Category: Greek Islands beaches (page 1 of 29)

What’s new on Mykonos for 2023

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Exciting new places to eat, drink, party and sleep on Mykonos this year

 

New venues on Mykonos in 2023

Some of the island’s noteworthy new arrivals and big changes for 2023 include, from top left, Baladaya club at Paradise beach; Mando bar and restaurant; Nomia Sunset Suites hotel; a new location for legendary Katrin restaurant; Domes Noruz Mykonos resort; ITA Mexican restaurant at Bagatelle Mykonos; and the Van Stories Mykonos mobile bar and DJ service.

 

 

Restaurants, cafes, bars and beach clubs

 

Maison Ostria Sunset Restaurant & Bar on Mykonos

If you find yourself  in the mood for delicious sushi and cocktails accompanied by a magnificent view, you’ll find that Maison Ostria Sunset Restaurant & Bar ticks all the boxes. Located in the new Ocean Inn hotel overlooking Chora (Mykonos Town), Ostria restaurant serves sushi and fusion dishes with “authentic Japanese and Mediterranean flavours.” Situated next to the hotel’s infinity pool, the restaurant’s open-air dining patio boasts stunning views of Mykonos, nearby islands, and of course the mesmerizing Cycladic sunsets. The restaurant is open daily from 8 a.m. until midnight, serving breakfast and brunch items in the morning followed by an all-day menu that includes a selection of salads and main dishes. There is a shisha menu as well. Customers also can visit Ostria to enjoy the swimming pool from morning until 6 p.m. (with €50 per person minimum food & drink consumption).

 

Taverna Lakka Garden in Mykonos

With a menu focussed on traditional Greek cuisine, fresh fish and seafood, Taverna Lakka Garden describes itself as “a haven for those seeking an authentic taste of Greece.”  Lakka Garden opened in May at 21 Ignatiou Mpasoula street in the Lakka area of Mykonos Town.

 

Nolan Mykonos

The popular comfort food restaurant Nolan near Syntagma Square in Athens has closed its doors temporarily and moved to Mykonos for the summer. Nolan is described in Michelin Guide as “a contemporary bistro” that “creates contemporary Greek-focused cooking with plenty of Asian influences, and enticing dishes that are fresh, colourful and perfect for sharing.” Nolan decided to do something different this summer while it undertakes renovations of its Athens premises, so it seized the opportunity to move its operations to the chic Matogianni area of Mykonos Town for July and August. Nolan Mykonos has set up shop at 25 Kalogera Street, in the space previously home to the Ceresio7 Mykonos restaurant.   Nolan will return to its freshly-updated digs in Athens in mid-September.  

 

Phoebus Mykonos restaurant

An addition to colourful Goumenio Square in Mykonos Town, Phoebus is a pescatarian wine restaurant that developed from an idea two friends from Mykonos conceived in 2015, and brought to reality this spring. “Dive into a sea of flavor, where our dry-aged fish and seafood creations will redefine your seafood experience. Taste the essence of the ocean, elevated to perfection,” says a post on the restaurant’s Intagram page. Phoebus opened its doors on May 8. Only three weeks later, Athinorama restaurant critic Dimitris Antonopoulos paid it an anonymous visit, and in an impressive review published on June 9, said Phoebus “has aesthetics, character and renews the culinary scene of Mykonos.” (You can click here to read the full review, and see photos of several of the restaurant’s exquisite dishes.)

 

Mando Restaurant on Mykonos

Another newcomer to Goumenio Square, Mando Restaurant and Bar opened in late April. Its website says Mando is “reinventing tradition with an elevated take on Greek cuisine. We are a funky bistro style restaurant blending exceptional food with craft cocktails, using local ingredients.” Mando is open daily at 10 a.m. serving brunch, followed by a Greek-style tapas menu available from 6 p.m. to midnight. “We finish the night with a lounge atmosphere, music, and cocktails.”

 

Drakoulis Dry & Raw Mykonos

June 9 was opening day for Drakoulis Dry & Raw Mykonos, the first island member of the fine dining restaurant chain of Drakoulis Butcheries (the others are located in the Kifissia, Kolonaki and Voula neighbourhoods of Athens). “Offering a meat experience unlike any other, Dry & Raw welcomes guests to enjoy a fusion of Mediterranean flavours and Japanese cooking with some of the best cuts of meat from around the world chosen with the help of our butchers to meet your tastes and wants,” says the company website. “Drakoulis Restaurants offer a signature 360 meat experience in an upbeat state-of-the-art environment that transforms by night with electronic music vibes.” You’ll find Dry & Raw at Agia Kirikia Square in Mykonos Town.

 

Philotimo Restaurant on Mykonos

Philotimo bills itself as a “Mediterranean & traditional Greek cuisine restaurant,” but it has been making a particularly big impression with its amazing burgers. It’s also popular for its daily offerings of several popular Greek dishes. Philotimo is situated on the peripheral road in the Evaggelistraki area, near the AB supermarket. It opened in March.

 

Monk all day bar on Mykonos

Located in Ano Mera, Monk All Day Bar is a go-to spot for coffee, brunch, light meals and cocktails. Monk opened on April 8.

 

Botrinis Mykonos restaurant

Katikies Mykonos hotel at Agios Ioannis beach will be welcoming Botrini’s Mykonos restaurant to its property this summer — the newest Greek island restaurant to feature the cuisine of Michelin-starred Greek-Italian chef Hector Botrini. According to a media announcement by the Katikies hotel chain, “Showcasing premium ingredients, high technique and inexhaustible talent, the chef’s most iconic recipes set the stage for a unique culinary experience. The most precious and freshest gifts of the land and the sea pass through the kitchen to be transformed into works of contemporary culinary art, which are found in degustation and à la carte menus and are accompanied by excellent Greek and international wine labels, under the supervision of Yiannis Karakasis MW (Master of Wine).” An official opening date for Botrini’s Mykonos has not yet been announced, but the restaurant page on the Katikies Mykonos website is accepting online reservations for seating dates from May 1 until September 30. 

 

Baladaya Mykonos Greek Tavern

Baladaya Mykonos Greek Tavern

 The beginning of June saw the opening of Badalaya Mykonos on Paradise beach (in the premises occupied last year by the itbeach Mykonos club). Described as “a modern Greek tavern … where tradition meet innovation,” Badalaya boasts a menu, created by Chef George Stylianouda, that offers a wide range of meat, seafood and Greek dishes, as well as salads and sharing plates. A separate menu for the restaurant’s beachfront sunbeds includes burgers, sandwiches and salads. Both menus can be viewed on the Badalaya Mykonos website.

 

 

L'Artista Mykonos restaurant

June 9 was grand opening day for L’ Artista, Osteria  Da Roberto, an elegant Italian restaurant “where comfort food meets fine dining.” L’ Artista is situated mere steps from Agia Anna beach at the Old Port harbourside of Mykonos Town, in the premises occupied last year by the short-lived Billionaire Mykonos restaurant and nightclub.

 

Pablo bar on Mykonos

April 27 was opening day for Pablo bar, a “sister” to popular Paloma Bar. You’ll find Pablo at 34 Agion Anargiron Street in Mykonos Town. Pablo opens at 10 a.m. daily to serve breakfast and coffees, and the bar continues to serve cocktails until 3 a.m.

 

Ferries in Greece

Planning to do some Greek island hopping this summer? July and August are the peak travel months in Greece, and seats on inter-island ferries are filling up fast.  If you haven’t already booked your ferry tickets, click on the image above to arrange your transportation now!

 

Hotels and accommodations

 

Rizes Folklore Farmstead on Mykonos

We have been struck by all the considerable attention Rizes Folklore Farmstead has been receiving on social media this season. Every day, our Instagram feed features impressive photos and videos that visitors have been posting with rave reviews describing everything that delighted them at Rizes — its traditional Greek cuisine restaurant, cooking and bread baking classes, guided farm tours and horse riding. This summer, Rizes added yoga classes to its roster of activities, and in late June it unveiled new guest room accommodations right on the farmstead property. The five traditional Myconian guest houses offer “a once in a lifetime experience of living on a Myconian farm,” Rizes said in a social media post announcing the opening of the rooms — a truly unique lodging for an island most people associate with posh luxury suites, private plunge pools and high-end amenities. Visitors who stay in the guest houses will “get to enjoy a locally sourced breakfast from our garden, bake fresh bread, get eggs from the chickens, milk the goats, spend time with the horses, and much more,” Rizes says.  To inquire about guest house rates and availability, contact the farmstead by email at: [email protected].

 

Ocean Inn on Mykonos

Open since spring, Ocean Inn Mykonos is a boutique-sized luxury hotel perched on the hillside that rises behind the iconic whitewashed buildings of Chora (Mykonos Town).  Most of Ocean Inn’s sea-view suites and junior suites accommodate two guests each, with some offering hot tubs while others boast private pools.  The spacious Superior King Suite can sleep three people, and features a central living area with kitchen, sofa bed and bathroom, a separate bedroom with ensuite bath, and a private pool.  Hotel facilities include a concierge, a sea-view infinity pool, and the adjacent Maison Ostria Sunset Restaurant & Bar, which we profiled above in the new restaurants section of this post.

 

Nomia Sunset Suites on Mykonos

Noima Mykonos Hotel

Early July saw the opening of Nomia Sunset Suites, a luxury hotel nestled against a rocky sea- and sunset-view hillside in the Pigados area of Mykonos, approximately 2.7 km from both Mykonos Town and the New Port at Tourlos. The hotel boasts 16 suites, some of which have private heating swimming pools, and others which are furnished with outdoor hot tubs. Nomia also offers a Cave Pool Experience Suite, which comprises a separate living room, a spacious bedroom, and an en suite marble bathroom with walk-in rain shower, and can accommodate up to 3 persons. Hotel facilities include a lounge, a seaview infinity pool and terrace, a wellness area, and boutique.

