Mykonos

Ah where to start! Mykonos is now one of my favourite places in the world and it exceeded any expectations I had before going. I had no idea we were going to Greece on honeymoon until we got to the airport, so I knew Mykonos existed, thanks to Pinterest and Instagram, but I hadn’t thoroughly researched it. I thought all of Mykonos was built up little white houses with blue shutters and small narrow lanes but that is only in the town’s centre or “Mykonos Chora”. The rest of Mykonos is vast open spaces, dotted with traditional white houses, rolling hills, dirt roads and beautiful beaches. I also had this image that it would be a party island filled with 18-year-old something Brits, but it wasn’t at all. If you want a party, there is no shortage of bars and places to go but there is so much on offer for everyone from the single backpackers to the honeymooners and golden oldies. There is a reason why this is one of the chicest, most popular Greek islands and if you haven’t been before, you need to go so you can experience what I cannot put into words. 

WHEN TO GO

We went late May / early June and missed the crowds but the locals said September is even better if you want to avoid peak season and still have great weather.

WHERE TO STAY

Rocabella Mykonos Art Hotel & Spa is a wanderlust traveller’s dream. It felt like I was stepping through the pages of an interior design magazine with its bohemian minimal aesthetics and neutral colours. I loved the concrete elements and natural materials and could have moved right in! It is simply gorgeous and the customer service we experienced from everyone we met there was phenomenal. Top tip - have the rice pudding at breakfast (yes pudding is highly encouraged when on holiday!) I tried every rice pudding I could find when we were in Greece and this wins, hands down! Overall, I couldn’t recommend staying here enough.

DOG FRIENDLY

Greece in general seems dog friendly … if your dog likes cats. There are a lot of stray cats everywhere. Much to Benji’s dismay he was left at home this holiday but Rocabella is a dog friendly hotel and overall there seemed to be a lot of outdoor cafes and restaurants which looked like they would be accommodating. If you are traveling to Mykonos with your pooch have a look here.

WHAT TO DO 

• Shop! The shopping in Mykonos is incredible and you can get a range of items from designer bags to local handmade products. I found the selection in Mykonos to be better and cheaper than Santorini. Stock up on basket bags, sandals, peshtemals towels (similar to the cotton Turkish towels), linen clothes and art. I even came home with a stature of a dog. Who would I be though if I didn’t right? I would recommend having cash on you as you can often get a bargain if paying with cash as opposed to debit / credit card.
• Shops worth going to: Jardin for gorgeous clothes and unique pieces for ladies, Panaidis for the best selection of sunglasses and Amnesia for an eclectic range of jewellery.
• Spend the day in Mykonos Town / Chora: order a Fredo Cappuccino and a homemade Greek pastry from il forno di Gerasimo, visit the windmills, have lunch at Niko's Taverna and sundowners at Caprice in Little Venice.
• Go to as many beaches as possible: Kapari, Paradise Beach, Paranga and Platis Gialos Beach. 
• Watch the sunset from 180 Degrees Sunset Bar.

Greece is basket bag heaven!

The gorgeous sandals and cotton towels

All the stray cats have so much love to give



WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

• Matthew Tavern and Scarpa Bar.
• Kiki’s Tavern. Agios Sostis Beach was one of our favourite beaches. It feels like it is in the middle of nowhere, there are no shops around (so take snacks and water) and no sun lounges (so take your towel). But there is a rustic beach restaurant near the top of the hill from the beach called Kiki’s Tavern. Follow your nose and follow the people, you won’t miss it. They don’t take bookings but open at 12:30 (get there about an hour early if you want to be part of the first group in) and they close when it is dark as they have no electricity. You can wait in a queue for over an hour but it is worth it. They had the best mixed salads I have ever tasted, and they serve free rose until you are seated. I would go as far as saying it was one of the best meals I had this holiday. Top tip - There is a small secluded beach just in front of the restaurant, if Agios Sostis Beach is busy I would suggest going down there. It is more hidden… and beautiful.  But don’t forget, if you leave the que for Kikis you lose your spot!

OTHER PLACES TO BEACH, EAT & DRINK

180 Degrees Sunset Bar and Niko's Tavern in Mykonos’s town centre are great value for money. Alternatively, Alemagou Beach club, Jackie O Beach club, Scorpios, Nammos and Spilia Restaurant if you want to go somewhere extra special. It will be a lot pricier but when in Mykonos…

Left - Spilia Restuarant & Right - The beach infront of Kiki's Tavern which is perfect to swim at while you wait for lunch

180 Degrees Sunset Bar

TOP TIP

Rent a car, preferably a 4x4 so you can explore the whole island at your leisure. We rented a Jeep Rangler which was just as well since Google maps had never got us so lost and taken us on so many back roads as it did on these Greek islands!

Have you been to Mykonos? I would love to find out which were your favourite spots or what we have to do next time we go because we will definitely go back one day!