A picture postcard of quaint towns, hilltop monasteries and centuries-old windmills, Mykonos is an Instagrammer’s paradise, with achingly gorgeous backdrops wherever you look.
Mykonos truly is an island of two halves. In the east, you’ll relish in the peace and seclusion of quiet coves and beaches where there’s no sound but lapping waves and the Aegean breeze. Head west and you’ll find bustling towns with slick beach clubs and bars that really come to life when the sun goes down. Nammo and JackieO’ are firm favourites that attract the fashionable set. In fact, you’re quite likely to spot some celebs too. These elite hotspots can also come with elite price tags, so make sure to check prices beforehand.
No doubt you’ll want to stop and refuel for more island fun, 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.
Why visit?
Style and character are everything at Oliver’s Travels, and our collection of handpicked Mykonos villas have this in spades.
Our destination experts know the ins and outs of all our regions, picking holiday villas in Mykonos that aren’t just unique in style, 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 anything in between, they can organise it for you.
The concierge team can even take care of restaurant bookings and VIP services such as airport transfer, in-home massage or any other extra service – consider them your holiday genie, who will happily grant your wishes.
If you're on social media then you will have seen the stunning snaps of anyone who's ever been to Mykonos. Those views won’t be forgotten in a hurry! But look beyond the array of stunning buildings and icing-sugar beaches, you'll find ample cultural and archaeological marvels to discover.
Mykonos has built itself a status as the nightlife capital of the Greek islands which is a big draw for many. The main town has plenty of options for night owls who can party 'til morning – who knows which famous faces you might end up dancing beside!
If you prefer to savour your drinks by the pool as the sun goes down, the eclectic energy of Mykonos is simply irresistible, with a gentler bar culture that takes over the pretty streets in the evening.
Known for being Greece’s most liberal and inclusive island, you won’t have to search hard on Mykonos to find LGBTQ+ bars and nightlife and even nudist beaches.
While there are plenty of young travellers to the island, Mykonos also caters very well to families too. The beaches and bays are sheltered and safe for beginner swimmers and for convenience you’ll find a plethora of taxi boat services that hop from beach to beach around the island, making exploring super easy.
You could easily while 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 an afternoon cocktail? Couple your drink with a sunset view of the iconic Kato Mili windmills, reaching tall above Little Venice. 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 gods, but it's also peppered with old public squares and amphitheatres. You’ll certainly want to keep your camera at the ready! Consider even taking the ferry to Santorini - just 2-3 hours away!
It's no surprise that exceptional seafood takes precedent on restaurant menus across Mykonos, but the island is also known for growing ample fresh produce. A favourite on the island is louza, thin slices of lightly spiced pork.
If you’re looking for a snapworthy setting and even more Instagrammable dishes, head to Principote on Panormos beach for contemporary Mediterranean cuisine in unparalleled surroundings.
What’s more, be sure to sample the island’s delicious cheeses. You'll love 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 exceptional local wine.
If you’re in need of a sweet treat, try lazarakia. These handmade biscuits are meant to resemble Lazarus and are sprinkled with sugar and raisins. Almond cookies flavoured with rose or orange will also catch your eye in bakery windows across the island, and don’t miss a slice of sweet melopita honey pie, which is filled with tirovolia cheese.
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.
It would be all too easy to spend your trip lazing in one of our luxury Mykonos villas, but 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.
The island’s pretty villages made up of white-washed homes arranged on different levels appear to tumble down hillsides. Their flat roofs and curved walls are designed to beat the heat and conserve what little rainwater the island receives. They were also built close together to better protect from pirates back in the day, and are built on multiple levels with courtyards, steps and canopies to create shaded spots.
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.
The most popular beach on the island by far is Ornos beach. This powdery stretch has all you need for a beach day, including loungers, sun chairs and parasols set up right beside the crystalline waters’ edge.
Just a hop round the coast from Ornos you’ll find Psarou beach with its fine sand, clear water and fabulous views including rocky outcrops, beautiful people and their incredible yachts that moor up in the bay.
The island’s largest stretch of sand, Elia beach is an ideal spot for families, with plenty of amenities nearby as well as golden sand and gently lapping water. Just over the rocks at the west end of the beach is another miniature cove favoured by clothing-optional bathers.
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.