 

Mykonia Inn Hotel on Mykonos

Mykonia Inn Hotel on Mykonos

Mykonia Inn hotel on Mykonos

Describing itself as “youthful, breezy and affordable,” Mykonaki Hotel has opened in Ano Mera, boasting 51 rooms in seven different styles that can accommodate 1, 2, 3 or 4 people.  Geared for young, party-minded visitors, the hotel notes that while it’s located in “the most chilled area of Mykonos,” it’s nevertheless close “to all the famous hotspots of the island. All you need to do is pick the room that fits your style and join us for a never-sleeping, always-partying summer time!”  Accommodations include rooms appropriately called “Just the two of us,”  “Just the three of us,”  “Funky Vibes room for 4,” “Chill Out room for 3,” “Summer is On room for 2,” and “Mykonos Vibes room for 4.”  Hotel facilities and services include a swimming pool, gym, and a continental breakfast.

 

Domes Noruz Mykonos

Domes Noruz Mykonos

Domes Noruz Mykonos

The chic and exclusive Domes Noruz Mykonos hotel opened its doors in early July. Located at Agios Stefanos, the 38-suite, adults-only resort is the newest member of the Domes Resorts collection of luxury lifestyle vacation properties in the Mediterranean. According to a media announcement by Domes Resorts, guests at Domes Noruz Mykonos can “choose rooms with private pools, indulge in signature culinary offerings at Topos Neo-med restaurant, sip on cocktail masterpieces by Apallou mixologists, and experience established lounge sessions or explore the island in the care of a tried and tested concierge. These elements create a celebratory aesthetic that includes art and fashion, all set against a 24/7 vibe of chill music and sun-kissed relaxation.” 

 

Bill & Coo Mykonos Coast Suite

Bill & Coo Coast Suites at Agios Ioannis has introduced a new private hideaway for 2023 — the Coast Hill Suites. This “discreet cocoon” of 10 spacious suites — the biggest accommodations at Bill & Coo Coast — each come with an infinity pool, a sheltered terrace with sweeping sea, sunset and Delos island views, and round-the-clock personalized assistance from the hotel’s top-notch service team.

 

Nammos Hotel and beach club on Mykonos

The Nammos World of luxury lifestyle restaurants, beach clubs, entertainment events and shopping is expanding with the debut of a chain of exclusive high-end hotels and resorts.  Twenty years ago, Nammos Mykonos opened as an upscale restaurant on Psarou beach. Within a few short years it became one of the island’s most famous beach clubs, drawing an international clientele of the rich, famous and beautiful.  More recently, the brand opened Nammos venues in Dubai, Cannes, Limassol and Qatar. Now, in 2023, it has established Nammos Hotels & Resorts, and the first Nammos Hotel will open this summer on Psarou beach (in the premises previously operated as the Kensho Psarou hotel, and last year as N Hotel.) Nammos resorts in Abu Dhabi and the Maldives also are set to open. The new Nammos Mykonos hotel can be seen on the left side of the beach in the image above; the beach club is next door, on the right. Opening dates for the hotel and beach club have not yet been announced. 

 

 

New services

 

Van Stories Mykonos

 Van Stories Mykonos is a fun mobile service making its debut on the island this summer.  Its signature “boho-style” Volkswagen T2 van features a fully stocked bar and DJ booth that can be booked for private parties, weddings , photo shoots, and other special events.

 

Uber Boat on Mykonos

Uber has announced that it is bringing its Uber Boat service to Mykonos this summer — joining its on-land Uber vehicle service, which started operations on Mykonos this spring. At the 2023 Uber Go-Get Product Event on May 17, Uber announced that Uber Boat will give Mykonos vacationers the opportunity to arrange private boat transportation simply by selecting “boat” from the Uber app.  The service will allow for “up to 8 people to cruise to popular destinations around the island of Mykonos,” Uber said. The service launched at the end of June and is expected to be available until October. Extensive information and details about the Uber land and boat transportation services on Mykonos can be found in the June 29 Greek Travel Pages news report Uber’s New ‘Boat’ Service Takes the Mykonos Experience to Another Level.

 

Familiar spots with new names, locations or features

 

23 Hotel and Katrin restaurant on Mykonos

On April 12, legendary fine dining restaurant La Maison de Katrin opened its doors for the 2023 season in a completely different part of Mykonos Town. In operation since 1971, Katrin was previously situated on Nikiou street, where Instagrammers flocked to photograph the bedazzling canopy of bougainvillea that shaded a row of tables and chairs in the narrow lane along the restaurant. Katrin’s new location is a short walk away at 23 Panachratou street, in 23 Hotel. That’s another big change that Mykonos regular visitors will notice — it’s the new name for the former Carbonaki boutique hotel. Though the new Katrin doesn’t boast a show-stopping display of blooming vines above its tables, it still serves the signature exquisite cuisine that wows new customers and keeps drawing regular guests back every year.

 

Bruno Coffee & Brunch Mykonos seen in a photo from the restaurants social media pages

Brunello was one of many restaurant newcomers to Mykonos in 2022. For this season, it has rebranded as Bruno Coffee & Brunch.  Bruno is located in the Mykonos My Mall in Ano Vrisi.

 

Frasko restaurant in Mykonos

Another restaurant rebrand for 2023 is Fraskω at Agia Anna Kalafatis — the farm-to-table eatery formerly named Nesaea.  On its social media, Fraskω is described as a “fish fun tavern” offering “an authentic island experience. Local products, local fish & a lot of Greek hospitality.”

 

Thalas Mykonos beach bar and restaurant

Divine Sea & More, the beach bar and restaurant at Super Paradise beach, is now called Thalas Barefoot Tavern & Beach. It opened on May 19.

 

Frankie Restaurant on Mykonos

Bouboulo restaurant on the Gialos harbourside promenade of Mykonos Town has undergone a transformation for 2023. Now called Frankie Mykonos (a name inspired by Frank Sinatra), its menu features “cuisine with the flavor of Italy and fresh local ingredients, true to our farm-to-table philosophy and quality. Enjoy fresh handmade pasta, meat, bread and pizza with sourdough and organic flour that are fermented daily and baked in our wood-fired oven, as well as gluten free and lactose free options,” a description on the restaurant website says.

 

Bagatelle Mykonos

Bagatelle Mykonos Sunset Plaza

Bagatelle Mykonos unveiled an exciting new restaurant concept — The Sunset Plaza — when it opened in May for its second season of operations.  Inspired by lively plazas throughout Europe, the sunset-view, seaside complex comprises three distinct venues offering “fine dining, high-end entertainment and fashion shopping in an al fresco setting” — The Sunset Lounge, Bagatelle Mykonos restaurant, and ITA Mykonos. Designed as a romantic spot to watch the sunset or relax after dinner, The Sunset Lounge will offer “amazing cocktails prepared by top-notch mixologists, a high-end collection of wines and spirits, live artists, fire blowers, singers, musicians and dancers, and the most beautiful view of the island,” a Bagatelle Group spokesperson told us.  The restaurant, Bagatelle Mykonos, will spotlight cuisine inspired by La Côte d’Azur, Southern Italy and Mykonos; its menu will “blend the generous flavours of the French Riviera cuisine with the refreshing Mediterranean and Greek influences.” Meanwhile, the “magical hideaway” ITA Mykonos — an intimate spot inspired by the lush jungles of Mexico — will offer an adventurous culinary journey  with its menu of “daring and colorful Mexican and Peruvian fusion food,” the company rep added.

 

Amyth of Mykonos hotel

The former Habitat Hotel at Agios Stefanos has undergone a rebranding and is now a Thanos Hotels property called Amyth of Mykonos.  An April 3 social media post announced the change, saying that Amyth will be: “A sanctuary for the soul, a new bijou hotel promising boho-luxe style, authentic ‘at-home’ hospitality, and a deeper experience of Mykonian life at its laid-back best.​”

 

Noteworthy departures

 

Funky Kitchen restaurant on Mykonos

Funky Kitchen will not be returning for the 2023 season. The Lakka-area restaurant had been hugely popular with regular Mykonos visitors for the last several years, but its owners announced on social media April 2 that they have decided “to close Funky Kitchen as we know it and open a new chapter concentrating in private dining and pop up events.” There’s no word on whether another restaurant will be moving into the space for this summer.

Photos from our trips to Corinth, Karpathos and Attica in 2022

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Finiki village on Karpathos island

Arkasa village on Karpathos

Two of the places we loved on Karpathos were the villages of Finiki (top image) and Arkasa, both situated on the island’s scenic southwestern coast. 

 

Photos from Corinth, Karpathos and Attica: Sometimes travel doesn’t happen as planned, or doesn’t happen at all. Holidays were ruined for thousands of people around the world this year because of flight cancellations and airport delays, lost luggage, extreme weather, Covid infections and other unanticipated events.

For us, a long-awaited trip to Greece — our first vacation in three years — had to be cut short when I sustained a severe injury in a fall just hours after we arrived on Karpathos in early May. What was supposed to be a carefree 5-week holiday was turned into a nightmarish experience by a split-second walking accident.

Instead of sightseeing, swimming and chilling out on beautiful beaches, I spent two days in the island’s small hospital, frustrated and stressed out from phone calls with travel insurance company personnel who wouldn’t help me secure medical treatment. And rather than enjoying the lovely hotels we had reserved, and exploring scenic mountain villages, I was scrambling to cancel reservations and hastily re-arrange transportation so I could get home quickly for surgery. The Greek holiday that was supposed to give us a mental break from the doom and gloom of the Covid pandemic turned into an unexpected trip to a Canadian operating room, followed by a painful recovery period and months of grueling physiotherapy.

