Mykonos Travel Guide

You’ll probably have heard about Mykonos, the party town with the relaxed vibe. You’ll have seen it on Pinterest, with its picturesque cobbled streets, white sugar cube homes with colourful doors and the crystal blue sea. You’ll have heard about it from many of the big bloggers who have frequented the island. 

And I’m here to say it’s every bit as perfect as you’d think it would be.

In need of a relaxing break, myself and a friend booked ourselves a holiday to the windy Greek Island at the end of September. It’s a quick 3 hour flight away with Easyjet and if you book early, the flight prices aren’t break the bank expensive.

Tourists flock here in peak times, from June to September, but locals will tell you the best time to visit is in September. The cool winds mean there’s usually not a cloud in sight and the sun is shining constantly. Which is dangerous for a pale person like myself, who thinks it isn’t that warm, when actually it is and then you burn.

It’s easy to get snap happy in Mykonos, as you meander through the maze that is the town (Chora), you can’t help but take a photo of everything you see, from windmills, to colourful balconies and doors, to the flower filled narrow streets, to the cats you see everywhere. The locals are beyond welcoming to those visiting and always offer a friendly face.

The only challenge with Mykonos is to not get lost. Although, it’s never a bad thing when you end up stumbling across a new part of the island you never knew existed. Just makes it a bit tricky to get home.

Where to stay

We stayed at the Andronikos Hotel for 5 days and wouldn't change a single thing. It was the perfect stay, with wonderful staff and great food and drinks. The view from the hotel was incredible, the sea sweeping past with the shoreline in sight. 

The pool was the perfect size for a swim and there are more than enough sunbeds, meaning you don't have to wake up super early to nab one. The lovely staff upgraded our room to a Cocoon room for the duration of the stay and it had picturesque views from the terrace. 

The Andronikos Hotel is just a short 10 minute walk away from the town, although at night it can feel longer! We rented an ATV on our last day it was the best choice we ever made!

What to see and do

Vioma Organic Farm and Vineyard
Set away from the busy town sits the only vineyard in Mykonos. The farm is organic, doesn't use any pesticides and produces some delicious wine (fully recommend the white wine). Many animals live on the farm, including the cutest little dachshund, a playful ginger cat who likes to steal seats and an adorable donkey.

It's a perfect retreat from the busy streets of the town. There's a variety of wines on offer to try and buy. We opted for a wine taster with a side of tzatziki and bread, because we essentially jumped at any chance to have tzatziki. The prices are great value and the bottles to buy are around 7 euros. You will need either to rent an ATV, car or get the bus to get to Vioma, but the beautiful vineyard is worth the journey.

Rent an ATV

Seriously... you won't regret it. 

They are cheaper than you may think (we rented ours for 15 euros for 7 hours), but make sure you rent from a reputable place. Remember to ask for a helmet, as they don't usually offer them. 

There is a reason why you see so many tourists and locals on them, because it makes getting around the town that much easier. It also means you can see more of Mykonos Island. 

Windmills
On our first day of getting to the island, we headed straight into Mykonos town for a wander around and to get our bearings. The Windmills are heard to miss when you arrive, the spines poking over the tops of the building.

They have one of the best photo vantage points in the whole island, with views over Little Venice and beyond. It makes for the perfect sunset spot and ultimate tourist trap/photo spot.

Churches
Dotted around the town, you will find countless beautiful churches. They are all privately owned but open to the public to view and give donations. Pop in each of them as they are all so different and pretty in their own way.

Little Venice

Just down from the windmills and directly on the coastline sits Little Venice. It is the curve of coastline that is littered with bars, restaurants and comfy seating, making it the perfect place to catch the sunset and an evening drink.

We popped into Semeli Bar a couple of evenings for cocktails and the prices tended to the be same all along Little Venice (around 10-12 euros a cocktail). Grab a seat, order a drink and settle down for the sunset and the odd bit of people watching.

Castle Panigirakis
For views of all of Mykonos town, head up to this little gem. It is often used for weddings and it is clear to see why when you get to the top. Unfortunately, on the day we drove up, the castle was closed due to a private event, but you can still catch a bit of the view even with the gates closed.  

Also worth a visit to: Rarity Gallery, the Old Port and Super Paradise Beach.

What to eat 

Gloria's Wood Bakery

For an authentic Greek bakery experience, head to this little hidden gem. I'd seen reviews on TripAdvisor before we left and many had said how great the food was. It definitely lived up to the reviews - I recommend the ham and cheese pastries. The pastry just melted in your mouth good and it's fairly priced too.

Trio Bambina

Nestled in the maze that is Mykonos town is this ice cream shop that sells crepes, waffles and a variety of ice cream flavours. After failing (and getting lost) to find the infamous I Scream, we found this place at a reasonable price for 2.90 euros for a massive scoop of ice cream in a cone. Sold. 

Highly recommend the Kinder Beuno flavour, because why wouldn't you want to try that? The waffles were piled sky high and looked delicious, and yes, if I had had the room, I would definitely have tried them.

Pepper

We stumbled across Pepper on our last day, trying to find some classic Greek food as a our last dinner out and this place delivered. It was the perfect Souvlaki meal, delicious food and in a great central location. And it came with a tzatziki dip, which was an added bonus.

Pasta Fresca Barkia

The ultimate stop for Italian food while you're in Mykonos. Made from fresh pasta, the portions are generous and the menu is even bigger! You could easily eat here every day and still have limitless options to choose from. 

The staff were welcoming, didn't rush you and bonus they give you free bread. Because that to me is a selling point right there.

Souvlaki Story

You know when you see photos on a menu, you order it (expecting the best) and it looks nothing like that photo? Well, this was the exact opposite. Packed to the absolute brim with meat and a delicious sauce, it looked better than the photos - it's a bargain price too!

The platters to share looked insane and oversized - more like oven trays stacked with food than a platter you'd get at your local Harvester. If you're looking for a food stop for lunch or dinner, get yourself down to Souvlaki Story.

Top tips for Mykonos

• Locals say September is the best time to visit. You'll miss the peak tourist season and still get all the best weather. Bonus is it won't be too hot to explore!
• Make sure to catch a sunset in Mykonos, recommended spots include: Little Venice, Bill and Coo, and Castle Panigirakis. 
• For a couple of days while you're there, rent an ATV or a car to see more of the island. Don't be tempted to stay within Mykonos Town, because there's so much more to see! 

If you're planning a trip to Mykonos any time soon, then I hope you can benefit from some of these tips to make your trip that little bit more special. If you've been to this lovely windy island before, what were some of the places that made the trip even better for you?