Mykonos in October: Just lie there and watch ships

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 .

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. 

While temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius are not to be expected in October, the island's unspoiled beauty unfolds as "compensation," with its almost deserted beaches and breathtaking sights . The coastline appears polished smooth by the strong winds that often blow across the island. However, these winds seem to have no effect on the people or the white facades of the houses; on the contrary, they gleam 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 right from my room was more beautiful than flying! The view was so dreamy and even more breathtaking than I could have ever imagined. Waking up every morning to the sea and the ships was disorienting because I thought I was still dreaming. "Is someone pinching me?" I wondered every time I opened my eyes and saw that beautiful Mykonos light over the sea. We stayed in the picturesque island village of Agios Stefanos, right next to the small beach of the same name. You know those postcards where you just think, "Wow, it couldn't be more photoshopped, those colors can't possibly exist in real life!" That's exactly what Agios Stefanos looks like, only without any Photoshop.

Mykonos Town: The lovable and lively heart of the island

The village of Agios Stefanos is located about 5 km from Mykonos Town, which can be easily reached by bus every hour until midnight. Mykonos Town is an incredibly charming and lively little town. Strolling through the labyrinthine, narrow streets, originally designed to confuse pirates and invaders, feels a bit like being in a Mediterranean theme park. The typical Cycladic architecture captivated us immediately. Mykonos Town is truly a dream in white, blue, and turquoise. And there's something to discover everywhere: from the countless small boutiques and beautifully decorated restaurants and cafes to trendy clubs like the "Scandinavian Bar and Club" —the town is the perfect place to spend a wonderful 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

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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 took our scooter to Armenistis Lighthouse . Equipped with helmets, we battled the strong wind up to the cliffs, past charming little churches, where a breathtaking panorama unfolded before us: rugged rock formations, the occasional sheep, and the turquoise sea. And then, right in the middle: the lighthouse in a landscape that could have come straight from a "Lord of the Rings" set.

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.

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Kiki's Taverna: Delicious food with a great atmosphere on Agios Sostis Beach

The wind, the photoshoot, and the fresh air quickly made us hungry, so we continued north on the island, where a true, and now very popular, hidden gem awaited us. We're talking about Kiki's Tavern , a small taverna on Agios Sostis Beach that's only open for a few hours each day. Kiki's Tavern has neither a telephone nor electricity, but it does offer delicious food and a unique concept that's clearly a hit with visitors. With just a few seats on the terrace overlooking the enchanting bay, guests wait outside and can help themselves to chilled rosé or water while they wait. It's a great way to pass the time 🙂

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 alleyways, Mykonos Town is undoubtedly one of the island's most beautiful sights. There's something for everyone in the town. Enjoy the magical atmosphere in "Little Venice ," one of the town's most romantic spots. You can end your day here with a refreshing cocktail right by the sea.

Neighboring island of Delos

In Greek mythology, Delos is the birthplace of two gods : the twins Apollo and Artemis. In antiquity, Delos was considered Apollo's sacred island. Today, the island, located about 6 km from Mykonos, is an extensive archaeological site and museum, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit is worthwhile to experience the unique and mystical atmosphere of bygone days.

Armenistis Lighthouse

Even the journey to the lighthouse is a truly special experience. The view is simply breathtaking, and the sight of the lighthouse itself has a magical quality! Lighthouses have always fascinated me. The tall towers by the sea have even inspired a poem and my new lighthouse meditation.

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 food lovers. Good food is a top priority on the island, as Mycenaean cuisine offers dishes to suit every taste. We visited the excellent Reeza restaurant at the Hotel Rocabella several times and were simply blown away by the intense and unique flavors of the dishes. While the portions of the main courses were relatively small compared to other restaurants, they were a true culinary delight. For a lighter meal, I can recommend the beautiful beach bar right on Agios Stefanos : simply delicious, homemade dishes served right on the beach! You'll also meet many local families while dining there.

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 at the beautiful boutique hotel Mykonian Mare . Originally, we had planned to stay at a different hotel for our trip, but unfortunately, it was no longer open at the time. However, there's a fitting Russian proverb: "What doesn't happen, happens for the best!" And that's exactly how it was. The hotel, the room, and the view were simply breathtaking. The hotel's ideal location offers both rest and relaxation, as well as the opportunity to take excursions whenever you like. We were also delighted with the neighboring hotel, "Rocabella Mykonos." Luxuriously yet comfortably furnished in a high-quality vintage style, it also offers fantastic views of the Aegean Sea and excellent, yet unobtrusive, service. We've definitely put it on our list 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 travel destinations in October" I show you which other travel destinations are on my favorites list for autumn.

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