Mykonos is a spectacular island with lots to do, great food, places to party, and stunning sunsets. We loved wandering the streets of Mykonos Town getting a little lost in all the bright pops of colour but we were there to celebrate my sister’s birthday and Mykonos does not disappoint in that area.
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Mykonos Travel Guide
We arrived in Mykonos very early in the morning; so early that our hostel was not even open yet! Luckily, a little cafe, Comos, nearby was serving up fresh and delicious breakfast food. This place was so yummy we ate there more than once.
Tip: For anyone who hasn’t yet planned a trip through the greek islands, one of the biggest planning pain points by far is finding a ferry on the exact day you want to travel. In fact, you will absolutely need to be a bit flexible or creative about it to see all the islands you want to.
Flight or Ferry?
One thing we found was that choosing a flight (Aegean Air) to Mykonos early in the morning was nearly the same as a ferry ticket and ultimately saved us a few hours travel time. No matter how you travel, keeping your options open definitely makes for a smoother planning process.
Where to Stay in Mykonos
We loved our hostel, Orpheas Rooms. It was so quaint and Dimitra, our host/concierge, was friendly and helpful. She gave great advice about the island, what beaches to visit depending on the vibe you are looking for, places to eat and where to catch a great sunset. We have stayed at many 5-star hotels around the world and Dimitra is still one of the most helpful, knowledgable, and friendly hotel members we’ve encountered!
Mykonos Beaches
The beaches in Mykonos each offer something unique from family friendly to full-on party both day and night. We opted for somewhere in the middle because we are not in our early twenties any more (as much as we wish) but we also didn’t want to be too far from the action. We heard from fellow travellers before we left that Paraga Beach, and Super Paradise Beach offered up some pristine views that would not disappoint.
We quickly learned that you should come to the beach prepared to spend money just for a sun bed that increases in price the closer you get to the water (we literally laughed out loud when the first place we stopped at told us their prices). If you don’t want to break the bank, bring a beach blanket and set up a little further back from the sea to save your hard earned money for drinks.
To Splurge or not to Splurge?
Personally, when it comes to renting a sun bed I feel torn somewhere between “treat yo self” and wanting to channel my inner penny pincher (to have more money to spend on cocktails, of course). Ultimately we chose to pay for the sun bed purely for the service and convenience. After all, when on vacation who doesn’t want someone else bringing you your drinks while you work on a tan!
Exploring Mykonos Town
When we weren’t enjoying the beautiful beaches we took time to explore Mykonos Town. The iconic windmills and old port are not to be missed, of course, but just taking a stroll down the narrow streets (maybe letting yourself get a little lost) is SO worth it.
The streets are stunning with their cobblestone and all the white buildings trimmed in that trademark Greek-Island-Blue and spotted with beautiful blossoms on the trees. Literally every corner you turn down is breathtaking.
Where to Eat in Mykonos
We loved every place we went to eat but there were a few very noteworthy places we can’t stop talking about. The first is Niko’s Taverna, where I had the most amazing lobster pasta (not kidding – half an entire lobster was in there). We sat outside on their terrace enjoying the city and sun while eating this wonderfully fresh meal.
Of course, there is also Cosmos Cafe that I already mentioned. We ate breakfast and sipped cappuccinos on their patio almost every morning.
Best Cocktails in Mykonos
Anyone who knows my sister and I can confirm the fact that we are in constant pursuit of an instagram-able cocktail (we can usually tempt Mark to tag along if there is a beer or a good scotch involved). Aside from cocktails on the beach, Mykonos Town has many places with a great atmosphere to enjoy a yummy cocktail or a glass of wine and the sunset.
Katerina's Mykonos
We stumbled upon a place, Katerina’s, where even though the main bar was full they happily sat us on an upstairs balcony and served us drinks. Their service was great and we ended up with a private sunset viewing in the owner’s house adjacent to the bar!
Alley Cocktail Bar Mykonos
If you are looking for a well made cocktail check out Alley Cocktail Bar. This little spot is tucked away on the winding streets in Mykonos town and they serve some delicious concoctions. They have a good size menu and the bar tenders do a great job of matching your cocktail preferences to a drink that will tickle your taste buds. And the black lights and fish tanks make for a real under the sea vibe.
180 Sunset Bar Mykonos
What makes any cocktail even better is a spectacular view. Enter 180 Sunset Bar where you can sip cocktails or bubbles while watching the sunset over the old port. If you are feeling particularly adventurous (or crazy like us) you can walk there from Mykonos Town. A 20-ish minute walk taking your life in your hands as cars whip by and you sweat in the early evening air will get you there.
We also recommend getting directions to the 180 Sunset Bar from your hotel or a local as it can be tricky to navigate the winding roads. Better yet, you can learn from us and pay for a cab!
Leaving Mykonos
Since we flew from Athens to Mykonos we decided to ferry to Santorini so we could experience both ways of getting from island to island (be sure to check which port your ferry leaves from as there are two in Mykonos).
Another Tip: booking an early morning ferry may be beneficial as I have heard a lot that these ferries are regularly late or delayed in some way.
Mykonos was such a beautiful island to explore. I am so glad we finally had an opportunity to see it and given the chance we will definitely be back one day!
If you have questions, drop us a line at i[email protected] or comment below. We would love to hear from you and help where we can as you plan for an adventure in Mykonos. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for our Monthly Travel Tips and notifications about new posts!
