10 Top Tips For Visiting Magical Mykonos

Mykonos might be seen as the most glamorous island in Greece – think Ibiza meets St Tropez – but that doesn’t mean that a trip to Mykonos needs to break the bank. In fact, it’s incredibly easy to explore the magic of Mykonos and have the holiday of a lifetime, all without breaking your budget. All you need are these 10 simple tricks, to ensure your holiday is perfect:

CHOOSE YOUR VISIT WISELY

Mykonos is at its most popular from June to September, when the kids are on holiday and the Greek weather at its most scorching. However, this popularity is reflected in the prices with flights, accommodation and even restaurant prices all being hiked. To avoid this price rise, visit Mykonos outside peak season, such as April, May and October. During these months, the weather is still warm, indeed, the weather is actually more pleasant as you’ll be able to participate in activities without needing to rest every hour or so to escape the heat!

LIVE LIKE A LOCAL

To truly experience real Mykonos, avoid the often-crowded hotels of the area and instead opt for a holiday rental. These rentals range from luxury apartments and villas in the heart of Mykonos to more traditional cottages. Usually rentals are cheaper than hotels, even in peak seasons, and come with the bonus of having your own privacy. Choose one with a private pool so you can cool off in the scorching afternoons.

RENT A SCOOTER OR CAR

Public transport will take you to the most popular destinations in Mykonos, but to truly escape the beaten path, choose to rent a car or scooter and go exploring yourself. You’ll be able to get to more secluded beaches and towns, meaning you can enjoy the more authentic side of the island.

EXPLORE BY KAYAK  

For a memorable experience, spend a day exploring Mykonos on a kayaking tour. You’ll be put into a group with other travelers and an experienced tour guide who will be able to lead you to some of the island’s most hidden gems including coves, bays, and islets. Most tours are suitable for beginners too.

QUIETER BEACHES TO VISIT  

True, many of the beaches on Mykonos can become incredibly busy with tourists, making it hard to find a quiet spot to relax and unwind. But, if you know which beaches are more secluded, it’s entirely possible to find a beautiful beach to spend a lazy day on.

Agios Sostis is one of the most relaxed in the area. Located to the north of the island, the beach is largely unspoiled with no beach chairs or umbrellas in sight. The beach is long (with a nudist area at the end) making it easy to find a private spot, but be sure to bring some water and food with you as there are no bars on the beach.

PARTY WITH THE LOCALS

Mykonos is known as a party island, with most of the bigger DJs playing from July to September. If you want to go to these bigger events, be sure to book tickets in advance for the best prices and look for packages that include drinks. Alternatively, you can have a superb night partying with the locals in Ano Mera. Many parties take place right on the beach, with people choosing to sleep under the stars.

AVOID HÓRA IN PEAK TIMES

During the summer months and particularly between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. when large cruise ships are docked, the streets of Hóra become so busy it’s often too hard to walk through. If you want to experience the main town of Mykonos, it’s better to visit in off-peak months or very early or late in the day.

EAT WHERE THE LOCALS EAT

Many of the most tourist-heavy restaurants in Mykonos are the ones that surround the most popular areas, which tend to come with tourist prices. For more authentic Greek cuisine, try to visit restaurants further away from these places such as Madoupas Café. A favorite with locals, the café sells Greek favorites such as moussaka and hummus as well as locally caught fish.

ENJOY THE SIGHTS

The views you can get in Mykonos are priceless, especially when you visit somewhere like the Armenistis Lighthouse, far from the busy towns of Mykonos. Best travelled by car or scooter, once at the top, you’ll benefit from panoramic views of the island. For even more spectacular views, visit at sunset.

MAKE YOUR OWN FOOD 

If you decide to stay in a holiday rental, you’ll have the added bonus of being able to prepare food yourself. Restaurants in Mykonos can be notoriously pricey, so save yourself some budget by shopping at one of the local markets so you can make breakfast and lunch yourself, then treat yourself to dinner out at night.

MORE ON GREECE

• Ikaria
• Kastelorizo
• Meteora

Have you been to the island?  What are your top tips?

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