Mykonos Travel Guide
My local experience in Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos is one of the thousands of islands that form the Hellenic Republic, also known as Greece. It is famous for its summer party atmosphere and bucolic old town called Chora. I had the opportunity to stay in Mykonos for a month ⎻ which is a lot of time to explore, considering the small size of the island (only 85 sq km!). It was the perfect occasion to seek authentic spots to dispute Mykonos’ reputation of a “party island” with exorbitant prices.
Spoiler Alert… I was not disappointed! Over the weeks, I discovered taverns with traditional Greek food, secluded beach with turquoise waters, and other gems hidden across the “Island of Winds”. I found lovely restaurants where I loved to come back (sometimes multiple times) and had so much fun discovering Greek culture through the more traditional side of Mykonos.
Are you ready for bucolic scenes off the beaten path?
Table of Contents
When to go to Mykonos?
Mykonos is a Summer tourism destination. Activities, restaurants, and shops open in Spring (April-May) until Autumn (September-October). If you want the height of the season and the hottest temperatures, go in July or August. If you want fresher temperatures and less crowds, go in June or September. June and July are particularly beautiful months because the many Bougainvillea of the island are flowering.
How to get to Mykonos?
There are many airlines which fly to Mykonos. From Amsterdam, Transavia Airlines offers cheap and conveniently direct flights to the island during the Summer. If you can’t find a direct flight, you might want to check Greek Airlines such as Aegean Airlines or Sky Express. Your layover will most likely be in Athens, from which Mykonos is just an hour away flying. In my experience, Sky Express had cheap prices but poor service and delays. Alternatively, you can choose to link Athens to Mykonos via ferry. It may be cheaper but takes up to four hours.
How is the weather in Mykonos?
I was not mentally prepared for the strong Northern winds which hit Mykonos every other week. I would advise to take a warm jacket and a beanie for those very windy days in Mykonos ⎻ items which I dearly wished I had with me during my trip but were impossible to find on the island. When the sun goes down and the wind is blowing, Mykonos can be very cold.
What to do in Mykonos?
Not sure what to do in Mykonos? Have a look at the tips I have compiled below.
If you have any questions, feedback, or recommendations, don’t hesitate to contact me!
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Hi! I’m Sophie
I was born in Belgium, educated in Europe, and now exploring the world with the objective to understand how we can make it a better place.
I currently work as a doctoral researcher (PhD candidate) in The Hague. I hold a Masters degree (MPhil) from the University of Oxford and have 7+ years of experience as a consultant in public diplomacy, strategic communication, and global peace and security.
I believe travel can be an experience for personal growth and transformative connections.