Dreamy views of the Aegean Sea, white-washed towns, and trendy nightlife make Mykonos one of the most popular Greek Islands. There’s no shortage of things to do here – between exploring the beautiful town, relaxing at a beach club, or dancing the night away, you’ll always have something to do. Here’s my guide to visiting Mykonos!
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Know Before You Go
When to Go: Weather in Greece is best from May-October. I recommend going in shoulder season (May or September-October) to miss the heavy summer crowds. Many businesses/restaurants on the Greek Islands close down during the winter.
Currency:The euro (many business accept US credit/debit cards).
Language: Greek, but most everyone we met on the island speaks very good English as well.
Power:Type C and F plugs. I got my power adaptor here.
Getting There and Getting Around
There are two ways to get to Mykonos: by air or by ferry. Flights are quicker (and in my opinion-easier), but ferries are more affordable. The ferry ports can be a bit confusing, especially on the larger busier islands. Get there early enough to get your bearings and get your tickets printed.
Hands down, the best way to get around the island is on ATV. We rented an ATV for our entire stay, and it was the best decision ever. Mykonos is NOT a walkable island. There are plenty of rental car options as well if you choose to go that route, but you’ll have much more fun on an ATV.
Where To Stay
The two best areas in stay in Mykonos are Mykonos Town and Platis Gialos. Mykonos Town is home to the famous white-washed streets and many of the best restaurants in Mykonos are here. In Platis Gialos you will find beautiful beach clubs and scenic views. We stayed at Votsalaki Resort in Platis Gialos.
Cavo Tagoo
If you’re looking for an unforgettable luxury experience in Mykonos, look no further than Cavo Tagoo. This is one of the most breaktaking resorts I’ve ever seen. Many of the room options have their own private plunge pool, and all rooms have stunning views of the Aegean Sea. A room here will run you about 1000-2500€ per night.
Votsalaki Resort
We actually found and booked Votsalaki Boutique Resort through Airbnb. We had an amazing time here! The infinity pool is incredible, the breakfast was FANTASTIC, and our view was beautiful. The service here is wonderful and the conceirge was so helpful with setting up airport/ferry transfers and ATV rental. For our full post on Votsalaki Resort, click here.
Airbnb
Since the Greek Islands are full of luxury boutique hotels, budget options can be few and far between. There are tons of Airbnbs on the island, ranging from budget to luxury, but you’re much more likely to find affordable options here.
This is kind of a given if you’re visiting Mykonos – but you can’t miss these beautiful whitewashed streets. There are so many stunning alleys and buildings, so make sure you explore every nook and cranny! Here’s some of the things to see in Mykonos Town:
1. The Mykonos Windmills
2. Boni's Windmill
Boni’s Windmill is a lesser known windmill with an incredible panoramic view of Mykonos. Since it’s not yet an insta-famous spot, you might even get the whole site to yourself.
3. Church of Panagia Paraportiani
This church is one of the most photographed in the world. Even if you don’t get a photo here, don’t miss its beautiful architecture.
Have Drinks in Little Venice
Little Venice is situated right on the waterfront of Mykonos Town, and it’s easy to see why it earned its name. The view from the strip boasts a stunning sunset view, so grab a seat at one of the cocktail bars and watch the sun paint the sky.
Best cocktail bars in Little Venice: Gryparis (our favorite), Negrita, Caprice, Bao’s
Relax at a Beach Club
Scorpios
Scorpios is a luxury bohemian beach club located in Platis Gialos. Reserve a daybed or cabana and spend the day here drinking creative cocktails and enjoying the beautiful uninterrupted view of the sea.
TIP: Make sure you make a reservation here in advance!
Branco Mykonos
Branco Mykonos is actually a luxury hotel, but it offers one of the best beach clubs on the island. The bohemian-luxe decor, upbeat music, and delicious drinks will have you feeling euphoric. The service here is unparalleled – best service we had during our time in the Greek islands!
TIP: Make sure you reserve your sunbeds ahead of time.
Explore the Island on an ATV
Renting an ATV is an absolute must in Mykonos! Not only is it the best way to get around the island, but it’s also SO much fun. We rented our ATV for about 70€ per day, and we definitely got our money’s worth! Pick a day to go explore different parts of the island – I promise you’ll find a million beautiful views on the way!
Eat and Drink
Byblos
Byblos is a Peruvian-Japanese inspired restaurant in the heart of Mykonos Town. When you get tired of Greek food – give Byblos a go! The food here was delicious and everything was so beautifully plated. The dark, romantic atomosphere makes this a perfect date night spot!
TIP: Order the namelaka dulcey for dessert. It’s mouthwatering!
Raya
Situated right on the waterfront of Mykonos Town, Raya is the ideal location for dinner with a view. They offer a wide variety of different food, including fresh seafood, pastas, and traditional greek cuisine.
Kastro's
Nestled in Little Venice with views of the water and the windmills, Kastro’s is a quite popular spot to visit in Mykonos. They serve traditional greek food and unique cocktails. I would recommend making a reservation here as it’s a small restaurant and it fills up!
Pepper
If you’re looking for a quick pit stop for souvlaki (or even a burger), Pepper is a great choice. Pepper is a family-owned restaurant in the heart of Mykonos Town.
Jimmy's Gyros
This list wouldn’t be complete without a hole-in-the-wall gyro stand. There’s gyro spots sprinkled all throughout Mykonos Town but the chicken gyro from Jimmy’s won our hearts. Mykonos can get pretty expensive, so take advantage to save some cash and grab a 6€ gyro from Jimmy’s!
Nightlife
Mykonos is known for its vibrant nightlife. Here’s some of the most popular spots for party-goers:
Tropicana Beach Club: A chill beach club during the day turned club at 4pm. If you’re looking for the best of both worlds, Tropicana is the spot for you!
Super Paradise Beach: If you’re looking for a daytime party, Super Paradise is for you. While many of the other clubs in Mykonos feature a relaxed vibe during the day, Super Paradise starts winding up in the late afternoon and winds down earlier in the night as partygoers move on to the late-night spots.
Cavo Paradiso: Featuring popular international DJs and partying well into sunrise, Cavo Paradiso is the spot for those looking for an all-night party. Things usually get started here around 1am, and finish up with partygoers hanging out cliff-side watching the sunrise.
Paradise Beach Club: Not to be confused with Super Paradise Beach, this mega club is one of the most notorious in Mykonos. It features big name DJs and gets pretty wild (and pretty busy).