Tag: Ornos (page 1 of 4)

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 restaurants 2022

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Photos of restaurants on Mykonos island

Photos from a few of the many restaurants on Mykonos, seen top row from left: Farina Cucina Italiana; Baboulas Ouzeri; Apaggio; Scorpios beach club; Sakis Grill House; Coffee Break; D’Angelos; Maizevelo; Branco; Byblos; Tasos Taverna; Coya Mykonos; Ceresio7

 

Tastes of the island:  With its hundreds of snack bars, cafes and restaurants serving up fast food/street eats, fine dining/gourmet cuisine, and everything in between, Mykonos is a veritable paradise for food lovers. Visitors will find Greek, Italian and Mediterranean fare, including fresh fish and seafood, all around the island, along with French, Japanese, Mexican, Peruvian and other international cuisines, as well as vegan food.

The dining options are extensive, ranging from local family-owned tavernas to iconic high-end dining establishments known around the world.  The restaurant roster includes places that have been welcoming visitors to Mykonos for decades, plus brand-new arrivals hoping their food and beverage selections will make an impression on the island’s vibrant hospitality scene.

In this post, we present an overview of places to eat that have already opened their doors or that have announced their opening dates for the 2022 travel season. We will be updating this post as we learn of additional restaurants that have started their seasons, so check back from time to time to see more.

Below, on this page, we profile the dining spots that have been operating for decades, and that have become beloved favourites for many Mykonos repeat visitors. We also spotlight the establishments along what we call “restaurant row” — the Akti Kampani harbourside promenade in Mykonos Town.

 

 

 

On page 2 of this post, we showcase:

♦ Traditional Greek tavernas, grill houses and local restaurants

♦ Restaurants specializing in fish, seafood or sushi;

♦ Vegan, vegetarian and healthy food restaurants

♦ Places offering international cuisines;

♦ Breakfast and brunch hangouts;

♦ Italian and Mediterranean cuisine restaurants;

♦ Beach cafes and dining spots;

♦ Fine dining and gourmet restaurants;

♦ Fast food and street eats;

♦ Bakeries, creperies and coffee shops

 

 

 

Island icons, legends and long-timers

 

Below are snapshots of the island’s most enduring and legendary restaurants.  Some are traditional Greek tavernas, several are beach tavernas, one is a renowned bistro that made its name blending traditional Greek dishes with classic French cooking, and another is a popular Italian ristorante. A few have been welcoming guests since the 1960s, while the others opened their doors in the early 1970s. During their collective decades of operation, they have seen hundreds of other restaurants  come and go with the passing trends of their time. But these stalwarts have ensured that visitors and residents can still enjoy a piece of authentic, traditional Mykonos, something that has becoming increasingly difficult to find given all the rapid change and development on the island in recent years. 

 

 Family-owned and operated Nikolas Taverna has been a fixture at Agia Anna Paraga beach for the past 55 years. We took this photo during one of our lunch visits 10 years ago. Since then, the taverna has installed a new sign, and painted all its tables and chairs white, but the food is still delicious and the service remains excellent.  It’s our favourite beach restaurant on Mykonos, and we recommend sitting at one of the tables on the sand for great views of the beach and bay while you dine. This year, Nikolas Taverna opened on April 15.

 

La Maison de Katrin restaurant on Mykonos

 Situated on picturesque Nikiou Street in Mykonos Town, La Maison de Katrin has been a Mykonos fine dining institution since 1971. Operated by the Giziotis family, Katrin “marries traditional Greek recipes with French gourmet cooking, warm hospitality with elegant surroundings, luxurious top–quality ingredients with the simplicity of the Cyclades.” The bistro-style restauration is a favourite shooting location for photographers, and is one of the most-Instagrammed places on the island.  This year, Katrin will hold its grand opening on April 16.

 

Street view of Marco Polo Taverna on Mykonos

Located near Lakka Square in Mykonos Town, Marco Polo Taverna has been a popular go-to spot for fish, seafood and and reasonably-priced traditional Greek food since 1967. The taverna was founded by fisherman Marco and his wife, Maria, and named after Marco’s fishing boat, Marco Polo. The taverna is still a family business — today, it’s operated by the couple’s three children. This year Marco Polo Taverna opened its doors on April 8.

 

Tasos Taverna at Paraga Beach on Mykonos

Tasos Taverna has been a popular lunch and dinner destination at Paraga beach since 1962. It has maintained its traditional Greek taverna focus and atmosphere even though newer trendy restaurants and clubs have arrived with contemporary menus of fine dining, sushi and expensive champagne to the beach. This year, Tasos opened on March 25.

 

Casa di Giorgio Italian restaurant onMykonos

Casa di Giorgio Ristorante has been serving Italian cuisine since 1970 at its Mitropoleos street location behind the Catholic Cathedral near Alefkandra Square in Mykonos Town. This year the restaurant opened its doors and patio on April 6.

 

Kostantis restaurant on Ornos beach Mykonos

For the past 55 years, family-run Kostantis restaurant and bar has been serving fresh fish and seafood, and Greek and Mediterranean cuisine “with cosmopolitan notes.” Located on Ornos beach, Kostantis started its season on April 15.

 

Kastro's restaurant in Mykonos Town

Alley dining area at Kastro's in Mykonos Town

Kastro’s started as a bar in 1976, and later morphed into a restaurant, recently adding three private dining balconies that overlook the Little Venice seafront and offer superb sea and sunset views. For the past several years, the row of tables and benches in the narrow alley outside Kastro’s has been one of the most-photographed Mykonos sights on Instagram.  Kastro’s opens this year on April 29.

 

Niko's Taverna in Mykonos Town

It’s easy to spot Niko’s Taverna at Agia Moni Square, a short stroll from the harbour promenade — just look for the rows of tables with Niko’s signature red and white checked tablecloths clustered in the lane below red-domed Agios Nikolaos church.  Niko’s has been serving traditional Greek food since 1976, and is one of the busiest tavernas on the island — it’s usually packed with customers.

 

Marias Mykonian Restaurant in Mykonos Town

Operating since 1975, Maria’s Traditional Myconian Restaurant is tucked into a quiet, plant-filled courtyard steps from the small harbour beach in Mykonos Town. Easiest way to reach Maria’s is to look for the narrow lane, lined with potted geraniums, that leads off the beach promenade — it will take you directly to the restaurant. Word is that Maria’s could be closing after this season or next year, so don’t miss the chance to enjoy a traditional meal here if you visit Mykonos in 2022. Editor’s update: In posts to its social media accounts, Maia’s announced that it permanently closed on September 20 after 47 years of business.

 

Street view photo of Mourayio Cafe Restaurant on Mykonos

March 29 was opening day for Mourayio Cafe-Restaurant on Akti Kampani, the Mykonos Town harbour promenade.  The family-owned taverna has been operating since 1976. Its specialties are grilled fish, calamari, octopus, shrimp and other seafood dishes, but the restaurant says it has long been renowned for its home-made sweets, too.

