The essential summer travel guide to Mykonos

When I’m asked to name my favorite places in Greece, Santorini & Mykonos come to mind immediately. Both islands are incredible, but Mykonos has a very unique reputation! It’s a favorite of partygoers in Europe (often compared to Ibiza), but is also known for amazing food and relaxation. I’ve been to Mykonos several times over the last decade – both as a recent MBA grad, and a married 30-something – and I can tell you that Mykonos has everything you want if you know where to look. Find all of the details below – including where to stay, my favorite restaurants, and (of course) the best beach clubs – in my essential summer travel guide to Mykonos.

Let’s start with where to stay. It’s not a big island, but transportation is difficult due to a lack of road space and taxis. I highly recommend staying somewhere close to the beaches and places that you want to visit. Having the easy access and ability to walk home whenever you want is essential.

We spend most of our time at the beach clubs, at the pool, or in the ocean. And the southern beach area of Platis Gialos is perfect for all of those things! Here are my favorite places to stay in Platis Gialos.

Best Hotel: Soho Roc House

I love Scorpios beach club (check out the beach club section below), so the Soho Roc House hotel is the perfect location. It used to be just for Soho House members, but you can also easily become a “friend of Soho” to make reservations. 

The hotel itself gorgeous an features an infinity pool, an outdoor gym with an ocean view, and several luxe lounge areas. Service is also impeccable, and they offer free airport transfers. They also automatically provide all the amenities you could need – everything from toothpaste, to multiple types of shampoo.  

Best for Groups: Villas

If you’re traveling in a larger group, I recommend an AirBnB or a villa. It’s more cost effective – especially if you can get a private pool and a view. I like this 4 bedroom villa (a short walk from Scorpios) for friends, and this 7 bedroom villa with a pool & free parking for families.

EXPLORE LITTLE VENICE

Aside from spending the day at the beach, another must do activity is visiting Mykonos town. Get lost in the area known as Little Venice, which has tons of great shopping. I love the jewelry boutiques, where you can pick up a “matia” bracelet. Matia bracelets are traditionally thought by Greeks to help ward off the “evil eye”, or negative energy caused by jealousy.

There are also a few nice (but pricey!) bars where you can catch the sunset, like Negrita. Be sure to book a table if you’re traveling in the peak summer season.

SEE THE WINDMILLS

See the famous five windmills, known collectively as ‘Kato Myloi’ (lower windmills). You can visit the windmills themselves (best seen at sunrise or sunset) but my favorite place to admire them is actually across the cove at a seafront bar. We liked Katerina’s, which has a small but picturesque patio and good cocktails.

VISIT DELOS

Take a day trip to the island of Delos. The island of Delos is a UNESCO world heritage site, with tons of gorgeous mosaics and archeological remnants. If you’re a history buff, you’ll love it – it’s been incredibly well-preserved, since the island itself is uninhabitable.

According to Greek mythology Delos was the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and was also home to the cult of Dionysus. It’s also less than an hour away by boat! Soho Roc House organizes trips directly from their dock twice per week, but you can also easily arrange a tour at the old harbor in Mykonos town. 

Okay, let’s be honest – no essential summer travel guide to Mykonos would be complete without a list of the best beach clubs and bars! There are a lot on the island (especially in the Platis Gialos area), so I’ve only covered my favorites below.

A tip for booking any beach club – ask your hotel or AirBnB host if they can make a reservation for you. You absolutely need a reservation and should make one several weeks in advance. It’s much easier for a local to make one for you, especially if you are in a different time zone.  Then when you’re a week out, confirm by email and/or over the phone with the beach club directly.

Best overall: Scorpios

My favorite beach club in the world is Scorpios Mykonos. It’s classy, has AMAZING food, the best music and a stellar sunset. The prices of alcohol and food are pricey, but similar to other clubs in the area.

If you’re looking for good DJ sets and the best view, I recommend visiting on a Thursday night and sitting in the sunset area. With a larger group (around 4-6 people) you can get seated along the cliff. If you’re a couple, you’ll still get a fantastic view of the ocean sitting on the hillside. Definitely try an assyrtiko (Greek white wine from Santorini, one of my favorites) if you get the chance.

At night, it turns into a dance club with some epic (and sometimes notable) DJs. You can have a late dinner around 9:30 if you want to catch the party. They also have a good daytime vibe and beach area if you have kids.

Dip trio & chicken souvlakia (a must try) with a sunset view at Scorpios

Wildest party: Paradise Beach Club

If you’re looking for more of a party scene, Paradise Beach Club isn’t far from Scorpios and has more of the traditional mm-cha vibes you might expect in Mykonos. We went here many times during our first trip as college grads (it’s been around for 50 years!). It’s close quarters though so it’s difficult to distance, and probably best to plan for your trip post-COVID.

