DonnaKat

We booked a holiday to Greece 2 years ago but we had to cancel. It was to be at the end of May to mid June.

Our dates are arrive Athens 3.10 am on 24 June and depart Athens 4.10 p m on 8 July. So a good 14 days. We have not booked anything within that timeframe and I still would dearly love to go to Mykonos and Santorini particular take the open ferry to Santorini. But given our dates are later than our original booked trip (late May early June) wondered whether it was going to be extremely busy, extremely hot?? Any tips of where not to visit/stay during this time.

I was reading a forum where they stayed in Mykonos Town and it sounded great but they were there beginning of June, should we stay elsewhere give our dates?

We are early 50s couple, so we're probably not going to be doing any nightclubbing unless we meet some "go-getters". Husband loves to kayak (especially in a proper sea kayak (sit in with rudder).

Welcome any feedback, thanks!

jon_rwr

DonnaKat

June is a good month to visit Mykonos. Yes, the beginning to the middle of that month will be quieter but I’ve found the last few weeks to be Ok too. Crazy as it sounds but I've always felt with Mykonos there is a light-switch moment. It gets turned on almost from the first day of July to the end of August when the island does get VERY busy.

If I can recommend anything it is to use those last few days in June on Mykonos, then move to Santorini and end your trip with some time in Athens. Leave enough time to explore the latter because it is a wonderful city

It will be getting hotter on Mykonos by the end of June but I've never found the temperature at that time to be uncomfortable. I've also found it to be windier then which you may find welcoming should it be too hot for you.

For me personally, I have always lodged in Mykonos town and I've been on the island most months with the exception of November through to the end of February. There are some really nice town hotels but in quieter locations and if you can give me an idea of your budget per night I'll do my best to recommend somewhere that might suit.

I feel sure you will enjoy the island. The town can be remarkably quite day-time as many travel to the beaches and it can be a pleasure strolling round, getting lost, or sit and have some coffee and enjoy people watching. Of course, if there are any cruise ships in then the streets will be very busy but, again, there are places you can be that remain quiet and enjoyable.

Think too of using the local bus service to take you out of town if the place gets busy. The island’s second town, Ano Mera, I enjoy and if you like history etc then there are some places there that are worth checking out especially if you are prepared to take some short walks out of Ano Mera. Also, if you can perhaps go to the island’s most northern beaches those are much quieter (although that is now beginning to change).

Your husband might enjoy the beach at Kalo Livadi which is known for water-sports. It is a beautiful long beach but is about 8 miles from Mykonos Town and not the easiest to get to. There used to be only two buses a day but I’ve not been there for a very long time and I don’t know if that service is still running. I feel sure clausar knows the beach much better than I do so perhaps he will join in and give you some information.

Jon

DonnaKat

Thank you Jon. I haven't looked at prices at all for accommodation but I think a property with a pool would be nice. I'll look at Kalo Livadi to see about the kayaking.

jon_rwr

Hi DonnaKat

Thanks but without an idea of what you feel you can spend per night I can only give you some suggestions that cover all budgets. Each has a pool apart from one:

The Poseidon is in a great town location with little noise provided your room is sea-facing. There can be traffic noise from the busy road at the entrance side though.

http://www.mykonos-poseidon-hotel.com/

The Theoxenia is a very good town hotel in a great location behind the windmills. No traffic noise at all.

http://www.mykonostheoxenia.com/

The Semeli is a short walk down from a busy road but noise is minimal. It's also in a great location (Rochari district), minutes from the harbour-front which is an enjoyable stroll down the narrow lanes of the town.

http://www.semelihotel.gr/

The Carbonaki is a small hotel which I have recommended many times and had great feedback about. Much cheaper than the others, close to all restaurants and bars but in a remarkably quiet and pretty part of town. It has a miniscule pool (!), but family run and has great staff:

http://carbonaki.gr/

Another small town hotel, often missed by travellers, is the Elena. Has been operating for many years and has regular return guests. Great location and close to the Semeli. No pool but the hotel is a little gem and well worth thinking about (it’s owned by the same folks who operate the exclusive Apollonia Resort at Agios Ioannis):

http://www.mykonos-accommodation.com/elena-hotel.htm

Jon

DonnaKat

Jon, Have had a look at the hotels you recommended. Really nice, a pity the Elena doesn't have a pool because I think price wise it is more in our range. I had a look at Aeolos and it looks like it has a nice pool and although a limited number of reviews seem positive. Do you know this property?

Thanks
Donna

jon_rwr

Oh yes, DonnaKat I am aware of this hotel and also aware of the regular confusion on other forums about it. There are two, The Aeolos and the New Aeolos both owned by the same family and both on the main Mykonos to Ano Mera road. Their marketing over the years of each of these hotels, deliberately or not, has confused the heck out of people. One large TUI holiday company had to amend their website a few years ago as they were using pictures from one and sending folks to the other! A genuine mistake.

Also be aware the hotel is a good bit out of town and the walk down will take around 20 minutes, perhaps a little bit more. The walk back up might feel a lot longer though.

I have to say though that I've not heard anything bad about the facilities and services at the Aeolis and I know the views will be fantastic.

Jon

Greekadmirer

I have stayed at the Aeolos the past two years. Panos the owner is a great host and the hotel does have a nice pool. The walk down into the town is fine but would recommend you get a cab back as it is all uphill with steep inclines.

The Hotel picks up and drops you off at the port or airport for your arrival and departure.

DonnaKat

Thank you, I ended up booking the Elena, especially after realising how much it would cost to stay on the Caldera when we go to Santorini. It'll be great at the Elena I'm sure, got a feeling we will spend a lot of time kayaking, wandering and restauranting and not lying beside a pool.

We have decided now to go to Kythira for a few days first as this is where my husband's grandparents came from to Australia. I now have a separate question to ask about that.

jon_rwr

Good choice DonnaKat.

Some logistics. The Elena is in the Rochari district of town, a quiet area, close to a little bridge that takes you onto Rochari Lane. From the hotel, down the lane (about only 2 minutes walking time) you will come to the first restaurants, keep walking and you will pass more plus small shops then arrive at the harbour-front. All in, it's only about a 6 or 7 minute gentle stroll to the cafes at the old port.

Across from the hotel is the town's Laka district and here you will find a small circular outdoor theatre. Billbarr, a regualr here and who knows the island much better than me, tipped me off about it at a time I didn't even know it existed. Unlike him, I have only been lucky to see one little show there which, like most, was traditonal singing and dancing by islanders. If similar is on when you are there please go because I think it will be a wonderful experience for you. Travellers rarely find this tiny theatre and the audience is mostly locals.

Lastly, the small bus station (Fabika) where you will get the small buses to the beaches is around 5 minutes from the hotel.

Jon

clausar

Hello DonnaKat

jon_rwr described the area very well !!!
I have stayed in Lakka many times in the past and absolutely loved, because it was in the middle of the town.
Elena in Rochari is much more quiet, there is a small square in front of the hotel which is a family run business.
I love the location for it's proximoty to the center of Mykonos Town.
The busses to Kalo Livadi leave from OTE, near the old port, it is the same bus that continues to Kalafatis.
Just be aware that this line is not very frequent like others to more popular beaches. Kalo Livadi is at 10 km from the town.