Mykonos is synonymous with picturesque partying and luxurious libations, however if you visit during the day, you might be surprised to find something a little more serene. As the highlight port on our ‘Greek Islands’ cruise itinerary, we discovered why Mykonos is a considered a jewel of the Med, and why it is best explored on your own.
Getting to Mykonos Town from the Cruise Port
As the quaint harbour of Mykonos Town isn’t deep enough for an ocean liner, nor does it have the modern infrastructure required for such a vessel, you will inevitably dock alongside New Port. Our ship, P&O Azura, was docked port side when we visited, however an MSC cruise ship rocked up in the afternoon and was only accessible by tender. There are two main options available to you when visiting the town of Mykonos by large commercial cruise ship. The first option is to take the free shuttle bus offered by your cruise provider. This is the most economical and self explanatory option, however you will still need to walk for a couple of minutes to get from the bus stop in to the centre of the town itself. The other choice you can make is to get the water taxi across the harbour. Though the most picturesque mode of transport, it also comes at a small cost and runs to a schedule, so you may need to wait around a little for this mode of transportation. The sea bus does, however, stop right in the heart of the action, so you needn’t wander far to experience the shops, restaurants and religious architecture. Ultimately the choice is yours, but we opted for the free (and air conditioned) coach!
Windmills
Mykonos is renowned for its breeze, so naturally it is home to some iconic windmills! Though they are no longer put to work, these historical structures are fairly well maintained and some are still home to a few lucky residents. Fancy staying in one of your own? One of the five is even available to stay in on AirB&B! Don’t believe me? Check it out here: airbnb.co.uk The town can be a bit tricky to navigate with all of the winding streets, steps, hills and white walls that all look the same, but there are a few signs pointing you in the right direction if you care to look for them. Don’t be afraid to ask a local either – everyone we spoke to was very polite and spoke good English.
Fancy a dip?
There are a few small ‘beaches’ along the water’s edge, however you won’t be building sandcastles here. The water is lovely and clear, but we did all comment on the lack of waste disposal and hygiene facilities unfortunately. There was some litter around, which for a ‘high-end resort’, I was quite surprised to see. Perhaps if one had beer goggles on, one wouldn’t notice… We decided not to paddle on this occasion, but there were others enjoying a spot of sunbathing and having a swim, so its all about personal preference. Don’t worry – we still had plenty of beach time at another Greek island on this cruise (destination guide coming soon – subscribe now so you don’t miss it)!
Food & Drink
If you have read any of our other blog posts, you will know that when it comes to food, we like to plan ahead. When reading reviews, scouring maps and salivating over menus, one restaurant really stood out to us – Nice ‘n’ Easy Organic Restaurant. Due to its trendy vibe and enviable seafront location, I read that this restaurant gets very busy, so we planned ahead and booked a table online. This seaside tavern is clearly popular with locals and tourists, however we were relieved to have not been given a table right on the waterfront due to the vast amounts of pedestrians brushing by snapping selfies. The Insta photos might make it look like the picture perfect spot for lunch, but the reality would be rather stressful I imagine! I ordered the Traditional Soutzoukakia Greek Meatballs in a tomato sauce with Basmati Rice, and I can honestly say it was cooked to perfection. A light but filling meal, the fresh pita bread and dips were enjoyed by all, and my meal was well complimented by fresh homemade lemonade too. Teddy enjoyed chocolate covered pancakes (not exactly traditional, but he was only 5 at the time), whilst the others enjoyed traditional gyros and french fries. The service was great, the place had a great vibe and we weren’t rushed despite it being visibly busy. My mother was particularly impressed with the selection of well-groomed and attentive servers. I can only imagine that the atmosphere really heats up when the sun goes down, if you know what I mean!
If a sit-down meal isn’t something you’re after, there are some other good spots for gyros-to-go, crepes, gelato and more. What is fascinating is that many of the outlets have reversible signage so that they can change their offering between day and night. The spot where we stopped for morning coffee and gelato turned in to a street-side cocktail bar after dark! The locals are so entrepreneurial!
Shopping
If designer labels, high-end clothing, opulent accessories and luxury homewares are what you seek, you will love shopping in Mykonos. If you like a white floaty dress, canvas tote bag, funky jewellery or a fridge magnet, you will also love shopping in Mykonos! There is something for every budget if you know where to look, but with quaint cobbled streets, narrow doorways and steps everywhere, taking pushchairs and wheelchairs to Mykonos would definitely make things complicated.
Cats! Cats, everywhere!
Like many tourist hotspots, our feral feline friends certainly like to steal the show. They are very photogenic and largely unbothered by people, but please don’t be tempted to feed them. We witnessed a local lady leaving cat biscuits at earmarked feeding spots away from the busiest tourist areas and cafes, and there is a donation point in the town should you feel the need to contribute to their health and wellbeing there. They may look slender, but they are not starving, so please resist the urge to give the feline residents your leftover french fries.
Interesting Architecture
There are lots of historic buildings around the town, many of which are religious in nature. If you wander further inland, you’ll soon find yourself in the residential areas which also have unique design elements and unexpected landmarks blended in. It felt like each corner had something surprising to see. Though I can’t tell you what any of it is, largely because signage is near-non-existent, I can tell you that a morning spent wandering the alleyways is a morning well spent!
Top Tips
- Get there early. If you want to take beautiful pictures without hordes of people in them, make the most of the morning sun (between 09:00-10:00) and explore whilst its quiet. By 12 noon, restaurants are bustling and shops are spilling out in to the street, and as the day goes on, the volume also goes up. It is worth noting that the glare of the mid-day sun can make photography more difficult too.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The narrow, uneven cobbled streets are part of the charm, but they also make being steady on your feet challenging at the best of times. Save yourself the embarrassment of a stumble and wear something flat on your feet.
- Sunglasses are useful. The white washed buildings are beautiful, but the glare in the mid-day sun can be intense.
Gallery
In Summary
A charming and photogenic Grecian paradise, the quaint cobbled streets and white washed buildings are both inviting and intriguing in equal measure. Though it can only truly be explored on foot, the town of Mykonos is a destination for everyone, young and old, with treasures waiting to be found by those who take time to discover it.
Useful Links
Iconic Windmill Airbnb: airbnb.co.uk
P&O Cruises: pocruises.com
Nice ‘n’ Easy Restaurant: niceneasy.gr/mykonos
TripAdvisor: tripadvisor.co.uk
If you found this article useful, check out our other European ‘Tourist Guides’ here!
Have you been to Mykonos? What is your favourite Greek island and why? Let us know in the comments – we love to hear from you!
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