 

 

Our holiday disaster is a long, complicated tale I might tell another time. It’s also the reason I haven’t added any new posts to this blog in more than seven months.

And while my story still isn’t finished, it does have a happy chapter: When doctors and physiotherapists gave me the go-ahead to travel, we  booked a last-minute trip back to Greece in late September. This time, I’m pleased to report, our vacation was low-key and injury-free.  It provided three weeks of rejuvenating rest and blissful relaxation at some of the places we didn’t get to see in May.

During our accident-shortened spring holiday, we visited the Loutraki and Corinth areas of the Peloponnese, and the town of Pigadia on Karpathos island. In late September, we went back to Karpathos for three weeks, then wrapped up our autumn getaway at the Porto Rafti seaside town near Athens before flying home.

 

fishing boat at Loutraki

A fishing boat tied to a pier in Loutraki, a town situated on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Corinth. We spent three nights here in May, finding it an excellent base for exploring the Corinth region of the Peloponnese.

 

The beach at Pigadia town on Karpathos island

The long golden-sand beach at Pigadia, the main port town on Karpathos island. We spent several nights in Pigadia in May, and again in October during our return trip to Karpathos.

 

Porto Rafti in Greece

A hilltop view of one of the bays at Porto Rafti, a picturesque seaside town in Attica near the Athens International Airport. We enjoyed three nights here at the end of our vacation in mid-October.

 

As always, we took plenty of pictures during our travels, and you can see dozens of them on our two main social media accounts:

♦ the my_greece_travel_blog profile on Instagram; and

♦ the My Greece Travel Blog page on Facebook

I’m still posting additional photos several times a week, so you will discover new content if you check back regularly for updates.  (You can view the images even if you don’t have your own Instagram or Facebook accounts, by the way.)

I’m currently busy working on some blog posts about our holiday destinations and experiences, and hope to publish those soon.

 

 

the coast at Amoopi on Karpathos

The rugged coast at Amoopi, a resort area on Karpathos. We  were fascinated by the clear turquoise waters and intriguing rock formations, and loved discovering secluded coves as well as Amoopi’s organized sand and pebble beaches.

 

a temple at Ancient Corinth

The remaining erect columns of the Temple of Apollo — one of many monuments we saw at the archaeological site and museum of Ancient Corinth

 

views from the Acrocorinth Castle in Greece

We were blown away by the vast panoramic views of the Gulf of Corinth and the Peloponnese while we climbed and wandered around the massive mountaintop grounds of the Acrocorinth Castle

 

Mykonos 2022: Our guides to travel season opening dates for bars, clubs, hotels, restaurants, activities and attractions, plus new arrivals on the island

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A Mykonos Photo Tour photograph of Mykonos Town at sunset

A sunset view of Mykonos Town captured by Mykonos Photo Tour

 

 

Open now and coming soon: If you’re planning to visit Mykonos in 2022 and are wondering what places will be open this season, and when, we’ve got that information for you.

We have compiled a series of articles to spotlight what’s happening on Mykonos this year, including exciting new arrivals; opening dates for hotels, bars, nightclubs, beach clubs and restaurants; as well as a listing of top activities and attractions.

For those of you who have been to Mykonos before, this collection of posts will show you what’s new for 2022, along with opening dates for your favourite hangouts.

If you have never been to Mykonos and are planning on paying it a visit for the first time, our series of posts will give you a preview of where you’ll be able to eat, drink, party and play — and will give you ideas for potential places to stay during your holiday. 

Mykonos bar and club openings 2022 lists the season start dates for cocktail bars, lounges and nightclubs;

Mykonos beach club openings in 2022  provides opening dates for bars and clubs at beach areas;  

♦ Season openings for hotels and other accommodations are included in Mykonos hotels, suites, studios and other places to stay 2022

Mykonos restaurants 2022 is our guide to fast food joints, Greek tavernas, international food restaurants, fine dining establishments and more;

Mykonos activities, tours and other things to do 2022 is a guide to activity and entertainment options other than swimming, sunbathing, shopping and partying; and

♦ our annual showcase of the island’s new bars, clubs, hotels and more can be found in Mykonos: What’s new for 2022.

 

 

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Mykonos: What’s new for 2022

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The Little Venice area of Mykonos

A view of the Little Venice seafront of Mykonos Town

 

 

— Updated on June 19 2022 —

 

The Island of the Winds: Much like the dry Meltemi winds that blast the island every summer, the winds of change blow strongly on Mykonos, bringing a flurry of brand-new hotels, restaurants, bars and shops for each fresh travel season.

This cycle of constant change and renewal is an integral part of what makes Mykonos so vibrant, exciting and enthralling — it ensures there are always plenty of new places popping up where visitors can explore and enjoy the latest Greek and international trends in design, decor, fashion, food, drink and entertainment.

Here are snapshots of many of the notable changes and newcomers that Mykonos visitors will discover during the 2022 travel season.

 

Cubic Hotel on Mykonos

Opening July 13 at Ornos beach, Cubic Hotel is an adults-only boutique property consisting of just 11 rooms and suites with private pools. Each of the luxury  accommodations “has been designed in a contemporary manner, blending cubic style with multiple dimensions and traditional Cycladic architecture with modern twists,” the hotel website says.  

 

Zuma Mykonos

After two years as a seasonal pop-up situated in the ultra-luxe Cavo Tagoo Hotel, the Japanese restaurant Zuma Mykonos has a new home all its own. The opening of the new premises — carved into the face of a rugged rock cliff a short distance down the coastal road from Cavo Tagoo — marks the debut of “a first of its kind lifestyle concept” by the high-end international restaurant chain, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. “This creative, multi-purpose destination is a new concept within the [Zuma restaurant] portfolio featuring a restaurant, lounge and bar, sleek infinity pool, day beds and resident DJ. Zuma Mykonos is set to be the first of many other similar venues unveiled in international destinations in the years to come, as Zuma enters a new era,” the Zuma website explains.  Zuma Mykonos officially opens for dinner service on July 14, while its spectacular sea- and sunset-view infinity swimming pool will open on July 18. 

 

Billionaire Mykonos

Italian celebrity entrepreneur Flavio Briatore is bringing his exclusive Billionaire lifestyle club to Mykonos this summer. Self-described as famous for its “extraordinary artistic performances with a superb dining experience,” as well as a “thrilling” late-night after party,  Billionaire Mykonos will operate in an elegant former mansion near the small Agia Anna harbour beach in Mykonos Town (in the premises formerly occupied by the Hondos Center fashion retail shop). Billionaire Mykonos hasn’t announced its official opening date, but it is expected to open its doors as soon as July 15, and has been heavily promoting a “coming soon” campaign on social media.  Billionaire Mykonos made news headlines in Greece in July when it cancelled online reservations for tables of four persons or less, explaining in an email to affected customers that the venue has been designed to “accommodate groups of 6,8,10 and 12 people or more”  only. Rumours had been circulating that the club would require a minimum spend of €50,000 per table, but news reports said the minimum spend in the restaurant will be €300 per person on food alone — with alcoholic drinks not included in that amount.

 

Cocco restaurant on Mykonos

Doors opened in early July at Cocco Mykonos, a small Italian bistro situated at the Little Venice seafront of Mykonos Town. A project of the Belvedere Hotel, Cocco occupies cozy, intimate spaces in an historic 200-year-old building on the waterfront.  Cocco’s menu “offers small yet inspired bites for a leisurely drink, while refreshing salads alongside delectable raw and marinated meat and fish dishes will ground a dreamy evening in earthly delights. Light-as-a-cloud pizzas, straight from our wood-fired oven, classic antipasti and rich pasta dishes will round out an unforgettable Italian experience,” the restaurant’s website says. Cocco’s hours of operation are 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

 

Bar & Co Mykonos

A stroll down Ag. Anargiron street near Little Venice will lead you to a tiny new cocktail and coffee joint, Bar & Co, which opened in early July. It’s a friendly spot to grab a coffee beverage or a hand-crafted cocktail to enjoy either at the bar, or “on the go.”  Besides classic cocktails, Bar & Co serves beer, shots and drinks.

 

Jayont Mykonos restaurant

Jayont coffee brunch & more is a new dining spot in Ano Mera village, situated steps from the historic Panagia Tourliani Monastery.  Jayont specializes in coffees and  breakfast/brunch fare, but is open til late at night for dining and cocktails.  Menu items are available for take-away, so it’s a convenient place to pick up drinks and snacks while on the way to Elia, Agrari, Kalafatis or Kalo Livadi beaches.

 

Mantri Mykonian Resto on Mykonos

Mantri Mykonian Resto is another newcomer situated near Panagia Tourliani monastery in Ano Mera village. If the name seems familiar, perhaps it’s because it’s the new Mykonos sibling of the Mantri restaurant that has been operating in the Athens suburb of Glyfada since 1977.  Mantri offers a Mediterranean menu highlighting quality meat and charcoal barbecue dishes, as well as slow-cooked Greek dishes.  The menu, with prices, can be viewed on the restaurant’s website. Mantri Mykonian Resto is open daily from 12:30 p.m. to midnight.