 

Bagoyias Gialos Cafe on Mykonos

Located on the Akti Kampani restaurant row (more on that below), Bagoyias Gialos is often overlooked by visitors, especially cruise ship daytrippers, who typically flock to the larger, stylish and much more expensive restaurants that surround it. Since 1977, Cafe Gialos, as it’s also called, has been a longtime meeting place for Mykonos locals, who gather for coffee, conversation, delicious mezes and traditional Greek taverna fare, served at what are very reasonable prices by Mykonos standards.  We’re told the breakfast omelet with Myconian sausage is a must-try.

 

the courtyard dining patio at Eva's Garden Restaurant on Mykonos

A family-owned and -operated restaurant in the heart of Mykonos Town, Eva’s Garden has long been a favourite dining destination for new and repeat Mykonos visitors who enjoy the charming and romantic ambiance of its hidden courtyard garden terrace, dining room and veranda  — as well as its delicious Greek food, seafood and other menu items.  Eva’s Garden has been in business for 40 years, and this year it opens on April 29. You’ll find it at Goumenio Square, with another entrance (with outdoor seating) at the north end of Kalogera Street.

 

 

 

Restaurant row at the old harbour 

 

Another Mykonos icon is the row of restaurants along Akti Kampani street, the long pedestrian promenade that curves along the shore of the Old Port harbour in Mykonos Town, from Manto Square to the Mykonos Town Hall and the iconic blue-domed fishermen’s chapel, Agios Nikolaos, at the dockside. The flagstone walkway is lined with places to eat and drink, including a couple of tavernas that have been in business for more than four decades each (Mourayio and Gialos, which we described in the previous section of this post), along with contemporary and fine-dining restaurants that arrived during the past decade.  Most offer all-day dining, opening early in the morning to serve coffee and breakfast, and remaining open throughout the day for lunch, dinner and late-night drinks.  Almost all serve Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, fish and seafood. Some become lively and festive party spots at night, with music played by in-house or special guest DJs. Here’s a look at the establishments along Mykonos Town’s busiest restaurant strip.

 

Street view photo showing Mosaic restaurant in Mykonos Town

Mosaic MSC restaurant and bar, next to Manto Square, is open throughout the year. The MSC stands for “meat, sushi cocktails,” and the menu features an “eclectic but thoughtfully curated” mix of tastes and flavours from around the world.  Last summer the restaurant regularly hosted live music entertainment by local singer Kelly Kaltsi, and during the winter Mosaic was a popular weekend party spot.

 

Pelican restaurant in Mykonos

One of the newer harbourside eateries,  Pelican restaurant, made its debut in the spring of 2020, just as the country’s tourism industry was reeling from the staggering drop in international travel during the first wave of the Covid pandemic. The restaurant has been resilient, though, and commenced its 2022 season on March 23. An all-day dining spot, Pelican is open for breakfast, and for lunch and dinner serves innovative Greek and Mediterranean dishes that offer “a culinary ride from every corner of Greece.” 

 

Vento Italian restaurant on ykonos

A new arrival to Mykonos in the fall of 2020, the elegant Vento restaurant features “creative Italian cuisine” by chef Alsi Sinanaj.  The restaurant serves breakfast each morning, and for lunch and dinner treats its guests to “a breezy taste of Italy” with fresh-made pasta, fresh fish and succulent meat. This year Vento started its season on March 15.  

 

Interior of Promenade Mykonos restaurant and bar

A new restaurant and bar arrival in 2021, Promenade Mykonos promised “a modern spin on old world traditional cuisine and stylish parties.” Since its re-opening on March 4 after a two-month winter break, the upscale restaurant has been one of the island’s most popular places to dine, drink, dance, and party. It season-opening night featured a live performance by singer Tilemachos Zeis , and since then Promenade has regularly hosted party events with music entertainment by special guest DJs. 

 

Rouvera restaurant and bar on Mykonos

Open throughout the day for breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee and drinks, Rouvera restaurant and bar has been in business more than 20 years. Its menu includes Greek, Mediterranean and vegan dishes, as well as meat, seafood and desserts. Rouvera started its season on March 28.

 

 

 

Street view of Bouboulo restaurant on Mykonos

The all-day Bouboulo Fine Mykonian Cuisine arrived on the harbourside promenade in July 2020, the newest member of the nice n easy hospitality group,  whose other Mykonos venues include the nice n easy and Spala restaurants on the Little Venice seafront, the SantAnna beach club at Paraga, and Olea Greek Cuisine at Kalafatis (formerly called Farm ‘n Sea). Bouboulo takes pride in its local and Greek cuisine, which is prepared with fresh ingredients sourced from small producers. Bouboulo held its season opening on March 24.

 

Raya is an all-day restaurant and bar offering “elegant dining by the sea,” with a focus on fine Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, as well as sushi. Raya is open throughout the year.

 

  Kazarma opened its doors in 1997 in a historic building which once was owned by Greek revolution heroine Manto Mavrogenous, who used the premises as an arsenal to store arms and munitions.Kazarma opens at 7 a.m. to serve hearty breakfasts, and its kitchen and bar remain open until at least 1 a.m. for late night snacks, meals and cocktails. The menu focusses on Greek and Mediterranean cuisine as well as fish and seafood. Following a brief winter holiday break, Kazarma re-opened on February 3 for this year’s tourist season.

 

street view photo of Kadena Restaurant in Mykonos

Kadena restaurant is another all-day establishment, serving home-made Greek and Mediterranean dishes, salads, pastas, desserts and cocktails. Kadena opened for the season on March 15 this year.

 

Captain's restaurant on Mykonos

Open for the past 7 years, Captain’s specializes in mezes — small plates of Greek and Mediterranean dishes that are perfect for sharing. The restaurant is open all day, and is popular for its selection of Greek wines and ouzo and local craft beers. This year, Captain’s commenced its season on March 5. 

 

Vegera restaurant and bar on Mykonos

Stylish Vegera restaurant is easy to find — its harbourview patio is only steps away from Agios Nikolaos, the iconic blue-domed fisherman’s church that is a magnet for Instagrammers. The all-day restaurant and bar serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as coffees and cocktails. This year, Vegera held its opening day on March 4 and has been a popular weekend party destination, featuring music by special guest DJs.

 

 

 

Please click on the link below to continue reading on page 2 of this post.

 

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Mykonos hotels, suites, studios & other places to stay 2022

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Photos of hotels and other accommodations on Mykonos

Photos showing just a few of the myriad accommodations available on Mykonos, from top row (left to right): Villa Konstantin; Rochari Hotel; Mykonos Charming House; Katerina Studios; Olia Hotel; Hotel Tagoo; Amazon Mykonos; Hotel Alkyon; Habitat Mykonos; Agia Anna Studios.

