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Trying to make plans about where to stay in Mykonos without knowing anything about the island is going to be pretty difficult. In order to make things a lot easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of the best areas and the most notable attractions.
Why You Should Visit Mykonos in 2023
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Mykonos is also known as “The Island of the Winds” due to its characteristically strong winds. These winds are great news for paragliders and parasailers, making both activities that much more fun and dynamic.
The famous windmills of Mykonos Town, also there by virtue of the winds, draw in thousands of visitors on a monthly basis. There’s a reason it’s often considered one of the best island vacations in the world.
The island as a whole thrives on tourism, so there are plenty of interesting attractions that you can visit and plenty of hotels. Another perk of Mykonos being such a tourist hotspot is that it also has many cafes and restaurants, so there’s that much more to do.
Beachside bars, lounge bars, rock bars, clubs — you name it; Mykonos really has it all in terms of nightlife. As you might expect from an island in Greece, the beaches are also fantastic with fine soft sand and shockingly blue water that’s great for swimming, snorkeling, and other watersports.
If you’re a bit more of a mountain person, you can also find plenty of walking and hiking trails that will take you all over the island and all of its peaks.
The bottom line is this: deciding on where to stay in Mykonos isn’t about what you want to do, but rather what you want to do first.
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The 5 Best Parts of Town in Mykonos
Mykonos has a lot of villages and cities that are pretty small. The island has plenty of interesting attractions that you can visit and a lot of great beaches that you can enjoy.
But the five places that we’ve pointed out in this article have a lot more to offer than most other spots on the island:
- Mykonos Town North: The biggest and most vibrant bars and nightclubs that you can find on the entire island.
- Mykonos Town South: A lot of interesting attractions, shops, and even more bars.
- Agios Ioannis Mykonos: Close to the island of Delos and the archeological site that can be found there.
- Elia Beach: The best place on the island for vacation goers that like to spend most of their time on the beach.
- Tourlos: Has a little bit of everything and isn’t as expensive as Mykonos Town.
The Best Areas & Hotels in Mykonos
When choosing where to stay in Mykonos, the best advice that we can give you would be to not stay in the same spot for your entire vacation.
It might be a bit of a pain to go from one side of the island to the other or rent a boat and go to another island entirely, but the traveling will be worth it. There’s plenty to see and it’s not all in one convenient spot.
Simply put, Mykonos is one of those places where you might even end up switching hotels throughout your vacation if you’re to experience it to the fullest. That said, you can’t go wrong by starting with Mykonos Town.
1. Mykonos Town North
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The actual name of this city is just Mykonos because in Greece the principal city of the island usually carries the same name as the island itself.
However, to keep things less confusing when reading this article, we’ll stick to calling the island Mykonos, whereas this area will be Mykonos Town. This city has the most vibrant nightlife out of all of the locations that you’ll find on the island.
There are plenty of cocktail lounges where you can relax and chat with your friends, bars where you can sit down and have a drink, and nightclubs where you may be able to catch a live performance and rock out until dawn breaks.
You might also like to visit the famous Panagia Paraportiani. This is a 17th-century church that’s actually comprised of five different churches that were joined together. Even if you aren’t religious or particularly interested in typical church architecture, the almost completely white structures are really a sight to behold.
One of the best places to go with a partner is Old Harbor, where the bars and restaurants also usually offer a spectacular view of the city. Additionally, you’ll find boats that you can rent out and get an even better view of the scenery.
The biggest issue with this part of town is that the massive number of tourists makes finding a table or a room a lot harder. It also doesn’t that the prices tend to be up there.
Things to Do
- Go out at night and check out all of the different bars that you can visit to have a drink with your friends or enjoy the music inside.
- Old Harbor is a very romantic route in the city where you can take a night-time walk and enjoy the nightlight and the beauty of the surrounding scenery.
- Get a ticket to the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos and take a walk through all of the different exhibits full of ancient Greek relics.
- Visit the Panagia Paraportiani — a church that’s unlike any other that you’re likely going to see in your life.
Where to Eat
- Skandinavian Bar Mykonos is a bi-level nightclub with three different bars to choose from.
- Rhapsody Bar is a very atmospheric little dive where you can get a drink.
- Mamalouka – Eat Local is the best place to go if you’re in the mood for some traditional Greek dishes.
Mykonos Town North Budget Hotels
- Lefteris comes with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, an AC unit and free wifi in every room, and a sun terrace and a shared lounge that you can use.
