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Boutique hotels in Mykonos

Holidays in Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos Overview

Greece

Coastline
Sprinkled with sugarcube houses
Coast life
Cosmopolitan party people

Mykonos was the first Greek island to be ‘discovered’ in the Fifties; Chora, the main town, rapidly gained a reputation as the Cyclades’ most happening harbour.

With a perfectly curved bay, maze of whitewashed alleys and picturesque windmills peppering the hills to the south, Mykonos in the Aegean Islands became a must-see for any island-hopper. A long-time favourite of the jet set and on every A-gay’s wish list, it's a party hotspot every summer for a coterie of toned and tanned model types.

Marvellously Mykonos

On the west side of the island, facing the island of Delos, the relatively small and picturesque beach of Agios Yannis offers white sands and a collection of small coves. It’s best known as the location for the film Shirley Valentine, so keep your eyes out for women of a certain age looking to hook their very own Greek toyboy.

Local knowledge

Taxis
Rates are fixed and quite reasonable. Book them at your hotel reception to ensure reliability.

Tipping culture
No tipping is required for taxis, but ten per cent in a restaurant is standard.

Siesta and Fiesta
In the summer most shops stay open until midnight. Restaurants are busiest at 22h and bars at around 02h.

Packing tips
Two words: wear white. It will let you match the sugarcube buildings of the town, and accentuate that tan. Some cobble-friendly shoes are a smart idea, too.

Cuisine
Grapes and olives are staples in the Greek diet, so buy some from the local shop for hotel-room nibbles. Seek out the fish tavernas dotted all over the island for fresh calamari.

Currency
Euro.

Dialling codes
Code for Greece: 30. Local code for Mykonos: 02890

Do go/don't go
The busiest period is early July to late August, when crowds and temperatures increase: September is when those in the know go.

Mykonos Hotels

€ £ $

Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and romantic boutique hotels in Mykonos


Bill & Coo

Mykonos, Greece

Style
Martinis and minimalism

Setting
The Aegean Miami

Bill & Coo, a beachside boutique hotel in Mykonos Town, offers sea-view serenity and contemporary coastal cool in the Aegean Islands.

View hotel
Doubles from:

(EUR 230)

Fresh fruits on arrival; early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability) Member offer

Book now

Cavo Tagoo

Mykonos, Greece

Style
Med à la mode

Setting
Cascading cliff-side caves

This Mykonos boutique hotel boasts a luxury spa, abundant swimming pools and sweeping Aegean vistas; Cavo Tagoo has the romantic air of a Greek island getaway.

View hotel
Doubles from:

(EUR 230)

A bottle of champagne and a fresh fruit basket on arrival Member offer

Book now

Mykonos Grace

Mykonos, Greece

Style
Contemporary coastal cool

Setting
Aegean cliff-top seclusion

The intimate and dainty Mykonos Grace spa hotel in the Aegean Islands is within reach of vibrant Mykonos Town and offers spectacular views of the Aegean and the Greek Islands.

View hotel
Doubles from:

(EUR 160)

Bottle of champagne on arrival. Two-for-one dinner in the State of Grace restaurant for all VIP Suite bookings Member offer

Book now


Getting there

Holidays in Mykonos, Greece

Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.

Planes
British Airways operates two flights a week (Thursdays and Sundays) into Mykonos Town from London Gatwick (from £69 one-way). Otherwise, a 25-minute flight from Athens is the quickest route to the island. From there, take a taxi for the 3km drive into the main town.
Trains
None. But taking the hydrofoil or a boat are options (1hr 45 mins from Athens on the hydrofoil; up to six hours by boat). Flying is your best bet though, as the boat can be a bit of a backpacker bun fight. Visit the Greek Travel pages for detailed information on getting to the island, at www.gtp.gr.
Automobiles
If you want to explore the island’s myriad beaches then it pays to hire a car. Contact Hertz in Mykonos (+30 22890 27346), or go to www.hertz.co.uk. Smith cardholders get a ten per cent discount; simply quote '635230' when you reserve a car.