 

Where to stay: For some people, Mykonos can be an overwhelming place to visit in summer. Though it’s a fairly small island, it can seem as busy, bustling, and bursting with energy as any big city.  Selecting a place to stay on Mykonos can be equally intimidating, since there are so many options — everything from airbnbs, rental rooms, studios and apartments, to villas, holiday houses, hotels, full-service luxury resorts, posh suites, and exclusive vacation retreats. 

Repeat Mykonos visitors have their favourite places to stay, or are familiar with alternatives should they wish to try somewhere new. But for people planning a first-ever holiday on Mykonos, the range of choices can leave their heads spinning.

 

 

 

If you’re going to the island this year for the first time, we hope you can use this post as a starting point to assist your search for the holiday accommodations that best suit your tastes and travel budget. We can’t show you all the possible places to stay on Mykonos, since there are thousands, at all price ranges. Instead, we have collected photos of many of the island’s most popular lodgings and the spots we personally like, so you can simply scroll through the top options without having to click your way through multiple online booking sites or look up individual hotel or vacation rental websites. We have provided a link to the website or an official social media page for each place pictured, though, so if you see something that strikes your fancy, you can click for detailed information and photos. 

And here’s a tip to keep in mind when you do find a place that interests you: book direct either through their website’s online reservation system, or by calling or emailing the property. Most Mykonos hotels offer discounts or extras if you book direct with them instead of through a third-party reservation site.

On this page, we have posted snapshot profiles of some of the island’s most dreamy and impressive places to stay, including premier 5-star hotels and resorts and other outstanding or unique accommodations. If you’re going to Mykonos to celebrate a wedding, honeymoon, anniversary or other special occasion, one of these properties might be perfect for you, especially if you’ve got an urge to splurge or pamper yourself in special surroundings.

Page 2 spotlights many of the island’s perennially popular hotels and resorts, along with some new arrivals; while

Page 3 shows a variety of rental apartments, rooms, studios, suites and holiday houses.

This post is still a work in progress … we will be adding more properties regularly, so check back for updates.

 

 

 Premier luxury hotels & accommodations

 

Aerial view of Bonzoe Homes & Villas on Mykonos

Designed to give its guests a luxurious “home away from home” experience, Bonzoe Homes & Villas is a collection of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom villas and homes that opened last year near Megali Ammos beach on the outskirts of Mykonos Town.  Each of the accommodations has a sea view, and boasts a private heated pool. Bonzoe began its season this year on April 1.

 

Branco Mykonos hotel seen in an image from its social media pages

April 7 was season opening day for Branco Mykonos, a 5-star beachfront hotel and resort at Platis Gialos

 

A suite at Bill & Coo Suites and Lounge hotel on Mykonos

April 8 was season opening day for Bill & Coo Suites and Lounge, situated on the hillside above Megali Ammos beach on the edge of Mykonos Town

 

Amazon Mykonos Hotel at Agios Ioannis on Mykonos

The opulent Amazon Mykonos Resort & Spa at Agios Ioannis opens on April 14

 

The Wild Hotel by Interni, seen in a cinematic video by Vasilis Barahanos, is a stunning retreat of 40 rooms, suites and villas perched on a cliff above a private beach at Loulos near Kalafatis.  The hotel, which boasts a seaview swimming pool and restaurant, has been profiled in and praised by numerous international design, fashion, hotel and lifestyle publications. 

 

Belvedere Mykonos seen in an aerial photo from the hotels social media pages

April 20 is opening day for the iconic Belvedere Hotel in Mykonos Town. “Framed by a verdant garden, the Belvedere Hotel is a universe of transformation: 35 luxury rooms, 9 suites and 1 Mansion unlock endless possibilities, played out against the turquoise backdrop of a mesmerising pool,” says the website for the legendary 5-star hotel.

 

Kalesma Hotel on Mykonos

It was the most-talked-about new hotel on Mykonos in 2021, receiving rave reviews from design, lifestyle and travel publications around the world. It’s now being recommended as one of the top hotels to experience in Greece during 2022. Kalesma Mykonos will open its doors this year on April 21.

 

the pool bar at Mykonos Earth Suites

Mykonos Earth Suites has been getting lots of attention this year from hotel and design publications, and it recently won gold  in the Adult-Only Hotel category at the Greek Hotel of the Year Awards 2022.  Situated above Megali Ammos beach, Mykonos Earth starts its season on April 28.

 

 

 

Aeonic Suites & Spa on Mykonos

New to the island last year, the 5-star Aeonic Suites & Spa near Korfos beach recently was awarded the Silver honour in the All-Suite Hotel category at the Greek Hotel of the Year Awards 2022. Aeonic will start its season on April 29. 

 

View from the pool at Saint John Mykonos Hotel Villas & Spa

April 29 is opening day for Saint John Hotel Villas & Spa, one of the biggest luxury beach resort complexes on Mykonos

 

Aerial view of the Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort

May 1 is opening day for Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort at Agios Ioannis. One of the island’s premier 5-star resorts for two decades, the Grand boasts luxury rooms and suites, the award-winning Althea Spa Retreat, Nama Restaurant, a wine cellar and several bars, a fitness center, tennis court, 500 sq meter saltwater swimming pool, and a beachfront area reserved exclusively for its guests. 

 

Aerial view of Casa del Mar Mykonos Seaside Resort

Situated on the Aleomandra peninsula in southwest Mykonos, Casa del Mar Mykonos Seaside Resort is a complex of 11 spacious, luxury villas. The property includes a spa and wellness center, a gym, and the fine dining  Miramar Cocktail Restaurant. Casa del Mar also boasts easy access to what it describes as “semi-private” Glyfadi beach, a secluded sandy cove visited mainly by families staying at the luxury hotels and villas in the immediate area. Casa del Mar’s opening day this year was May 2.

 

Aerial view of Cavo Tagoo hotel on Mykonos

Popular for its huge sea- and sunset-view infinity swimming pool and bar, and its luxurious cave-style suites with private pools, Cavo Tagoo is the most famous Mykonos hotel on Instagram and social media influencers’ sites. It starts its 2022 season on May 6.

 

Kivotos Hotel at Ornos bay on Mykonos

Noahs Villa at the Kivotos hotel on Mykonos

May 6 is opening day for the Kivotos Mykonos luxury suites, villas and spa/wellness hotel at Ornos (top) and its unique waterfront Noah’s Villa with private pool and beach (bottom)

 

Aerial view of Panoptis Escape luxury villas on Mykonos

May 10 is first day of the season for Panoptis Escape, an exclusive luxury villa retreat perched on a mountaintop overlooking Elia beach

 

A suite at the O by Myconian Collection luxury hotel on Mykonos

O by Myconian Collection is a luxury beachfront hotel with 63 rooms and suites opening at Ornos on May 10.  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.

