Hey friends!! It’s been a while but I have lots to share 🙂 . I hope you’ve been well through the spring season! Spring here in Germany is always very slow to turn from winter, which is why I was so excited to finally get back to one of my favorite locals, Mykonos Greece to celebrate my birthday in style!
This was our third trip to Mykonos! Dave and I have spent my 25th, 28th, and now 31st birthdays there. If you’re living in Europe and want beach weather at the end of May, Greece really is your best bet. This year I needed every ounce of sun and relaxation since the month of May was cold, grey, and not above 60 degrees, and Mykonos was just what I needed! We had weather of the mid 70s and sunny every day, perfect weather to soak up some vitamin D. The gorgeous blue waters, new beaches at our fingertips, fresh food, and laid back attitude are literally my perfect vacation. Come see what I mean!
Why Mykonos
It’s no secret Mykonos is one of my favorite islands and summer destinations. I still need to explore other Greek islands, but to be honest Mykonos has everything I’m looking for so I just haven’t had the urge to leave! If you like waking up to explore a new mind-blowingly beautiful beach each day via your vespa or 4-wheeler, posh sea-side restaurants, a beautiful Grecian downtown with the classic blue and white buildings, gorgeous sunsets, and hip bars and restaurants, then Mykonos is your place. You can make it as relaxing… or posh… or wild… as you want. I just love the feeling of adventure riding on the moped each day and having the whole island as our playground. You can reach everywhere within 15-25 minutes by moped!
Head to Santorini if you’re looking for the romantic views and lounging in your hotel’s infinity pool… and any of the other Greek islands if you’re looking for a low key, relaxing and less expensive holiday. But if you like adventure and stunning beaches and settings, come to Mykonos!
Getting There
There are two ways to get to Mykonos: fly into Athens and take a 5 hour ferry to Mykonos, or fly into Mykonos’ small airport. Ryanair now flies direct Frankfurt to Mykonos which is really convenient, but if you have the extra day to spend, I really love the Athens ferry via Blue Star. The ferries leave early in the morning so you’d have to overnight in Athens, but it gives you time to explore the Acropolis, ancient agora, chill out overlooking Monastiraki Square, and enjoy some incredible alfresco dining. Then hop on the ferry and enjoy your cruise through the Aegean Sea!
You might even pick up some travel inspiration for your next Greek island adventure!
Getting Around
My number one recommendation for Mykonos is to rent a vespa or 4-wheeler, so you can explore the island as you please! The island is small and you can get just about anywhere in about 15-25 minutes. The freedom of buzzing through the island hills and the breeze whipping through your hair is *almost* my favorite part of staying in Mykonos 😉
Beaches
There are no shortage of stunning beaches on this island. Here’s a roundup of my personal favorites! Beach bed prices are what we have seen late May and early June, I can’t speak to prices in July / August but this is to give you an idea and help you plan!
Ornos Beach
This might be my favorite beach in Mykonos. It is gorgeous with a good crowd, and nice music and beds without being too pretentious. The beach is surrounded by jettis on either side, and the water is a true blue color. The area in front of Kuzinos is our favorite – but save dining in the restaurant for the night when it truly shines! By day you can order fun cocktails and eat off their sushi menu. A front row double bed for two is 36€.
Agia Anna Beach
Located on the south east of the island. To get to this smaller beach, follow signs for Kalafati, and its just before on the right. It feels a little hidden and no less beautiful. Also the location of the stunning cliffside Spilia Restaurant – perfect for a nice lunch. Expect beds and umbrella at 40€ for two.
Super Paradise Beach
Super Paradise is just stunning. The water is the perfect crystal clear water that I just can’t get over. There are two sides to the beach – on the left you have the Super Paradise beach club that I loved in my twenties and gets to be pretty fun as the sun goes down. Then in the middle of the beach is more low key and chilled service and chairs. To the right is Jackie O’s beach club, which is what I loved now as a 31 year old 🙂 . Jackie O’s is more posh – and the vibe is just nice! You can lay out on the beach beds, climb the rocks in front of the sea, or hang out by the pool carved into the cliffside. Their restaurant is sublime, with the most perfect view over the sea. One of my favorites! Beds and umbrella at Jackie O’s 80€ for two.
Paradise Beach
A Mykonos classic. Another beach I loved in my 20s 🙂 This is definitely the party beach so if you aren’t looking for that there are plenty of other places to go! They have the infamous VJ on the beach getting everybody hyped and cracking jokes. True story, when I was 25 I danced for HOURS up on the stage with the other girls, and Dave called me the dance commander – haha!
Platis Gialos Beach
This beach is a bit more family friendly than uber posh, but some days you may just want to relax. There beach is lined with different restuarants serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner so there are plenty of options for food. Each restaurant has their own set of beds on the beach. I recommend walking all the way down to the end to Branco Mykonos for a nice relaxed ambiance. Another restaurant serving good food is Yialo Yialo. Beds run at 20€ for two.