 

Photos of Saltbae Mykonos burger restaurant by Dimitris Koutsoukos

Regular Mykonos visitors will notice a big change at Goumenio Square in Mykonos Town this summer. The popular meat and meze restaurant Familia is gone — its prized location has been acquired by celebrity chef Nusret Gokce and transformed into one of his high-end Saltbae Burger joints. (Gokce brought his world-famous Nusret steakhouse to Mykonos in 2019, and is still packing that place with big-spending customers every night). The Saltbae burger restaurant and bar opened in mid-June, serving a variety of burgers and steak sandwiches at prices starting at €30 and up, along with Oreo, marshmallow and “crazy baklava” shakes costing €19 and €25 respectively.  The restaurant’s signature dish,  the Gold Burger, is a juicy Wagyu Saltbae burger covered in edible 24K gold and smothered in freshly melted cheddar cheese. It is served with seasoned fries and sells for only €150.  

 

Salt & Fire Mykonos steakhouse 2022 season opening announcement

Salt & Fire Steakhouse claims it will offer “the most exclusive dining experience in Mykonos” when it opens June 15 at the Charisma Hotel and Wellness Suites in the island’s Plintri area (near Super Paradise beach). Situated on the patio beside the hotel’s sea view pool, Salt & Fire will have only a handful of tables at which a small number of guests can enjoy Black Angus and Wagyu steaks grilled to perfection over the restaurant’s signature wood fire. (The menu also includes a simple but superb selection of salads, starters, sides and desserts).  Salt & Fire Mykonos is a summer venture of the popular Salt & Fire restaurant established in 2019 in the Agios Ioannis area of Nicosia, on Cyprus. 

 

Byblos restaurant on Mykonos

Friday June 10 was the grand opening day for Byblos, an opulent new fine dining and late-night party restaurant “that plays by its own rules blending flavours, sips, music and vibes.” Byblos specializes in “elevated Peruvian-Japanese gastronomy,” exquisite cocktails, wine and sake. In an opening day announcement on its social media pages, Byblos said “Our talented executive chef Thanos S Stasinos & our expert sommelier Nikolas Giannopoulos will be your guides in this exotic world of exquisite taste.” Byblos is located at 1 Delou street in Mykonos Town. 

 

 

Anima Italian cuisine restaurant on Mykonos

“Specialized in authentic Italian cuisine,” Anima Restaurant is a new arrival at Goumenio Square in Mykonos Town. It opened on June 2.

 

Sinners Pizza and Street Food Cafe in Mykonos Town

Sinners Pizza opened in early June on Polikandrioti Street, serving a variety of take-away pizzas (whole and by the slice), paninis, and beverages

 

Street view of Meatropolitan Greek Style Gyros on Mykonos

 With a menu aimed to satisfy even the hungriest meat lovers, Meatropolitan Greek Style Gyros specializes in souvlaki and gyros, but also serves  burgers, chicken, sandwiches and more. It also has falafel items for vegan visitors. The restaurant opened in late April on Enoplon Dinameon street in Mykonos Town. 

 

The Sanctuary Mykonos

The Sanctuary Mykonos is a soul-soothing retreat, restaurant, and open-air music and events venue that opens its gates on June 2. Situated in the remains of an old fishing settlement near the eastern end of Ftelia beach, The Sanctuary Mykonos is set to make a distinctive mark on the island’s outdoor lifestyle and entertainment scene with unique curated music events, family-friendly gatherings, and ritualistic programs providing personal well-being and spiritual nourishment. Facilities include a bar, lounge and restaurant, where guests can enjoy a “social and soulful dining experience” choosing from a menu featuring Mediterranean, fusion and sushi dishes. Besides nightly dancing under the stars to curated DJ and live music performanes, The Sanctuary will host body- and soul-nurturing rituals including yoga kundalini, chanting and mindfulness meditation, shamanic drums, sound healing, fire rituals, moon rituals, tarot readings and more.

 

La Cantine du Faubourg Mykonos

A much-talked-about newcomer to Ornos beach this summer, the seaview restaurant and bar La Cantine du Faubourg bills itself as “Mykonos’s new luxury playground.”  An outdoor restaurant featuring Parisian cuisine and French social flair, it’s designed to be a must-visit lifestyle destination, built on four guiding principles: “sound, music, image, and food. Cultural venue meets dining destination, meeting spot or late-night hideout, La Cantine du Faubourg is whatever its guests want it to be, and more,” says an introduction on the venue’s website. Opening day was June 26.

 

Meraki restaurant at Cavo Tagoo Hotel on Mykonos

For the summer of 2022, the 5-star Cavo Tagoo Hotel  in Mykonos Town is hosting a new fine dining restaurant — Meraki — in the prized sea- and sunset-view spot next to its Instagram-famous infinity pool. (In 2020 and 2021, the coveted space had been occupied by a summer “pop up” of the Japanese- and Asian-fusion restaurant chain, Zuma.)  Meraki Mykonos is the fourth and newest member of the Meraki group of high-end restaurants and bars specializing in Modern Greek and Mediterranean cuisine (the others are located in London, Riyadh and Puerto Cervo).   Meraki Mykonos opened on May 6.

 

 

 

Tabu nightclub on Mykonos

Tabu Mykonos is a new concept nightclub that will offer guests “a different kind of ambience inspired by Japanese culture.” A summer project of the Tabu London club in Mayfair, it will be located on the Mykonos Town harbourside restaurant strip, at Promenade (which last year hosted a nightclub called Shiba).  Tabu Mykonos is scheduled to open on June 1.

 

Wake Bar Mykonos seen in an image shared on Instagram by @platonpap

May 13 was opening day for Wake Bar, an “exquisite” new venue that Kalua beach club has created on Enoplon Dinameon Street in Mykonos Town. 

 

Bagatelle Mykonos

After several years of planning and development, the Bagatelle brand of luxury restaurants and beach clubs has brought its southern France-style “joie de vivre and epicurean spirit” to Mykonos this summer.  The long-awaited Bagatelle Mykonos is located on the Mykonos Town seaside a short walk from Fabrika Square (between the Mykonos Theoxenia Hotel and the Poseidon Hotel). Opening day was May 24.

 

Ftelia Pacha Mykonos beach club on Mykonos

June 1 was opening day for Ftelia Pacha Mykonos, an ‘open beach experience” restaurant, bar and music entertainment venue at Ftelia beach (situated on the premises of the former Ftelia Beach Club, a short-lived seaside project of the Interni group of restaurants and hotels in Greece).  Ftelia Pacha is the third and newest property to be opened on Mykonos by The Destino Pacha hospitality group, which last year debuted the Destino Pacha Mykonos Hotel near Agios Stefanos beach, followed by the Lio Mykonos restaurant and live cabaret club in Mykonos Town. The arrival of the Ftelia beach club — which boasts a summer calendar packed with parties featuring performances by top international DJs — has positioned Destino Pacha as one of the island’s leading lifestyle and entertainment venue operators.

 

 

Tuya restaurant on Mykonos

Tuya Mykonos, a fine dining restaurant featuring a menu of French Riviera Cuisine, opened June 10 on Kalogera Street in Mykonos Town. It’s the third Tuya restaurant to open in Europe — the chain’s other locations are in Bucharest and Vienna, with a fourth Tuya set to open this fall in Milan.

 

Mykonos Theoxenia hotel on Mykonos

Mykonos Theoxenia, one of the island’s most iconic and historic hotels, has been undertaking an extensive and “daring” renovation this year.  “The mythic Mykonos Theoxenia reinvents itself to realign with its timeless heritage and the essence of ultimate hospitality,” the hotel website says. Located near the landmark row of six windmills in Mykonos Town, the Theoxenia is expected to start its 2022 season in July.

 

Apozouraki cafe on Mykonos

Apozouraki is a new cafe which opened April 27 in Ano Mera. It sells a variety of coffees and other drinks, along with breakfast items like crepes, waffles and pancakes, as well as sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, pizza, spinach pies and other light fare, plus donuts, jelly beans, candies and other sweet treats.

 

Bambao Mykonos

Bambao Noodles & Bao Buns opened April 29 in the Fabrika area of Mykonos Town. It’s an all-day, casual Asian fusion eatery serving up bao buns, noodles, chicken buckets, and more.

 

 

Calma Suites on Mykonos

Opened on June 1, Mykonos Calma Suites is a collection of deluxe luxury rooms and suites situated on the hillside overlooking chic Psarou beach, with wonderful views of Psarou and Platis Gialos bays and Naxos island

 

Rhino vegan fast food restaurant on Mykonos

April 15 was grand opening day for Rhino Vegan Street Food, located at 3 Riga Feraiou street in the heart of Mykonos Town.  Rhino’s goal is to promote sustainable and healthy eating; and as the shop says on its social media pages, “We hope to show people that a vegan lifestyle can be lived casually and effortlessly, and it can taste great too!” 

 

Brunello Mykonos Cucina e Vinoteca

Brunello Cucina e Vinoteca will bring “a little bite of Italy” to its restaurant location in the Mykonos My Mall in Ano Vrisi. It opened in May.

 

 

 

ITBeach Mykonos restaurant and beach club

In 2021, the IT Restaurants Group opened IT Mykonos, a party restaurant in the Drafaki district on the edge of Mykonos Town. This year the chain has shifted its focus to Paradise beach, where its new IT Beach Mykonos open fire restaurant, bar and beach club opened on June 10, bringing yet another trendy spot to dine and party to the island’s most famous beach. 

 

a collage of photos of Super Paradise Beach Club on Mykonos

For 2022, Super Paradise Beach Club has undergone a massive transformation that was unveiled on its season opening day, May 1.  The club has been totally redesigned and reimagined into a sophisticated new space, with natural materials, wood, stone and earth tones that reflect a timeless Mykonos aesthetic and a bohemian-chic upmarket style and atmosphere.   

 

A collage of images of Paraj beach club on Mykonos

A new arrival at Super Paradise this summer is Paraj, an upscale beach venue featuring a fine dining Mediterranean restaurant, a bar, a boutique and a beach club. It’s located right beside Super Paradise club, and is operated by the same owners.  Opening day was May 7.