 

Aerial view of the Santa Marina Mykonos luxury resort beachfront

May 6 is opening day for the Santa Marina Resort, a 5-star complex of rooms, suites, villas, spa, restaurants and a private beach on Ornos Bay. The resort is home to two of the island’s signature dining spots, the Buddha-Bar Beach Mykonos and Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton’s first restaurant in the Mediterranean, Mykonos Social.

 

Great scenery from Mykonos abounds in this promotional video for the 5-star Mykonos Riviera Hotel & Spa, located at Tourlos above the New Port. The Riviera will start its season on May 9.

 

Mykonos Theoxenia hotel on Mykonos

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

 

 

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After the Elpis snowstorm: Amazing Mykonos landscape photos by Leanne Vorrias

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Leanne Vorrias photo of Mykonos island after a snowfall

Local resident and photographer Leanne Vorrias captured this striking image of Mykonos on January 22 after a storm system named Elpis blasted Greece’s Aegean islands with cold temperatures and snowfalls.  

 

Ornos Bay and Agios Ioannis beach Mykonos after a snowfall

Leanne photographed this hilltop view of snow-dusted slopes near Agios Ioannis beach (right) and Ornos bay (upper left) as a wide curtain of grey stormclouds hung over Mykonos.

 

Snow dusted hillsides near Ornos Bay on Mykonos

Emerald-green fields that were left largely untouched by the storm offer a colourful contrast to the surrounding snow-powdered hills that Leanne photographed near Ornos. 

 

Mykonos winter marvels:  After a cold weather system named Elpis dumped snow on many areas of Greece’s Aegean islands on January 23, we happily spent a few hours scrolling through hundreds of snow scene photos and videos that island residents had shared on Instagram and Facebook. It was both amusing and amazing to see how different, and sometimes completely unrecognizable, so many familiar places looked under an uncharacteristic blanket of white. 

This was certainly the case with images showing some of the famous Mykonos beaches covered in layers of crisp white snow. We have seen Ornos, Psarou, Agios Stefanos and other top Mykonos beaches often, their golden sands radiant under clear blue skies and brilliant sunshine. Not this time! With the seasides and surrounding hills covered in snow from the Elpis storm, and thick grey stormclouds lurking overhead,  some of the beach areas were almost impossible to identify.

Much more surprising and remarkable were a series of breathtaking landscape photos that photographer Leanne Vorrias, a Mykonos resident, had posted on Facebook.

Shot from hilltop and coast locations in the Kanalia, Ornos and Agios Ioannis areas of Mykonos after the storm had let up, the photos capture marvellous winter vistas and scenery we’ve never seen ourselves, or even imagined. With snow cover changing the island’s appearance so drastically, some of the panoramic images left us wondering just what parts of Mykonos we were looking at.

(In the photo at the top of this post, for instance, it took us a few minutes to figure out that we were seeing a stretch of the island’s western coast, extending from the Tourlos and New Port areas all the way over to the Little Venice seaside and Kato Mili windmills in Mykonos Town. The source of confusion? The hills and mountains that rise behind the port.  We are used to seeing rocky brown terrain dotted with whitewashed houses and villas — not completely white peaks and slopes!)

Leanne also captured spectacular views of  nearby islands, including Delos, Rhenia, Syros and Tinos.

We’ve posted several more photos below, with the photographer’s kind permission, but recommend visiting Leanne’s Facebook page using a computer, so you can click on the individual images to view their impressive full-size detail on a bigger screen.

You can see more of Leanne’s work, including galleries of portrait and performing artist photography, on her website: Leanne Vorrias PhotoRevelation Mykonos.

 

Snow on Mykonos photo by Leanne Vorrias

View toward Ornos Bay from a hilltop road high above Agios Ioannis

 

Leanne Vorrias photo of snow on Mykonos island

Snow-dusted hills near Ornos Bay (upper left)

 

Leanne Vorrias photo of Agios Ioannis Bay Mykonos and Delos island

A sweeping view of the Aleomandra peninsula, Agios Ioannis bay and beach, and Delos island

 

Leanne Vorrias photo of Delos island and Rhenia island near Mykonos

A view of Delos and Rhenia islands under heavy stormclouds

 

Leanne Vorrias photo of Tinos island viewed from Mykonos

Tinos island under a shroud of grey clouds

 

Leanne Vorrias photo of snow capped mountains on Syros island

Dramatic clouds pass above snow-capped mountains on Syros. In the foreground is part of Rhenia island.

 

Leanne Vorrias photo of snow on Tinos island

Ominous stormclouds loom over Tinos

 

Leanne Vorrias photo of snow on Tinos island

Another view of snow-blanketed mountains on Tinos 

 

Leanne Vorrias photo of Baos island Tinos island and Mykonos

From the left: little Baos island, snowy Tinos, and the northwestern coast of Mykonos

 

The powdery white Mykonos beaches few tourists ever see

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Snow on the Mykonos Town beach

The snow on Agia Agia beach at the Mykonos Town harbour had at least one of the island’s resident geese in a flap. This photo by Argiris Chatzis has gone viral on social media.

 

Snow on Psarou beach on Mykonos

People who have danced on the sand at the world-famous Nammos beach club would probably never have imagined that Psarou beach could look like this in winter. The photo was shared on social media by Mykonos Live TV.

 

Snow on Kalafatis beach on Mykonos

Snow covers Kalafatis beach while ominous stormclouds lurk above the two hills at Divounia that Mykonos locals have nicknamed “Aphrodite’s Breasts.”  Ηλίας Παναγάκος shared this image to the Meteo GR weather group page on Facebook.

 

Snowy strands: Mykonos is renowned for its dozens of beautiful beaches, but few tourists have ever seen them transform overnight from gorgeous golden sands to fluffy white powder.  That’s what happened this week when a winter weather system that meteorologists named Elpis swept across Greece’s Aegean islands, leaving a layer of crisp white snow in its wake.

On Sunday January 23, Mykonos residents awoke to find their homes, yards and vehicles under a blanket of snow — the heaviest snowfall the island has received in nearly 40 years.

While parts of the island got just a light dusting of the white stuff, some areas attracted deeper accumulations — and some no snow at all. That resulted in the striking sight of patches of vibrant green winter vegetation — another feature most Mykonos tourists never get to see during the dry, barren months of summer — surrounded by wide expanses of snow-topped fields and hills.

On the other side of the Atlantic, we awoke to snowfalls, too (a normal January sight here in Canada), but were taken aback to find our social media pages filled with stunning pictures and videos showing Mykonos with snow-covered landscapes and moody winter stormclouds looming overhead — just like here!

The famous Mykonos beaches looked amazing, though rather than showing off their usual tones of golden brown, they appeared just as white as the island’s iconic sugar-cube buildings.