- Pelagos Sunset has rooms that come with a flat-screen cable TV, free wifi, and an AC unit, as well as access to an outside swimming pool.
Mykonos Town North Mid-Range Hotels
- Villa Konstantin has an outdoor swimming pool and a lounge area that guests can use, a complimentary continental breakfast every morning, and a cable TV in every room.
- Yalos Hotel offers an AC unit, a flat-screen TV, and an AC unit in every room, as well as free wifi and a complimentary breakfast every morning.
Mykonos Town North Luxury Hotels
- Studios & Suites Rania offers all of the guests apartments that come with full kitchens, free wifi, a flat-screen Tv with a DVD player, a furnished balcony, and a beautiful garden where you can enjoy a drink at night.
- Tagoo Black Mykonos provides all of the guests with rooms that come with an amazing view, an outside swimming pool with a poolside bar where you can cool off with a drink, and a flat-screen TV and free wifi in every room.
2. Mykonos Town South
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The south side of the city has a lot of the same attractions as the north, but it also has a few unique ones. One of those is the Rarity Gallery. This gallery is almost claustrophobically small, but don’t let that fool you.
The small three-room space is home to pictures, sculptures, and paintings that were created by renowned artists and promising up-and-comers alike. The Seven Flour Mills of Mykonos are another very famous attraction in the city.
The actual number is 16, but tourists mostly care about the most prominent white spires that stand near the bay and make the perfect background for any vacation pic.
The windmills are a symbol of the island, and there’s even a gift shop that sells windmill-themed memorabilia to commemorate your trip. Matogianni Street, though, is the must-visit spot in the city where you’ll find plenty of boutiques and the best gyro in town if you’re feeling hungry.
At night, it’s also a great spot for a romantic stroll. Moreover, history buffs might be interested in visiting the famous Archaeological Museum of Mykonos, housing many ancient Greek statues.
As with the previous segment of the city that we mentioned, the biggest issue with the southern part of Mykonos Town is the number of tourists. The crowds can be overwhelming, and the prices of the drinks tend to be very high.
Things to Do
- Check out the famous Flour Mills of Mykonos and snap a few pics of the incredibly picturesque landscape.
- Walk down Matogianni Street and check out all of the different clothes shops, restaurants, and different stores that you can visit.
- The Rarity Gallery is a great place to visit if you’re an art enthusiast that wants to check out both well-established and lesser-known artists.
- Dio Horia is another art gallery in the vicinity, but this one deals in more contemporary and abstract paintings and sculptures.
Where to Eat
- Nusr-et Mykonos is where you go if you’re in the mood to try out some Turkish dishes.
- Krama Mykonos is a pretty chic restaurant where you can enjoy a cocktail with your meal.
- Funky Kitchen is a small casual eatery with a great menu and a great view from the terrace seating area.
Mykonos Town South Budget Hotels
- Karboni Hotel provides guests with pretty cheap rooms that come with a flat-screen TV and free wifi.
- Matogianni Hotel has a satellite TV and a mini-fridge in every room, a safe where you can keep all your valuables while outside of the room, and free wifi throughout the hotel.
Mykonos Town South Mid-Range Hotels
- Poseidon Hotel Suites comes with an outside freshwater pool that guests can use, a room that comes with a satellite TV, and coffee-making facilities.
- Kamara Residence & Suites comes with an AC unit and a dining area in every room, as well as a car rental service that’s available at reception, and free wifi throughout the property.
Mykonos Town South Luxury Hotels
- Mykonos Theoxenia Boutique Hotel provides you with access to a full-service spa that comes with plenty of different beauty and massage treatment options, as well as an in-house restaurant and bar that provides you with a complimentary breakfast and cocktail.
- Semeli Hotel the in-house a la carte restaurant serves a buffet breakfast every day by the pool, and you can also visit the restaurant and choose from the massive selection of Italian and Greek dishes, and then you can burn all of the calories in the fitness center.
3. Agios Ioannis Mykonos
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Agios Ioannis Mykonos is a mouthful, so we’ll just be referring to this section of the island as Agios for the sake of simplicity. There’s a pretty small settlement in this section of the island, but the truth is that this part of Mykonos is most notable for its proximity to the smaller island of Delos.
Delos is a few kilometers to the southwest of the Agios region, and there are plenty of boats that you can take to get to the smaller island, and at very reasonable prices as well.
The reason why you’d want to visit Delos is the famous ruins that can be found on the island. This is the home to one of the most precious and famous archeological attractions in the entirety of Greece.
