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Many people who have not visited Greece might find it surprising when I say that Mykonos is not my top choice among the islands. If you have been there, you might understand my perspective. Despite its reputation as a fun and glamorous party destination, Mykonos may not live up to all the hype. After reading this blog, you might be pleasantly surprised by what other islands have to offer and have a different outlook. Below, I have highlighted a few aspects that turned me off about Mykonos, which are not commonly shared by many.
Greece is known for its dramatic landscape, and let's just say I was completely unimpressed compared to other islands.
It is extremely expensive and I don't mind paying for good food and good service; however, it did not feel as such.
All of our drivers were 120 euros each way, no matter if the ride was 5 minutes or 20 minutes. We were told that forms of transport are hard to come by, so we had to hire a full-time driver, even though he would not wait for even 2 minutes. If everyone wasn't outside, he would leave.
Our Airbnb host was incredibly rude (which I've also heard other horror stories about) and blamed us for breaking things that were already broken upon arrival. It felt more like a scam to get money from us to fix things around the house. The house was beautiful; however, the stay felt uncomfortable.
Mykonos isn't the most authentic-feeling and is very commercialized when it comes to shopping.
During peak season, expect a high volume of tourists and dining tables placed close together at dinner.
Extremely windy (Not great for boating days)
Tips if going to Mykonos:
stay in a hotel (even with a large group) so you don't have to deal with airbnb hosts and the houses are generally far from the main areas.
Always make a reservation in advance, like way in advance.
3 nights is the perfect amount of time in my opinion
Pre reserve all of your drivers or rent a car
Save your boat days for other islands
To avoid crowds, consider visiting in May, June, or September.
Our group had a great time overall, but the experience depends on the people you are with. I recommend checking it out, but keep in mind these tips to help plan for a seamless trip. Here are some other islands that I strongly recommend!
Corfu
Corfu stands out as one of the most stunning Greek islands, ranking as the second largest in the Ionian Sea. It has breathtaking beaches, rich culture, vibrant nightlife, and delightful weather throughout the year. While many may associate international DJs only with Mykonos, Corfu offers several fantastic day and night party venues with world-renowned DJs at a more affordable price and less chaos. In my experience, Corfu truly caters to a diverse range of preferences and interests which I highly recommend.
Hotels:
Akrotiri Beach Resort Hotel
Angsana Corfu Resort
Beach Club/Nightlife:
La Grotta Lounge
Pazuzu beach club
Akron Beach Bar
54 dreamy nights
Sirens
Milos
This island is one of my absolute favorites. The island's volcanic origin is made up of the most fascinating rock structures along with the bluest water. It is slowly getting more and more popular; however, it is still a must-visit. This is an island where you must have a boat day and explore via water. While Milos isn't quite known for its nightlife, it definitely still has a lively experience for those looking to have fun on the town. It is also full of quaint shopping, fishing villages, and some of the best rock jumping you'll ever get to experience. Getting around via rental car, taxi, or bus isn't a problem on this island. I personally think renting an ATV for the time you're there is the easiest way to get around. All in all, if you're a foodie, water lover, or a couple looking for an incredible island getaway, this is one not to miss.
Hotels:
Domes White Coast
White Pebble Suites
Beach Clubs/Nightlife:
Aqua Loca Beach Bar
Kri Kri
Utopia
Santorini
Now this may be a little controversial because Santorini is one of the most "popular & touristy" islands in Greece; however, I had a completely different experience. It may have been because I was there the first week of June (which I highly recommend) that there were barely any crowds. It was nothing like the videos I had seen of it being shoulder to shoulder with people. I had some incredible food and a boat day filled with showing us the black sand beach, red sand beach, volcanic beach, and many more. It also may have helped that I decided to stay at a hotel just outside the main town of Oia, which I will add below. Santorini is one I would definitely recommend; however, if you can, try to go during the more off months (late May, early June, September)!
Hotels:
Andronis Concept Wellness Resort
Cavoo Tagoo
Beach Clubs/Nightlife:
Theros
Yalos
Tango
Enigma
with there being nearly thousands of islands in Greece, it is safe to say there are several more islands I will be heading back to see in the near future!
Safe travels!
Xo Carlin
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