Where to Stay in Mykonos Greece and Why it Should Be Your Next Vacation Destination

The perfect romantic getaway, Mykonos is a destination meant for those that truly want a quiet beach vacation to get lost in multiple novels in the sand and sip wine with your sweetie all day.

Those searching for that perfect beautiful beach should consider a Mykonos Greece vacation. This is a destination meant for those that truly want a quiet beach vacation.

It is the place to get lost in multiple novels in the sand and sip wine with your sweetie all day. While there is a pretty active nightlife with beach bars and dance clubs, many flock to the island solely for its incredible sunset views and beaches.

How big is Mykonos?

A Greek island which lies on the west coast of the country and spans only 33 square miles, Mykonos is also the perfect romantic getaway.

The whitewashed buildings are perched on the rocky terrain of the island reminiscent of a long-ago civilization. Looking out at the Aegean Sea, you are overwhelmed by the vast cobalt waves as far as the eye can see.

It makes it easy to let the rest of the world fall away and just drink in the sun along with your favorite wine and cheese.

Where to stay in Mykonos?

I don’t particularly like a large, touristy hotel when I travel. I prefer some of the off-the-beaten paths stays that are smaller and offer more for their guests. Luckily there are plenty of boutique hotels on the island that will help provide a much more intimate, authentic experience on this fabled Greek island.

For our Mykonos vacation, we chose the Arte & Mare Elia Suites and it was exactly what we wanted for a honeymoon getaway. This smaller hotel has a variety of themed rooms that offered plenty of space and amenities as well as breathtaking views from private terraces and was in a great area to stay.

We also enjoyed an incredible breakfast spread complete with fresh olives, warm bread (right out of the oven!) and cheese for days.

At the spa, there are a variety of treatments to completely indulge yourself in luxury. The thalassotherapy is a thermal algae body masque has nutrients from the sea and is meant to detoxify the body.

They also offer aromatherapy, reflexology as well as a sauna and a gym – for anyone that is crazy dedicated enough to work out on vacation. Personally, my vacation workouts mainly consist of raising my wine glass from the table to my mouth. Repeatedly.

Although the rooms don’t have private pools, there are two pools at the hotel that you won’t find over packed and swarming with other guests. We loved relaxing on one of the daybeds and soaking in the sun in between refreshing laps.

While the junior and superior pools are a nice place for a refreshing swim, the ocean is just mere steps from the hotel, and it really steals the spotlight. This was important to us in our search for beach hotels.

There are chairs with umbrellas available for hotel guests on the sand to enjoy the amazing stretch of golden beach that melts into the crystal aqua colors of the ocean.

When is the best time to visit Mykonos?

Depending on the time of year you visit, the sun can be terribly hot, but the constant breeze makes it the perfect temperature. Sandy shores seem endless, and it will make you want to build sand castles like a kid again.

The best time to visit Mykonos is in fall between September and October so you can avoid the summer rush. You will still have warm water and great air temperatures, but miss the crowds, all-night parties and crazy hotel prices.

If you happen to get bored with relaxing in the sun or taking in the stunning sea views, the island offers lots of other activities such as jet skiing, horseback riding on the beach, parasailing, and diving – as well as an active nightlife once the sun goes down.

Things to do in Mykonos

If you need a break from the persistent sunshine, there are several interesting museums to visit on the island – Archaeological, Folklore, and a Maritime Museum. They will give you a glimpse of the culture and history in between your suntan and beach naps.

For those who love to shop on vacation, be sure to stop into the brand name stores on Matoyanni Streets and grab an espresso at one of the many cafes.

A must see item is the Armenistis Lighthouse at sunset. While there are tours available during the day, you can definitely enjoy this beautiful structure on your own. Public transportation does not go here so while you will have to rent a car or scooter to visit, at least it shouldn’t be crowded with tourists!

To make a day of the trip and most use of your rental vehicles, stop by the Marathi Dam and the quiet local beach of Panormos – both only a few kilometers from the lighthouse. Don’t expect crowds at the beach, again thanks to needing your own transportation to get there.

If you are a foodie, the local cuisine is just as luring as the sunshine. Traditional Mediterranean fare with heaps of olives, cheeses, nuts, and breads fill the menus. Spectacular pastas and mouthwatering, fresh seafood is available in every restaurant.

The wines add a finishing touch to the perfect meal, and if you have any room left, there are plenty of desserts and pastries to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Restaurants in Mykonos

Yes, there are restaurants and bars that offer up Americanized foods and dishes if you don’t like to try new cuisine, but, if you like to try local foods, you have to look beyond the touristy areas.

While on our honeymoon, we stumbled upon Nikos Gallop Restaurant which has an ocean view, and menu items fresh from the sea. From homemade hummus to fresh lobster and lamb shank, these dishes are artfully prepared and served up to customers like royalty.

The seafood is some of the freshest I have ever tasted with such an amazing variety.

The wines are painstakingly picked for the dishes, and it is the place to go if you want to truly enjoy a meal.

In the U.S., everything is so fast paced, even eating, and it can be odd to sit and have dinner for hours. However, here we had no problem ordering dish after dish and washing it down with locally made wines.

This was the ultimate Greek eating experience, and we ended up dining there multiple times while we were in Mykonos.

If you are looking for a night on the town, you have to check out The Piano Bar. It has been around in some form since 1983, but its evolution into a bar with fabulous entertainment from piano players and singers to cabaret performances made it a well-known attraction on the island.

Eventually moving to the building that housed the Montparnasse, the oldest bar in Mykonos, it became a staple of the community. Its amazing entertainment and delicious cocktails make for a great night out. 

I spent my honeymoon in Mykonos and fell in love with its beauty and culture. It offered an incredible setting to escape, and it felt as if we were the only two people in the world. If you are looking for that special trip that will be remembered forever, be sure to consider a Mykonos vacation.

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