There are old temples that you can explore, dusty fountains that still hold some of their original beauty, and faded mosaics that tell the story of the gods. Speaking of, the island is considered a World Heritage Site today, but back in the day, it was considered a holy land and the birthplace of the twin gods Apollo and Artemis.
The Delos Archaeological Museum has some of the most notable statues and exhibits that were dug up from the nearby archeological site. This is where you’ll find some of the more interesting pieces of history and grasp the full picture of this captivating island.
Agios itself doesn’t have much going on, and it mainly serves as a place where you can get a room and spend the night before you go to a nearby beach or Delos.
Things to Do
- Go to the Delos Archaeological Museum and look around the exhibits to see some very interesting pieces of art from back in the day.
- Visit the famous Delos ruins and check out the long-faded sites of worship, the multiple temples, and the colorful murals.
- If you’re already looking for boats that’ll take you to Delos, you might also like to rent out one that can just take you offshore for a bit of relaxing fishing.
Where to Eat
- Beefbar Mykonos has a unique sandy setting where you can enjoy a drink.
- Bellissimo Pizza & Pasta Mykonos is the best place on the island if you want to get a slice of pizza.
- Vasilikos Bar-Restaurant Mykonos is s simple restaurant where you can grab a gyro.
Agios Ioannis Mykonos Budget Hotels
- Fos Suites comes with a cable TV and free wifi in every room, as well as a safe where you can store all of your valuables when you leave the room.
- Lithos by Spyros & Flora has an LCD satellite TV in every room, free wifi throughout the property, and a complimentary continental breakfast is served in the lobby every morning.
Agios Ioannis Mykonos Mid-Range Hotels
- Manoula’s Beach Mykonos Resort comes with an American breakfast buffet that’s served in the dining area every morning, and the hotel comes with a seafront restaurant and an outside swimming pool that all of the guests can take advantage of.
- Mykonos Moussa provides guests with apartments that come with coffee makers and toasters, as well as free wifi and a flat-screen cable TV.
Agios Ioannis Mykonos Luxury Hotels
- DeLight Boutique Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World provides you with access to the 24-hour front desk that’s always there for any questions and requests that you might have, a pool bar where you can enjoy a drink, and a satellite TV in every room.
- Saint John Hotel Villas & Spa comes with a piano bar, three gourmet restaurants and two in-house bars, so guests have plenty of choices for their dining venue, and you also have a full-service spa with saunas, hammam and indoor heated pools.
4. Elia Beach
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Mykonos is full of amazing beaches that tourists can visit, but Elia Beach stands out as a particularly good choice even on an island full of great sunbathing spots. This is the largest beach on the island, and as a result, you’ll have plenty of room even in the busiest season.
The golden sand is soft and ideal for both sunbathing and playing a friendly game of volleyball with your friends, depending on how the mood strikes you, of course.
Around the beach, you’ll also find hills and slopes with hiking trails if you want to climb to the top and get a better view of the area. The beach also has a jet ski rental shop if you’re in the mood for something a bit more exciting than swimming or snorkeling.
Speaking of, the area doesn’t really have any coral reefs or exotic fish that you can check out, but the water is still incredibly clear and perfect for a bit of recreational snorkeling.
Elia Beach actually has quite a few shops that you can check out if you want to change your wardrobe as well as restaurants where you can sit down for a meal.
However, while there are plenty of hotels in the region, the popularity of the beach means that rooms even in the more mediocre hotels will cost you quite a lot of money.
Things to Do
- Go to the jet ski rental shop and try your hand at racing on top of the water if you want a bit of excitement on your trip to the beach.
- Check out the many hiking trails around the area and climb the surrounding hills to get a better view of the beach and the surrounding area.
- Grab an umbrella, a chair, and a towel and spend all day at the beach just swimming, sunbathing, or having some fun with your friends or family.
Where to Eat
- Capelayo Food Senses is a simple eatery where you can grab a quick bite to eat.
- Espuma Restaurant has an impressively large menu full of traditional dishes that you can try.
- Restaurant Elia beach has an amazing atmosphere at night and a great wine menu to check out.
Elia Beach Budget Hotels
- Cova Mykonos Suites comes with a complimentary continental breakfast every morning, a flat-screen TV in every room, and a car rental service at the front desk.
- Senses Luxury Villas & Suites has an outside swimming pool that all of the guests can use whenever they want, as well as an AC unit and free wifi in every room.
