Mykonos accommodation from NZ$168

When you aren’t splashing in the Aegean Sea or tromping around ancient ruins, sit on a patio and eat moussaka with reckless abandon—that’s what Mykonos holidays are all about. Well, that and dancing till dawn, but you’ve still gotta book a room in one of the beautiful hotels in Mykonos—you know, for naps at least.

Things to Do on Mykonos

To paraphrase Shakespeare, Mykonos may be small, but it’s fiercely fun. No matter where you decide to hang your towel and lay your head, you’ll find fabulous Mykonos accommodation near the most enchanting villages and hopping ‘hoods. The entire island is relatively small and if you’re not sure what to include on your itinerary, join an Island of Mykonos Half-Day Tour and explore all the highlights. Whatever you want to do with the other half of the day is up to you.

Striking out minus a guide? Start at the very beginning—a very good place to start, if we do say so ourselves—at the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos, located on the waterfront in Mykonos Town. Get up close and personal with artefacts from the nearby Delos Island, which date back to the third millennium BCE—no big deal.

Float on over to Elia Beach for seaside adventures, from kayaking and parasailing to sunbathing on the sand. Yes, when you’re in ancient Greece, sunbathing is an adventure. If you want to stay near the centre of the party scene, head to Paradise Beach or nearby Super Paradise (sometimes regular paradise needs a boost). There, the bars are always pouring and the DJs will be your holiday heroes. Don’t forget your dancing shoes! What else are you gonna do with 24 hours of perfect weather and nightclubs lining the neighbourhood? Sleep?

Balance the late-night shenanigans with easygoing evenings. In Little Venice—named for its numerous waterways—indulge in upscale shopping, smashing views and some of the best food in Mykonos. Remember what we said about moussaka on a patio? This is your moment, traveller.

Top off the night with local wine and you’re set. It’ll be pretty obvious why Little Venice is considered the date capital of the island, but if you’re exploring solo, that just means more amygdalota (almond biscuits) for you.

Getting to & Around Mykonos

When booking flights to Mykonos, you can choose to go directly to the island or fly into Athens and take a ferry to your final destination. When it comes to getting around on the island, choose one of Wotif’s car hire options, or look into scooters, ATVs and bicycles. You’ll find lots of accommodation in Mykonos along the west coast, within hiking distance to all the museums and bay views of Mykonos Town, so pack your walking shoes, too!

Upcoming Events

On the tail end of August, just when some cities start slowing down, Mykonos picks up the pace. To celebrate Assumption Day, the island locals and travellers flock to Panagia Tourliani Church for feasting and parades through the streets of Ano Mera. Even if you aren’t particularly religious, you’ll receive a warm welcome and be invited to join the party, so grab some spinach pies and make some new friends.

Come mid-September, local produce is ready to harvest, and in true Greek spirit, the locals turn the wine press into a party. Leave your shoes by the wayside and get squishy with it. If you aren’t so sure about drinking the wine that other peoples’ feet have touched, don’t worry—fermentation is your friend, and you can always order the non-alcoholic soumada, is a refreshing almond and rosewater drink. It’s a Mykonos specialty!

Get Outside!

Mykonos is an island, on the sunny Aegean Sea no less. Being outside is the whole point! When you want to enjoy the beach without the party beats, don your togs and hire a kayak for a quiet day at Agios Sostis Beach. Not the sporty type? Pack a picnic of kopanisti cheese and souvlaki skewers and put the zzzzz in “lazy” with some snacking and napping. Hey, Agios Sostis is that quiet. The surrounding village is also one of the most serene places to stay in Mykonos, in case you want to balance the bump and grind of the south coast with some sleep and snooze.

Must-See Spots

There’s no wrong way to spend just one day in Mykonos, but if you had to choose just a couple of must-see spots, add Delos to that list. You can’t go wrong with ruins that are pushing 5000, especially when they happen to stand in the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo.

Stand in the middle of the Agora of the Competialists like a sundial and hike down the Sacred Way toward the Sanctuary of Apollo. With so many historic sites and centuries of architecture in one place, Delos is like an amusement park for history-buffs and art-lovers—and on top of that, it’s surrounded by sea views. Sounds like fun to us!

Back on the main island, modern Mykonos may still inhabit the caves and winding alleyways of generations past, but it does so in style. Shop through the boutiques in downtown Mykonos Town to find breezy independent fashions for the next beach party, and snack on a fresh gyro sandwich while you sift through scarves to take back home to Aunt Cora. You’re sure to find a little somethin’ somethin’ to take back, but when it doubt, baklava is always a winner.

Ready to experience the excitement and culture of this unique island destination? Wotif has the best deals on Mykonos hotels and holiday packages. Pack your sun cream and book your tickets—Greece is calling!