a cool and mysterious way that further drew us in. The food was incredible and decently priced. It was the first place we ate after arriving to Greece and taking a 3hr nap, so we were ready to inhale a few courses! We started with hummus, fried anchovies and Octopus and then had risotto and kebobs for the main course. I had to stop myself there, but Ty had the cheesecake which he equally enjoyed. We were stuffed after that, so the 20 minute walk into Chora, did us good.
Nickolas Tavern
This felt like a more traditional restaurant with attentive service. Located at Agia Anna Beach. They had a three-course dinner special for two that included a bottle of wine for under 50 euros. It started with a Greek salad with a colossal-sized chunk of feta on top, then we were served moussaka and a fish dish, and we were given baklava for dessert. In the end, the waiter brought us complimentary shots of Mastika which he said is to help with digestion. This was probably the cheapest dinner meal we had our whole time in Mykonos.
Jackie O’ Town Bar
This is a fun spot right along the waterfront by the Old Port in Mykonos town. Come for a cocktail during sunset or stay for a good time and dance into the night. They’re most known for their regular drag shows that are sure to put a smile on your face!
Scandinavian Bar
I don’t believe anyone comes to Mykonos without spending a night at The Scandinavian Bar. It isn’t the nicest one on the island for sure, but it is unpretentious and is a great place to get down to funky town no matter what your age is! It is spread over 2 floors and has a courtyard and three bars with experienced bartenders that can sling a drink in record time!
We chose Mykonos for being well-known in the music industry, they put so much emphasis on music being a part of their everyday life, we even saw a DJ playing in a local deli market! Heck ya!
We were also drawn in by the atmosphere created by some of the most talented designers in the industry, I always got excited each time we entered a new restaurant or beach house because I knew the design would be inspirational… and those iconic white and blue Cycladic buildings, they are quintessential to Mykonos! If these are things that appeal to you, you won’t be disappointed.
If we had stayed longer, we really would have enjoyed booking a sunset cruise on a catamaran. We did this in Santorini, and it is such a lovely way to see the island and all its coves from the sea. Most of them include your meal and drinks as well.
Also, if you have the time, check out Mykonos Brewing Company. They make barrel-aged beer in small batches that are refreshing and unique.
Another lovely way to spend an afternoon is to take a winery tour and visit some of the vineyards, this is a great way to learn more about the island and get to hear about how wine is made in Mykonos.
** Hopefully you read this before you go… don’t get stuck having to pay for bread and water in restaurants! They make a killing off this! They will just put it on your table, and you will see the charge on your bill. Just simply say no thank you (unless you want it of course). Water is sold at local stores and markets at a very low cost, save yourself your hard-earned money, and just grab water before or after eating out.
**Something to keep in mind, is that Mykonos does not run on a pedestrian ‘has the right of way’ mentality, it’s more like a ‘get out of the way’ mentality! There were a few times we were walking into town and had to quickly jump out of the way and take cover! lol
** Usually in most European countries, I find myself trying to avoid the washrooms because they can be undesirable, but in Mykonos, many are so well-designed, I found myself excited to see them!
** Here kitty kitty…. cats are everywhere on the island, maybe not as many as we saw on Santorini, but lots for sure. I’m not sure how it all started, but many of them are homeless and because they are rarely spayed or neutered, they just keep multiplying. Many of the townspeople will leave dishes with food outside to help the furry guys out.
**One last thing… something that took a few days to get used to, was that you are NOT to put anything in the toilet besides what naturally comes from your body. That means NO toilet paper and NO feminine products. Strange for many of us to wrap our heads around, but their systems simply cannot handle it.
Hope you enjoy Mykonos as much as we did!
Thanx for stopping by!
Check these out for other places to see in Greece..