Below, we have re-posted some of the social media photos, to show you how striking the beaches looked in their white winter coats.

We’re sure the images will astound people who have spent summer holidays partying , sunbathing and swimming at these beaches, but never imagined how drastically different they might appear in winter. The photos might even come as a complete shock to many people around the world who mistakenly believe Mykonos weather is similar to the Caribbean’s, since they’ve only seen pictures and videos showing the island in summer, with beaches, palm trees and swimsuit-clad tourists basking in the sunshine.

— Ornos beach —

 

Ornos beach area of Mykonos after a snowfall

The Ornos beach area is seen in a photo that was widely shared on social media formats and credited to Dimitris Paterakis

 

@katerina_brb Instagram photo of snow on Ornos beach on Mykonos

Ornos beach and hillside view from an Instagram photo by @katerina_brb

 

Snow on Ornos beach on Mykonos

Snow on Ornos beach on Mykonos

Above, two ground-level views from the southern end of Ornos beach as snow continued to fall. The images were both shared on Facebook by Kostantis restaurant, one of the beach tavernas at Ornos.

 

Snow at Ornos beach on Mykonos

Another  photo by Kostantis restaurant, this time showing  Ornos from the northern end of the beach

 

— Super Paradise beach —

 

Snowfall at JackieO Beach Club and Super Paradise beach on Mykonos

Views of snowy Super Paradise beach and the JackieO Beach Club, seen in images shared in the club’s Instagram stories

 

— Kalo Livadi beach —

 

snow on Kalo Livadi beach Mykonos

With this layer of snow giving it a different look, Kalo Livadi beach might be unrecognizable to people who have been to Solymar Beach Restaurant or Lohan Beach House in summer months. The photo was shared on Instagram by Island Mykonos Suites.

 

— Agios Stefanos beach —

 

Snow on Agios Stefanos beach on Mykonos

Agios Stefanos beach next to the Mykonos New Port is seen in an image, credited to O. Kyrantoni, shared on the Delos Tours Instagram page

 

Snow on Agios Stefanos beach on Mykonos

A ground-level view of Agios Stefanos beach from the opposite direction to the image posted above. This picture was shared on Facebook by Olga Pavlidi.

 

Snowy Mykonos beach photo shared on Instagram by o_lofos

The view toward Delos and Rhenia islands from Agios Stefanos beach, as seen in an image shared on Facebook by  O Lofos Luxury Boutique Suites

 

— Psarou beach —

 

@kostis_krg Instagram photo of snow at Psarou beach on Mykonos

The snowy slopes surrounding Psarou beach seen in an image shared by @kostis_krg

 

Aerial view of snow at Psarou beach on Mykonos

Another aerial view of the snow-covered hills and beach at Psarou. This image was shared on Instagram by Betty Chanozidou.

 

Snow on Psarou beach Mykonos

Mykonos Live TV captured this image of sunshine sparkling on the turquoise waters at snowy Psarou beach

 

Snow on Psarou beach on Mykonos

 Another Mykonos Live TV view of Psarou

 

Ioannis Revithis photo of Psarou beach on Mykonos

Ioannis Revithis shared this photo of Psarou beach on Facebook

 

snow on Psarou beach Mykonos

Snowy Psarou beach and the surrounding hillsides are shown in an image Mykonos Animal Welfare shared on its Instagram account, along with a message urging island residents to open their hearts and doors for strays and farm animals that might need food, water and shelter during the cold snap that will last several days.

 

— Agrari beach —

 

 snow on Agrari beach on Mykonos

A Mykonos Live TV social media image of snow-laden Agrari

 

snow on Agrari beach on Mykonos

The golden sand of Agrari beach is completely covered by snow in this image shared on social media pages for Mykonos Live TV and Agrari Beach

 

— Paraga beach —

 

Snow on Paraga beach on Mykonos

Snow on Paraga beach on Mykonos

Snow-dusted Paraga beach is seen in two screen captures from a video that Paraga Cafe shared in its Instagram stories

 

— Kalafatis beach —

 

Snow on Kalafatis beach

Skandinavian Bar shared this photo showing a view toward Divounia from the snow-powdered sands of Kalafatis beach

 

snow at Kalafatis beach on Mykonos

A view of Kalafatis from the southern end of the beach. The photo was widely shared on social media and credited to Stacey Papaiannou.

 

— Elia beach —

 

@yioris_gk Instagram photo of snow on Elia beach Mykonos

Sunshine breaks through clouds above Elia beach in an image shared on Instagram by yioris_gk

 

— Agia Anna beach at the Mykonos Town harbour — 

 

Snow on Agia Anna beach at Mykonos Town

This photo of Agia Anna beach in Mykonos Town was shared on social media by Delos Tours and credited to photographer V Delarosa

 

Snowy Agia Anna beach in Mykonos Town

An Agia Anna beach photo shared on the Facebook page for Mykonos Promo

 

Geese pigeons and snow on Agia Anna beach at Mykonos Town

The wing-flapping goose and its companions are joined by a flock of pigeons for this shot, which was shared on social media by Mykonos Animal Welfare. 

Mykonos restaurants, bars, clubs & more: What’s new for 2021

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Baboulas Ouzeri on Mykonos

Baboulas Ouzeri has returned to the Mykonos Town harbourside alongside one of the island’s most-photographed landmarks — Mathios, the oldest hand-hewn fishing boat on Mykonos

 

Updated on August 25 2021

 

Island unlocked:  After a long winter of Covid-19-related lockdowns ended and Greece reopened its borders to international tourists in the spring, Mykonos quickly bounced back to life.

Visitors arrived on Mykonos to find many familiar faces — their favourite bars, restaurants, clubs, hotels and shops — open and anxiously waiting to welcome them back.

Also eager to greet them were dozens of newly-established businesses opening their doors for the very first time — bakeries, cafes, coffee shops, bars, cocktail lounges, street food and casual eateries, fine dining restaurants, live entertainment venues, retail stores, hotels, rental accommodations, and more.

These new traveller-focussed enterprises further expand the already vast variety of drinking, dining, leisure and lodging choices on Mykonos, further cementing the island’s solid position and reputation as one of the top summer holiday destinations in the world.

In this post, we will introduce you to many of this year’s newcomers, along with some of the noteworthy newbies from last year. (We’re including them since this is essentially their first full summer of operation — the 2020 season started late and ended early due to disruptions caused by the Covid pandemic, while few people were able to visit Mykonos because of international travel restrictions.)

