Visit Mykonos

I think Mykonos island doesn’t need a lot of introduction because its popularity speak for itself. But, what if I tell you it’s only marketing and there are other islands, less known, even more beautiful? In a nutshell, I am not trying to tell you to not go and visit Mykonos. Instead, I do suggest to read this article for a realistic feedback on Mykonos and plan your holiday accordingly.

I visited Mykonos in the last part of my three weeks holiday, so I had the chance to speak to many people about my itinerary. There wasn’t even one local that told me to go and visit Mykonos, but on contrary, they told me to not go. The reason was not that the island is not beautiful or doesn’t have anything to show, cause it does in a certain way.

So, the first thing you need to know is that are islands more beautiful than Mykonos and this is a certitude – Santorini or Elafonisos are only some examples. And the second thing is that Mykonos is very touristic. This means, if you’re looking for an authentic experience you won’t find one, as this is not real Greece – so don’t fool yourself! On the other side, if the reason you go it’s to party and go to the beach, you are in the right place!

Points of interest

Party beaches

If you’re thinking to go to Mykonos, your main reason is probably to have fun and party all night long. And indeed, this is what Mykonos is well known for. The most popular beach parties on the island are Paradise Beach, Super Paradise Beach and Paranga Beach. Are all placed in the South part of the island and quite close one to the other. From Paraga to Paradise you can walk, there is a shortcut that takes you there by foot in 10 minutes.

I stayed exactly near Paranga beach but I didn’t went to party there. Instead, I went to Paradise beach one night by curiosity. I need to say that I was dissapointed. As it was during the pandemic period, weren’t so many people. But even like this, the social distancing wasn’t trully respected. Also, when you’re in your 30s like myself, you just feel this party thing is simply not for you anymore. I was actually feeling like an old lady, sitting at my table, having my late dinner at 11pm, with an eye on those young people trying to have fun.

However, if you’re going with a group of friends I’m sure you’ll have fun. In the end, it’s the company that trully matters, and not the location.

Beaches

After the beach parties, the beaches are the second most hunted place in Mykonos. And for a good reason, there are not so many things to do on the island after all. Or, let me rephrase a bit, after a long night everybody needs a place to relax and regain the power for the upcoming white night.

Kalo Livadi beach is located 10km away from Mykonos city, so it’s easy to be reached. The area is well equipped, with a big part of the beach offering sunbeds and umbrellas, and a small area left for towels. There are no shops or restaurants around, so you better take some snacks with you before going.

As I had the accommodation near Paranga beach, of course I did paid a visit. It is nice and well equipped, and there is a restaurant and a shop nearby too. It can also be accessible from the town by public bus.

With around 15 beaches around the island, there are many optios to chose from. However, remember that 90% of them are located in the South-West part of the island. One thing I didn’t liked is that when you enter into the water it suddently goes very deep and the waves are also very powerfull. Is not precisely a relaxing athmosphere you can have.

Mykonos City

Mykonos’s Streets

If there is one thing that I trully liked in Mykonos and the main reason I would recommend someone to stop by, it’s for Mykonos City’s streets. I think is the most beautiful place to take photos. Each corner and each street is amazingly beautiful, coloured in white and blue, green, red – an image you cannot forget.

Windmills

Even if not anymore in use, the windmills are today the symbol of the island. Look at the postcards and the souvenirs around and you will agree with me.

Little Venice

This neighbourhood with narrow streets hosts many shops, bars and restaurants. The best spot to capture the sunset, is to grab a sit at one of the restaurants located near the waterfront. If you stay to close to the water, you may get some drops on you, but you can have a nicer view. I let you take the right decision.

Sunset

If you can till here, for sure you cannot miss the sunset view from Mykonos city. Even if you want to grab a place in one of the Little Venice’s restaurants, sit on the beach or near the windmills, there is place for everybody to create unique memories.

Port

The real port or the new port how it is called, it is a few km far from the city. However, even in Mykonos city you can walk near the old port, but don’t expect to see many boats. It is more a relaxing walking path to take while having the water close by.

Shopping

If you love shopping, then you have some nice shops to explore. Don’t expect to see LV or Gucci, but local producers and designers. If you like jewelleries, Mykonos is well known for the good quality and unique hadmade design. Happy shopping!

Paraportiani Orthodox Church

Apart from its position near the sea and a good spot for sunset, this church is the most photographed in Mykonos. It dates back to the 17th century and is more a complex of churches than a single one, as its made of a five joined churches.

Agios Nikolaos Church

This tiny church looks more like a chapel than a real church, because of its small dimensions. It looks even more charming from the outside because of its beautiful colours reflected in the water.

Folklor museum

This tiny museum is located near the seafront and is hosted in a private building since 18th century. Apart from the fact it is free to visit, you can really see some very interesting things like photographs, pottery, furniture, traditional clothes and so on.

Maritime museum

Located in the heart of the city, the museum hosts mainly ship models and related things to the maritime navigation like maps, documents, etc.

Ano Mera

If you go to the village of Ano Mera, the main reason is probably be to visit the Panagia Tourliani Monastery. This is the oldest in the Aegeans, dating back to 1580. Its iconostasis is simply beautiful, carved in Italian baroque style. But, the masterpiece is the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, the last one done by the Apostole Luke. It is said it has divine power, so don’t forget to pray!

Don’t forget to visit the museum upstairs as it is included in the entrance ticket price – around 3€. There are many religious objects to see dating back of hundreds of years ago.

