City Guide: Mykonos + Santorini

written by John Philp August 12, 2019

Santorini and Mykonos are two of the most popular Greek Islands, and it’s easy to see why. I’ve been lucky enough to go to Santorini & Mykonos last summer then back again to Mykonos last month. Santorini & Mykonos have probably been my most requested destinations so it was about time I got y’all a proper City Guide!

Both of the islands offer such different experiences of Greece’s beautiful Aegean Islands! Santorini is a more romantic destination and a slower speed. It’s more of a honeymooner’s island as Oia is perched-up high on the island offering insane & iconic views. It’s a place you can truly be a lounge lizard by day at an infinity pool and enjoy the island’s history by exploring ruins or climbing the volcano.

Mykonos, known for its beach clubs and nightlife, is the Ibiza of Greece. Its crowd is a bit younger and looking to have a good time. If you’re not hanging out at a beach club by day, you can keep busy by getting lost shopping in town. You won’t need any rental transportation in Santorini, but I’d recommend getting an ATV, scooter or the smallest car (for parking) while in Mykonos as some of the beach clubs and restaurants are a 15-30minute drive across the island.

Mykonos:

Brunch & Coffee:

*Liberty Breakfast Room – Incredible breakfast spot! They have yummy standard brunch items as well as a build-your-own acai bowl option that was so delicious!
Velanos Mykonos – Really cute coffee shop & brunch spot!
*Bowl Cafe – Cute Aussie cafe for a healthy breakfast or brunch! Perfect for on-the-go as well!
Nice & Easy – Located in Little Italy, they have good veggie & gluten-free options as well !
Marenga Milk Bar – cute coffee shop!
Koutsothanasis Bakery – Great grab & go bakery for coffee and Greek pastries – they a huge variety of Greek pies & pastries!

Lunch:

*Nikola’s Taverna – Since 1967! This favorited spot is serving traditional seafood & meat plates in a rustic, beachfront setup. It’s a must! Get the fried baby shrimp, sardines, and taramasalata – don’t forget the banoffee pie at the end.. SO good.
*Kiki’s Tavern – Such a must. This traditional Greek restaurant used to have no electricity and the word got out about how good the food was. The wait can easily be over 2 hours because of the limited seating. They offer rosè as you wait in line and there is maybe my favorite beach right next to the restaurant. You have to take turns swimming as somebody from your party has to stay in line. The doors open at 12:30 pm, Brett and I went at 11:30 am to secure a spot and make sure we were in the first sitting. Best experience and octopus I’ve ever had!
Frati – An Italian spot that serves all day! Beautiful views and good for on-the-got (take to the beaches!) too!
Kastro’s – Located in Little Italy, a Mediterranean menu & cocktails are offered in a laid-back spot with a waterside terrace. They have an iconic little alleyway to the water you might have seen on Instagram!
*Pepper – A very solid lunch spot serving up elevated souvlaki and casual Greek staples!
Caesar’s – I fell in love with this little spot. Great for lunch or dinner they serve elevated Greek comfort food.
Frati – An Italian spot that serves all day! Beautiful views and good for on-the-got (take to the beaches!) too!
Spilia – I’m only including this to tell you not to go here. It had been recommended to me by everyone who had gone to Mykonos before. We didn’t get to go last year so it was high on my list this time around. Yes, the view is great – I’ll give it that – but Brett and I were so disappointed halfway through our meal that we pulled up TripAdvisor to find that it was flooded with one-star reviews. Apparently, it’s changed management or gotten sloppy over the years.
Tasos Tavern – Great for a very casual lunch, located on Paraga beach – between Scorpio’s and Soho Roc House.
Kayak – A great little ice cream shop!

Dinner:

