More than the party — if you know where to look.Mykonos
The Island
Mykonos lives up to everything you've heard — the energy, the nightlife, the beautiful chaos. It is exactly what it says it is: lively, expensive, and unapologetically touristy. Go in knowing that and you'll have the time of your life.
We knew from the start this would be our most expensive island and we budgeted accordingly. That mindset eliminated any sticker shock and let us just enjoy the experience. And enjoy it we did.
The town — particularly the area known as Little Venice — is vibrant and worth exploring on foot. Restaurants, shops, bars, and some of the best people watching you'll find anywhere in Europe. The later it gets, the more the town comes alive. Mykonos doesn't peak at dinner — it peaks at midnight.
There are photo opportunities around every corner. Find your favorite spot and shoot away. You won't regret it.
One practical note: the winds in Mykonos are strong and the evenings can get genuinely chilly. Bring a light jacket or wrap — you'll thank yourself later. And the sun during the day is hot and powerful. Sunscreen is non-negotiable.
Overall Mykonos is one of those places you must experience at least once. Pace yourself, explore, and let the island surprise you.
Where to Stay
The Mykonos Riviera Hotel was one of the finest hotels of the entire trip and we can't say enough good things about it.
From the moment they picked us up at the ferry port the service was first class. Check-in was smooth and unhurried — we were greeted with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and seated comfortably while everything was handled for us. Our suite was spectacular — a large room with sweeping sea views and a private outdoor hot tub. The hotel grounds and pool area were immaculately kept. Their infinity pool is absolutely beautiful and the spa is large and genuinely luxurious.
They also arranged our rental car without any fuss — the representative came directly to the hotel lobby and the whole transaction took minutes. That kind of service sets the tone for your entire stay.
If you're going to Mykonos and want to do it right, the Mykonos Riviera is where you stay.
What to Do
Explore Little Venice. A short drive from the Mykonos Riviera, Little Venice is the heart of the Mykonos experience. Wander the narrow streets, browse the shops, stop for a drink overlooking the water. The energy here is infectious and it only builds as the night goes on.
Rent a car. Same advice as every other island — get a rental car. The hotel made it effortless for us. Having wheels opens up the whole island and gets you to the beach clubs on your own schedule.
Principote Beach Club — our favorite. A Mykonos must. Located on the northern side of the island where the Mykonos winds are known to be stronger, so come prepared. The service was superb and the food was delicious. The energy and setting make it worth it despite the wind.
Nammos Beach Club and Nammos Village. A true luxury experience. As you walk into the beach club area you pass through Nammos Village — high end shops, beautiful surroundings, and an atmosphere that feels effortlessly glamorous. A must see even if you're just browsing.
Super Paradise and Paralia. Two beach clubs right next to each other, take your pick. Super Paradise sits in a natural cove that shields it from the famous Mykonos winds making it one of the more comfortable beach experiences on the island. The turquoise water and soft pebble beach are stunning.
Scorpios — go for drinks, not dinner. Scorpios is famous and the energy is electric but it can feel overcrowded. The food was ok — we had better elsewhere on the island. Our recommendation: go for drinks in the evening, enjoy the music and the beautiful crowd, and eat somewhere else.
Negrita Bar — start your night here. A genuinely fun bar with great music and an energy that builds as the night goes on. The town explodes with people the later it gets and Negrita is a great place to watch it happen.
Where to Eat
Mykonos is expensive — there's no getting around it. But the food quality generally matches the price and we didn't have a bad meal on the island. Here's our honest rundown:
Kastro's — for the sunset and the seafood. A true waterfront restaurant right in Little Venice with balcony tables that look out over the water and the whole village. The seafood is fresh and delicious and the sunset from those balcony seats is spectacular. Reserve a balcony table as early as possible — they go fast and for good reason.
180 Sunset Bar — for the view. We reserved the Windmill first row seats for an unobstructed sunset view and it delivered exactly that. Fair warning — these are not traditional dining seats. It's two chairs and a small side table, appetizers and drinks only, and there is a minimum purchase requirement. Go in knowing that and it's a fantastic experience. Go in expecting a full dinner and you'll be disappointed.
Beefbar — a solid steakhouse with a view. Tucked away atop a small cliff with great views and a more intimate atmosphere than most Mykonos spots. The food was good but we did have to send the steaks back — they arrived warm rather than hot, like they'd been sitting. The kitchen made it right but it's worth mentioning. The setting is beautiful and it's a nice change of pace from seafood.
Scorpios — go for drinks, not dinner. Scorpios is famous and the energy is electric but it's big, crowded, and you are very much just one in the crowd. The service was ok — hard to expect more given the volume of people. Dinner was average for the price. Our recommendation: go for drinks and the music in the evening, enjoy the scene and the beautiful people watching, and eat somewhere else. One thing not to miss at Scorpios is their famous sunset ritual — it draws a crowd for good reason. And dress to impress — Scorpios is a see and be seen venue. Bring your best outfit and own it.
Extreme Gyros — our surprise standout. We stumbled across this little hole in the wall while exploring and sat down for what we thought would be a quick bite. The food was absolutely amazing. No frills, completely local feel, and the kind of meal you only find when you're wandering without a plan. This is exactly the kind of discovery that makes travel worth it.
Mamalouka — the one that got away. We couldn't get a reservation and we're still a little disappointed about it. The restaurant looked incredibly cool and they have a dinner show that had us genuinely intrigued. We heard great things from other travelers. It's on our list for next time and worth mentioning here because it should be on yours too.
Our honest take on food in Mykonos: Budget more than you think you'll need. The prices will surprise you if you're coming from Paros. The beach clubs — particularly Principote and Nammos — serve excellent food alongside the experience. The seafood across the island is consistently outstanding. And always leave room for a random discovery like Extreme Gyros. Those are the meals you remember most.
Getting There & Around
Getting to Mykonos: We took a Seajets ferry from Paros — a smooth 40-minute crossing with great views of the Aegean. Easy to book directly through the Seajets website and they send you a QR code for boarding. The hotel arranged our pickup from the ferry port which made arrival seamless.
Getting around: Rent a car. The hotel handled everything for us — the rental representative came directly to the lobby. Having a car is the only way to reach the beach clubs comfortably and explore beyond the main town.
In Little Venice and the town center: Walk. The streets are narrow and best explored on foot. Give yourself time to get lost — that's where the best discoveries happen.
Plan Your Trip
Ready to book your Mykonos trip? These are the tools we used and trust. Book your hotel, find beach club experiences, tours, and activities below.