Sandy beaches spill into turquoise waters, thatched windmills punctuate the horizon and hundreds of pretty whitewashed villas pebbledash the town down to the coastline. It’s the stuff postcards are – literally – made of.
Understanding the Greek Island of Mykonos
Once, the main allure of Mykonos was to visit the ancient sites at the sacred isle of Delos nearby, and it’s certainly well worth a visit. However, Mykonos long ago took over as a luxury holiday destination of choice in this corner of the Aegean.
You’ll want to hire a car to whizz about the island and really make the most of it, as Mykonos has many of Greece’s very best beaches. Hop from the trendy Psarou beach where you can spot the beautiful people on parade, to the family-friendly Ornos Bay, teaming with eateries.
In the perfectly preserved old town, wander from a designer jewellery shop to an artisan market stall to a fabulous boutique, stopping for coffee, lunch and drinks at any of the chi-chi little tavernas, bars and cafes you pass. A spot of leisurely shopping gets no better than this on a luxury villa holiday.
For a more cultural gad about town, head inland for the old capital of Ano Mera to soak up some ancient Mykonian culture in its beautiful chapel and market square festooned with bougainvillaeas.
When to Visit
To see the island in full swing, visit in July or August but, be warned, it will be lively! We think the best time to go is either just before or just after the main tourist season, either in May or June when the days are warming up, or in September as the bulk of the tourists leave, but the sea is still warm enough to swim in all day.
The island remains open in October for those wanting to squeeze in one more European beach holiday, but do take a shawl or coat as the island’s nickname is ‘the island of the winds’ and its namesake is most evident at the end of the season.
What We Love About Mykonos
Spending the day at Agios Sostis, a simply stunning beach in the northwest of the island. Paddle in the clear waters and explore the tiny chapel, then eat barbecued seafood in Kiki’s restaurant while watching the sunset.
Getting There
There is an international airport on the island of Mykonos. Alternatively, you can fly into Athens and take the boat from Piraeus, the main port in Athens, which takes 2.5 hours.
The Best Places To Eat and Drink in Mykonos
The old town will leave you spoiled for choice. Lose yourself in the rabbit warren of tiny cobbled streets and alleyways in the old town. There’s a plethora of family-run restaurants and tavernas that you’ll never tire of exploring while on a luxury villa holiday in Mykonos.
For pre-dinner drinks or an evening out of your catered luxury villa, try the fresh fruit cocktails at Scarpa in Little Venice. Or for something very upmarket but just a little different, visit Astra Bar on Tria Pigadia Street, designed by distinguished jeweller, Minas, and boasting a ceiling with 2,500 lights depicting the constellations visible in the Northern Hemisphere’s night sky. We did say ‘different’!
For those looking for a hip dinner with the hum of house music in the background, Scorpios Beach Club has been taken under the wing of Soho House and serves divine seafood and steaks. As well as being the perfect spot for sunset, you can dance off your dinner until the early hours or embrace your post-dinner food coma in one of the linen hammocks or inviting cabanas. Be sure to book, as this is a hotspot on the island!
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