*Nōema – Contemporary Greek fare served at this elevated and chic establishment! The food and cocktails were both incredible. They have a DJ who is making sure the vibe is just right! They have a seasonal/fluctuating menu, but get the roasted chicken, risotto, and taramasalata – it’s definitely expensive but worth it!
Casa di Giorgio – Straightforward Italian that hits the spot! They have great pizzas and pastas – and such a big selection of both it was almost overwhelming!
*La Maison de Katrin Restaurant – Tucked away in the Dilou quarter, this is one of the most reputable restaurants on the island, featuring the best of both French and Greek cuisine!
Tokyo Joe’s – Incredible sushi and bao buns at this sushi staple. It’s elevated, but no-fuss sushi which is my favorite!
Tuya – Enjoy the best of French Cuisine in a classy and vibrant restaurant
Mamalouka – Laid-back eatery with a Mediterranean menu highlighting seafood, grilled meats, pasta & desserts.
Koursaros – Stylish restaurant with an expansive, trendy patio featuring upscale seafood dishes & sushi.
Matsuihia Mykonos – Acclaimed Japanese seafood & tasting menus by chef Nobu Matsuhisa.
Coya – Elevated Purivian restaurant in a gorgeous setting!
Kalita – High-end Greek fare, but not unreasonably priced. I love the patio area at night!
Roca Cookery – Romantic spot for dinner!
*Interni – Gorgeous restaurant sunken in a fun back patio. They are serving-up Mediterranean cuisine – get their gnocchi, chicken, and Iberico pork – but honestly, I would aim to come here for late-night drinks as it’s such a fun atmosphere and everybody turns up!
Ling Ling – From the Hakkasan group, a Cantonese restaurant with small plates and fantastic cocktails.
Remezzo – A classic spot for Greek seafood dinner!
Zuma Mykonos – Nestled right next to Meraki in Cavotagoo, this high-end sushi spot is delicious!
*Meraki Restaurant – Located at Cavo Tagoo, this luxury Greek restaurant from London has amazing food and boasts incredible views! On the pricier side, but worth it! Try to get there by sunset to enjoy!
Lio – A unique experience in with immersive entertainment, creative cuisine and lots of dancing! It is quite expensive – there is a minimum spend of € 250/per person.
Buddha Bar Beach – NYC’s Asian Fusion restaurant gets a beach home in Mykonos!
Sakis Grill House – Cheap and great late-night souvlaki!

To Drink:

180º Sunset Bar – Horrible name, but a great spot to get cocktails and watch the sunset! Located in the Mykonos Castle Hotel!
Guzel Garden – Has a great patio that goes until late!
Jackie O’s (Town Bar) – Besides the beach club, there is a Jackie O’s location in the city!
Astra – A mix between a lounge bar and ultra-hip club!
Moni – A private nightclub located at Agia Moni Square in Mykonos Town. Open every night at midnight
Caprice – Renowned bar with fabulous cocktails & good music. Evenings are club-crowded and are a real party time experience!
Cavo Paradiso – Guest DJs regularly play here, an outdoor pool & sea views make this huge, cliffside club a celebrated late-night spot!
Skybar & 54 Cocktail Lounge – Catch the sunset with a side of live entertainment!

Beach Clubs: for all beach clubs, make sure to have reservations as most don’t accept walk-ins!

*Scorpios – This is one of my favorite spots, it’s a lifestyle. Owned by the same people who have San Giorgio, the vibe is again Tulum-inspired meets chic Greek. It’s a tranquil and vibey spot during the day and turns up at night. They also have one of my favorite dinners on the island! Pricy but so worth it!
Alemagou Beach Bar – A top destinateon….
*Ftelia Beach Club – This is a newer beach club as it wasn’t here last year. It’s a great place for lunch and an afternoon beach hang. It’s located on the same beach as Alamagou and fun to watch the windsurfers and kitesurfers in the cove.
*Principote – I would say this is one of my favorites and when I think of rich Europeans throwing down for magnums of rose, this spot comes to mind. If you make it to Kiki’s Tavern for lunch, I would aim to go here after as they are quite close.
*Jackie O’s Beach Club – With a bar in the city and a beach club on Paradise Beach, this is such a fun spot that always has good energy and great music. Be sure to catch an iconic drag show here!
Liasti – This is definitely a more casual and cheaper beach club, but such a great sand beach! Was really fun swimming and climbing the rocks at this beach! Their club sandwiches and burgers were great!
Nammos – Flashy complex with luxury shopping, a seafood restaurant & a chic beach bar with sun loungers.
Beaches:
- Capari Beach
- Fokos & Mirsini Beach
- Solymar Beach
- Super Paradise Beach
- Paraga Beach
- Ftelia Beach

Do:

Windmills of Kato Mili – See the iconic windmills on the edge of town.
Stroll around Chora and watch the sunset from Little Italy!
Rent a car – while an ATV might look fun to bop to some of the further beaches & restaurants, I’ve found it’s much better to rent a small car. You can talk to each other and listen to your own music in it – also faster and safer!
Wine tasting at Mykonos Vioma or Mykonian Farm
Catch a movie at Cine Manto, the open-air cinema in town
Shopping:
- Interni – The restaurant’s interior shop
- ART by Kelly Vorrea – Interior shop
- Nammos Village – have a collection of high-end designer stores
- Free Shop – Men & Women’s apparel
- Off-White – “apparel”
- Simple Gallery – Luxury apparel
- Bollicine – Men & Women’s Apparel
- Yard Resort – Men’s apparel
- Apriasti – Jewelry store
- Marika’s – Men & Women’s linen
- Optique Boutique – Great selection of glasses
- The Jars of Brands – Apparel
- né en août – Minimal menswear
- Salachas – Men & Women’s linen
- Bluemint – Men’s resort wear
- Enny Di Monaco – Women’s Apparel
Sunset cruise with Mant Yachting

Stay:

Soho Roc House (membership only) – Soho House’s Mykonos offering is truly a favorite. I stayed at this property in 2019 before they had purchased the site from San Gorgio and love what they’ve done with the place. They have a fantastic restaurant and pool set-up as well as a fun dock to dive into the ocean!
Bill & Coo – Located within walking distance from the city. If you don’t end up staying here, it’s a great place to grab sundowners at!
WILD hotel – By the Interni group! This boho-chic hotel has some beautiful interiors here and it happens to have one of the best and most-chill beaches on the island!
Cavo Tagoo Mykonos – One of the more remarkable properties on the island. This luxury hotel has an eclectic and elevated design and stunning each room comes with it’s own private dipping pool and incredible views!
*Rhenia Mykonos – Just up the hill from the New Port, the stay at Rhenia was cute and comfortable! Each room is it’s own villa in
Lovia – Situated between the Old Port and the New Port, this chic stay in their all-white rooms with incredible views looking back down at the city
*Myconian Avaton – A member of Design Hotels! Set on a private section of Mykonos’ Elia Beach, Myconian Avaton Hotel combines Cycladic architecture with timeless authenticity and stunning sea views.
Myconian Korali Relais & Châteaux – This privileged spot that claims the island’s most iconic views onto the old port of Alefkandra and 16th-century windmills on the edge of the city of Mykonos, also happens to be the site of the first hotel built by George Daktylides in 1979.
*Katikies – This is a rather small, beautiful 5-star hotel with 35 rooms is one of the nicest and most romantic resorts on the island!

If you’re visiting Mykonos during peak season, the traffic on the island can get pretty hairy. Mixing day drinking at a beach club or out at night and driving is never the move – but can sometimes feel like the only option in Mykonos. Here are two ride-share apps that are used on the island that we used: Aegean Taxi and iMove Taxi. I’d highly recommend downloading these apps before your trip (they also work in Santorini, too!)

Santorini:

To Eat/Drink:

Sunset Ammoundi Taverna – A must for lunch. The restaurant is located right on the water as the fishermen are coming in & out. If you go with a fish option (recommended!) you’ll get the opportunity to go point out which fish you’d like – caught that same day!
Sphinx Wine Restaurant – Romantic Greek restaurant with a great wine list
Melitini – Greek Tapas
Ambrosia – Upscale romantic dinner spot ($$$)
1500 BC – Casual seafood restaurant ~ perfect for lunch
Forty-one 41 – if you find yourself on Perivolos, this upscale Greek restaurant is right on the beach and perfect for dinner
Tango Bar – Fun cocktail bar with great views
Casablanca Soul Bar – Bar with small dancefloor and DJ booth

To Do:

Byzantine Castle Ruins – Stunning views of Santorini and one of the highest places on the island! It can get pretty crowded with tourists, but great photo opportunities!
Hike the volcano – If you’re looking to do an adventurous activity on the island, a hike to the island volcano. You can rent a boat and get to the center for a half-day adventure.
Atlantis Bookstore – a charming little book shop with a great range of books in several languages!

Stay:

Katikies Hotel – Located on Oia.
Canaves Oia – Located on Oia.
Istoria Hotel – Minimal design-forward hotel located on Perivolos beach, about 40minutes from Oia.

Have you visited Santorini or Mykonos before? Let me know your thoughts and if you have any favorite spots. And have you been to any other of the Greek Islands? I can’t way to go back and also explore some more remote islands in the Aegean!

Stay Risky,

– John