 

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Azul Condesa

Azul Condesa modern Mexican restaurant in Mykonos

With its “modern Mexican cuisine” and sweeping patio views of the sea and sunset, Azul Condesa has been drawing crowds since it opened on May 28.  The menu includes nachos, soups, salads, starters, ceviche, tacos, tostadas, quesadillas, fajitos, burritos and main courses, along with beverage list ranging from classic and frozen margaritas to sangria, tequila, shots and a  selection of popular cocktails.  The restaurant takes pride in its homemade corn tortilla flours for tacos and burritos, and in its picanhas, beef tagliata and other meats seasoned in “unique and exceptional marinades of our Mexican chefs.”  You’ll find Azul Condesa in the Argyraina area, along the peripheral highway above Mykonos Town.

Facebook: @azulcondesamykonos

Instagram: @azulcondesamykonos

Web:  Azul Condesa Modern Mexican Cuisine 

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Mykonos Social by Jason Atherton

Mykonos Social restaurant on Mykonos

Michelin-starred British chef Jason Atherton has chosen Mykonos as the location for his first restaurant in the Mediterranean. Designed as “a bespoke, all-day dining destination,” Mykonos Social opened June 16, and boasts impressive sea views from its open-air patio perched above the private beach of the luxurious  Santa Marina Resort at Ornos. When they’re not mesmerized by the views, guests will be gobsmacked by the food — the menu features Atherton’s creative interpretations of  Mediterranean and Greek cuisine. The restaurant bar serves Tiki-style cocktails and fine wines, while an in-house DJ plays the perfect tunes to match the clientele’s mood and the sublime resort atmosphere.

Facebook: @MykonosSocial

Instagram: @mykonossocial

Web: Santa Marina Restaurants & Bars

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Platis Souvlaki Grillbar

Platis Souvlaki shop on Mykonos

People staying in the Platis Gialos beach area won’t have to travel into Mykonos Town anymore to get a taste of Greece’s favourite fast food treats — gyros and souvlaki. With the June 11 opening of Platis Souvlaki Grillbar, at the Argo Hotel, visitors can now grab a budget-friendly gyros on their way to or from the beach. The grillbar menu includes gyros and souvlaki served in either pita sandwiches or meal portions, vegetarian pita, sausage and kebab pita, chicken skewers, salads, appetizers and more, all at reasonable prices. Platis Souvlaki joins three other shops that opened at the Argo Hotel last summer — a bakery, fashion boutique and hair & nail salon, which you can read about on page 2 of this post.

Facebook: Platis Souvlaki Restaurant

Instagram: @platissouvlaki

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Woba Street Food

Woba Street Food Project on Mykonos

The Lakka area of Mykonos Town is always bustling with pedestrian traffic since it’s home to the Fabrica bus station and dozens of cheap ‘n cheerful cafes and bars.  Woba Street Food Project by Haris Papazoglu has been drawing even more people to the area since it opened on June 12.  Woba’s handmade, steamed bao buns have practically been flying out of the kitchen since opening day.  The buns come with a choice of main ingredients including chicken, port, tempura shrimp, creamy mushroom, Caesar, rib eye and duck. There’s even bao buns with hot dog or chicken nuggets, and sweet boa with Buenno or banofee.  The menu also offers buckets of chicken wings, nuggets and fried chicken; four varieties of fried potatoes; shrimp chips, crap popcorn and other finger foods; and Thai chicken or crispy duck salads.  

Facebook: Woba Streetfood Mykonos

Instagram: @woba_streetfood_mykonos

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La Barran

La Barran Bar on Mykonos

Owned and operated by a couple of young lads who were born and raised on the island, La Barran  cocktail bar quickly captures attention with its slick and curvaceous white bar and its distinctive illuminated ceiling. It’s situated on Enoplon Dinameon Street, which winds through one of the busiest bar and nightclub districts of Mykonos Town. (Regular visitors will know the location as the premises previously occupied by the Replay clothing store.) La Barran opened in late  April, and has been a popular hangout for locals and visitors alike ever since.

Facebook: labarranmykonos

Instagram: @labarranmykonos

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JackieO’ Cantina

JackieO Cantina on Mykonos

 Mykonos welcomed a new arrival to the JackieO’ family on June 21. The JackieO’ Cantina is a casual  eatery situated right next door to its eldest sibling, the highly popular JackieO’ Town Bar on the Mykonos Town seafront. (The middle child of the family is the JackieO’ Beach club at Super Paradise.) The cantina menu includes a selection of dosas, gyros, souvlaki, salads, sides and beverages. Customers can either dine indoors or sit at tables on the open-air patio overlooking the harbour — a great spot for people watching.

Facebook: JackieO’ Mykonos

Instagram: @jackieomykonos

Web: JackieO Mykonos

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Koozen

Koozen restaurant on Mykonos

For summer 2021, Aeolos Resort has opened a new in-house fine dining restaurant, Koozen, which offers a menu of Greek and Mediterranean “comfort cuisine” created by renowned Greek chef Athinagoras Kostakos, culinary director of the Meraki restaurants in London and Riyadh, as well as Scorpios and Noema on Mykonos. For Koozen’s a la carte menu, Kostakos has conceived dishes that will take diners “on a trip to the traditional flavours of Greece, with modern touches,” says the Aeolos Resort website.  Guests seem to be enjoying their culinary journeys; in reviews posted on TripAdvisor, they have praised the service, flavours and high quality of the food, and have commented that Koozen’s prices are very “reasonable” and “affordable” by Mykonos standards.  Koozen opened in May, and operates from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Instagram: @koozen_mykonos

Web: Aeolos Hotel Restaurant

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Drunk Monkey

Drunk Monkey bar on Mykonos

The Covid pandemic forced restaurants and bars around the world to add delivery and take-out service options to keep their businesses afloat during lockdowns. On Mykonos, two young entrepreneurs saw a promising opportunity and  established Drunk Monkey, a take-away cocktail bar that also offers delivery service. The bar opened in early July of 2020, inviting visitors to “explore the island with a cocktail” and reminding them: “Cocktail first — Because no great story ever started with a glass of water.” The bar’s distinctive take-out containers and logo were soon spotted all over the island. You’ll find Drunk Monkey next door to Niko’s Taverna, behind the Mykonos Town Hall.  This year the bar opened July 20 for its second season.

Facebook: @drunkmonkeymykonos

Instagram: @drunkmonkeymykonos

Web: Drunk Monkey Mykonos

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PERE UBU Mykonos

Pere Ubu Mykonos restaurant at Kalesma hotel on Mykonos

PERE UBU, the in-house restaurant at the new Kalesma luxury hotel, has been making its mark as one of the island’s top destinations for fine dining under the direction of Chef Costas Tsingas, whose gastronomic philosophy “blends fresh local produce with high-end culinary craft”  to take diners on a refined journey through flavour.” “From Athens to New York, he watches, listens & tastes, creating a culinary tapestry that touches on the best of global gastronomy. Connected to the world, rooted in Greece, PERE UBU Mykonos is a journey into contemporary dining,” the restaurant’s social media pages say. “We serve small ‘mezes’ plates, full meals or light lunches by day, and by night PERE UBU transforms into a vibrant social hub with innovative cocktails and gratifying menus,” the Kalesma website states. Indeed, the restaurant has regularly hosted sunset entertainment by DJs Yiannis Mitsokapas and Evridiki from Zucca Radio, and on July 22 held a special summer barbecue feast “guided by the culinary craftsmanship of Beastalis.”