 

 

Kensho Psarou hotel at Psarou beach on Mykonos

Formerly known as Kensho Psarou, the luxury hotel, villa, restaurant, bar and spa complex at Psarou beach has a new owner, and is now called N Hotel Mykonos.  The 31-suite, 5-star property had received extensive praise from hotel, design, travel and lifestyle publications around the world, and those accolades appear destined to continue for N Hotel, whose website is now taking bookings from May 15 onwards.

 

Casa Cook Mykonos hotel

The Casa Cook hotel collection is expanding to Mykonos this year. In June, it will open Casa Cook Mykonos, an “intimate boutique retreat” with 26 luxury rooms and suites on a “village-like” property. Located on the Aleomandra peninsula south of Ornos and Agios Ioannis, the hotel has views towards Delos island.

 

Arocaria Hotel on Mykonos

May 1 was opening day for the brand-new Arocaria Hotel in Pigados (an area that’s walking distance to Mykonos Town, Tourlos beach, the New Port, and Agios Stefanos beach). Arocaria has 16 rooms and suites, some with their own pools, and its amenities include a main swimming pool, bar, restaurant and spa. 

 

New Paradise Beach Resort on Mykonos

A new resort opened at Paradise Beach in late June. The aptly-named New Paradise Beach Resort boasts a beachfront pool venue, seaview rooms with plunge pools, and a restaurant and bar. 

 

O by Myconian Collection Hotel on Mykonos

O by Myconian Collection is a luxury beachfront hotel with 63 rooms and suites set to open at Ornos on June 22.  It’s the 11th property of the Myconian Collection, a chain of 5-star hotels owned and operated by the Daktylides family of Mykonos (some of their other hotels and resorts on the island include the Myconian Ambassador, Imperial, Avaton, Panoptis Escape, Utopia and Myconian Villa Collection).  Myconian O’s facilities will include a spa, the Oasis pool and its beach & pool bar, Obar, and the Baloo fine dining restaurant.

 

 

 

 

Lovia luxury hotel on Mykonos

Lovia Mykonos is a new luxury hotel expected to open in July. Located on a hillside overlooking Mykonos Town, the hotel will boast 21 rooms and suites with private infinity pools and hot tubs, a  spa, gym, billiard hall and open-air cinema.  Facilities include a Mediterranean restaurant and bar, a pool bar, and a breakfast area.

 

 

Once in Mykonos Luxury Resort

Originally slated to open last summer, the 5-star Once in Mykonos Luxury Resort at Ornos finally opened its doors on June 10.  Featuring 59 sumptuous rooms and suites, a spa, Infinity Bar & Restaurant, and its own private chapel, Once in Mykonos is the new incarnation of what was once a palatial private villa owned by a prominent businessman who hosted glamorous parties for “artists, intellectuals and influential people from all over the world.” 

 

Cali Mykonos luxury hotel

Opening this summer on a coastal clifftop near Kalafatis beach, Cali Mykonos is a boutique resort comprised of 40 villas (each with its own private pool), a Mediterranean restaurant and a 110-meter infinity swimming pool. Cali was profiled in an exclusive sneak peak article in Travel + Leisure magazine in the spring, and subsequently was included in lists of the year’s most anticipated new hotel openings published by such high-profile international travel and lifestyle publications as Conde Nast Traveller, Vogue, Luxury Travel Magazine, Forbes, Fodor’s Travel, The Telegraph, Robb Report and more (links to all of the articles can be found in posts on the Cali Mykonos Facebook page). Cali is expected to open in July, and its website’s online reservation page is accepting bookings from July 1 onwards.

 

Yi Hotel on Mykonos

Yi Hotel is a 5-star boutique hotel scheduled to open this year in the Livadakia district near Elia beach

 

 

Mykonos beach bar and club parties and events in 2022

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PHotos of popular beach clubs on Mykonos

Some of the top beach clubs on Mykonos include, from top left: Alemagou; SantAnna; JackieO’ Beach; Tropicana; Super Paradise beach club; Nammos; Scorpios; Principote Mykonos; Pinky Beach; Solymar; Hippie Fish; Kalua; and Paradise beach club.

 

↓ SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW SPECIAL DJ EVENTS AND PARTIES BEING HELD IN OCTOBER AT MYKONOS BEACH CLUBS AND BARS ↓

 

Our other posts to check out:

♦ To see a list of regular events that take place on Mykonos either every day, or on specific days of the week, click here.

♦ To see parties and events happening at bars, clubs and hotels in Mykonos Town and other non-beach locations of the island, click here.

♦ To see what exciting new bars, clubs, restaurants and hotels have opened on Mykonos this summer, click here.

 

 

 

October events

 

Paradise Beach Club on Mykonos

On October 13, Paradise Beach Club posted this image to its social media pages to announce it is still open.  As of October 22, its daily beach parties were still going strong.

 

 

 

 

Season closing events & announcements

 

Tropicana Beach Club on Mykonos

Tropicana throws its final party of 2022 on Wednesday October 19

 

Nammos beach club on Mykonos

Nammos beach club has wrapped up its season. In social media posts on October 10, the club announced: “See you next year!”

 

Super Paradise Beach Club on Mykonos

DJ Vasilis Koutonias was on the decks for the 2022 season closing party for Super Paradise Beach Club on October 9

 

Kalua beach club on Mykonos

October 6 was closing day for Kalua beach club 

 

the entrance to Pasaji beach club on Mykonos

Monday October 3 was the last day of the season for Pasaji beach bar and restaurant at Ornos

 

Liasti beach club on Mykonos

Liasti beach club’s season drew to a close on October 3

 

Facebook photo of Solymar beach restaurant on Mykonos

October 2 was closing day for Solymar at Kalo Livadi beach

 

aerial view of Principote Mykonos beach club

The season ended on October 2 for Principote at Panormos beach

 

Scorpios beach club on Mykonos

Seven popular music acts performed at Scorpios during its season closing celebration on October 2

 

Hippie Fish beach club at Agios Ioannis beach on Mykonos

The season drew to a close October 2 for Hippie Fish beach club at Agios Ioannis 

 

Alemagou beach club on Mykonos

Alemagou held a bonfire party to celebrate its October 1 season closing

 

JackieO Beach Club on Mykonos

October 1 was the last day of the season for JackieO’ Beach Club

 

SantAnna beach club Mykonos

SantAnna beach club officially closed its doors for the season on September 29

 

Pinky Beach club on Mykonos

Pinky Beach club has announced that Sunday September 25 will be its last beach day of the 2022 season

 

 

Tiki Mykonos beach restaurant and bar

Sunday September 18 was the final day of the season for Tiki Mykonos restaurant and bar at Elia beach 

 

September 14 2022 season closing party announcement for Ftelia Pacha Mykonos beach club

Ftelia Pacha Mykonos beach club will celebrate the end of its first eventful season with a closing party on Wednesday September 14. The DJ lineup includes Nico Rac, Da Mike, Lica and Kat X.

 

ITBeach Mykonos seen in a photo shared on its social media pages

ITBeach Mykonos ended its first season at the beginning of September.  Located at Paradise beach, ITMykonos was a restaurant, bar and beach club venue that hosted high-profile international DJ events during the summer.

 

August 24 Bordello Mykonos closing party announcement

The summer 2022 season of Bordello Mykonos dinner show events at Pinky Beach Club wrapped up with a closing party on Wednesday August 24. The grand finale featured entertainment by Ciro Corcione, DJ Enzo Capocelli and singer Alex Pisa.

 

 

For profiles of the island’s new beach bars and clubs, and to see when your favourite Mykonos beach venues opened for the 2022 season, click on the link below to continue reading on page 2t.

 

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Cozy and romantic Love Bay Beach on Poros island

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The Love Bay sign on Poros island

Love Bay and Beach on Poros island

view from Love Beach on Poros island

Love beach on Poros island

Love Bay Beach — Λιμανακι της Αγαπης in Greek — is indisputably the love-liest seaside sunbathing and swimming spot on Poros island

 

Cozy cove:  For Valentine’s Day we wanted to post about an appropriately-themed place in Greece, and Love Bay Beach on Poros island immediately sprang to mind.

A picturesque cove nestled beneath lush green pine trees. A small arc of soft golden sand wedged between the low cliffs and rocks of the surrounding coastline. Gorgeous emerald waters lapping quietly ashore.  And its name –Λιμανακι της Αγαπη (Love Bay). Could this pretty place possibly be any more romantic? 

For us, it was literally love at first sight when we laid eyes on Love Bay. It was a hot, sunny day in June several years ago, and we were taking a walk on the scenic coastal road that winds down the southwestern side of Poros. As we approached a bend in the road and got a glimpse of the bay, the stunning green hues of the calm sea took our breath away. We had the same reaction only moments later when we spotted the cozy little beach through a narrow break in the row of pine trees lining the road. 

We have seen countless beautiful coves and beaches in Greece, yet this one seemed special. It’s cozy and comfortable (with room for little more than three dozen lounge chairs and umbrellas); it’s picturesque, unpretentious, and completely relaxing.  And romantic. And then there are those amazing, sublime turquoise waters! We visited at least nine different beaches on Poros, and this was our favourite. We would love to go back.

