Planning trip next Sept to Athens, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos and Santorini...Island hopping by ferry. I keep going back and forth on what area of Mykonos I want to stay in...we are there 3 nights and plan a trip to delos one day. We do go out every night for dinner and drinks...but we are older early 60. We also like the beach renting car or moped and plan to see the Island. Not sure if we want to walk into town or stay at a beach hotel close to town but also close to bar and restaurants. We will be there mid September. I guess my question - is there a night life at beach hotels close to Mykonos Town?

Also, this is a 17 day trip including Athens and Flight. I could shorten it a couple of days, it I went only to Naxos and increased from 3 to 4 nights and left out Paros. Is Paros a must or is it similar to Naxos?

Sorry, but I can't answer your questions about Mykonos or Paros.

But you might find some useful information about Athens, Naxos, and Santorini in my trip report (if you haven't already seen it):
With Gratitude for a Glorious Solo Month in Greece

Yes, in the evening some beach areas have bars and restaurants plus quick local bus services to and from Mykonos town. Check out Ornos and Platys Gialos. Also, perhaps don't discount staying in town. Some hotels there have terrific views over the Aegean but are only a few minutes walk to the town's bars, restaurants and shops plus the harbour front. There are no good beaches there though but it's very easy to take the small local buses to those outside of town.

Mid-September is a great time to visit, bus services to and from beaches tend still to be running frequently and shops will all still be open. Indeed, I was there only a week ago and noticed that this year, until 5th October, buses continued to operated their summer service (all mostly every 30 minutes, cost was less than 2 euro each-way).

I saw more car rental places this year than in the fifty I've travelled to the island. You will have plenty of choice! Think carefully though about renting a moped/scooter. This year, like most, there were a lot of accidents.

Bill

We stayed a little outside of town near a beach during late September. There was no partying that we were aware of and hotel clientele was mostly Greek, British and N. European.

Bill, I’m happy you got back to Mykonos again this year. Your advice to me to look for a hotel in the Lakka Square area of Mykonos Town was spot on. It’s near the bus station where the buses to the beach depart, and far enough from the Old Harbour where the cruise ship passengers congregate, but still close to the main sightseeing attractions.

Thank you!! Great information and Trip report! I am going to make a few changes but keeping destinations....

Hey BILL! Wonderful to hear that you made it back to your Personal Wonderland, one more time! The Lumbago must be holding off a bit... My new Titanium Knee is behaving so well, that I'm venturing on a trip Late May - mid-June. (I'm taking along 2 friends, just for companionship; they're savvy travelers, so I don't need to hand-hold or wear myself out climbing to high places; I just point to a museum or castle and say, have fun, u can find me at the beach afterwards). Heimdall also was at his favorite places recently, and is making noises about a possible Antiparos visit in late SPring if family obligations. We're all 3 of us "circling the drain," so we must make every "moveable moment" count!

PS - Like both of you, I like the Lakka Square area in Mykonos best ... away from the harbor crush handy to busses... My stays have been in small rose-bordered place behind Hotel Despotiko, just uphill a few yards from the Bus place ... Angela's Rooms -- she's an artist from Chicago, married 40 years (now widowed) to a Mykonian taverna owner .. has wonderful rooms upper ones have sea views and (maybe because she's from Chi-town) the BEST showers I've ever found in Greece.

Thank you very much Don and Jan. I didn't go last year (and missed it hugely) but nephew and his bonnie wife are celebrating an important wedding anniversary in 2018 and surprised me by saying it would be on Mykonos and I was going with them. They'd already tipped off my 'Greek family' there! I couldn't have got to the island without them both but did find this short trip, even with all their help, a bit of a struggle.

I have always loved Lakka even if it is just sitting in the quietness under the trees there, sheltering from the sun. Plus, as you guys mention, it is so close to everything. You may both recall the little outdoor theatre there. It has now been completely screened off so no 'free views' for anyone. I'd gladly pay to see again some of the local singers and dancers but our timing was wrong and there was nothing scheduled. All in all, I am very grateful I got back to the island (luckily, the week after their major storms) but it was a little bittersweet because sadly, some of my friends of very many years on the island have passed away since my last trip.

Jan, your ' We're all 3 of us "circling the drain," so we must make every "moveable moment" count!' had me smiling and nodding my head. That one has been stored for future use!

Bill