With its abundance of charm, character and world-class beach parties, I couldn’t think of a better place on earth to celebrate my 30th birthday with two of my besties than the famous Greek island of Mykonos.
The happiest of vibes were felt as soon as we touched down from Santorini, and continued for the entirety of our 3 days spent exploring Mykonos town, the crystal clear turquoise waters, delicious and freshest cuisine, and its jumping party scene!
Here are 15 photos to inspire you to visit Magical Mykonos:
1.Visit the Lighthouses in Mykonos Town
The iconic symbol of Mykonos Town are its 7 lighthouses which date back to the 16th century. Perched on a hill, the lighthouses provide a perfect vantage spot to appreciate the beauty of Mykonos town, soak up the sun and breeze, and take as many Insta-worthy photos as your heart desires.
2. Cocktails in Little Venice
The whitewashed buildings of the Little Venice area are a short walk away from the Lighthouses and the perfect place to perch yourself in a bar for a few afternoon cocktails with the ultimate view of the Aegean Sea crashing against the buildings. Built right on the water, it is easy to see how it is reminiscent of the original Venice. Back in the 18th century, the buildings were home to shipping merchants as they had direct access to the sea. Today, Little Venice is home to restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops, which provides the perfect place to day drink.
3. Wander the town’s charming streets
Mykonos Town is the perfect place to ditch the map and explore the beautiful white and blue buildings many of which are perfectly adorned with bougainvillea. There are endless picture perfect corners, and opportunities to buy local gifts to take home. Find the street with the luxury boutiques, including the quaintest and most unassuming Louis Vuitton Store on the planet. We got the full champagne experience in the store as my friend (very well versed in all things LV) treated herself to a new bag, and I treated my husband to a belt after a couple glasses of bubbles.
4. Party it up with your girl gang
Known as one of the most renowned party places in Europe (and possibly the world), how could we visit Mykonos without checking out some of the local hot spots; Scorpio’s and Principote Beach Club being among the highlights.
Scorpio’s is perched on its own peninsula on the southern part of the island with uninterrupted views over Paraga Beach. It is literally the perfect setting with its views and bohemian inspired décor, but be prepared to dish out the Euros to hang among the rich and famous. We stayed for a few hours before heading down to the less pretentious vibes of the Paraga Beach Bars, including Kalua, where the party was lit!
Our other highlight (perhaps our favourite) was Principote Beach Club with its decadent beach chairs perched right at the seafront, and perfectly crafted cocktails and tunes that crescendo as the day progresses. It was literally the best spot to relax the day away in Bohemian Heaven with our arguably cringe matching cups!
5. Relax at a local spa
After exploring Mykonos Town, the beaches and the parties, we decided to spend our last day in Mykonos at the secluded luxury Santa Marina Hotel Spa to pamper ourselves. The Gingko Spa is named after the Ginkgo biloba which is the oldest living tree species and symbolizes longevity, strength, hope and resilience. After our 90 minute massages, our skin was smooth, our bodies rejuvenated, and our souls happy! We sat in the relaxation lounge with its water feature and white heavenly decor comparing notes on our various treatments. Nothing says bonding like a spa day with your girls. After several hours in the spa, we explored the grounds of the stunning hotel and had a delicious lunch at the Buddha bar whilst staring out at our yachts parked in the hotel’s bay! One can dream anyway! :)
6. Eat Well
Our exploration of Mykonos’ culinary scene was nothing short of incredible, and our highlights included:
Gelato at Ninnolo’s - this is definitely a contender for the best gelato on earth. NOT. EVEN. EXAGGERATING. We visited Ninnolo’s each of our days in Mykonos. Two words come to mind: Pistachio Gelato!
Road trip to Kiki’s Taverna - This was a hole in the wall gem behind the Agios Sostis church that extensive research pointed me in the direction of! So glad we got there early as long lines form and there isn’t much seating! The food was simple but delicious and wholesome, and the hospitality was warm, friendly and fast. Still dreaming of their tzatziki and freshly baked bread washed down with an ice cold local beer!
Jimmy’s Gyro - A Mykonos staple with a must try gyro! It was yummy fuel to keep us energized while exploring Mykonos Town, and so economical!
Buddha Bar - At the Santa Marina hotel, the atmosphere, decor and summer breeze is world class and so are the cocktails and cuisine. It’s a beautiful, luxurious spot to spend the afternoon drinking craft cocktails. We loved everything, especially the tuna tartare tacos and the greek salad (a staple at every meal, obvs).
7. Stay in comfort
Our hunt for a comfortable, centrally located hotel was a struggle in the height of summer! I can’t tell you enough how happy we were with the boutique, luxurious “A Hotel Mykonos”. The service was impeccable, with the staff going over and above to make us comfortable. Our dinner there was delicious, our breakfasts lush, and the simple, eclectic architectural design features were stunning.
Altogether, Mykonos and its parties, fresh food, and picturesque scenery charmed the three of us in a big way! The only thing I’d do differently for my next visit would be to travel out of busy season to catch a break on the costly accommodation.
