Is Mykonos Worth Visiting? An Honest Review!

Are you wondering if Mykonos is worth visiting? Then you are in the right spot.

Going to Mykonos is expensive – so you’ll probably want to make sure first that the island lives up to the reputation of an amazing paradise before committing.

I have been to Mykonos – and also to other islands in the Aegean Sea. So I know the area in and out.

First of all: yes, Mykonos is worth visiting! But only if you are ready to splurge a little.

Keep on reading to find out all the pros and cons of visiting Mykonos!

Let’s get to it!

Table of Contents

• Is Mykonos Worth Visiting? My Take On It
• Pros and Cons of Visiting Mykonos
  • Pros
  • Cons
• 1. The Landscape
• 2. The Towns
• 3. The Locals
• 4. Excursions and Day Trips
• 5. Nightlife
• 6. The Weather
• 7. Safety
• 8. Hotels & Accommodations
• 9. The Crowd
• 10. Infrastructure
• 11. Money/Value Relation
• Downsides of Visiting Mykonos
• Conclusion: Is Mykonos Worth Visiting
  • Looking for More Greece Content?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• About the Author

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Is Mykonos Worth Visiting? My Take On It

If you are just here for some quick judgment, here it is: yes, Mykonos is worth visiting – if you have the money to spend!

Both Mykonos and Santorini are incredible places that you should have seen at least once in your lifetime. Another thing they have in common is, that they are super expensive. So if you are not ready to splurge, you might not have such a good time.

Mykonos has cute towns, beautiful beaches, and an interesting culture. There are fancy clubs and awesome restaurants.

The obvious downsides of Mykonos are that it is expensive, pretentious in some places, and super overrun in summer.

Would I spend a full week in Mykonos? Probably not, as there is not that much to see. But I am definitely glad I could see it and I had an awesome time in Mykonos. For a longer vacation, I probably prefer Santorini.

The best way to see Mykonos is probably on a Mediterranean Cruise.

Pros and Cons of Visiting Mykonos

1. The Landscape

My Rating: 7/10

Mykonos is a beautiful Greek island with a stunning landscape for sure. It is one of the biggest reasons why Mykonos is worth visiting.

The island is mostly known for rolling hills, clear blue skies, and iconic windmills. And of course, the beaches are a big highlight.

Unlike Santorini, Mykonos beaches are known for soft, golden sand and crystal-clear waters. Some beaches are calm and perfect for relaxing, while others are more for party people.

Paradise Beach, Super Paradise Beach, and Ornos Beach are some well-known favorites. Sadly, Mykonos does not have as high cliffs as Santorini does, so the views are not as good.

2. The Towns

My Rating: 9/10

The cute towns are one of the biggest reasons why Mykonos is worth it for me. The small alleys are extremely charming.

There are pink bougainvillea plants everywhere, that offer a lovely contrast to the white-washed houses with the blue accents.

Mykonos Town (Chora) is the most famous village. It’s known for its cute streets, white-washed buildings, and colorful doors and balconies.

Little Venice is my favorite area within Mykonos Town, with its waterfront buildings and Instagram-worthy atmosphere.

Ano Mera is another adorable town. It is a lot more traditional and authentic, so you shouldn’t miss it.

3. The Locals

My Rating: 8/10

The locals are, just like anywhere in Greece, typically friendly and welcoming.

We never felt uneasy or unsafe, everyone was very nice and helpful!

Obviously, in some of the more touristic spots the atmosphere is less personal and they treat you a bit like cattle (no surprise, since we overrun their island every year).

If you head to Mykonos (or any other place) make sure to be respectful and kind toward the locals, so we’ll always be welcome!

4. Excursions and Day Trips

My Rating: 8/10

Mykonos has lots of cool day trips and excursions on offer that you can book.

My personal highlight is always the catamaran cruises. And Mykonos does not disappoint in that regard.

You can ride the catamaran to the islands of Delos and Rhenia – or simply enjoy the Aegean Sea during sunset.

Some of the tours will even take you to the island of Naxos!

And a food tour is also something I recommend everywhere I travel to.

5. Nightlife

My Rating: 9/10

The nightlife in Mykonos is top-notch – and you should go out clubbing at least once while on the island.

The main town, Chora, is the epicenter of the action, where you can find everything from chic cocktail bars to wild dance clubs.

If you’re looking for a more laid-back vibe, check out Little Venice for its waterfront bars and stunning sunset views.

Of course, there are also plenty of beach clubs and luxury hotels that have hip bars where you can dance the night away.