Boutique hotels in Mykonos

Holidays in Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos Activities

Highlights the best Mykonos has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.

Worth getting out of bed for

Mykonos itinerary
More…

Viewpoint
At sunset, walk around to Chora’s famous cliffside windmills to watch the golden light fan over the high-arcaded houses in the area known as ‘Little Venice’.

Arts and culture
If you’re after archaeological marvels, take a trip to the nearby island of Delos. According to mythology, it’s the birthplace of the Greek god Apollo, and it still contains a host of ancient temples, and other examples of Minoan and ancient Hellenic architecture. On Mykonos itself, you can get a quick culture fix by visiting art gallery-cum-shops such as the Studio on Panachrantou Street, or Scala on Matoyianni Street. Both have selections of works by local artists to view and buy.

Something for nothing
‘Twitchers’ and other fans of our feathered friends should keep an eye out for Mykonos’s famous mascot, the pelican. The story goes that, about 40 years ago, a local fisherman found an injured pelican, nursed him back to health and then set him free. Instead of flying off, the bird decided to stay, and the Mykonians named him Petros. A mate for Petros was donated by Jackie Kennedy and then, a few years ago, another pelican (‘Nikolas’) set up nest, too. You can usually spot at least one of them shaking a tail feather on the waterfront.

Shopping
Midnight is prime shopping time. All the tiny little stalls and boutique shops in the warren of cute cobbled streets come alive, creating a catwalk for beautiful boys dressed to the hilt in Gucci, Prada and Lacoste, and sun-kissed girls floating around in their finest. Pay homage to Hermès and other designers while doing the preening, strolling and window-shopping thing. Self-adulation somehow feels right in the spiritual home of Narcissus. Our favourite lifestyle boutique is Zilly (pictured).

Best beach
Agios Sostis is a peaceful and beautiful little beach with an excellent fish taverna. Elia beach is a long sweep of sand with crystal-clear water. Psarou beach is the place to head for Riviera-style lounging. Paraga is a lively part of the shoreline and home to the excellent Tasos taverna.

Activities
Fetelia and Kalafatis beaches have steady sea breezes and are the best on the island for windsurfing.

And...
If you’re feeling keen there are over 300 churches in and around Mykonos town, stuffed with mosaics and frescos.

Diary

16–18 June European Freestyle Windsurfing Championships at Paradise Beach. 40 pro-windsurfers will be in town, prompting squeals of admiration from girls and boys alike. For the old ravers among you, there’s a full-moon party every month on the same beach.

Boutique hotels in Mykonos

Holidays in Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos
Eating, drinking and dancing

We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Mykonos.

Restaurants

(+30 22890 27362)

Matsuhisa

The Belvedere hotel is home to this stunning Nobu outpost. Nibble on sushi in the lush surroundings with the scent of bougainvillea and hibiscus in the air. Ask for a poolside table.

The Belvedere Hotel, School of Fine Arts District

(+30 22890 22169)

La Maison de Catherine

An elegant French restaurant in the heart of the old town, this is a local favourite. The candlelit dining room is so elegant that you won't mind being indoors.

Ayios Gerasimos, Mykonos Town

(+30 22890 26333)

Interni

Award-winning Italian restaurant and terrace bar, Interni is choc-full of beautiful people and is an exciting place for a pre-club drink or meal.

Matoyanni Street, Mykonos Town

(+30 22890 22440)

Nammos Restaurant

Wealthy Athenians in swimwear and lots of bling dine on lobster, sea urchin and other seafood delicacies in this fashionable beachside restaurant.

Psarou Beach

Bars and clubs

(+30 22890 24100)

Caprice

A classy place to watch the sunset, Caprice is popular with Greeks visiting the island. The breezy, waterfront lounge within five feet of the harbour offers the occasional splash from crashing waves. The view is one of the best on the island.

Lambrou Katsoni, Little Venice


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