Our Mykonos, Greece Travel Guide

Our favorites from a week on this popular island

Thomas here!

Truth be told, I'm not exactly sure how we landed on Mykonos while planning our Greece trip. Paros was always on our must-visit list, but Mykonos seemed to call our name once we discovered an incredible villa. Plus, we'd been before and were joining Julia's family, making it an easy and appealing choice. Of all the Greek islands, Mykonos is probably the most popular and definitely one of the easiest to reach.

A word of advice: you will spend money in Mykonos. Whatever your threshold for "a lot" is, get comfortable with it. Embrace the island for what it truly is— a fun, vibrant, and stunningly beautiful destination. One thing to note: the wind in Mykonos can be intense— at least double what we experienced in Paros. Both the costs and the wind initially stressed me out during our first two days, affecting my ability to fully relax and enjoy. However, after consciously deciding to embrace these aspects, I found myself genuinely appreciating all that the island had to offer. Thanks to the wind, I never felt overheated, and the experiences where we did splurge, turned out to be incredibly fun and memorable for everyone.

Restaurants

• Cocco: Our first meal on the island was at this charming restaurant in Little Venice, set right on the water. The Italian menu was a hit—especially the pizzas for the kids and my pasta carbonara. The highlight? Our table featured a submarine-like window with mesmerizing sea views, captivating the kids throughout dinner.

• Pelao Tavern: A quick van ride, Pelao Tavern was an unexpected gem. I'm sure more popular for lunch, it provided the perfect casual evening meal spot for our family which was great because no one wanted to cook.

• La Maison de Katrin: For our adults-only evening, we chose this chic, tucked-away restaurant in Mykonos Town. Initially quiet, it quickly filled with patrons who clearly knew this was the place to be. Everyone enjoyed their meals and the ambiance was lovely.

Late Night Fun

• Interni: For our after-dinner drinks and dancing, our concierge recommended Interni— and it did not disappoint. With a lively atmosphere, a great playlist from the DJ, plenty of ABBA, it was exactly the fun, energetic vibe we were seeking.

Lunch Highlight

• Kiki’s Tavern: Arguably our group's favorite meal, Kiki’s Tavern is worth the wait. Arriving 45 minutes early landed us fifth in line, and we were seated promptly when doors opened at 12:30 pm. By 1 pm, the wait stretched hours for anyone that showed up late. The meal began with a delightful selection of salads, followed by perfectly grilled seafood and pork chop. Don’t miss this! Assuming you're not staying nearby the playbook is have breakfast early, get to the beach nearby around 11am then have at least one person wait in line from your group to secure your spot. After lunch you can head back to the beach for another swim.

Quick Bites

A travel tip I often overlook but highly recommend: save quick bites, cafés, and ice cream shops on your favorite mapping app. When you're overwhelmed, hot, tired, or hungry, having these locations saved can quickly guide you to the nearest pick-me-up. Anyone who's traveled knows how crucial these stops can be— nothing dampens the mood faster than desperately searching for a suitable spot under pressure.

• Leonidas Souvlaki: Our crew needed a quick, satisfying lunch in Mykonos Town. Luckily, an Instagram search revealed we were just steps away from Leonidas Souvlaki, featured in a video roundup of top spots. We grabbed our gyros and enjoyed them right on the nearby steps— a great takeaway option to keep handy.

• Watermelon: Julia’s sister stumbled upon this gem while waiting for us to arrive by ferry. Although slightly off the beaten path without a car, we ended up passing it almost daily. Perfect for fresh, healthy bites, matcha and excellent coffee.

• I SCREAM: Located conveniently between the iconic windmills and the large public parking area, I SCREAM offered delicious ice cream and friendly service— the owner was particularly patient and kind with our kids.

• SNOW Gelato: Arguably the best gelato on the island, SNOW Gelato is a must-visit for a sweet treat in Mykonos.

Beach Clubs

Mykonos beach clubs are on another level. Arriving around 11 am is considered early, and leaving at 4 pm, as we did, means missing the main event, but with kids, was more practical. The beach clubs in Mykonos start turning up the music and turn more into a club closer to 5pm.

• Nammos: Possibly the most luxurious (and expensive) beach club experience we've had— Julia even described it as her heaven. Between upscale shopping, indulgent amenities, and a kids' club, Nammos delivers extravagance on every level. The people watching is on another level!

• Scorpios: I personally loved Scorpios beach. Though we arrived before their 11 am opening, we had to wait a bit to settle into our spacious cabana. Lunch here ranked among our best meals. Note their quirky rules, such as no boogie boards, card games (?!), or fruit plates before the kitchen opens at 1 pm had us rolling our eyes a few times but the service was great and it's a unique place to spend the day.

Where We Stayed