One nice thing if you do stay here, there are boats that run regularly between Platis Gialos and Super Paradise beach if you’d rather reach the beach by sea. You can also do watersports here like banana boat. We stayed in a studio apartment a 3 min walk to Platis Gialos for my 25th and 28th birthdays!
Panormos Beach
While the south of the island gets most of the action, this northern beach is really beautiful. There is Principote here, a posh beach club with beds and a restaurant. Beds for two run 100€.
Chora – Mykonos Town
Don’t miss a few nights out in Mykonos town! I recommend spending your day basking in the sun at one of the beaches above, heading back home to shower and get ready, then head to Chora (Mykonos Town) before sunset. Park your vespa near the Mykonos windmills and snap a few pictures just before the sun sets. There is a wonderful spot to get panoramic views of the town sitting on the ledge just in front of the windmills!
From there, walk to the row of cute Grecian houses right against the water, called Little Venice to watch the sunset over a cocktail with your gang. The sun sets over the water, illuminating the water and the white houses in a golden glow.
Once the sun has set, head into town and shop as you please – the shops usually stay open late until at least 22:00 or 10pm! There are a bunch of pretty stores selling jewelery, woven bags, leather sandals, and of course pretty beach cover ups and dresses.
On the opposite side of Little Venice is port area – it is beautiful (especially at dusk) and lined with restaurants to get dinner or a drink looking out to the beautiful sea.
Where to Dine
Mykonos has such a variety – from super posh cliffside restaurants to take-away doner kebaps and crepes in town. You definitely need to eat a few dinners in Chora and I recommend one on the water as well! I’ve listed out my favorites that we have been to, but there is good food all over the island!
Kuzina, Ornos Beach
Kuzina is simply my favorite dinner spot in the world. It sits on the beach and the all-whte restaurant glows in candle light galore, from the minute you step onto the candle light beach pathway leading to the restaurant. The open air restaurant looks out to Ornos beach and the greek houses sitting on both peninsulas are light up in the eveining, making your surroundings almost sparkle.
The menu is solid, wine will flow, and you’ll look at each other thinking how lucky you are. After dinner, Dave and I always walk out of the restaurant (like 10 steps) to dance on the beach to the sweet restaurant music. The first time we ever came here, I was 24 turning 25 (a baby!!!), Dave and I walked out on the beach boardwalk to the magical scene in front of us, we danced, we kissed, and I shed a few tears! It was just too magical and perfect – I truly felt like I was living a beautiful dream. I told you… romantic sap! But regardless: go here for dinner!!!
Jackie O’, Super Paradise Beach
We ate at Jackie O‘ this year for my birthday lunch and tbh I was blown away. Not only is the view absolutely stunning, the food was unexpectedly fresh and so amazing. Later Dave read that the chef won an award for best new chef and I say it is 100% earned!
We shared a watermelon, feta, avocado, and cilantro salad to start, then I had some turkey meatballs with mint that came with tons of beets (my favorite), and Dave had a tuna steak. Since it was my birthday we decided to go for dessert and it might have been my favorite course: pineapple ‘ceviche’ with homemade cinnamon ice cream. Everything we ate here was super fresh and paired so well together. The best surprise was when they brought out our dessert, they cut into the music playing throughout their whole beach club to a ‘happy birthday’ song, just for me! I was so shocked and happy! It’s the small things. 🙂
Spilia Restaurant, Agia Anna Beach
Spilia restaurant really is something else – it is carved into a steep cliff and sits ON the water! Getting to the restaurant via the cliffside path is almost as fun as eating there! We ordered the sun dried octopus to start and later saw them actually hanging out on the line getting sun-dried! Talk about fresh! Next up I had a seafood pasta dish and David the fish. The scene here is just top notch, highly recommend for lunch! I think it would be beatiful in the evening as well.
Mamalouka, Chora
Walking into town from Little Venice you’ll come across Mamalouka, a gorgeous open air restaurant in Chora covered in Bougainvillea and all types of greenery. It is so dreamy! Dining under the trees here is my favorite. Their menu is pretty extensive, but don’t skip the orange cinnamon cake for dessert!
Lotus, Chora
Lotus feels like the it scene and I loved the decor here. Another garden type restaurant with greenery above you against some chic black lights, the atmosphere is awesome. Good cocktails, good food, posh setting. Can’t ask for more!
Lucky Fish, Chora
I adore Lucky Fish! Sit on the porch or at a table on the street, it feels very modern-classic. We really enjoyed our meal here. I can recommend the squid ink risotto with beets, seasbass, and the scallops dish. Shared over a nice white wine, it’s a perfect spot for a lovely night!
There’s so many great spots in Mykonos! What are your favorites?
xx