Travel Guide: Mykonos
Sharing all the details on where we stayed, what we did, and where we ate in Mykonos, Greece!
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Before diving in, make sure to check out my full Greece Packing List for my outfit details, as well as an overview of our trip itinerary in my Travel Guide for Athens.
Here are my other Greece travel guides as well: Athens // Santorini // Paros
Getting There
This is my final travel guide in the Greece travel series… first we were in Athens, then Santorini, then Paros, and finally on to Mykonos! I share our full itinerary, and the difference between each place in my Athens Travel Guide.
As for Mykonos specifically, I would say that it was probably my favorite island overall (which is a huge statement as I was absolutely enthralled by each place we visited!). But Mykonos was the perfect combination of gorgeous beaches and fabulous shopping/nightlife! I liked that you could really make it whatever you wanted– and chill at the beach for the day or turn up for a night out.
From Paros we took a Golden Star Ferry to Mykonos and I believe it only took about 45 minutes (read more about my take on the Golden Star Ferries in my Paros, Greece blog post!). We left in the afternoon and arrived just in time for cocktail hour and dinner in Mykonos, and the timing actually worked out really well.
We had scheduled for our hotel to pick us up from the ferry port in Tourlos, Mykonos and it was only a 15 minute drive to the hotel from there. We had this island be the last leg of our trip, because it was a close(ish) ride back to Athens (only a two and half hour ferry ride on the express ferry) as we were flying out of Athens to NYC after the trip.
Here’s an interactive map of the key places I talk about below!
Where We Stayed
Nissaki Boutique Hotel— What a way to round out our trip in Greece! This hotel had such a quaint, boutique feel, but with sprawling views of Psarou Beach below and the stunning alcove of water surrounding it. We stayed in one of their Elegant Suites, which was ideal for us as it had two bedrooms (one for our luggage lol) and four sinks, which was a dream for three gals getting ready. We also looked over the pool and the cove of Psarou Beach, which was just breathtaking. It was just a 5-10 minute walk down a path to Nammos (a beach club I describe further into this post!) and about a half hour walk to Scorpio’s (another beach club/restaurant). It wasn’t walkable into Mykonos Town, but the concierge was always super helpful in helping us get a cab or one of the hotel’s cars into town whenever we needed.
They also helped arrange the Covid PCR test that we needed in order to travel back to the states (we had to get one within 48 hours of leaving, more on the Greece Covid protocols when we went in my Athens Travel Guide), and someone came to the hotel to administer tests to all of the guests that needed them. In all, I’d say that if you’re looking for a quieter (in terms of Mykonos), impeccably maintained boutique hotel with a personalized feel and stunning views, this is just that!
What We Did
Walk through Mykonos Town— Mykonos Town is the largest town and capital of Mykonos, and has the most intricate and scenic winding streets, that are whitewashed and look exactly like how you would picture a town in Greece! It’s composed of Little Venice (the area by the windmills and along the water), a stunning coastline that looks out over the Aegean Sea, and dozens of little alleyways that tuck into shops, restaurants, and bars. We made sure to visit it in the night and daytime– it’s bustling at all times and so definitely be sure to walk around during both for the best dining and shopping on the island!
Spend the day at Nammos Beach Club— We had heard amazing things about this beach club and quickly realized it was very much our aesthetic. 😉 It was only a 5-10 minute walk from our hotel (down a gorgeous path along the water) and is described as ‘luxury in flip flops’… our type of place. It entails a beach front, restaurant, and bar that’s impeccably decorated with turquoise and white umbrellas and waiters wearing bikinis. The atmosphere was designed to mimic a luxurious yacht and it does a very chic job of reflecting that. We rented two lounge chairs (I think they were around a hundred euro each… definitely pricey) and hung out there for almost a full day, ordering a truffle club sandwich and frozen Aperol Spritzes. The whole place had incredible people watching too– we saw people there with their bodyguards (and then there was us lol). It is definitely the perfect spot if you’re looking for a true Mykonos beach club scene. The water was pristine and warm as well, so we enjoyed a dip or two throughout the day!
