Mykonos
Is Mykonos The Right Place For You?
The goal of this article is not to discourage you from visiting Mykonos, but to provide some awareness and preparedness for those “cool” beach clubs and restaurants you are possibly planning to visit. Maybe Mykonos is right up your alley or maybe it’s just not the type of vacation you were envisioning. Either way, I’m happy we went and I hope this breakdown of the island helps!
Disclaimer: You are about to read an opinion of Mykonos from a married woman in her thirties who was looking to having a fun weekend of partying mixed with relaxing by the beach with her man………..
darlin, you gotta let me know… (dunnuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh).. should I stay or should I go.
Every summer it seems as if we all know someone vacationing in Greece via their incessant IG posts and stories. Most visitors begin in Athens, and then spend a few days in either Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, or Crete. For good reason… unless you plan on spending two weeks or more in Greece, it’s wise to just hit the highlights.
For starters, Mykonos easily takes the trophy as the Aegean Sea’s top party destination. The island is filled with chic hotels, upscale restaurants, trendy beach clubs, and high-end boutiques. The feeling of getting lost in the streets of Mykonos Town while stumbling upon one cute shop after another is infatuating.
But beyond the photo-friendly white-painted town with blue doors and pretty storefronts, what’s really going on across the island? Here’s what I experienced….
Beach Clubs: NAMMOS, Principote, Scorpios
If you are traveling on a budget, be aware: Mykonos is expensive A.F. and comes with a hefty price tag. If you’re planning to partake in the party scene at popular spots like Principote, Scorpios, and NAMMOS then say au revoir to your money.
My first time in Mykonos, I was eager to party at some of the places I saw my friends dancing on tables and waving napkins in the air. But wow, I was definitely surprised when I opened the menu and saw some of the insane prices.
My NAMMOS Experience:
During peak summer months, your crew must arrive before 11:30 a.m. to snag a daybed or you’ll be out of luck. Unless (of course) you’ve got some extra cash to slip to the hostess and she’ll magically find you a bed. A daybed at NAMMOS is 105€ per chair and Principote is a steal at 80€ (lol).
For couples, I would expect to shell out somewhere between 500-800€ for a few cocktails and appetizers. At NAMMOS, the price for a shrimp tempura appetizer was 45€, a cocktail was 30€, and a spicy tuna roll was 30€. I definitely left here on the hungrier side, as I wasn’t exactly looking to blow a ton of money on one spot. Yes, we had a great time, the beach was gorgeous, and the music was energetic. But for the price…… ehhhhhhh, I don’t know…. I’ve been to many other beach clubs that provided a similar experience without the same cost.
Helpful Tip: If you need to pare down your budget, but still want the beach club “experience,” opt for Principote over NAMMOS.
The Restaurant Scene:
It’s sort of the same concept in regards to dining on Mykonos, too… dinner at popular places like Interni, Mykonos by Gryparis, Tuya, and Nōema (all trendy restaurants with live DJs that TURN UP) are good quality, but IMO so overpriced.
Basic main courses average around 50-60€ and most don’t come with any sides. I personally had to limit the amount of cocktails I ordered because I didn’t want us to end up with a 500€ bill! And to top off the experience, some places enforce a time limit on the dining experience…. enjoy your meal before you’re politely asked to GTFO.
Highlights of Mykonos:
1. You won’t have to break the bank to find nice accommodations across the island.
In fact, it’s easy to take advantage of the pools at certain boutique or high-end hotels and have a really enjoyable afternoon. You don’t just have to party in Mykonos. You can easily avoid the popular spots for a day and have a romantic retreat if that’s what you please.
2. Mykonos does offer places to party that are less pretentious: Scandinavian Bar and Scarpa Bar
Both have reasonably priced drinks and still offer an energetic atmosphere! The vibe at these spots isn’t necessarily “beach club,” but if you’re in your late twenties or early thirties and want just a taste of your college days again, they’re super fun. And, when you’re hungry and don’t feel like having a fancy meal, stop at Sakis Grill House for a gyro.
3. You can save money on taxis by renting an ATV.
Lots of tourists rent ATVs to get around the island; you’ll see hundreds of them lined up if you’re in Mykonos Town. This is because cabs are difficult to find and charge about 35€ for a 15 minute drive. I’d highly recommend the ATVs so that you can see as much of the island as you wish in an affordable manner on your own timeline.
Final Thoughts:
Mykonos is “the party island” for good reason, and certainly has its place. I wrote this to give you an honest opinion and realistic perspective to help narrow down your decision on which Greek island is right for your vacation. So, if you only have one week and you’re not the crazy party couple or limited on a budget, maybe opt for islands like Paros or Naxos.
I hope this helps. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions! 🙂
