Mykonos before its slumber
I was on Mykonos for the first time a few years ago during a stopover on my way to Santorini. At that time I was glad that we continued to fly because I really wanted to see Santorini and Mykonos was therefore not really appealing to me as a travel destination. But honestly I had no information about the island at the time (except that a couple of famous soccer players like to holiday there) and at the time I had a lot of butterflies in my stomach. But this is another story…
This time our story takes us to Mykonos, but first of all I'll tell you why I changed my mind about Mykonos and why I really wanted to go there: The reason couldn't be more banal - thanks to Instagram I finally became aware of the island .
- Mykonos before its slumber
- The good is often so close
- Mykonos in October: The somewhat atypical and yet wonderful travel time
- Mykonos: Just an exclusive party island in the Mediterranean or more?
- Agios Stefanos: A picturesque island village on the north west coast of Mykonos
- Mykonos Town: The lovable and lively heart of the island
- Even in the off-season there is still a lot going on
- The true VIP of Mykonos
- With the scooter to the Armenistis lighthouse on Mykonos
- Kiki's Taverna: Delicious food with a great atmosphere on Agios Sostis Beach
- Pure relaxation at the pool and beach
- My Mykonos Travel Guide: Sights on Mykonos
- Weather on Mykonos in October: The 7 day weather forecast
- Restaurants in Mykonos: what to eat?
- My hotel recommendations on Mykonos
The good is often so close
The many pictures of relaxed beautiful people in a dreamlike icing environment made my travel heart beat faster. Besides, my stays in Greece had never disappointed me. In a few hours of flight you can quickly land in a Mediterranean paradise and that is exactly what I love about traveling within Europe, true to the motto: the good is so close! Because a few hours after departure, summer awaits you.
Mykonos in October: The somewhat atypical and yet wonderful travel time
However, on this trip it wasn't quite the case as I don't think I picked the typical time of year for a Mykonos holiday. However, this was a very conscious decision. I didn't want to surrender to the high season madness and instead wanted to experience the island when it's about to hibernate. At this time there are still many people on Mykonos, but it is generally much more tranquil and relaxed.
Although temperatures of 30 degrees cannot be expected in October, the original beauty of the island with its fast deserted beaches and breathtaking sights. The coast appears polished by the strong wind that often blows across the island. However, he doesn't seem to mind the people and the white facades of the houses, on the contrary, they shine like pearl necklaces in the sun.
Mykonos: Just an exclusive party island in the Mediterranean or more?
Having already seen Santorini and Zakynthos, I didn't have too many expectations for Mykonos. Maybe because I've heard before that Mykonos is clearly one of the most expensive islands in the Mediterranean, is also a party island and maybe because I immediately thought of my disappointing trip to St. Tropez. But at the latest when I arrived at the hotel and entered our room for the first time, I was completely blown away. The room was comfortable and beautiful, no question, but what immediately captivated me was the huge terrace with a direct view of the Aegean Sea and the neighboring islands of Delos and Tinos. I jumped for joy, but when I discovered the huge jacuzzi bathtub on the terrace, I couldn't believe our luck!
Agios Stefanos: A picturesque island village on the north west coast of Mykonos
Seeing this landscape directly from the room was more beautiful than flying! The view was so gorgeous and even more breathtaking than I could have ever imagined. Waking up every morning to the sea and the ships confused me because I thought I was still dreaming. "Will someone pinch me?" I asked myself every time I opened my eyes and then saw this beautiful light of Mykonos over the sea. We stayed in the quaint island village Agios Stefanos in the immediate vicinity of the small beach of the same name. Do you know those postcards that make you just think? "Wow, more Photoshop is not possible, such colors cannot exist in real life!" This is exactly what Agios Stefanos looks like, just without Photoshop.
Mykonos Town: The lovable and lively heart of the island
The village of Agios Stefanos is about 5 km from Mykonos town, which can be easily reached by bus every hour until midnight. Mykonos town is an incredibly endearing and lively little town. Strolling through the maze-like little lanes, once designed specifically to confuse pirates and invaders, feels a bit like being in a Mediterranean amusement park. The typical architecture of the Cyclades fascinated us right away. Mykonos town is truly a dream of white, blue and turquoise. And there is something to discover everywhere: be it the countless small boutiques or wonderfully lovingly decorated restaurants and cafés, or the hip clubs such as the "Scandinavian Bar and Club" – The town is the perfect place to have a good time on Mykonos.
Even in the off-season there is still a lot going on
There is still a lot going on here even in the low season and there is a lot to see and shop. You can find many designer boutiques, which mainly offer beautiful selected hippie and vintage fashion. From small to very large and influential brands, everything is represented. Of course we didn't want to miss the opportunity to get to know Mykonos town. What did we find out? It's worth getting lost! Because unsuspectingly we met the true VIP of the island: Petros the pelican! Suddenly he just stood in front of us and I almost slipped my cell phone out of sheer happiness.
The true VIP of Mykonos
Petros the pelican is an incredibly sweet guy, but unfortunately I had the impression that the poor man is now suffering from burnout. Certainly the many people who constantly want to be photographed with him are a great burden for the bird, but I am guilty as charged, I also went for a short walk with him, of course with enough distance. Still, I feel sorry for him. I hope he has a home where he can hide from the tourists, because otherwise his funny and cute appearance is just sad.
Although I was incredibly happy to meet him, I think a pelican should actually lead a more species-appropriate bird life... Meanwhile he seems to be part of the cityscape. In the evening we had a cozy dinner right on the water and were able to enjoy the sunset with delicious food with a view of the famous mills.
