Amyth of Mykonos

Worth getting out of bed for

For most visitors to Mykonos, getting out of bed doesn’t happen until a bit later in the day, in readiness for late, late nights ahead. But, Amyth of Mykonos is the sun-saluting sort that’ll have you tapping into your inner morning person (have you seen the breakfast spread?) and seizing the day with a hearty ‘namaste’. Of course, this can be as simple as rousing yourself for long enough to stroll downhill (some stretches are steep so bring some trusty Converse) to Agios Stefanos beach before getting horizontal again (a free shuttle makes this painless). But, Mykonos has a trove of gilt-edged stretches of shore to try, so hop down the coast to Psarou, where yachts queue up in the turquoise waters. It’s best known for the champagne-fuelled shenanigans of Nammos beach club; however, the neatly arranged parasols and loungers allow for R’n’R too. Paraga offers two beaches in one, separated by a headland and still has the feel of its hippie heyday (there are secluded spots where you could skinny dip or sunbathe nude), and to the east of the island, Kalafati is a jumping-off point for shipwreck dives, and Kalo Livadi – tipped as a new hotspot – is a photogenic find of mountainous buffers and calm crystalline waters. Inland, Mykonos has several wineries and tours can be arranged for tastings. Even if you’re going out in one of Mykonos’ more mellow bars, the fashion stakes are high, but luckily bougainvillaea-strung Mykonos Town (AKA the ‘chora’) and the surrounding area, have got you covered with established names such as DSquared, Louis Vuitton, a two-storey Gucci boutique downtown, and stores such as Linea Piu and Nammos Village that carry high-end labels. And, if the hotel’s aesthetic has won your heart, pick up homewares, jewellery and clothing in Scorpios Bazaar – we especially like the Mayan-inspired wares by Caravana. The hotel can help with boat hire for jaunts into the Aegean, and be sure to ride the ferry over to Delos, the alleged birthplace of Artemis and Apollo, where ancient ruins of Doric temples, an amphitheatre, mosaic-tiled houses and more have been preserved; there’s an archaeological museum, too. 

Local restaurants

Mykonos meets the very high standard of Greek isle dining in glamorous fashion. You only need look at the strings of octopus tentacles hung up to sun-dry, sea urchins split into bristly bowls, shimmering shoals of fresh anchovies and prawns that could take you in a fight to know that seafood is the way to go, but you’ll find all the classics (souvlaki, saganaki, cheesy pies, earthy sausages) here, too. In Mykonos Town, M-Eating is in a beamed, century-old building, and serves traditional onion pies, scallops with apple and orange powder, and smoked aubergine with sweet garlic mousse. A voguish spot with a tucked-away garden terrace, Interni attracts a lively crowd – its culinary credentials bolstered by plates such as black cod with miso, beurre blanc and lemon verbena; spice-crusted lamb with pistachio pesto; or beef in Madeira sauce. And then there are the restaurants that make a journey worth it. Kiki’s Tavern is a low-key laidback beach shack whose grill is laden with exciting things; inland, Rizes is a vintage farmstead with incredible food from the source; and east-coast seafood joint Spilia is set partially in a natural cave with a terrace on a rocky outcrop over the sea. Or, up the romance ante, by booking the only table Nero Nero has, set on a floating platform on the southwest coast, and the decadent menu (lobster caviar, truffle) only accentuates the swoonsome-ness of the setting.

Local cafés

Come to beachfront eatery Hippie Fish for sushi so fresh you can taste the sea, pastas tossed with seafood and moreish meze.

Local bars

Mykonos has a – justified – party-hard reputation, but it’s not all a blur of neon and ouzo shots. If that’s what you’re after, then let us point you to Scarpa, a peaceful coffee bar by day, and body-packed bar with luminous cocktails after dark; it stays open till 5am, so you’re all set for sunrisers. And hilltop Cavo Paradiso has plenty of ‘untz, untz, untz’ with a renowned roster of DJs. But, if you want some chilled-out beach bar action, then rock up to agora-style Scorpios, which has a varied live-music programme and talented mixologists. And LGBTQ-friendly Jackie’O is as well heeled as its name suggests, with monochrome interiors and champagne-laced cocktails.