Travel Report Mykonos: Highlights and Tips for the greek dream island
Is it worth visiting Mykonos for 4 days? What could a photo tour look like?
Our travel report Mykonos summarizes the highlights of our photo trip and gives you valuable tips on how to prepare. Here are our highlights in short form:
Arrival from Munich > Mykonos direct with Lufthansa
Hotel: Rocabella Mykonos Hotel Art & Spa
Departure from Mykonos > Athen > Munich, with Aegan and Lufthansa
Mykonos is so small, that you can cross the island practically every day, without really having to make a plan, which is why we have omitted this in our travelogue Mykonos. In the quieter months you can rent a car. In the high season rather a quad or scooter or simply cab.
Where is Mykonos?
What you should definitely think about when traveling to Mykonos
Local currency: Euro. For payments or cash withdrawals you can use your credit card everywhere in the country. Cash is more needed for tips.
Vaccinations: Coming from Germany, no vaccinations are required. However, the standard vaccinations are recommended, see suggestions from the German Foreign Office. Additionally COVID-19 vaccination card, if available. COVPASS app is sufficient to enter more easily.
Drone flying on Mykonos, is it allowed?
YES and NO !
The answer is not very clear. If you own a DJI drone, you can have certain geozones unlocked. However, due to the size of the island, it is almost impossible to keep 8km distance from the airport. Even after the new EU drone regulation was enacted, certain local rules still apply.
So if you decide to let your drone soar – if you can do it with the wind – you should get the necessary permissions beforehand and fly with extreme caution.
Detailled Travel Report Mykonos - important questions:
Is Mykonos worth it at all for 4 days?
Mykonos is definitely worth a trip, even a short one. The Greek island of Mykonos with its white houses, magical sunsets and long sandy beaches is a dream destination for many. Not least because of the beautiful pictures on Instagram, which have caused a real hype around the small island in recent years.
Apart from the ever-present wind (and here we are really talking about wind and not drafts) Mykonos is also known as an expensive luxury and party island of the rich and you can see that everywhere, whether early or high season, the island is expensive. Nevertheless, we definitely wanted to go there and have not regretted it. We were in Mykonos at the end of April, just before the start of the official vacation season. The weather was therefore mixed but the island was nice and empty. In high summer we would definitely not want to be there. Already had problems at the hotspots (especially restaurants) to get a good place.
How to get to Mykonos?
From Munich there is a direct flight to Mykonos or you can take the detour via Athens. Both works very well, but the ticket prices are not really cheap, as well as the whole island is not. The flight takes about 2:30 hours.
Do I need a rental car on Mykonos?
Our recommendation is definitely a rental car, even if they can be sometimes very expensive. But if you want to see a lot and not lose too much time with cab or bus, there is no real alternative. Unless you want to ride a scooter or quad, which we think is a real alternative, at least in high season.
For Mykonos we recommend – as in every travel report – the Premium All Inclusive Package from Check 24, then you don’t have to worry about anything.
The airport of Mykonos is very small and manageable and the car rental counters of the major stations (except Europcar) are located in the airport. Hertz is the closest station for pickup. Hertz counter is in the terminal, the pickup about 100m left of the exit terminal. Our recommendation is to book the smallest car in which “everything” fits and definitely a full insurance!
Agios Stefanos
For us the ideal starting point on Mykonos and the part of town where our Hotel Rocabella, as well as some other very nice hotels are located. You can reach Mykonos town by car in 5min and theoretically you can also walk, but would not be our recommendation.
This corner of Mykonos we can recommend for those who are not necessarily looking for house and techno clubs, but rather something quiet, with the possibility to be nevertheless quickly in the hustle and bustle. If you prefer nightlife and party, we recommend Mykonos town or everything around Platis Gialos.
We had a suite with “hot tub” and can definitely recommend this category. Suites are on Mykonos but also no large rooms (with us 24 sqm). But a terrace with about 20 sqm, which is a plus especially when the sun is shining and in the cooler time the hot tub is a real Hghlight.
Mykonos Town: The most beautiful spots and sights in the old town
Most people associate Mykonos with the postcard motifs of the old town (Chora). Exactly these motifs of white houses with colorful doors and stairs, the famous windmills and picturesque sunsets can actually be seen here. It does not require much planning due to the size. Just drift through the alleys and explore everything.
We thought for sure there would be some famous photo spots in the city that you should know to take really great photos, but the whole city is one big photo spot.