With the scooter to the Armenistis lighthouse on Mykonos
The next day we went with the scooter to the Armenistis Lighthouse. Equipped with helmets, we fought our way up the cliffs against the strong wind, past the small, enchanting churches, where a breathtaking panorama spread out in front of us: Barren rock formations, a few sheep and the turquoise-blue sea. And then right in the middle: the lighthouse in a landscape that could just as easily come from a set of "Lord of the Rings".
While many people like to frolic at the lighthouse in midsummer, we actually had it almost to ourselves on this autumn day, apart from a few sheep and shepherd dogs, hardly any other visitors came by. Of course, the opportunity was immediately taken to take pictures.
Kiki's Taverna: Delicious food with a great atmosphere on Agios Sostis Beach
The wind, the shooting and the fresh air quickly made us hungry, so we went further to the north of the island, where a real but now very popular insider tip was waiting for us. We're talking about Kiki's Tavern, a small tavern at Agios Sostis Beach, which is only open a few hours a day. Kiki's Tavern doesn't have a phone or electricity, but has delicious food and a unique concept that visitors seem to like. Equipped with only a few seats on the terrace, with a view over the enchanting bay, the guests wait in front of the entrance and can meanwhile get chilled rosé or water. So the wait can be endured well 🙂
With the relaxed atmosphere and the wonderful view of the beach, pleasant conversations with other travelers quickly develop. In high season, however, you can sometimes wait several hours. We were therefore very curious whether we would even find a queue in the off-season. When we arrived we were flabbergasted: in fact there were already about 15 people in line. But it was still relatively quick. Vassilis, the restaurant owner, notes every new guest and personally leads everyone to the table.
You sit in an absolutely cozy atmosphere under a beautiful ancient olive tree. We chose a salad and fresh fish. The food was really delicious with exceptional taste. The taverna is now very touristy and you can hear all kinds of languages (except Greek) but a visit is definitely an extraordinary experience.
Pure relaxation at the pool and beach
We spent the following days relaxing by the pool and on the beach, observing the stars and simply forgetting about the time. Even if many shops, restaurants and cafés are already closed in the off-season, our Mykonos vacation was still a complete success. We got to know nice people, could always have dinner right on the beach, saw a lot and got to know the island before it fell into its slumber. But pictures are known to say even more than words, so see for yourself 🙂 Here are some more impressions of this beautiful island:
Saint Stefanos (or Agios Stefanos) is 3,5 km away from Mykonos town
My Mykonos Travel Guide: Sights on Mykonos
Mykonos town
With its countless small winding streets, Mykonos town is clearly one of the most beautiful sights on the island. There is something for every taste in the city. Enjoy the magical atmosphere in "Little Venice", one of the most romantic corners of the city. You can end the day here by the sea with a sparkling cocktail.
Neighboring island of Delos
In Greek mythology is Delos the birthplace of two gods: the twins Apollon and Artemis. In ancient times, Delos was considered the sacred island of Apollo. Today the island, about 6 km from Mykonos, is an extensive archaeological site and museum and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit is worthwhile to feel the special and mystical atmosphere of bygone days.
Armenistis Lighthouse
Even the drive to the lighthouse is a real experience. The view is simply breathtaking and there is something magical about the sight of the lighthouse! Lighthouses have always fascinated me. The high towers by the sea have already closed me a poem and to my new one Lighthouse Meditation inspired.
Weather on Mykonos in October: The 7 day weather forecast
We still found the weather on Mykonos in October to be very pleasant. During the day we had temperatures of around 23°C, in the evening it got a bit cooler and we had to put on something. The following table shows you the weather forecast for the next 7 days:
Restaurants in Mykonos: what to eat?
Mykonos is a little paradise for foodies. Good food is very important on the island, because Mycenaean cuisine offers dishes for every taste. We have several times the excellent restaurant Reeza at Hotel Rocabella visited and were simply overwhelmed by the intense and unique taste of the food. The portions of the main courses were quite small compared to other restaurants, but the taste was a real treat. For the little hunger I can the beautiful Beach Bar directly at Agios Stefanos recommend: Simply delicious, homemade dishes right on the beach! You also meet many local families while eating.
addresses:
ROCABELLA Mykonos Hotel
Agios Stefanos
PO Box 6042
84600 Mykonos
Saint Stefanos Snack Bar Cafe & Grill
Agios Stefanos
PO Box 34
84600 Mykonos
Kiki's Tavern
Agios Sostis Beach
84600 Mykonos, Kikladhes, Greece
My hotel recommendations on Mykonos
We stayed in the beautiful Boutique Hotel Mykonian Mare. Originally, another hotel was actually planned for our trip, but unfortunately it was no longer open at the time. But in Russian there is a suitable saying: "What doesn't happen, happens for the best!" And that's exactly how it was. The hotel, the room and the view were just gorgeous. In addition, the ideal location of the hotel offers rest and relaxation at the same time, but also the possibility of going on excursions at any time. We were also enthusiastic about the neighboring hotel "Rocabella Mykonos". Luxuriously but comfortably furnished in high-quality vintage design, it also offers a fantastic view of the Aegean Sea and excellent but not intrusive service. We have definitely made a note of it for our next trip to Mykonos.
addresses:
Mykonian Mare Luxury Boutique Hotel
Agios Stefanos,
Mykonos 84600,
Greece
ROCABELLA Mykonos Hotel
Agios Stefanos
PO Box 6042
84600 Mykonos
In my article 10 destinations in October I will show you which other travel destinations are on my list of favorites in autumn.
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Very nicely written article, Lina. I made a note of the taverna right away, we are planning to spend our next summer vacation on mykonos. LG Nina
We are in Mykonos in October and your article has increased the anticipation, thanks! 😍
Oh, that makes me happy 🙂 I wish you a wonderful journey!