Prices are high, but the atmosphere is worth it.

6. The Weather

My Rating: 6/10

Mykonos has a Mediterranean climate. That means hot, sunny summers and mild, wet winters.

The best time to visit is probably from late spring to early fall. You can enjoy high 20s to low 30s°C (mid-80s to low 90s°F). Sadly, this is also the busiest time of the year.

Sadly, the island can get quite windy, especially in July and August. That can be both a blessing and a curse. I am not a huge fan of wind, so I’d try to avoid this season.

Winters are cooler and can be rainy, so it’s less ideal if you want to go to the beach. We traveled in April, and it was a great time to go.

7. Safety

My Rating: 8/10

Mykonos has a relatively low crime rate compared to many other tourist destinations. I have never felt unsafe or threatened on my vacation, despite going there as two younger girls.

Violent crimes are super rare. You might witness some pickpocketing or weird drunk people, but nothing too dramatic.

Mykonos is also an awesome destination for solo travelers and people who want to feel super safe during vacation.

8. Hotels & Accommodations

My Rating: 7/10

Mykonos has a wide array of hotels for almost any budget. Mostly, Mykonos is famous for its luxury hotels with an awesome view of the ocean.

The most famous hotel in Mykonos is without a doubt Cavo Tagoo. Known for its infinity pool with a stunning view of the Aegean Sea, Cavo Tagoo has luxurious accommodations and a world-class spa. You’ll also spot lots of celebrities there.

Finding budget accommodation is definitely a bit harder, but not impossible. In general, the price range is comparable to Santorini, but a lot higher than other, less famous Greek islands.

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9. The Crowd

My Rating: 5/10

My least favorite thing about Mykonos is probably the crowds.

There are usually way too many tourists (and I was there in shoulder season). And sadly it is not always the good kind of tourists.

We saw lots of drunk party people or super pretentious wannabes. Sadly, it was not the kind of place where you could easily make a lot of friends or meet some nice other couples.

Unfortunately, Mykonos is very popular – and not among my kind of people. Ultimately, this is my personal opinion, so that is really something everyone has to decide for themselves.

Also, the island has become quite commercialized and caters a lot to these people, which is a bit sad in my opinion.

10. Infrastructure

My Rating: 6/10

Mykonos has a well-developed infrastructure that caters to the needs of both locals and tourists. I did not have any issues getting around.

The island is served by Mykonos International Airport. You can fly there from most major European cities in summer.

The cruise port is also super popular, with several big cruise ships there every week.

There’s a good network of roads, although they can be narrow and winding, making driving a bit challenging. Also, the public transportation network is pretty bad and there are not too many taxis.

For healthcare, Mykonos has a general hospital and several private clinics to provide medical services to residents and visitors. They are decent but don’t expect Northern European or American standards there.

11. Money/Value Relation

My Rating: 6/10

Lastly, we have to talk about the Money/Value Relationship when discussing if Mykonos is worth visiting.

One of the biggest drawbacks of the island is that it is so expensive. If you want a nice hotel room with a good view, you’ll have to reach deep into your pocket.

I think Mykonos is definitely expensive, but it is also kinda worth it for me. The price level is comparable to Santorini, which is a lot higher than for other similar islands.

If money is not an issue, you’ll absolutely love Mykonos. If you are looking for a budget trip, this is not the place to go.

Downsides of Visiting Mykonos

As I have mentioned before, Mykonos is definitely worth visiting. But there are also downsides to the Greek island.

Firstly, I think it is pretty commercialized by now. Luxury hotels and bars as far as you can see. The overall pricing on the island is high, and you might not always get your money’s worth.

The people are not my kind of crowd – I am not a big party-goer nor do I like pretentious places. Also, there are far too many people during the main season.

So while the island is super beautiful landscape and architecture-wise, I prefer going to Santorini after all. Other, smaller Greek islands might have more charm and come and a lower price point – so make sure to consider them for your vacation.

But lastly – if money is no issue – you should go to Mykonos at least once!

Conclusion: Is Mykonos Worth Visiting

To sum it up, Mykonos is definitely worth it. It is a prime vacation spot in the Mediterranean.

One thing to keep in mind is that the beautiful landscapes and cute villages come at a high price, so I would only recommend visiting Mykonos if money is no object.

Mykonos is a lot like Aruba – it is awesome if you can afford it. If I had to choose between Mykonos and Santorini, I would probably choose Santorini. The high cliffs with the white-washed villages are just a tad more impressive.

Mykonos has definitely become a bit commercialized and overrated, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a fabulous time there.

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