A picture-perfect scene of white-washed towns, monasteries and windmills, Mykonos has quickly earned itself a reputation as one of the most glamorous destinations in Europe.
By day, you can bask beneath brilliantly blue skies, explore avant-garde art galleries and amble in and out of the designer shops. Then, as night descends, you'll get to discover a whole other side to this mythological island as crowds gather around the beach clubs and city bars.
Of course, you'll need to be fuelled up for all the fun ahead - and thanks to the thriving Mykonos food scene, you'll never be short of bustling hotspots and traditional tavernas to sample. A villa holiday in Mykonos truly has it all.
Style and character are everything at Oliver’s Travels, and our collection of handpicked Mykonos villas have this in spades.
We have destination experts who know the ins and outs of all our regions, picking holiday villas in Mykonos that aren’t only unique, but also in the best locations. What's more, our villas are 100% family-friendly, many cater to large groups, and all of them have the ‘wow’ factor.
Our helpful concierge team are on-hand to make your stay extra special. Whether you want a fully-stocked fridge, a local in-house chef to cook your meals, housekeeping or any other extra service – consider them your holiday genie, who will happily grant your wishes.
The chances are, if you're on social media, you've seen the stunning snaps of anyone who's ever been to Mykonos - their views are not ones you forget in a hurry! However, if you look beyond the array of stunning buildings and icing-sugar beaches, you'll find ample cultural and archaeological marvels to discover.
Of course, Mykonos' status as the nightlife capital of the Greek islands is a big draw for many. But even if you prefer to savour your drinks by the pool as the sun goes down, the electric energy of Mykonos is simply irresistible, spilling out of the bars and onto even the calmest side streets.
As relaxing as a villa holiday in Mykonos is, you'll also leave with a new lease of life, ready to take on your next destination!
You could easily whittle away your days simply shopping, wandering and sunbathing - but there's so much more to see and do in Mykonos! You'll likely stumble upon some of the many churches scattered across the island, but make a point of visiting Panagia Paraportiani - undoubtedly the most photographed and artistically intriguing.
Looking for something to accompany that afternoon cocktail? Couple your drink with a sunset view of the iconic Kato Mili windmills, looming tall above Little Venice. Or, for a more traditional holiday activity, arrange an evening yacht cruise around the island's southern coast.
Speaking of sailing, we'd suggest taking a day trip to the nearby island of Delos - not only is it said to be the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, the twin Greek gods, but it's also peppered with old public squares and ampitheatres. Cameras at the ready! And if you want to extend your stay even further, consider taking the ferry to Santorini - just 2-3 hours away!
It's not surprising that you can find a lot of seafood on restaurant menus across Mykonos - islanders have ample access to fresh produce. However, pies make a perhaps more unexpected appearance, with kremidopita onion pie proving popular. Don't miss a slice of sweet melopita honey pie, which is filled with tirovolia cheese.
And if you can't get enough of local cheeses, you'll love Mykonos kopanisti- a thick, creamy variety best enjoyed spread across bread. It's also served solo as an appetiser and goes great with a glass of Greek wine.
If you prefer sweet to savoury, lazarakia is your treat to try. These handmade biscuits are meant to resemble Lazarus, and get sprinkled with sugar and raisins. Almond cookies flavoured with rose or orange are also found in bakeries across the island.
Great for kids: They'll adore exploring the rugged coastline and turquoise seas - why not head to Ornos Beach and let them give water-sports a go?
Great for teens: Older ones will love how Mykonos looks on their social media feed while also sampling all the delicious Greek food.
Pick your beach: Mykonos has 25 beaches, so you're certainly spoilt for choice! Besides the top tourist picks, there are also calmer coves to uncover - it all depends on the atmosphere you want!
How Mykonos transforms as the stars come out! You go from a sunshine-drenched paradise, complete with crisp, clean buildings and soft sands, to one of the liveliest club scenes in Europe. There's truly something for everyone.
While you may be content with spending all of your trip lazing in one of our luxury Mykonos villas, we'd encourage you to get out and explore all that this island has to offer. Boasting everything from quiet villages to key tourist towns, we think there's something for everyone to enjoy here.
Want to expand your holiday horizons further? We've got plenty of premium villas in Crete, Corfu, Rhodes and other destinations across Greece to extend your stay.
Something of a movie buff? Head to Agios Ioannis to see where Shirley Valentine was filmed. Despite its Hollywood status, this beach is typically a quiet spot suited to families.
When you think of Mykonos, you probably think of Chora and its backdrop of brilliant white buildings and blue shutters, intersected by cobblestone paths. Afternoons here are made for visiting its galleries and museums before uncovering a whole other side as the sun goes down - get your dancing shoes on!
Brimming with charm despite its small size, Ano Mera is found 30 minutes inland - but trust us, it's well worth the drive. You'll find 13th century Venetian castle ruins, well-preserved monasteries and a striking bell tower. An assortment of rustic bakeries and local cafes will keep you fuelled up too!
Bustling waterfront restaurants and bars make Tourlos a popular spot for tourists - and not just because it's also home to Mykonos New Port. Engage in a bit of celebrity spotting as you spy private yachts drifting in and out to shore. Then get to exploring the spectacular scenery and unwinding on the sandy beach.
British Airway and easyJet and Jet2 all offer direct flights from London into Mykonos Airport in peak season. The flight time is around 4 hours. However, you can also fly into Athens and onto Mykonos either by connecting flight or ferry. The speed ferry takes around 2 hours while the conventional ferry journey is 6 hours long.
You can get from Mykonos Airport to Chora by bus in only 10 minutes, with the fare costing just 2 euros. From there, it's onto one of our luxury villas in Mykonos!
Mykonos Town (Chora) is completely pedestrianised apart from a few delivery vehicles! That means you're free to wander and get lost as you please - it's what everyone else is doing! Just be sure to wear suitable shoes for navigating the cobbled streets and stairs.
A bus network operates across the island, allowing you to explore different towns and beaches. The schedule is varied and you'll find buses operating far more regularly in high season. The good news is, for those who are planning on staying out late, they run long into the night too!
There are very few taxis on the island, so you should expect long lines in the height of summer. You can find typical destination rates at the taxi ranks in Mykonos Town - they're definitely on the expensive side, but calling ahead will cost you extra.
Buses connect you to the southern beaches, but if you want to venture further, it could be a good idea to hire a car. These are available from the airport and around the southern bus station, but should be booked in advance.
However, be aware that parking can be hard to come by in the main tourist areas, and traffic levels can be high.
In the summer, you'll find water taxis connecting the southern beaches - a most glamorous way to travel! A single fare is 10 euros, and an all-day pass costs 20 euros, with services running every hour.
If you plan on taking the bus, either have exact change ready or buy your ticket ahead of time from various kiosks and tourist shops.
