The island of Mykonos is known for its nightlife, LGBTQ+ welcoming atmosphere, and beautiful sand beaches. It is also known for being an expensive island to visit. But if you’re not looking for a night out, is Mykonos the right island for you?
I say yes.
I spent five nights in Mykonos, spending two days exploring the nearby islands of Delos and Naxos, and the other three in Mykonos itself.
Mykonos has plenty to offer besides nightlife and expensive beach clubs. We teetered on the line between expensive and budget travel throughout the week, saving here and splurging there, so I have seen both ends of the spectrum. It is certainly possible to travel to Mykonos on a budget, but it’s important to be prepared and have a sense of what to pay before you go anywhere. This helps to guide informed choices and minimize 18-euro-greek-salad adventures.
Transportation in Mykonos
We flew from Athens to Mykonos on a 45 minute flight that cost 51 euros per person. The flight felt as if it later only moments after we took off, and we began our first day on the island. We were staying in Ornos, in the southwestern part of the island, only about a 5 minute drive from the airport. You can also opt for a 3 hour ferry from Piraeus in Athens to Mykonos New Port. This will leave you within walking distance from Old Town.
We were lucky to have a friend who rented a car and drove us around the island, but if you are a North American visiting Europe for the first time, I don’t recommend driving on the roads in Mykonos. They are narrow and winding and often lined with stone walls that act as property lines for the home owners. This can make it difficult to see around the corner, meaning quick adjustments are always necessary. In other words, if you are used to the Canadian or American road systems with wide, marked lanes, traffic lights, and general traffic rules, I would advise against renting a car in Mykonos.
More commonly, we saw tourists renting ATVs or motorbikes. These are easier to manouver and fit the lanes better. With our group of five and our Turkish friend driving, a car suited us better, but if I had not met my friends here, I would have opted for a car-free stay. Do note that there is not an abudance of cabs on the island, so if you will be relying on cabs, especially during high season, plan to stay near the Old Town and port.
Where to Stay in Mykonos
Ornos is a lovely place to stay while on Mykonos, with many hotels and apartments for tourists to rent. We stayed in an Airbnb between Ornos beach and Paralia Korfos. The former was our usual beach location as the latter is a kite-surfers’ beach, and is less preferrable for swimming or lounging.
Though we arrived at the beginning of the season (early May), and locals warned us that the ocean may be too cold to swim in, we found the days warm enough to go for a dip. We were early enough, however, that many of the beach clubs were not charging full price for their lounge chair sets. We decided to skip the chairs entirely, but most clubs will charge double in high season what they charge during low season. A typical high season price is 50-80 euros for two lounge chairs and an accompanying umbrella.
While accounting for the price difference between high and low season, also decide what your priorities are. We were lucky to have warm weather the whole week, and were able to swim in part because of the agreeable conditions and also because we are used to far colder waters in Canada. Keep in mind whether the beach is high on your list while visiting Mykonos.
Exploring Mykonos Island
Beyond exploring Little Venice in Old Town and the Old Port, there are numerous beautiful areas to see in Mykonos. Our first day was spent at Ornos Beach, followed by a trip out to Armenistis Lighthouse on the northwest of the island. The drive took just over 20 minutes. We drove back to the port for dinner where caught the sunset in the bay. We ate at Restaurant Kostas, ordering the baked feta, ouzo, chicken soulaki, and the stuffed tomatoes.
Our second day in Mykonos started with breakfast from the bakery down the street. We spent the early afternoon in Old Town, and left for Paralia Agia Anna. This beach is on the southside of the island. We ate a late lunch at Nikolas Tavern on the beach, then swam in the sea. Our evening was spent in Ornos, close to home as we would leave early the next morning for Naxos.
Our last day spent in Mykonos was a lovely warm Thursday. We decided to go to Paradise Beach for a short hike. There is a longer 8 km route, but we opted for the shorter 2 km walk along the coast line and across on the pennisula to Paralia Panangka. We passed Paradise View and saw both bays which feature clear blue and green water. We spent a few hours on Paralia Panangka, drinking frappes and eating lunch at Tasos Taverna before making our way back to Paradise Beach.
Mykonos on a Budget
If you are looking to visit Mykonos on a budget, my top tips would be to eat breakfast (and maybe lunch) at a bakery. Most bakeries offer sweet or savoury pastries for 1 to 2 euros a piece. Frappes are usually around 2-2.5 at bakeries, but more at restaurants. Expect to spend more at dinner and enjoy the local cuisine. Try some free activities to balance out your bills, such as hiking and swimming. Do take advantage of the proximity to Delos and plan to spend half a day there. You can read about my trip to Delos here.
Paradise beach looks nice. Was the water cold?
A little bit yes! But not too cold to swim