Elia Beach Mid-Range Hotels
- Smy Mykonos Suites & Villas comes with an outside swimming pool with its own bar where you can get a drink, a complimentary breakfast every morning, and every guest also gets a fruit basket on arrival.
- Royal Myconian provides all of the guests with a free buffet breakfast each morning, an on-site restaurant and three bars that guests can take full advantage of, and rooms that come with an LCD TV, as well as a DVD/CD player.
Elia Beach Luxury Hotels
- Myconian Imperial has three swimming pools and a hot tub that all of the guests can enjoy, rooms that come equipped with an LCD satellite TV and a DVD player, and free wifi throughout the property.
- Myconian Utopia Relais & Chateaux comes with an in-house restaurant that guests can use, an outside swimming pool where they can do a few laps, and a fully-equipped fitness center where they can work up a sweat.
5. Tourlos
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Tourlos is a village slightly to the south of Mykonos Town, and it’s pretty much just a more tame version of it. Tourlos has a lot of restaurants and bars, beaches, and plenty of fun in-land attractions.
One of these is the jeep rental. It might not sound like much, but a bit to the east of Tourlos, you’ll find plenty of trails that are just great for a morning drive. You can either drive down the road and enjoy the scenery or stop at one of the nearby hiking spots.
If you walk the rest of the way up the mountain, you’ll find yourself at the Techniti Limni artificial lake, which is a great picnic spot. Near the village, you’ll also find distilleries and vineyards where you can schedule a tasting and spend a whole day just sampling some of the best local vintages.
There are also plenty of boats that you can rent in the local marine and have a fun day out on the sea with your friends or family and maybe do a bit of fishing. As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, Tourios is a somewhat lesser version of Mykonos Town.
This does mean that the bars and attractions won’t be quite as expensive, and the crowds aren’t as annoyingly big, but there really aren’t all that many fun attractions outside of the ones that we mentioned.
Things to Do
- Visit the local distillery and vineyard if you want to try some of the local wines and beers and learn a bit more about how the distilling process works.
- Rent out a boat and have some fun out on the sea, or rent a car and enjoy a drive around the island.
- The area might not be as big as the capital, but there are still plenty of bars and shops that you can visit.
Where to Eat
- CALINI cakes is where you go if you’re in the mood for something sweet.
- Compass Mykonos Restaurant has a great view of the bay at night.
- Molaraki Mediterranean Cuisine offers great local dishes that you can try.
Tourlos Budget Hotels
- Smy Bellevue Mykonos is a pretty small room that doesn’t have many amenities, but it comes at a pretty reasonable price.
- Quattro Venti Suites Mykonos comes with free wifi throughout the property, a flat-screen TV, and a fully-equipped kitchen.
Tourlos Mid-Range Hotels
- Namaste Boutique Apartments has a flat-screen TV and an AC unit, a full kitchen and a dining area, and a full garden as well.
- Life Suites comes with an outside swimming pool that guests can take advantage of, free wifi throughout the property, and a flat-screen TV.
Tourlos Luxury Hotels
- Adikri Villas & Suites provides all of the guests with a fully-equipped kitchenette that has an oven and a refrigerator, an outdoor pool and a sun terrace that guests can use, and both ironing and laundry facilities.
- Mykonos Riviera Hotel & Spa comes with a complimentary a la carte breakfast every morning, two in-house restaurants where guests can dine, an infinity pool, and a fully-equipped fitness center.
So, Where Should You Stay in Mykonos?
| 🍺 Best Area for Nightlife | Mykonos Town North |
| 🎁 Best Area for Shopping | Mykonos Town South |
| 🏰 Most Historic Area | Agios Ioannis Mykonos |
| ⛱️ Best for Relaxing on the Beach | Elia Beach |
| 💲 Most Budget-Friendly Area | Tourlos |
If you’re still unsure about where to stay in Mykonos even after going through our article, then here are the highlights that you need to remember:
- Mykonos Town is the heart of the island and has the most attractions that you can visit as well as the largest number of bars and nightclubs.
- Agios Ioannis Mykonos isn’t all that amazing by itself, but it’s located very close to one of the most interesting and significant archeological spots in the entire country.
- Elia Beach is the biggest beach on the island and the best spot for vacation-goers that like to spend their trips swimming and getting a tan.
- Tourlos is relatively small, but it still has plenty of fun activities that you can try out, and it’s a lot cheaper than most of the other areas that we went over.
Whichever part of the island you choose, you’ll be surrounded by beautiful scenery, warm weather, and friendly locals. So what are you waiting for… book your trip today. Happy travels!