Photo tip: For beautiful photos you should go in the morning, preferably before 10 o’clock, in the city. Then the streets are still comparatively empty. Later, the city is literally overrun, especially when Keuzfahrt day tourists are at the start. In April it was already full on Mykonos and you may not even imagine how it looks there in high summer.
Good chances for beautiful photos you have also in the afternoon from 17 clock to the Golden Hour. The city empties at this time again, because the day tourists return to their ships and it draws the other holidaymakers slowly to the sunset to the old port.
Little Venice
The Little Venice neighborhood is one of the attractions of Mykonos, along with the famous windmills. It borders the old town alleys and is basically nothing more than the section of houses that stands right by the sea. The most expensive (but probably the most beautiful) bars and restaurants of Mykonos are located in the historic buildings.
6 windmills as a landmark of Mykonos
The famous windmills of Mykonos are the highlight that everyone associates with Mykonos. They are located at the northern end of Little Venice on a small hill. Together with the old harbor, the Kato Mili are not only the landmark of the island, but also one of the most beautiful places in all of Mykonos to watch the sunset from.
Restauranttips for Mykonos
In 4 days you can not test all restaurants, but here is a selection of restaurants that we liked (just zoom into the map for the location and click on the blue markings):
Bao's Cocktail Bar
If you want a really good view of the windmills and Little Venice, we recommend the “Baos”, which is also one of the best places in Mykonos Town for the sunset (and accordingly crowded).
Cocktails 20-24€, but you can also ask for the drinks menu and then there are also a few cheaper alternatives, for example a glass of white wine for 12€.
Rhapsody Bar
Little Venice. During the day, the Rhapsody Bar is also a good place to get a good view of the windmills, if you’re willing to pay €6 for a small cappuchino and €7 for a large one. The cappuchino is really good though and with a little luck, there are pastries on the house.
Mamalouka
Great for the evening. No view but super good food and a beautiful old courtyard. Price upscale but OK.
Kadena
At the old harbor. Good restaurant, nothing special. Hearty food, large portions.
Souvlaki Story
A real classic. It is a chain with several locations in Mykonos. Cheap and extremely tasty. Definitely a MUST.
180 Grad Sunset Bar
Not a restaurant, but as the name suggests a sunset bar located just outside the old town in the hills of Mykonos and known for its gorgeous sunset views.
The problem is that the most beautiful tables in the Front Row are only given against reservation and a corresponding minimum turnover. As a “normal” guest, you pay admission (which is then charged with the drinks) and get assigned a seat. Standing up or standing around at the front railing is forbidden during sunset. But the sPot is uniquely beautiful.
Despite these restrictions, the 180° Sunset Bar is worth a visit for sunset, because the atmosphere was truly magical.
Appagio
At Omos Beach, not in Mykonos Town. Absolute highlight for lunch or in the evening at sunset (even if you are on the wrong side of the island). Fantastic view. Extremely good Greek food and a “real” Greek, not a tourist trap.
Armenistis Lighthouse
Is the Armenistis Lighthouse really still an insider tip? Rather not, but still worth a visit, even if the approach is adventurous. The sunset on the lonely, windy mountain top in the northwest of the island is by far one of the most beautiful on the island. But it can also be extremely windy there, so that you actually have to fear being “blown away”.
What else to do in Mykonos
Fazit of our Travel Report Mykonos
Mykonos is worth a trip and we will come back sometime. However, we would clearly advise against visiting the island from June to the end of August. Not only is the price level then absurdly high, but it is also simply all too crowded. For us, Mykonos is an insider tip to relax for the off-season, outside the school vacations in spring and autumn, even if a not really cheap. But then you can experience a really nice vacation.we hope our travel report Mykonos has pleased you. Feel free to follow us on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram!
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What photo equipment for Mykonos?
The photo equipment we took to Mykonos is listed below. In addition, you have the possibility to order the used photo equipment directly via our Photo-Store and to request further technical details. There you can also find a lot of extras.
Cameras:
- Nikon D500
- Apple Iphone 12 Pro
- DJI Mavic Mini
- Go Pro Hero 8
Lenses:
- Nikon 70-200mm f/4
- Nikon 18-105mm
Rucksack / Trolley:
- Lowepro Pro Runner RL x450 AW II
- Manfrotto MB SV-M-30BB Allegra 30