Mykonos Holidays

Watersports

The north coast of Mykonos is exposed to the Meltemi winds, which makes it the best place on the island for watersports like sailing and surfing. Ftelia Beach is one of the best beaches in the area for windsurfing and kitesurfing. This 600-metre beachfront is a mixture of fine sand and those famous Mykonos rocks, and there’s a definite laidback, almost 70s-style vibe going on here.

City beaches

If you’re staying in Mykonos Town, you’ll be pleased to hear that there are two great beaches in the local area. Agia Anna is the town’s main beachfront, located between the harbour and the old town. This 100-metre beach is quite small but sandy, and is ideal for a family swim. Alternatively, just south of the town is Megali Ammos Beach, where you can snorkel and see the colourful fish in the reef.

The lively south coast

Down on the south coast of Mykonos is Plati Yialos Beach, which is one of the most lively beaches on the island. During the day, the 300-metre beachfront is lined with vendors selling all sorts of handcrafted goods and pocket money trinkets. During the evenings, the local beach bars begin to open up, with music filling the air. If you enjoy beachside strolls, there are a number of coastal paths in the area.

Bargain Buys

Bargain buys

If you’re down by the beach, you’ll find that many street vendors set up their stalls along the coastal promenades. These are fantastic places to pick up some low-cost trinkets and mementoes from your trip. Handmade jewellery is very popular here, especially rings and necklaces featuring ‘mati’. In Greece, it’s believed that wearing this ‘evil eye’ symbol will guard against misfortune and protect the wearer.

Mid-Range Buys

Mid-range buys

In the area around the harbour in Mykonos Town, there are many gift shops and souvenir shops selling local products and woven scarves and textiles. However, an absolute must-buy is a souvenir featuring the island’s famous mascot, Petros the Pelican. Petros was a regular visitor to Mykonos in the 1950s, and fast became a symbol of Mykonos. Today, you can pick up fridge magnets and other items featuring his likeness.

Designer Buys

Designer buys

For designer stores, it’s got to be the Mykonos Town shopping district. Around Enoplon Dynameon Street, Andronikou Street, and Mavrogeni Street are rows upon rows of luxury boutiques, designer stores like Louis Vuitton, and official Rolex retailers. There’s a great mix of international brands and Greek designers here. Alternatively, check out MyMall, which is a just a 5-minute drive from Mykonos Town.

Laid-back evenings

Laidback evenings

For quiet nights, the shopping district of Mykonos Town offers chic wine bars, swanky cocktail joints, and tiny back-alley cafés and Greek tavernas. Here, you can sample the local wines, beers, and spirits in chilled out, peaceful settings. You’ll also find a more low-key, traditional type of nightlife in places like Kalo Livadi, which offers a relaxing escape from the main hustle and bustle. And if you’re staying in a large resort, don’t forget to check out your hotel’s on-site entertainments. Hotel bars can be great places for quiet drinks after a busy day seeing the famous windmills, and it’s not far to bed when it’s time to rest.

Lively evenings

Lively evenings

As you head away from the Mykonos shopping district towards the coast and Little Venice, the chic cocktail bars are replaced with lively beach bars and clubs, many blaring out live music to entice you inside. This trend extends all the way along the coast, with each beach resort offering its own energetic vibe. Plati Yialos down on the south coast is one of the island’s premier party destinations, with lots of beach clubs to choose from. The entire island is known for its welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, which makes it very popular with the LGBTQ+ community.

Fusion cuisine

You might be surprised by just how diverse the food is in Mykonos, and how different it is to some of the other Greek Islands. Of course, many restaurants serve up classic Greek dishes such as moussaka and pastitsio, but as the island was a major trading centre up until the 18th century, its cuisine is a real blend of flavours. You’ll find a good mix of Mediterranean, Aegean, and Cyclades tastes across Mykonos.

Local seafood

Fishing remains very important to the Mykonos economy, and fresh seafood is always on the menu. While there’s lots of choice, a local favourite is sparisoma cretense, or parrot fish. The parrot fish is named for its bright colours and lives in rocky areas, so it’s found in abundance off the rocky Mykonos coast. You’ll find that it’s usually grilled and served whole, alongside a colourful assortment of veggies.

Kopanisti cheese

If you’re looking to sample some local specialities, be sure to try some kopanisti cheese which is produced on the island. A little like feta, it’s salty and peppery with a spicy kick. Another great Mykonos dish is louza, which is dried, thinly sliced pork. It’s prepared differently across the Aegean Islands. On Tinos, it’s seasoned with pepper, while in Mykonos they use a warming allspice blend.

Island wine & beer

Mykonos produces both Cyclades and Aegean wines, usually from local grape varieties such as Assyrtico, but also from international grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. It’s also fast becoming a haven for craft beer lovers, with locally-brewed options like Mikonou offering a Greek Islands alternative to American pale ales. Of course, spirits are also well-loved here, especially an after-dinner Ouzo.