Mykonos was our third and final stop in Greece. We reached the island by ferry from Santorini, a comfortable two-hour ride on SeaJets.

Ferry travel is the only direct option from Santorini to Mykonos, as there are no regular direct flights. The crossing itself was pleasant, but the port experience deserves a few tips.

Tip #1: Expect delays. Our ferry departed about 45 minutes late, which seems common. If you already have printed tickets, arrive around 20 minutes before departure.

Tip #2: Ports can be chaotic. There is minimal staff directing passengers, no clear queuing system, and boarding lines are informal. Arrive prepared for a busy, unstructured scene.

Tip #3: Pack light and bring water. Port areas get hot and crowded, and carrying heavy luggage through the confusion is unpleasant. Traveling light makes boarding and disembarking much easier.

Once aboard, the ferry is comfortable. If your budget allows, consider Business Class for more space, quieter seating areas, and dedicated service.

Now for the highlights — Mykonos itself.

The atmosphere in Mykonos contrasts with Santorini. Santorini felt calmer, more upscale and relaxed, with an older crowd. Mykonos is livelier, faster paced, and geared toward a younger, party-minded crowd. It’s energetic, social, and a bit hectic in places.

Transportation is essential: you really need a car in Mykonos. The island has only about 30 taxis, which primarily serve the airport and ports, so relying on taxis is unreliable. The island is spread out and many beaches and attractions are best reached by car.

Party culture is part of the island’s identity. Expect busy bars and nightlife, and be cautious on the roads — people sometimes drive after drinking, so stay alert and drive defensively.

Most rental cars are compact models, which suits the narrow streets and tight parking. Small cars comfortably carry two to four people; if you have large suitcases or a bigger group, reserve a larger vehicle well in advance.

Our hotel handled the car rental for us, but if you prefer booking ahead, search for reputable local rental agencies to reserve the vehicle that fits your needs.

We stayed at a lovely hotel that stood out because it included a gym — a welcome amenity for us since we exercise regularly.

Below I describe where we stayed and how we spent our days.

Where We Stayed in Mykonos

Researching hotels is one of my favorite parts of trip planning. I focus on central location, strong reviews and amenities that matter to us: comfortable beds, cleanliness, helpful staff, and extras like breakfast or a gym.

After comparing options, we chose Archipelagos. The hotel sits on a quieter part of the island near the beach, offers a gym, free breakfast, free parking, spacious rooms, and strong guest reviews.

Archipelagos earned high ratings for its comfortable rooms, friendly staff, good pool, on-site restaurant and ocean views. The hotel’s proximity to Kalo Livadi beach — a short 3–5 minute walk — was a highlight. That beach offers sunbeds, restaurants and casual beach clubs.

The setting felt peaceful with a refreshing Mykonos breeze, making it a great base for exploring the island.

What We Did in Mykonos

Day 1

We arrived around 4pm, grabbed one of the few taxis, checked into our hotel and walked to Kalo Livadi beach for dinner. The beach is wide with white sand, steady waves and a beautiful light-blue sea. We enjoyed wine and appetizers in a beachfront restaurant, then dipped our toes in the water and soaked up the sunset atmosphere.

After dinner we arranged a rental car — a compact smart car — which we used to explore Hora, Mykonos town. Hora is a must-see: walkable narrow stone streets, whitewashed buildings, boutiques and restaurants. Surprisingly, Hora is lively at night, with shops and eateries open after 8pm.

Day 2

It was my husband’s birthday. We started with a gym session and hotel breakfast, then drove to Little Venice for coffee by the water. Our day included beach time, lunch and a memorable visit to Alemagou beach bar.

Alemagou is a destination in itself: a private beach with sunbeds, a top-notch restaurant and bar, excellent music and a fun crowd. We ended up staying much longer than planned and met wonderful people there. It’s perfect for tanning, swimming, dancing and watching the sunset.

Day 3

We woke up a bit tired but still enjoyed the day. After breakfast we visited the Windmills of Kato Mili near Little Venice — an iconic and very photogenic spot in Mykonos town. The location is picturesque, with strong sea breezes and waves crashing nearby.

We then had lunch in Hora and spent the afternoon wandering the marble streets, browsing galleries and boutiques, and getting lost in the charm of Little Venice. We finished with an early dinner and a quiet nightcap at the hotel, followed by a peaceful evening stroll along Kalo Livadi beach.

Day 4

On our final day we enjoyed the hotel pool, packed up and drove to Agios Sostis Beach for sunbathing. Agios Sostis is less commercialized and more relaxed than some other beaches; the sand is white and the water stunning. Parking can take time, so allow a few hours for this visit. Bring towels, snacks and water.

Nearby we found an outstanding Italian restaurant owned by an Italian family — the food felt lovingly prepared and authentic. We wrapped up the meal with gelato from a highly rated gelateria and then headed to the airport for our evening flight.

Where We Ate in Mykonos

Below are the places we enjoyed while on the island.

Solymar
Modern Myconian cuisine with fresh local ingredients. We enjoyed white wine, a fresh salad and steamed mussels with Mediterranean herbs.

Alemagou
A fantastic beach bar and restaurant with sunbeds and a private beach. Great music, delicious drinks and a lively crowd.

Pepper Souvlaki & More
A cozy spot in Mykonos town serving excellent souvlaki and roasted potatoes — great for a casual, satisfying meal.

D’Angelo Restaurante
A friendly Italian restaurant in the old town with fresh flavors and reasonable prices.

Bandanna
A family-owned Italian restaurant near Kalafati beach with excellent pizza and salads and a warm atmosphere.

Ninnolo
A traditional gelateria with generous portions and delicious flavors — perfect for dessert and coffee.

I Scream
A gelateria and coffee shop in the old town with creamy, inventive flavors; we visited multiple times.

Recommended but not visited: Kiki’s Tavern (traditional Greek near Agios Sostis), Koursaros (seafood/sushi in old town) and Matsuhisa (sushi by a boutique hotel pool).

Notes

Note 1: Summer is hot and crowded. For fewer crowds, milder weather and better prices, consider visiting in June, September or early November.

Note 2: Drive carefully. Mykonos has an active party scene and some people drive after drinking — stay alert and cautious on the roads.

We thoroughly enjoyed Mykonos: driving the island, tasting local and international cuisine, meeting people and soaking up the lively culture. The beaches are beautiful and the overall experience was memorable.

If you have questions, feel free to leave a comment — I usually reply when I can.

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