 

 

 

You’ll find more of our photos of the beach and bay below the following links to websites and social media pages containing information and photos of Love Bay Beach:

The Love Bay Beach Poros  is the official beach website. It provides a brief history of the family that established the bar and organized the beach some decades back, and explains how Love Bay got its name. It also contains contact information and directions;

The Love BAY Poros island is the beach’s official page on Facebook. Its posts include several dozen  photos and a few short videos;

♦ Several photos and a brief description of Love Bay can be found on the beaches page on the Visit Poros website, along with a link to a Google album containing several dozen more pictures;

♦ A clickable slide show and a separate gallery of 12 images can be viewed on The Love’s Bay page of the Poros Island information website 

Below are more of our photos, beginning with a series of images showing vistas of the bay from lookout points on the coast road, followed by a sequence of ground-level pictures of the beach and its views.

Coast road above Love Bay on Poros island

View of Agia Sofia chapel at Love Bay on Poros island

Coast road view of Love Bay on Poros island

Coast road view of Love Bay on Poros island

Water colours on the coast near Love Bay on Poros island

The Diamontopoulou villa at Love Bay on Poros island

Above: Views of the sublime sea colours and crystal clear waters along the shore in Love Bay, and glimpses of the Agia Sofia chapel and Diamontopoulou villa on the north side of the bay. We shot the photos from vantage points on the road along Poros island’s southwestern coast.

 

Love Bay and beach on Poros island

Love Bay and beach on Poros island

Above: Two glimpses of Love Beach through a gap in the pine trees that encircle the bay

 

Agia Sofia chapel at Love Bay on Poros island

Looking across the turquoise waters toward Agia Sofia, a private Bzyantine-style stone chapel on the seaside of the Diamontopoulou villa property near the beach

 

 

 

 

Love Bay on Poros island

The Love Bay sign at the entrance to the beach

 

Love Bay Beach on Poros island

Beach view from the top of the entrance steps

 

Love Bay Beach on Poros island

Love Bay Beach on Poros island

Love Bay and beach on Poros island

Love Bay and beach on Poros island

Love Bay and beach on Poros island

Views of the bay from various points on the beach

 

Agia Sofia chapel at Love Bay on Poros island

Agia Sofia church at Love Bay on Poros island

Views of Agia Sofia chapel from the rocky shore at the north end of Love Beach. It’s a private church, situated on the grounds of the Diamontopoulou villa.

 

Beach bar at Love Bay on Poros island

The beach bar sells snacks, beverages and cocktails

 

Love Bay Beach on Poros island

Love Bay Beach on Poros island

Love Bay Beach on Poros island

Our visits to Love Bay Beach took place during the first 10 days of June, which is still low season for tourism. If you travel to Poros during peak travel season (July and August), you can expect to find the beach much busier, with all the lounge chairs snapped up early in the morning

 

 

Where to go in Greece: 9 Dodecanese island gems

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Kyra Panagia church on Karpathos

Kyra Panagia church is an island icon and one of the most popular tourist attractions on Karpathos. This photo is one of many posted in galleries in the Visitor section of the  Municipality of Karpathos website.

 

Dodecanese delights: Will you be travelling to one or more of the Dodecanese islands this year? Or are you just wondering whether this part of Greece might be the right place for you and your family or friends to visit on vacation? If so, keep scrolling through this post so you can bookmark links we have compiled for a variety of Dodecanese island travel articles that have appeared in magazines, newspapers and websites in recent months.

The Dodecanese, a group of more than 15 islands in the southeast Aegean Sea, have long been a popular holiday destination. Rhodes and Kos have always been the best-known and busiest islands of the bunch, but less-familiar isles in the chain have been gaining increased attention as pandemic-weary travellers seek holiday locations that offer authentic and traditional island experiences with fewer crowds and tourist trappings.

Articles in major international news publications, and reviews and reports posted on influential travel and lifestyle websites, have also been bringing lesser-known Dodecanese islands to the forefront.

Take Karpathos, Kasos, Kastellorizo, Halki and Symi as examples. They aren’t exactly household names that most people planning a first-time trip to Greece would instantly recognize, but more people around the world are aware of them now, thanks to a photo-packed travel profile that USA Today published just before Christmas 2021. The article, featuring 46 photos of scenery, attractions and residents from all five of those islands, almost got overlooked during the distractions of the holiday season. But since the beginning of this year, we have seen it being reposted and shared widely on social media pages, reaching ever-larger audiences — undoubtedly including people trying to decide where they should go for their holiday in Greece this summer.

You’ll find a link to the USA Today travel piece below, along with other interesting and informative articles we have collected and bookmarked for personal reading and vacation research. We think they’ll be useful for other travellers who are either planning trips to the Dodecanese, or are simply curious to read more about the region, since they cover diverse topics including: island descriptions; highlight attractions and activities; recommended places to eat and drink; cool places to stay; personal trip reports; and more. For convenience, we have grouped the articles based on the particular island destinations discussed in each piece.

 

— Karpathos, Kasos, Halki, Kastellorizo & Symi —

 

USA Today article on lesser known Greek islands

 

The December 21 2021 article Beyond Santorini and Mykonos: Explore the lesser-known Greek islands is the aforementioned USA Today pictorial report that is circulating on social media pages this month.  It’s essentially a gallery of 46 photos, each accompanied by an easy-to-read, one-paragraph caption that provides some insight into the specific island on which each image was shot. All but two of the photos were shot by travel writer/photographer Nick Kontis, who wrote the article text. 

_________________________

— Karpathos —

 

Karpathos island travel article in Aegean Blue magazine issue 86

 

Whenever we come across profiles of Karpathos, like this one from Aegean Airlines’ Blue magazine, we can’t help but shake our heads and ask why we still haven’t been there yet.  If you haven’t been to Karpathos, either, you might find yourself wondering the same thing once you read through this terrific 18-page guide and view the dozens of splendid photographs by Dionysis Kouris.

“This Dodecanese diamond is a folklore paradise with picturesque villages, locals who reverently uphold customs, world-class beaches and exciting changes of scenery,” says the subheading for the article Karpathos, Captivatingly Traditional

Written by Fotis Vallatos, the guide takes readers on a tour around the island, starting at the capital and main port, Pigadia, then moving on to visit charming villages, picturesque beaches and scenic fishing harbours, with stops at noteworthy sights and places — like ruins, churches or scenic lookouts — along the way. The article mentions the main attractions at each village, recommends tavernas and cafes to stop for a bite to eat (and sample local specialty dishes), and spotlights artisanal workshops, crafts and local products shops, museums and much more. For beaches, Vallatos describes the sand conditions and sea colours and clarity, taking note of areas that are sheltered from strong winds, or that offer shade from the afternoon sun. He also points out nearby amenities, such as beach tavernas or bars, and places of interest, such as chapels and archaeological or historic sites. The article also provides location and contact names for visitors interested in such outdoor activities as kite and wind surfing, diving, rock climbing, walking and hiking, trekking and fishing tours, and others.

Karpathos, Captivatingly Tradition appears at pages 256-273 in the August – October 2021 edition (Issue 86) of Blue Magazine. You can read it either online or by downloading a PDF version of the entire magazine. 

 

Karpathos article in the blog Wremer Travels

 

“A small piece of heaven” is how two travel bloggers from Norway, Tanja and Ørjan, describe Karpathos in an article published on their website, Wremer Travels, late last fall.

Their blog post Need a new favourite Greek island? Go to Karpathos! is a fun and informative read, explaining how the pair originally decided to visit Karpathos, and describing the beaches, food, villages and other features that have kept them coming back for more, including their favourite place to stay and their personal go-to spots for meals.  The post includes a YouTube video of kitesurfing and windsurfing on Karpathos.

We enjoyed the article for its tips and helpful advice for first-time visitors — they offer some welcome words of wisdom for driving around — and especially for its wonderful photos of enticing beaches, coastlines, mountains, and Olympos, the most traditional village on the island.  

_________________________

— Leros —

 

Travel.gr article on Lakki town on Leros island

 

Architecture and design enthusiasts might feel inclined to pay Leros a visit once they see the photos and read the historic details in this fascinating article published on the Travel.gr website last November 2.

In Lakki, Leros: The strange beauty of Greece’s weirdest town, writer Panagiotis Savvidis examines how the seaside town of Lakki wound up with a curious collection of public buildings designed in minimalist achitectural styles, including Art Deco, Bauhaus, Venetian and Renaissance elements.

“According to studies, Lakki seems to be the place with the most Art Deco buildings in one place, after Miami,” he notes.

The structures, many of which are presenting in varying states of serious disrepair, are what Savvidis calls the island’s “inheritance” from the years during which the Italians ruled the Dodecanese. Since Lakki is blessed with the largest natural harbour in the eastern Mediterranean, it was a key component of Mussolini’s master plan to control the region. To that end, he ordered the construction of a new town, called Portolago, to house a massive base for the Italian navy.  Besides military infrastructure, public buildings were required for administrative, medical and education services for the 30,000 military officers and families expected to live there. Prominent Italian architects were enlisted to design the settlement, and the result was the unique architecture, large squares and wide streets.

The article also notes how Thessaloniki-based film director Ioanna Asmeniadou-Fokka produced a recent documentary about Lakki’s history and architecture, and has been lobbying government to “to rescue, restore, and showcase the buildings.”

_________________________

— Kastellorizo —

Walking on Karpathos travel article by Aegean Blue magazine

Walking on Kastellorizo is a 4-page article written for Aegean Airlines’ Blue magazine by architect, hotel owner and local resident Marie Rivalant, who “extols the attractions of this lovely Dodecanese island.”

Marie describes how the island’s charming sights — such as the buildings around the harbour and the homes designed in neoclassical style — made her fall in love with and decide to permanently live on Kastellorizo. Even after several decades, she notes that this same scenery continues to fascinate her, as do the island’s historic sites.

“Kastellorizo has an abundance of monuments that can guide visitors through the centuries,” she says, listing monasteries, museums, a castle and other not-to-be-missed attractions. Marie also mentions a few of her favourite walking routes, and explains why “one of the best ways to discover Kastellorizo, without doubt, is by boat.” She also recommends the island restaurants, bars and coffee shops that she enjoys the most.

