Mykonos Travel Guide
For half a century the Greek Island of Mykonos has been a Mecca for tourists and adventure seekers. It has been visited by just about every celebrity, sports figure, political leader, archaeologist, professor, college student, house-wife, fashion model, writer, musician, famous chef, architect and designer in the world and it is not an exaggeration to say there is something on Mykonos for everybody. Great beaches, fine restaurants, beautiful hotels and villas, amazing bars and clubs and the widest assortment of people that you will find anywhere. Mykonos is fun for everyone. Also visit with daily available trips, the ancient island of Delos.
Delos is an island in the center of the Cyclades islands, in the Aegean Sea. Delos had two major claims to fame in what is commonly known about the history of ancient Greece. It was the birthplace of the Greek gods Apollo and Artemis and it was the place after which the Delian League was named. The treasury for the Delian league was kept at Delos (until 452 B.C., when Pericles moved the treasury to Athens).Delos had commercial importance for both the Greeks and Romans as a trading port.
Ferry trip is about 6 hours from Pireaus to Mykonos and five from Rafina. Catamarans and Dolphins do it in half the time. Easy connections to Syros, Tinos with several ferries a day. Daily connections to Paros, Naxos, Ios, Santorini, Andros and other islands during the summer. Also less frequent connections to Sifnos, Samos, Ikaria, the Dodecanese, Crete and Thessaloniki.
There is also an international airport.
WHERE TO DINE:
Kiki's on Agios Sostis beach
The Scene:
There’s no phone and you’ll need a car and some patience to find it from town, but Kiki’s is one of the most famous eateries on Mykonos located in Agios Sostis Beach along the North of the island. In a less traveled part of the island, this acclaimed seafood eatery offers legendary lunch service of seafood dishes often caught on the same morning they are served. The simple rustic space is no more than a communal kitchen with covered outdoor terrace surrounded in white plaster walls and thatch roof.
The Food:
While Kiki herself has long left the restaurant to her trusted managers and chefs to return to her native Sweden, a menu of incredibly high-standards still prevails for the all-day lunch service. Fresh salads are a tough thing to come by on Mykonos as almost no farming exists on the island, except for a few locally sourced gardens that provide buttered lettuces and fresh tomatoes for classic Greek salads topped with giant olives and fresh feta. Seafood dishes come close to perfection for wood-grilled specialties like octopus, calamari and swordfish in addition to traditional meat and chicken dishes.
Nammos on Psarou beach
The Scene:
If you ask anyone in town what the hottest restaurant is around, they'll undoubtedly reply Nammos. It's the trendiest beach restaurant in Mykonos, located down a windy and dusty road on the edge of popular Psarou Beach. The restaurant is divided between a formal dining area, lounge with bar, and beach club. Cane-wrapped sunshades dot the adjacent beach, serviced by bronzed waitresses working the hundred-or-so sun loungers filled with hungry tanning vacationers. The open-air restaurant offers a whimsical design of crisp white tablecloths accented by floral porcelain and over sized wine goblets. The crowd varies between fashionable locals in the off-season to August always-hot glitterati scene.
The Food:
There is nothing quite like a late beach club feast after hours of intense tanning and beach frolicking. Mostly known for its bustling dinner scene, we actually prefer this restaurant by day with its sparse lunch crowd and casual approach to Greek cuisine. Meals begin with a generous presentation of homemade breads and hummus, followed by golden-fried calamari or crisp house salads. Main entrees include numerous pasta and raviolis dishes with Greek twists like caper and sun-dried tomato sauces. An in-house barbecue specializes in mixed grill presentations of beef and fresh fish.
Matsuhisa at the Belveder hotel
The Scene:
With no shortage of starry Nobu eateries located at posh resort locations from St. Barts to the Hamtpons, Mykonos is home to one of the only spin-off Matsuhisa locations from a sushi empire that began in Los Angeles. Located poolside in a fully outdoor space inside the Belvedere Mykonos, Matsuhisa is arranged within a sexy terrace of banquettes and canvas-covered director’s chairs just off the main lobby. Those that prefer a more traditional experience find an omakase bar offering full-on chef experience as well as the Nobu-managed Sunset Bar with cocktails by sexy Greek mythologists and bento-box appetizers.
The Food:
Nobu appetizers include cold options of Toro tartare with caviar, classic ceviche and octopus salad that takes on an Aegean twist. Hotter starters like rock shrimp tempura with ponzu sauce, spicy garlic shrimp and daily lobster special bring signature Nobu flavors found at other global locations. Mains include assortment of sashimi and sushi as well as cut roll specials like the Oshinko or Kappa rolls as well as selection of grilled skewers and miso seafood dishes.
Katrin's in Hora
The Scene:
Even if you asked for directions in advance, the labyrinth-like interior streets of Mykonos will inevitably have you asking again. Luckily, every local knows the famous dining institution named after the feisty septuagenarian-chef. A beautiful boutique-style location on a narrow walking street is lined with whitewash tables and large picture windows looking into the legendary restaurant. With no more than ten inside tables, guests vie for the best positioning under an exaggerated ceiling and homey-décor.
The Food:
It’s still a family operation, even though the longtime matriarch chef has lured new help inside the kitchen. The staff clusters around a rear bar area and staging area for field salads and savory antipasti platters. Not known for their fresh vegetables, this is one of Mykonos’ few restaurants with a worthy array of fresh produce and select salads. A lengthy appetizer menu includes salmon arrangements, incredible garlic-braised mushrooms and traditional Greek hummus platters. Daily fish catches are better in the early season (May and June) as later summer is better for prime cuts of beef and lamb served family style on large wooden trays. Dessert is a selection of homemade cakes and tortes including warm apple tarte and walnut crumble.
Adva on Panormos beach
The Scene:
Panormos, one of the most beautiful beaches in Mykonos island, is delighted to welcome the new hot Adva bar and restaurant to its shores.
Start your day enjoying the golden sand beach of Panormos sipping coffee, or choosing a cocktail from the great variety on offer, before a sumptuous lunch on the coastline.
The Food:
Adva is always ready to satisfy your taste buds with a great variety of starters, snacks and delicious main dishes based on the Greek and Mediterranean cuisine - the summer tunes and the carefree mood are in perfect harmony with the landscape.
Adva's playground for children is fully equipped and ready to welcome children's laughter; 'kids hour' will leave you time to take the children whilst you hide and enjoy the sea and relax on the sand.
Clubs to visit:
Astra
Joy
Caprice
Nammos