Most luxury: Principote Beach Club

Principote is on the other end of the island (about 30 minutes from Platis Gialos), but it’s well worth a visit. It’s very pricey – just renting a bed can be anywhere from €150-500, plus minimum food & beverage spend – but if you’re planning to stay the whole day it’s worth it. The beach is good for swimming, we had excellent service, and the food at the restaurant is delicious.

Best on a budget: Skandinavian Bar

If you want to explore Mykonos town on a budget, check out Skandinavian Bar. It’s a classic in Little Venice and has been around for years. Inexpensive drinks, great music, and a diverse crowd. We didn’t visit during our most recent trip, but it’s always a memorable night.

Best for groups: ALEMAGOU BEACH CLUB

I visited Alemagou this summer (2022). While it was really quiet in the morning, I loved the meal we had at lunch. I think this place is more of a late afternoon / evening spot to watch the sunset. The beach beds are a bit more affordable than Principote, and the restaurant area has great views. I recommend getting a whole fish if you’re with a group, as they’re all caught fresh!

There are so many good restaurants in Mykonos, and it can be difficult to choose. Below are a handful of my favorites. Wherever you decide to go, I highly recommend making a reservation at least a few weeks in advance. Especially if you’re traveling in high season (June – August).

ONE NOTE… SKIP SPILIA

One place that is notably absent in my list below is Spilia, which many travel guides will recommend. While the food was okay, I found their service to be absolutely awful. We waited forever for things we ordered, waiters ignored us (despite being fully staffed), and they even tried to overcharge us – luckily I could read the Greek receipt. While the view is nice, I strongly advise against visiting Spilia. It’s seen better days, and there are other places that are worth your time and money.

Kastro’s

Having dinner at Kastro’s in Mykonos town is a must. This restaurant became famous because of their gorgeous ocean-side tables, but they also have a nice menu and wine list. I discovered that Greece has some excellent rosés (try the La Tour Melas) which I’ll be adding to my list of favorites. Plus the service was impeccable! 

NOA Restaurant

One of the best meals we had on my 2021 trip to Mykonos was at NOA Restaurant. It’s just above Mykonos town and has a great view. The value is great considering how excellent the food and service was. We dined in a large group of 9 so we got to try some of everything. It was all delicious, so you can’t go wrong ordering from the menu.

Nikolas Taverna

One of my favorite things about Greece are the classic tavernas along the beach. Nikolas Taverna is tucked away, and has a small area with beach loungers. I recommend getting the horiatiki salata (greek salad) and saganaki (fried cheese).

Avli Tou Thodori

Another taverna in the Platis Gialos beach area is Avli Tou Thodori. They have a huge menu with everything from a classic moussaka, to sea urchin spaghetti, to pizza. And they have a beach lounger area if you want to have an afternoon by the ocean.

Soho House Restaurant

If you’re staying at the Soho Roc House hotel, be sure to check out the restaurant. The chef is actually the same chef as Scorpios. I loved their ceviche and watermelon salad, but my favorite dish is the lemon spaghetti with feta.

So this one is a bit of a tricky question, because Mykonos is so unique. Although everything I recommend my Greek island style guide will definitely still work, the best look for Mykonos is more of a bohemian vibe. Namely linen pants & crop tops or dresses, in neutral colors like beige, white, grey, or pale blue.

If you’re going to a beach club and want to stand out, you should also pack something a bit more flashy – but think fringe or classy beading vs. gaudy Vegas sequins. Neon colors can also work if you want a trendier look. I’ve included my favorite Scorpios beach club outfit ideas below.

For all of my recommendations on what to wear in the Greek islands, check out this post! And if you’re looking for more travel tips, check out my full list of travel essentials.

• Mosquito wipes: I swear by these deet-free non-toxic mosquito wipes. I bring them with me everywhere in the summer. They’re individually wrapped, which makes them perfect for throwing into a purse or beach bag.
• Euros: most drivers want cash, plus you’ll need coins for the buses.
• Motion sickness bracelet: It’s a good idea to pack a motion-sickness bracelet for ferries and boat trips (especially if you’re taking a trip to Delos). I recommend a bracelet if you’re planning on drinking alcohol, which shouldn’t be combined with dramamine.
• Noise cancelling earplugs: these silicone ear plugs are a must for staying near the beach clubs – and they’re super comfortable to sleep in.
• Sunscreen: a necessity for Greece, especially if you’re spending time at a beach club. I prefer high-SPF French brands, like this one from La Roche Posay.

And that’s it for my essential Mykonos travel guide! If you’re island hopping, be sure to check out my travel guides for Santorini and Naxos. And let me know if you’re planning a visit by leaving me a comment below!

black crochet skirt | round handle purse | straw hat | black bikini top
similar white one piece | tan cowl neck dress | neon pink dress | 1996 Zodiac dress (below)

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