Marie’s article can be found at page 254 of Blue magazine Issue 86.

 

Greece Is special edition magazine on Kastellorizo island

 

“An island with more personality than square meters awaits visitors at the edge of the map,” says one of the pieces in Kastellorizo, a wonderful special edition magazine published in 2020 by Greece Is.

The issue is a definite must-read for anyone going to Kastellorizo, or even just thinking about paying it a visit sometime, since the 148 pages of  this insightful publication are packed with fascinating feature articles and hundreds of gorgeous photos that describe and display virtually everything there is to know about the island. It’s inspiring, informative and educational — an absolute gem of an island guide (but that’s always the case with all of the Greece Is magazines, in our opinion).

Even if a trip to Kastellorizo isn’t on the horizon for you at this time,  we think you’d probably find the magazine a delight to flip through simply to admire the beautiful colour images of island sights and scenery, as well as the intriguing black and white historic photos that accompany articles recounting significant moments in the island’s past.

If we had a copy of the print edition, we probably would leave it on our coffee table so we could peruse it more frequently, but we do look through the online version from time to time.

The web edition  — Greece Is Kastellorizo 2020 — is available on issuu.com, and can be downloaded as a PDF. Print issues are available to order from the Greece Is e-shop.

 

The Mediterranean Lifestyle magazine article on Kastellorizo island

 

It’s “a small place with a big history,” it has two names, and it was “made for hikers and history buffs.” Located at the easternmost corner of Greece, it’s a little island called Kastellorizo by some, Megisti by others. By either name, it sounds absolutely delightful in the article freelancer writer Jackie Humphries Smith penned for The Mediterranean Lifestyle magazine last summer. And it has looks to match, as you’ll see in the beautiful photos, shot by Jackie, that accompany the story.

Jackie and her partner, Joel Smith, are American ex-pats who live in the Mani region of the Peloponnese, where Jackie writes the blog TravelnWrite.

[Editor’s Note: When we were preparing this blog post, Jackie’s feature piece on Kastellorizo / Megisti had been available to read for free on the issuu.com online magazine platform; Jackie’s own website included a link to her article there. But back issues of The Mediterranean Lifestyle appear to have been removed from that site, and are not shown as being available to order in either print or digital versions from the magazine website. You might be able to find the magazine at your local library; check to see if they have Issue 13  in their collection.]

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— Kalymnos —

 

Kalymnos island profile in National Geographic

 

We found this July 28 2021 article from the UK edition of National Geographic an engaging and educational read, even though sport climbing on a Greek island mountainside isn’t something we could ever see ourselves doing on one of our holidays. Or maybe we could.  According to writer Maria Atmatzidou, there are “easily accessible” climbing routes on Kalymnos that are suitable for beginners and even families,  so there’s no reason novices like us couldn’t give the sport a try. 

Maria’s article,  How sport climbing is helping to revitalise a Greek island describes how Kalymnos has been capturing increased attention — and attracting holiday visits — from adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts around the world.

Maria explains how the island was left reeling by the decline and near-destruction of its traditional sponge fishing industry, but in recent years has extended its tourist season and become a top international draw not just for climbers, but also for “non-climbers who fish, dive or swim.” 

Though not climbers ourselves, we became interested in Kalymnos after seeing the island’s amazing mountain and coastal scenery in videos we shared in our previous blog posts Kalymnos keeps calling in 2017, and Kalymos island rocks! in 2016.  We still haven’t made it to the island yet, but we do hope to visit.

 

Red Bull Bulletin article on sport climbing on Kalymnos

 

Red Bull Bulletin writer Matt Ray visited Kalymnos — the “magical corner of the Dodecanese” — to challenge his abilities on the cliffs and do some chalk-dusted first-hand research for his article, A beginner’s guide to sport climbing in Greece

“Having gained a deserved reputation among elite climbers and enthusiasts, Kalymnos has a buzzing climbing scene. It’s chiefly centred around Masouri and its beach, but stretches across the whole island and beyond, taking in post-climb swims at ‘Pirate Beach’ (Kalamies) and extending to the crags of Telendos, an islet that sits off the west coast,” he notes.

Besides detailing the adrenalin rush of the climbs he undertook to improve his personal skills and techniques, Matt describes the “astounding” array of routes available on Kalymnos — 3,400 — and notes the island is ideal for solo climbers, since they’ll easily be able to find climbing partners on the island. 

He also points out the added bonus to climbing on Kalymnos: the island’s amazing sea views and scenery are “all the sweeter” from the top.

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— Kos —

Kos travel article in Aegean Blue magazine Issue 86

 

If you’re heading to Kos this year, we recommend you keep  Kos: Ancient history and exotic beaches handy during your holiday. It’s an excellent 14-page island guide that appeared in the August – October 2021 edition (Issue 86) of Blue magazine, the in-flight publication of Aegean Airlines. Compiled and written by Fotis Vallatos, it contains a wealth of tips and suggestions for things to see and do, as well as places to shop, dine and drink. It’s also richly illustrated with three dozen enticing photos, by Dionysis Kouris, that show people, places, food and scenery from all over the island. 

The guide includes a section on Kos Town, describing “majestic monuments of bygone times” — must-see archaeological sites, ancient ruins and the Castle of Neratzia — along with a list of nearly a dozen recommended “culinary stops,” plus cafes, cocktail bars and shops.  For beach enthusiasts, the guide highlights top strands along the northern and southeastern coasts,  as well as “the magical beaches” in the Kefalos area of southwestern Kos.

Another section suggests must-visit mountain villages, and tavernas where visitors can taste delicious local dishes. There also is a 1-page profile of local agricultural products, including cheese, wine, honey and organic aloe.

You’ll find the article on pages 238 – 251 at the link provided above. The full magazine is downloadable.

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 — Rhodes & Kos —

 

4 famous Greek Islands article in The Guardian

Rhodes and Kos are among the busiest and most popular destinations in Greece, but on both “there is tranquillity beyond the hotspots,” John Malathronas notes in Peace, antiquity and beaches: a guide to five famous Greek islands.

In his article, published September 14 2021 by The Guardian, John points out why Rhodes and Kos are tourist favourites, listing the top attractions and historic sites that draw hordes of visitors each season (for good reason). He then suggests quieter alternatives for visitors seeking places that are either off the beaten path, or that draw sparser crowds, while still offering unique experiences, great views and beautiful scenery. 

John’s report also includes recommendations for places to stay, eat and drink on each island.

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— Rhodes —

Rhodes has long been one of the top Greek island destinations for international tourists, so we weren’t surprised when it made news headlines in late January for two separate but equally noteworthy achievements in the travel industry.

First, the island earned two accolades in the Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2022, ranking at #3 in Trending Destinations — World — a category dedicated specifically to “places that are on the up and up,” and placing at # 11 in the Top Destinations for Sun Seekers — World group.

Rhodes was back in the news a second time in as many days when Greece’s South Aegean Region, in collaboration with TUI Group and the TUI Care Foundation, announced an ambitious initiative to transform the island into the world’s first sustainable tourism destination within the next five years. “The Rhodes Co-Lab” project aims to make Rhodes the global center for the study and development of sustainable models of tourism. Project details are outlined in the January 20 2022 Greek Travel Pages news report Rhodes begins 5-year journey to become first sustainable destination in the world.

Below are several mainstream magazine articles that explore Rhodes from the perspective of walking and cycling activities, luxury holidays and accommodations, and a “micro-living” vacation house.

 

BIKE magazine article on cycling on Rhodes

 

We know from first-hand experience that Kos is one of the most bicycle-friendly islands in Greece — we rented bikes for a day during our visit to that island in 2010. But we couldn’t recall seeing any cyclists on Rhodes the one and only time we were there, way back in 2004. And we don’t remember hearing anything about cycling on Rhodes in the years since. So we were intrigued when we saw the November 2 2021 BIKE Magazine article Rhodes: Your next cycling destination

The article was written by a journalist whose name, by pure coincidence, is Charlie Rhodes; he had been sent to the island for five days to report on the first-ever Rhodes Cycling Festival, and to observe a race held in conjunction with that event. He winds up being treated to “an unforgettable, authentically Greek week-long experience full of warm sun and breath-taking cycling spots,” and being pleasantly surprised by “just how utterly complete the island is as a cycling destination.”  Calling Rhodes “a cycling haven,” he says “I simply cannot recommend the island enough – and this goes for those looking for leisure, as well as those who are in search of a true physical challenge.”

The article is a good read even for people not interested in biking, since the writer talks about villages and attractions he visited, and great places he discovered to eat and drink — including The Old Monolithos Taverna. His report includes photos as well as a brief videoclip of scenic Lindos village. A brief companion article on the Rhodes Bike Festival provides additional information about cycling on Rhodes, and includes a short video with aerial views of beautiful Rhodes Town. 

 

Aegean Blue article Walking on Rhodes

“Rhodes boasts a plethora of paths that are perfect for hiking, mountain running and even mountain biking,” nature tour guide Giorgos Thyris says in Walking on Rhodes, an “Insider” article published in the June-August 2021 issue of Blue, the in-flight magazine of Aegean Airlines. “There are gems here, hidden beauties and unexploited Edens that only locals know, although they’re gradually being discovered by visitors, too.”

In his 4-page piece, which is illustrated with lovely scenic photos, Thyris provides vivid descriptions of several spectacular walking trails and hiking routes, and mentions some locations where rock climbing fans can challenge their skills. He also discusses such attractions as the Kournelo Cave and the Ancient Kymissala archaeology site, and explains why Rhodes is a popular destination for orchid enthusiasts from around the world.