Facebook: @PereUbuMykonos

Instagram: @pere_ubu_mykonos

Web: Kalesma Mykonos Fine Dining

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What a Ride

A collage of photos of the What A Ride toasteria in Mykonos

The take-away shop What A Ride quite literally became the toast of the town when it opened in early July, offering a satisfying and scrumptious street food alternative to burgers, gyros and souvlaki. Its signature toasted sandwiches — “no ordinary toasties,” as the shop proudly proclaims — have been taking its customers’ tastebuds on a deliciously fun ride.  The menu includes such tantalizing toast fillings as steak, cheese, and lobster, and What a Ride sells a selection of craft beers and wines to complement its custom toasties-to-go. You can find the toasteria on Polikantrioti Street near the harbourside promenade. It operates from early evening until the crack of dawn, so it’s a perfect place to grab a late-night bite to eat while clubbing and bar-hopping (or an early breakfast if you manage to party until daybreak).

Facebook: What a Ride Mykonos

Instagram: @whataride.mykonos

 

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Farma House

Farm House music club on Mykonos

A “new concept” venue spotlighting the “experimental sound of Mykonos,” Farma House is an open-air lounge where guest DJs play sets from sunset until late at night. It describes itself as “the other place” of the after-hours Sanctus club in Mykonos Town, and features some of the artists who perform there. Farma House opened on June 25, and  its DJ lineup so far this summer has included Brina Knauss, Patrice Baumel, Arodes, Ivory and Joy Rapotez. The club is situated at Ftelia beach on the site of the former Farma restaurant.

Facebook:  @farmamykonos

Instagram: @farmahouse_mykonos

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Baboulas

Baboulas Ouzeri on Mykonos

There’s always plenty of new things to discover on Mykonos, but occasionally something old is suddenly new again on the Island of the Winds. Like Baboulas Ouzeri, for example.  Long-time visitors to Mykonos will remember Baboulas, which is situated on the harbourfront area of Mykonos Town called Kaminaki. With its traditional tables and chairs positioned on the rocky shoreline alongside a brightly painted fishing boat named Mathios, Baboulas was one of the most picturesque places in town — a veritable magnet for photographers long before Instagram existed. Mathios was an island icon, attracting tourists eager to snap pictures of octopus hanging from its sail ropes against a stunning backdrop of shimmering turquoise water and the whitewashed buildings lining the opposite side of the harbour.  Starting around 2012, the Baboulas location began operating as a restaurant called Salparo Seafood. But this year Baboulas is back, offering simple and authentic Mykonian cuisine, ouzo and Greek spirits — and friendly service — “just like the old days.”  And while much has changed on Mykonos during its hiatus — especially the island’s culinary scene, which has seen the arrival of scores of high-end restaurants — Baboulas is proud to call itself “the least gourmet restaurant on the island.”  Baboulas re-opened on June 14 and will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year. 

Facebook: @baboulasmykonos

Instagram: @baboulasmykonos

 

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Parthenis Cafe

a collage of photos of Parthenis Cafe in Mykonos

The Parthenis men’s and women’s clothing shop at Alefkandra Square has been a Mykonos retail icon since it was opened in 1978 by internationally-recognized Greek fashion designer Dimitris Parthenis.  The boutique has long been a must-visit shopping stop for fashionistas, who appreciate the Parthenis  aesthetic  that combines “comfort with simplicity, enveloped through a timeless twist of elegance, deeply linked to the essence of Greek summer.” This summer, the shop added a cafe and lounge, which has been designed to exude the same characteristics — “simplicity, comfort and elegance” — as the clothing brand and the historic house in which its flagship Mykonos is situated. The outdoor space offers visitors a place to enjoy the Little Venice scenery and sunsets while relaxing with a cocktail,  glass of wine or a meal, with a DJ playing music curated to follow the local mood, rhythm and flow.

Facebook: @partheniscafe

Instagram: @partheniscafe

Web: Orsalia-Parthenis

 

Please click on the link below to continue reading on page 2, where we preview more of the exciting new places to drink, dine, party and relax on Mykonos.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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New hotels, suites & villas opening on Mykonos in 2021

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From cozy studios to spacious designer villas and luxurious hotel suites with private pools, Mykonos offers a vast array of holiday accommodations. Here are the island’s impressive new lodging options for 2021.

 

Some of the new hotels opening on Mykonos for 2021

Top row: Aeonic Suites & Spa (left) and UBUD. Second row: Soleila and Ethereal villas (left) and Bonzoe Homes & Villas. Third row: Noima Luxury Suites (left) and Destino Pacha. Bottom row: Mykonos Euphoria Suites (left), Aloni Sunset Lounge at Kalesma hotel (center), and Habitat All Suite Hotel.

 

Decisions, decisions: Where to stay on Mykonos?

The answer is easy for most of the island’s repeat visitors: They’ve already found their favourite accommodations, and keep returning to familiar surroundings, where management and staff feel like old friends or even family.

But for people travelling to Mykonos for the very first time, it can be a daunting task to choose from the sizeable selection of places to stay.  More than 1,100 properties are available through booking.com alone, and TripAdvisor tallies 770 hotels and 1,030 vacation properties in its listings. Over 300 accommodations can be found on Airbnb, while high-end management agencies, professional concierges and elite travel planners have hundreds of luxury homes and villas bookable through their  exclusive portfolios.

Making a decision gets increasingly difficult each year as dozens of additional accommodation properties enter the market. 

For 2021, visitors can choose from a wide variety of new lodgings that include cozy studios, sumptuously-appointed suites, full-service 5-star hotels, and exquisite private villas.

For nervous travellers seeking accommodations where they can enjoy comfort, space and privacy for their first overseas holiday since the Covid-19 pandemic began, there’s good news: choices are plentiful for luxurious, spacious rooms and personal pleasure amenities like private plunge pools and patios. 

Here, in the first instalment of a multi-part post, we take a look at 10 of the island’s top new accommodations, providing photos, descriptions and contact information for each property.

The newcomers profiled in this post are:

♦ Destino Pacha Mykonos

♦ The Elaia House

♦ Aeonic Suites & Spa

♦ Soleila Villa

♦ Ethereal Villa

♦ EpicMykonos

♦ Mykonos Earth Suites

♦ Once in Mykonos Luxury Resort

♦ Mykonos Euphoria Suites, and

♦ Kalesma

More new hotels and villas are spotlighted in our post Luxury lodging: More new hotels, which you can find simply by scrolling further down this page.