Watch the sunset at Scorpios— We walked over from our hotel (about a 30 minute walk and I wouldn’t wear heels!) to Scorpios to have a few drinks and watch the sunset, and it was a time. Warning– this is another over-priced spot where you can only get bottle service or expensive appetizers, but it channels lad-back coolness better than any other place we visited in Greece. It’s connected to Soho House, which has a boutique hotel right next to it, so you aren’t able to take any photos when you walk in (though I did include a few I got later on below!). We had made reservations and had no issue getting in, so definitely make sure to do that ahead of time. They had live music and a truly stunning sunset over the water– it was an all-around awesome experience and even better if you’re looking for a hot spot with dancing later in the evening!
Visit the windmills in Little Venice— When we walked through Mykonos Town during the day, we visited the striking windmills that stand along the sea and were used until the 19th century (very smartly harnessing the amazing breezes that hit the island!). Now they’re a beautiful photo op and would definitely be worth taking a tour of if you’re interested in learning more about their history and former uses.
Shop through Little Venice/Mykonos Town— Right behind Paros, Mykonos had the best boutique shopping of our trip! Some of our favorite shops in Mykonos Town included Bougainvillea, Savvas (the cutest shop right by the windmills that carries all types of Greek olive oils, honeys, olives, etc.) Pitusa (pom pom clothing made in Peru but headquartered in Miami!), and Belloù, which carried a bunch of colorful Greek linen items, as well as styles from our favorite bohemian Italian brand, Antica Sartoria. We also saw a few more mainstream stores like Sephora and Golden Goose– which were a hoot to see in the charming Greek alleys!
Agios Sostis Beach— When we were waiting to eat at Kiki’s Tavern (more on that below!) we took turns going for a dip in the water off the little beach right below the restaurant and it was just lovely! There aren’t any beach chairs or spots to get food or drinks (besides Kiki’s Tavern above it) so I would pack a towel, some water, and a snack and enjoy a morning or afternoon here. It’s quiet and you can wade into the shallow water and just relax– a very different (but equally as good) vibe from the beach club scenes on the island. Almost everyone around us spoke Greek too, so we knew we were in a good spot!
Where We Ate
Kastro’s— This is an absolutely iconic Mykonos restaurant, that you definitely have to make sure you make reservations for beforehand (we had the Nissaki Hotel make ours a few weeks before we visited). Definitely make sure you ask to sit by the water too— as it looks out onto the sea and the beautiful windmills (bonus points if you go at sunset!!). The cuisine matched the setting too— we especially loved the shrimp risotto and lobster truffle gnocchi! It’s such a cozy, quaint spot that’s been opened for decades and has some of the best views in Little Venice (which as I’ve mentioned is a part of Mykonos Town by the water).
Snow Pure Ice Cream— We popped into here after walking back to the taxi stand after dinner at Kastro’s and it was SO YUMMY. I got the peanut caramel gelato and it was divine. So creamy and rich!! Definitely stop in if you’re craving any ice cream during your time in Mykonos Town.
Nissaki Boutique Hotel— We had breakfast at our hotel in the mornings and it was divine. They had a huge buffet set up with a ton of options and a lovely indoor/outdoor eating area that overlooked the water. You could even pick out a plate and coffee and have them bring it back to your room. The buffet felt really sanitary too— you of course had to be masked the entire time and also sanitize and then wear gloves when handling everything.
Nammos— We had lunch at the Nammos beach club when we were there for the day and it was divine. Fancy frozen cocktails, a truffle club sandwich, and parmesan fries… the ultimate beachside meal! Such a fun way to have a ~pampered~ meal on the beach.
Scorpio’s— When we watched the sunset at Scorpios we got bottle service with a local wine and a variety of appetizers like chips with guac and chicken skewers. It was all delicious but not super filling so we stopped to pick up pizza on our way back to the hotel (there was a pizza place that was open late night right down the street from the Hotel Nissaki!). It was perfect for wine and light bites nonetheless.
Kiki’s Tavern— This is an absolute CANNOT MISS restaurant experience. It’s an old-fashioned tavern (they don’t have a website or even electricity) located at the top of Agios Sostis beach, that overlooks the turquoise water below. They don’t take reservations and it gets super packed, so I would recommend going right when it opens at 12, or around 3– but expect at least an hour wait (we brought books and were fine with it!). They serve a bunch of fresh Greek food and seafood, but make sure to get the salad bar when you order. You can also walk down and sit on Agios Sostis beach below, which I previously mentioned earlier on in this post.
Note that a few other places that were on our list but we didn’t make it to for dinner or drinks were Caprice Bar, Negrita, Interni, and Cavo Tagoo.
See my additional Greece travel guides: Athens // Santorini // Paros