You can read Thyris’s article by clicking on the link provided above; it will take you to the online version of Blue Issue 85, where you can download the full magazine to read at your leisure. Walking on Rhodes starts at page 220.

 

Rhodes profile in Luxury Lifestyle Magazine

 

In a trip report published in January by Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, Rebecca Underwood recounts her experiences during a visit to Rhodes prior to the Covid pandemic.  Though the article does spotlight a luxury hotel, it’s nonetheless a worthwhile read even for budget travellers since the writer describes visiting fascinating medieval sites and monuments, and the joy of simply wandering the ancient cobbled lanes of Rhodes Town, “Europe’s oldest inhabited medieval town” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. 

Besides the major attractions she visited, including the Palace of the Grand Master, Archaeological Museum, Acropolis of Rhodes and Temple of Pythian Apollo,  Underwood describes her accommodations at the Kokkini Porta Rossa boutique hotel and a meal at the family-owned bistro, Tamam, on Georgiou Leontos Street.

Her report, The island of knights: A luxury travel guide to Rhodes,  also includes additional restaurant recommendations as well as suggestions for interesting things to see and do outside of Rhodes Town.

 

MoneyWeek magazine travel article on Rhodes

 

If your personal travel lifestyle and accommodation preferences lean toward 5-star luxury resorts, you’ll want to read this article when you research places to stay for an upcoming trip to Rhodes.

Rhodes: Where the sun god reigns supreme is primarily a report on the 5-star Amada Colossos Resort, which MoneyWeek’s wealth editor, Chris Carter, stayed in last October. His write-up was published on February 4.

The article caught our attention because the Amada Colossos is located in Kallithea on the eastern coast of Rhodes, just a short walk down the beach from the hotel we stayed in during our one-and-only trip to the island 18 years ago — the Rodos Palladium. It, too, is a 5-star hotel, so we were curious to read how the Amada Colossos compares.

Chris was booked into a luxurious executive suite, which boasted a living room and separate bedroom, along with a spacious modern bathroom that featured a sea-view window. He describes the suite’s features, of course, as well as the resort’s impressive selection of bars and restaurants, which include a main buffet dining room, and separate Greek, Italian and Chinese restaurants.  The resort also has a spa, as well as luxury villas with private pools and access to personal gazebos on the beach.

As Chris points out, the hotel reopened in 2018 after undergoing a major renovation and systems overhaul, highlighted by the addition of environmentally sustainable heating and cooling features, and a re-orientation of the suites to offer better views of the sea.

Besides the hotel, Chris talks about some of the noteworthy attractions in the immediate area and in nearby Rhodes Town, and recommends a “wonderful” taverna situated a 20-minute drive from away.

 

Lindos Grand Resort & Spa article in Forbes

 

Yet another Rhodes luxury hotel, the Lindos Grand Resort & Spa, has been profiled in travel media recently — by publications aimed at two completely different readership markets.

First up was business, marketing and investment publisher Forbes, whose lifestyle writer Duncan Madden describes the resort’s many impressive features in his November 2 2021 report, Lindos Grand: New adults-only resort and spa brings modern glamor to Rhodes’ ancient attractions.

Madden notes that the Covid pandemic led the 189-room resort to delay its opening until July of last year, although some of its amenities — including a la carte restaurants — won’t open until this season.

Though large in size, the resort was thoughtfully designed to match the look and feel of buildings in nearby Lindos village, Madden says. “Structures seemingly tumble down the hillside towards the sea, scattered carefully in close-knit clusters around the star of the show – a vast open air infinity pool, one of the largest in Rhodes, that beckons guests in with lingering views over the beach at Vlycha and Aegean Sea beyond stretching far to the horizon.”

He goes on to detail the interior design features and amenities of the suites, many of which boast L-shaped private pools, and describes the resort restaurants and its Evridiki Spa. He also recommends noteworthy historic sites that guests should be sure to visit both in Lindos and in Rhodes Town.

 

Lindos Grand Resort & Spa article in Hello Fashion magazine

 

The U.K. edition of Hello! Fashion followed with its own profile of the Lindos Grand.

In An Island Idyll, published in the December / January issue, the magazine says “The incredibly picturesque hillside village of Lindos and its nearby bays make Rhodes the perfect Greek getaway from spring to autumn.”

The article, written by Jill Wanless, recommends staying at the Lindos Grand, which she describes as “a stylish haven of relaxation” and “contemporary, eco-friendly hotel.”  She goes on to describe highlight features of the accommodations, and the restaurants and spa, noting the resort is “the perfect retreat for two or a girls’ getaway.”

For things to do beyond the resort, Jill suggests things to see and do in Lindos, as well as activities and sights — including vineyards — elsewhere on the island.

We read the article on Apple News, but have seen that the Hello! Fashion issue is available through Zinio and other online magazine services

 

Monocabin holiday home on Rhodes

If sprawling luxury resorts and big hotels aren’t your style, perhaps a hip little hideaway might be perfect for your visit to Rhodes.

The Monocabin is a miniature holiday home only 26 square meters in size. It’s an innovative, modular housing prototype which Mandalaki Design Studios developed in pursuit of a vision to create  an “affordable dream eco-house” that could be built almost anywhere in the world.

We learned about the cute and cozy Microcabin when we came across the article Holiday home of the week: a Monocabin for micro-living in Greece while scrolling through The Spaces magazine online. 

“Constructed using modular concrete panels that manage to look both modern while blending with the traditional architecture of the island, the Monocabin sleeps two people in close but cosy quarters. Inside there is the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, while the outside terrace doubles as both sitting and dining room – Rhodes’ sunny climate makes eating outside the easy choice – as well as offering a work out area around the side,” notes writer Tish Wrigley.

The Monocabin is located in the town of Ialysos just 200 meters from the beach, and is available for holiday rentals, with a minimum 3 nights’ stay required. Full details about the concept house project, and contact information for booking inquiries, can be found on the Monocabin website.

 

Kalamia beach on Kefalonia

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Kalamia beach on Kefalonia

Kalamia beach on Kefalonia

Kalamia beach on Kefalonia

Kalamia beach on Kefalonia

Four different views of Kalamia, a picturesque beach near the Lassi resort area on Kefalonia island

 

Cliffs, caves & calm:  We had a sense of déjà-vu when we were flipping through a recent issue of Travel + Leisure magazine and spotted a picture of a coastal landscape that looked very familiar — a crescent-shaped beach with ivory and pale brown sand tucked between tree-covered hills, white limestone cliffs and clear turquoise seas. 

Our initial “Hey, we’ve been there!” reaction quickly gave way to surprise when we discovered we were wrong. The photo caption identified the location as Voutoumi beach on Antipaxos, while the article itself was a report on Paxos island nearby. We haven’t been to either place.

Nonetheless convinced we had photographed a nearly identical scene, we scoured our computer files to find the image that had triggered the flashback. We started with our photo collection for Kefalonia, since that island — which we have been to — is only 120 km southeast of Antipaxos in the Ionian Sea off western Greece. With such a short distance between the two islands, it seemed logical they might possess comparable landscapes and geology.

Sure enough, our  search found the “lookalike” — Kalamia beach — on Kefalonia, and our photos confirmed that it does bear a strong resemblance to Voutoumi. One of our Kalamia pictures was even shot from a similar perspective as the Voutoumi beach image in the magazine. 

 

Voutoumi beach Antipaxos photo in Travel + Leisure magazine

 

Above is a screenshot of the Travel + Leisure magazine article with the Voutoumi beach photo that triggered memories of our visit to Kalamia beach on Kefalonia, seen below in one of our own images

Kalamia beach on Kefalonia

 

Our next surprise was realizing we never blogged about Kalamia beach after our trip. Since we had our beach photos readily at hand, we have gathered them here, with these notes and observations:

♦ Kalamia is located below the coast road that runs between the Lassi resort area and  Argostoli (it’s near Oskars Studios & Apartments). We followed a trail that led from the road to the beach, but apparently didn’t notice a dirt track we could have walked down  instead.

♦ We went to the beach on May 31 2017. It was still low season for tourism on Kefalonia, and there were perhaps just a dozen other people there besides us.   With so few tourists around, Kalamia was peaceful and calm — perfect for resting and relaxing in the sunshine and light sea breeze.

♦ The sea was cool but the shallow waters were comfortable for wading and swimming. 

♦ There were no facilities of any kind at the beach on that beautiful spring day — no lounge chairs or umbrellas to rent, no canteens or beach bars selling snacks or beverages. But travel guides and Lassi hotel websites do describe Kalamia as an organized beach. We later learned that rental sunbeds are installed in time for summer, while at least one beach bar is open during peak season as well.  We just happened to be visiting the island too early to see them. (On page 2, we have included some social media photos showing the beach chairs and bar that were available during summer 2021).

♦ We were surprised to see two elderly couples sunbathing and swimming nude. We haven’t seen Kalamia included in Kefalonia listings on naturism websites (we checked), but it’s possible these couples had chosen to relax au naturel since the beach wasn’t yet organized, and no young children were present.

Below are several of our photos showing views of Kalamia beach as we approached along the coast road between Lassi and Argostoli. On page 2, you can see ground-level photos of the beach and its vistas, as well as social media pictures showing Kalamia’s summer-season sunbeds and beach bar.

Kalamia beach on Kefalonia

Kalamia beach on Kefalonia

Kalamia beach on Kefalonia

the coast at Kalamia beach on Kefalonia

 

Please turn to page 2 of this post to see our ground-level photos of the beach and its views, as well as several photos shared on social media that show a bar and sunbeds on the beach during the summer 2021 holiday season.

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