Please click on the link below to see the profiles on page 2.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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What’s new on Mykonos in 2021

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From an impressive airport overhaul to bars, clubs, cafes, restaurants, hotels and villas, there are lots of new things for visitors to discover on Mykonos this summer. Here’s a sneak peak at some. 

The new terminal at Mykonos International Airport

A 4-year, €25 million project to expand and improve Mykonos International Airport (JMK) was completed recently, just in time for the 2021 tourist season.  The terminal building has been completely overhauled and enlarged, and will impress with its striking modern look based on traditional Cycladic island design elements. The terminal now boasts a larger arrivals area, more departure gates, a new baggage handling system, plus new shops, restaurants, washrooms and VIP lounges. Upgrades also were made to the runway, ramps, parking, and terminal curbfront.  The terminal entrance is shown in this photo from airport operator Fraport Greece.

 

Noteworthy newcomers:  Spring has sprung, and pandemic-weary people around the world are wondering whether they will get a summer vacation this year. Millions are hoping to holiday in Greece, and many have set Mykonos in their sights. As the most exuberant, exciting and hedonistic island in Greece,  it’s quite possibly the ideal holiday destination for anyone looking to let loose and experience unbridled joy, freedom and self-indulgence — something most of us have only been able to dream about during the lockdowns and quarantines that have kept us cooped up at home for much of the past 12 months.

It’s no wonder Mykonos maintains such immense appeal for people desperate to escape the mind-numbing tedium and disruption of the Covid-19 crisis. While the island’s wind-whipped natural landscapes are barren, arid and austere, they provide the perfect backdrop for the bliss and pleasure-focussed activities and attractions that have made Mykonos one of the most desirable summer holiday destinations in the Mediterranean.

Crisp white sugar-cube houses, hotels and villas gleam in the sunshine on rugged, rocky hills. Sparkling turquoise seas splash against craggy coastlines ringed with secluded coves, scenic bays and crescent-shaped sandy beaches.  A magical atmosphere pervades in Mykonos Town, where glamorous fashion boutiques, exquisite art galleries, stylish cocktail bars, elegant restaurants, budget-friendly fast food joints and delightful dessert shops sit nestled inside a mesmerizing maze of cobbled lanes and bougainvillea-draped courtyards. Of course, there’s also the allure of the dynamic dance bars,  bustling beach clubs and the electrifying late-night party places that have made Mykonos legendary for robust dusk-to-dawn revelry and unabashed adult entertainment. The island’s long-established reputation as a summer playground for the world’s beautiful, rich and famous only adds to its cachet as a great place to get away from the everyday grind back home.  

 

Soleila and Etherium Mykonos Villas at Kalafatis

Vacation rental villas are in high demand on Mykonos. This photo shows Soleila (left) and Ethereal, new “twin” villas on a sun-soaked hillside at Kalafatis.

 

Kalesma Hotel on Mykonos

This image shows the Kalesma luxury hotel in the Aleomandra area of Mykonos. Several leading travel and lifestyle publications have ranked Kalesma among the world’s top new hotels for 2021.

 

Beaches, food, drink and fun are among the top features that draw crowds to Mykonos.  Paradise, Super Paradise, Platis Gialos, Psarou and Paraga are among the island’s most iconic beaches, but dozens more — from hidden coves to quiet, pristine shorelines and busy golden-sand strips fully organized with bars, restaurants and water sports amenities — mean there’s a sensational seaside to suit any traveller’s lifestyle, needs and preferences . First-time and repeat visitors also come to dine at the superb restaurants and dance at the notorious party venues they have been hearing about for years. Paradise Beach Club, Tropicana, Cavo Paradiso, Skandinavian Bar, Astra, Caprice, Nammos, Remezzo, Katrin, Kastro and Kiki’s are perenially-popular tourist hangouts, but visitors also throng to newer hotspots that regularly feature in their Instagram and Facebook photo feeds,  including Scorpios, Alemagou, Principote, 180 Sunset Bar, JackieO’ Beach Club, Lohan Beach House, Buddha-Bar Beach, M-eating, and more.

The logo for Joker Mykonos

Bordello Mykonos Italian dinner show

Lio Mykonos promotional image for its summer 2021 opening on Mykonos

Images of Noema restaurant on Mykonos

Mykonos Social restaurant by Jason Atheron

Five much-anticipated additions to the Mykonos dining and nightlife scenes in 2021 are the weekly Joker Mykonos dinner and party events; the Bordello Mykonos series of Italian Dinner Show parties, the Lío live cabaret restaurant and club, Nōema restaurant, and the Jason Atherton restaurant Mykonos Social.  

 

Ensuring that Mykonos remains vibrant and enticing is the bevy of brand-new tourist-oriented enterprises and attractions that debut on the island every year. A building boom that began in the mid-2010s has added thousands of  hotel and villa beds to the island’s accommodation capacity for overnight guests, and is still going strong with dozens more  villas, hotels and  rental homes currently under construction and in early stages of development. This has led to corresponding growth in travel-related hospitality and service businesses — retail shops; drinking and dining establishments; personal health, beauty & spa services; transportation and tour providers; and so on. Each new tourist season brings even more things to do and places to discover — an impressive feat for a small island that already boasts an incredibly wide range of options for rest, relaxation and entertainment. 

That trend continues in 2021, despite the tremendous upheaval and uncertainty that the Covid-19 pandemic has inflicted on the international travel industry. Mykonos is set to welcome dozens of new establishments whose owners and management expect a good summer for the island’s tourism industry, and see an even brighter future for holiday travel in the forecast.

 

Bill & Coo Mykonos villas

Aerial view of Noima Mykonos Luxury Suites Hotel

Aeonic Suites & Spa luxury hotel on Mykonos

Agrari Black Villas on Mykonos

Among the fabulous accommodations opening on  Mykonos this summer are the Destino Pacha hotel at Agios Stefanos (top), new 1-bedroom villas at Bill & Coo Hotel in Mykonos Town; Noima Mykonos Luxury Suites at Agios Ioannis;  Aeonic Suites & Spa near Korfos beach; and Agrari Black Villas near Agrari beach.

 

Food, drink and entertainment newcomers set to make waves on Mykonos this year include live dinner show clubs, elegant restaurants and cocktail bars, cafes and bakeries, and specialty food shops. You can see some of them in our post Hot new places on Mykonos in 2021

This summer’s new accommodations range from studio apartments to luxury hotels, lavishly-appointed suites, and spacious private villas. You can see them in our post New hotels, suites & villas on Mykonos.

 

Mykonos: Yours for life is a scenic 1-minute video that will instantly put you in a Mykonos frame of mind.  It’s from a joint travel promotion campaign by Marketing Greece and the Municipality of Mykonos.

 

*Photo credit notes: The images, photos and videos included in this post were sourced from websites and/or social media posts published by the respective businesses.

 

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