Trixie Navarre

I have been asked by many if Mykonos was as beautiful as its photos, and I have always answered, “More so”. The beauty of Mykonos stretches far beyond pictures, it is more the feeling and energy of the island that captivates its visitors. Mykonos is more than its photos.

I had visited Mykonos with my daughter’s as part of her graduation trip, and it exceeded our expectations. This sun kissed island is located in the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea, and is one of Greece’s most popular destinations.

The vibrant atmosphere, the fresh seafood, the sandy beaches, and the labyrinth of white buildings in its Old Town are a few of this island’s features that draw visitors in. It was what drew us in, and what we loved about Mykonos’s magic.

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Chora – Old Town

Chora or Old Town Mykonos, is where you will find a labyrinth of narrow pedestrian streets that you will not mind getting lost in.

Due to the summer heat, these picturesque buildings were built from local volcanic stone to keep cool inside, and painted white to reflect the hot sun. The buildings of Mykonos carry the pristine white and blue color theme of the Greek flag, which gives the town a picturesque atmosphere of relaxation and summer vibes.

The best time to visit is in the morning, when the stores and cafes are starting to open. By the afternoon the small walkways can become overcrowded with tourists, and by nighttime the parties start rolling. The loud party scene in the nighttime is why we decided to find accomodations uphill, above old town.

Depending on your interest level you can book a walking tour through the streets of Mykonos. There are online companies that offer walking tours or you can also ask your hotel to set one up for you. On our visit to Mykonos, we did not take a walking tour through Old Town, but I definitely see the benefit of it. That is something I will be sure to do when I visit Mykonos again, and I know that will happen. Either way you go, tour or on your own, you will love your stroll through Old Town Mykonos’s little streets.

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Little Venice

Little Venice is a vibrant and picturesque area of Mykonos, with the houses touching the water just like in Venice, Italy.  There are tavernas with sea side views of the famous windmills of Mykonos, and pretty white buildings lining the beaches.

We decided to have lunch at Sunset Taverna, which is a delicious seafood restaurant with gorgeous ocean views. My daughter and I soaked up the atmosphere while having cocktails, fresh fish, and crispy calamari.

Little Venice is not difficult to find as it runs along the edges of Old Town Mykonos.  The easiest landmarks are the windmills, and from there it is a short walk along the beach.

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Delos – A UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Island of Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a terrific day trip from Mykonos. Delos is famed for being the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis during the Ancient Grecian times. It is now a day trip tourist location with a museum, and archaeological site.

Please see my blog post on Delos for more information →The Mythical Island of Delos – A Day Trip From Mykonos

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Beaches

I will be honest here, I am not an expert with the beaches of Mykonos. I do know that there are many beaches, and depending on how you want to spend your vacation, there will be one to fit your agenda. I highly suggest to research online if you are looking to stay at a beach resort. There are different beaches in Mykonos that are tailored to families, singles, travel groups, partiers, and nudists. Just research for no surprises!

As for us, we were staying in Old Town and wanted a day of laying out at a resort. We asked our hotel, and they gave us beach information plus directions to the bus station. It was an easy enough ride to the beaches, and did not cost a lot of money. We ended up going to Paradise Beach, which is a nude and topples stretch of sand in Mykonos. We did not see anyone nude, nor did we go topless but keep that in mind when researching beaches.

There are several resorts that will allow you to use their property for the day, for a fee. I suggest just that, spending a day at a resort for your own comfort, especially if you are packing light. We spent the day at Tropicana Resort, and it was very nice with lounge chairs, umbrellas, a clean restroom, a bar, and a nice stretch of sand.

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Ibiscus Boutique Hotel

There are many hotels, resorts, and Airbnb’s in Mykonos and depending on your needs there will be something perfect for you. We decided to stay at Ibiscus Boutique Hotel, which was perfect for us. It was quite far from the sea, but it gave us beautiful views of Old Town. The walk up and down to Old Town was on a very steep hill, so make sure that when you book your hotel, you understand the terrain of Mykonos.

Ibiscus was a lovely and comfortable hotel that offered breakfast and airport shuttle rides. They also gave us a ride into the old harbor, when we were taking a ferry to Santorini. It is in a quieter part of Mykonos, and you will not be bothered by the loud tourists in the main section of Old Town. We enjoyed our stay very much, as it was quite peaceful, something that we were looking for in our Mykonos stay.  Ibiscus Boutique Hotel official site

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Food in Mykonos

The food in Mykonos and Greece in general, is undeniably different from the Greek or Mediterranean food that we have become accustomed to in the United States. The fresh fish and seafood, the creamy tzatziki, and sips of ouzo are a few of the many things to try while on the island.  You many never look at Greek food outside of Greece, the same way ever again.

👩🏻‍💻 For more food information, please check my blog post →  What I ate in GREECE – A Food Journal

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Getting to Mykonos

We arrived into Mykonos by plane in from Athens, which was about an hour flight. You can also take a ferry from neighboring islands, which will give you a different perspective of the islands. If you decide to take a ferry, I suggest pre-booking your tickets online especially during high-season, which is Spring until early Fall.

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Not all those who wander are lost…

– J.R.R. Tolkien

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📸 All Photos are taken by me, and are my intellectual property – Trixie Navarre