Delos

As you are in Mykonos, you need to take a boat trip to the island of Delos. This tiny island 5 km long and 1.3 km wide, is one of the most important archaeological site of Greece. It used to be a huge religious center during the Ionians, when the island of Naxos nearby was a dominant power. During this time many buildings were erected like the Terrace of the Lions, House of the Naxians, the colossal statue of Apollo. At its best, the city had 30.000 inhabitants and it was an important commercial place. It was destroyed by the Mithridates, King of Pontus.

Apart from some remaining traces of the past like floor mosaics, the lions from the terrace, there is also a museum to see. When I went only a small part of it was open, the rest being under renovation. I hope you’ll see it all!

In terms of costs, you need to kow that a return ticket from Mykonos to Delos costs 20€. Also, once you arrive there, there is another entry ticket for the site of 12€. And if you want a guide tour – which you should had booked in advanced from the boot ticket office in Mykonos – add some extra 30€. A bit pricy but if it’s only once in life, why not?

Transportation

Personally, I reached Mykonos by ferry from Santorini, then I continued my journey towards Syros, also by ferry. A one way ticket cost me around 35€, but you can always check the latest deals on www.ferryscanner.com. If you buy them in advance are cheaper, and are getting more expensive a few days before the trip, and with a higher price on the day, so be careful!

I didn’t rent any transportation inside the island, so I did used the public buses. The tickets are quite decent, only 1.6-1.8€ one way. They cover quite well the entire island, or let’s say at least the main points. The only disadvantage is that you need to check the hours, as they are running once or twice per hour, and the working hours are also limited.

If you’re looking to explore remote places, then for sure you need a scooter, ATV or a car. Just take into account the island is not so big so maybe you can rent it for only a day for a tour instead of keeping it blocked for the rest of the trip. Also, if you want to really not worry about renting, you can always access a taxi – more expensive, but at least there is a option.

Accommodation

As you may guess, the accommodation in Mykonos is not cheap, but rather expensive especially if you’re planning to visit in high season. The good part is that are also cheap options for backpackers or solo travelers, called of course hostels! But, the options are very limited here too. There is a little hostel in Mykonos city called MyCocoon and a huge one outside the city, called Paraga Beach – where I stayed.

Paraga beach is a hostel and camping with a capacity around 800 people so it’s huge! As I was there in August 2020 during the pandemic period, I received a small wooden house of four people only for myself, which was great. The price per night was 32.5€, but even if it was a lot more than in Santorini, it was the cheapest option on the island. You also have some other advantages staying here like free transportation from/to the ferry/airport and having Paraga Beach and Paradise beach a few minutes away by foot. For party lovers, this is just perfect!

The end

That’s it from my side! I hope I did succeed to give you a overview of what a visit to Mykonos means in reality and what this island has to offer. If you’re not looking only to party, then go and explore other islands around, a lot more cheaper and at least as beautiful as Mykonos. But in the end, even when somebody is telling you is not worth in, is hard to believe, right? If this is how you feel, then you really need to go and explore the place in person.

Meanwhile, read more about Greece or other travel destinations here.

35 thoughts on “Visit Mykonos”

  2. canli tv says:

    This piece of writing offers clear idea in favor of the new viewers of blogging, that in fact how to do blogging and site-building. Garland Lamar Vizza

  4. sikis says:

    Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this article plus the rest of the site is extremely good. Liane Natal Celtic

  6. erotik says:

    Some truly great information, Glad I detected this. “They are able because they think they are able.” by Virgil. Fanchon Wiley Queena

  7. erotik says:

    I am in fact glad to glance at this weblog posts which consists of lots of helpful facts, thanks for providing these kinds of statistics. Christy Gabby Bodnar

  8. erotik says:

    Hi there! I just wish to give you a big thumbs up for your excellent info you have here on this post. I will be returning to your blog for more soon. Rochell Gawain Dash

  9. erotik says:

    Hi! I just want to offer you a big thumbs up for your great info you have here on this post. I am coming back to your blog for more soon. Fayette Base Popelka

  11. bahis says:

    Wonderful post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the great writing. Timmi Dilan Martijn

  14. yify says:

    You made certain nice points there. I did a search on the topic and found most folks will have the same opinion with your blog. Mag Andre Obel

  16. bedava says:

    Hi there, all the time i used to check webpage posts here early in the break of day, since i love to find out more and more. Enid Eamon Serg

  18. indir says:

    I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This piece of writing posted at this web site is genuinely fastidious. Tallou Marion Londoner

  20. yify says:

    For the reason that the admin of this website is working, no uncertainty very rapidly it will be well-known, due to its feature contents. Vivienne Julio Aaberg

  22. ucretsiz says:

    I was studying some of your content on this site and I believe this internet site is very informative! Retain putting up. Gunilla Northrup Germano

  25. free porn says:

    Wow, this piece of writing is nice, my sister is analyzing these kinds of things, therefore I am going to tell her. Lenore Christoper Fasano

  27. dublaj says:

    Some genuinely nice and utilitarian information on this internet site, also I conceive the style and design has superb features. Almira Ralph Carlock

  29. dublaj says:

    I will have to look up both of these authors. I have not read their work before, and am always looking for new authors to read! Thanks for sharing! Samara Saleem Sunderland

  30. yabanci says:

    Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular post! It is the little changes that produce the most important changes. Many thanks for sharing! Lyndell Tanny Arita

  32. altyazili says:

    Semelsatz hatte ich zuvor auch, aber mit Piwik kann ich mehrere beliebige Webseiten Monitoren. /usage ist gut um ne ganze Domain zu tracken, gibt aber bei Hetzner.de wohl nicht. Megen Biron Bollinger

  35. Lynell says:

    This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger.
    I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post.

    Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!

Comments are closed.