29 Oct A first-time guide to Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos is the party animal of the Cycladic islands, Greece’s answer to Ibiza, with sun-seekers flocking to beach clubs by day and bass lines pounding through superclubs until dawn. But there’s more to Mykonos than dazzling sand and insatiable revelers.
Spend a little time on Mykonos to discover the quiet charm of the Cycladic maze of Mykonos Hora, the pleasure of traveling the backcountry roads and a dining scene to rival the other Greek islands.
When should I go to Mykonos?
Peak travel time to Mykonos is June to September, so hotel prices are at their highest and beaches, restaurants and nightclubs are packed. Summer is party time, with free concerts and events taking place as part of the summer-long Culture Festival, not to mention XLSIOR in August, a five-day clubbing festival that attracts some 30,000 gay revelers. Shoulder season (April to early June, late September and October) is arguably a more pleasant time to visit. You get beaches minus the crowds, plus lower accommodation prices.
In winter, it may be too cold for sunbathing and swimming, but bonuses include empty beaches and plenty of bargain accommodations. Many Mykonos residents rent out their houses in summer and return during the low season, so lots of restaurants stay open year-round. However, winter can bring fierce storms, and ferries to other Greek islands are limited.
How much time should I spend on Mykonos?
Ideally, you’d need about four days but you could enjoy it in two. Spend the first day on a beach, explore the shops, restaurants and bars of Little Venice in the late afternoon and on the second day, catch a boat to the sacred island of Delos. With an extra few days you can search out some of Mykonos’ further flung and less crowded beaches such as Agios Sostis.
In winter, it may be too cold for sunbathing and swimming, but bonuses include empty beaches and plenty of bargain accommodations. Many Mykonos residents rent out their houses in summer and return during the low season, so lots of restaurants stay open year-round. However, winter can bring fierce storms, and ferries to other Greek islands are limited.
