Yassas. A word you should become familiar with for our next stop. A little more beachy and all that is required is a bathing suit and some flip-flops. Mykonos is 1 of 227 inhabited islands in the beautiful country of Greece. It is noted to be the 6th best to travel to of all the islands. It is known for being the windy island filled with windmills, sandy beaches, blue water, and party people. What more could you ask for? I traveled to Mykonos in 2013 with my best friend Eleni and her family. Yes, Eleni is a Greek name and she comes from a Greek family. We ate our way through the island for 10 days and 10 nights, and this is what you should do too.
Destination: Mykonos, Greece
Explore the Island
First: Take one step off the plane and the second step onto the sand. Going to the beach is a must on this island. I highly recommend the well-known Paradise Beach. Accessed by water taxi and is known for being a great time. It is stretched with bars and restaurants. I suggest hitting those after the swimming, as your stomach will be full and happy!
Second: Shop till you drop! I’m sure as the tourist you hope to be you will do this anyway, but Mykonos town is filled with small boutiques filled with everything you could want as a Greek souvenir. I, of course, left the island with too much evil eyed jewelry. The small streets fulfill every image in your mind of what a little Greek town looks like filled with stone, tiny mopeds, and beautiful blue and white.
top right: Paradise Beach with friends
bottom left: Nassiki Beach
bottom right: beautiful streets of Mykonos town
Third: My third recommendation is only for those that are able to do so. Mykonos is known for it’s party atmosphere, and in that, it does not disappoint. Downtown is full of restaurants and bars patiently waiting for tourists like you to spend way too many euros on a cocktail. Paradise club is sure to provide a good time. The best part of going out is watching the sunrise the next morning over the beautiful windy island.
Get a Taste of the Mediterranean
Mediterranean food is my absolute favorite. From hummus to lamb to baklava, you just can’t go wrong. Nothing compares to authentic Greek food from the locals of Mykonos. Here are some of the must eats of the island:
First: Feta. That word in itself should be enough for you to fly to any Greek island. Everyday at my hotel Eleni and I would feast ourselves on caramelized feta with pita bread. This dish is just what it sounds like: a block of feta cheese with a crusty sesame coating. Put it on a piece of pita with some tzatziki and you’ll never want to eat anything else again.
Second: You must have at least one lamb gyro on the island. A traditional Greek gyro consists of a piece of pita filled with lamb, tzatziki, lettuce, tomato, and French fries. My personal favorites are the ones that can be purchased on the beach made correctly and freshly by the locals.
Third: You cannot leave any Greek island without gifting your taste buds with the Greek dessert known as baklava. Baklava is a melt in your mouth dessert made of phyllo pastry filled with chopped nuts and soaked in honey. You can eat a piece just on its own or even have a baklava sundae. Mykonos town is home to small bakeries owned by locals with family recipes. There is no greater happiness than a warm, flakey piece of baklava after a day at the beach.
If you are young and hungry, there is no better place to be than the island of Mykonos. Of all the places I’ve been, I would choose this beautiful island as the first to go to. It’s fun, young atmosphere is only enhanced by scenic views and delicious cuisines.
All images are mine.
