I was wondering what thanos or others thought about whether it's better to stay at one of the beach resorts outside town, or in the hora itself? Is the Mykonos city nice, or are the beaches of Mykonos the best part?

My wife and I are going to Mykonos on a Sun thru Thurs in late May, intentionally missing the weekend university craziness.

My preference is to stay on a beach. It's so easy to get around and the beach is where you want to go during the day, except for a day to go to Delos.

Mykonos town is nice, one of my favorite parts about Mykonos but, unless you want to shop every day you're there (which you can do at night when you go into town for dinner) then I'd say stay at a beach. It's so very easy to get from the beaches into town on the bus. They run frequently and are very inexpensive.

Does anyone (Thanos?) know when the spring break at Mykonos will be? I know it's late May, but when exactly? Thanks.

This is from Thanos_gr, our resident Mykonos expert:

"In late May each year thousands of students from Athens come here to Mykonos. It is there annual pilgrimage They stay all weekend and the town is chaos.

Weekdays are OK but even many Greek peoples who visit us avoid the weekend for that reason.

thanos"

hello Cheryl8

I speak with my brother today who is businessman in town and he tells me in May this year they expect students and many peoples two weekends not usual one. 19 to 22 and 26 to 29 May.

thanos

Thnak you, Thanos. Btw, I was able to get a reservation on the hotel that you recommended, Rochari. Thanks for that also. We'll only be in Mykonos for 2 nights, arriving 7:30 at night on the 1st night. The next day we plan to go to Delos. What would be the best activities to do to maximize our stay at Mykonos. FYI - we are not beach people but would like to go to a good beach for a few hours just to get the feel of a Mykonos beach. Also, please recommend a good restaurant....does not have to be fancy place, we prefer one with authentic Greek food, freshly made, preferrably seafood and popular more with locals than tourists.

hello cheryl

I know you will enjoy Rochari. It is operated by local Kussathanas family and some foods in hotel come from their farmlands. Its location is good and make sure you request room with sea view. Eat there please, maybe late suppper on your first evening as in evenings with city lighted the views are very good.

I tell this to all who stay at Belvedere, Semeli or Rochari, you are few minutes down to town centre so plenty of time to enjoy different atmosphere.

For transport from Rochari (and Belvedere) you come out of hotel and turn right and walk along road. In few minutes you come to crossroads, turn right and you will find little bus-station where all leave for beaches and local areas.

I make no secret that I feel the most beautfil views are from (the small) Agios Ioannis beach. One bus take you there and stops at Ornos beach also.

Another good beach to sample 'Mykonos' is Platis Yialos. From there you can take little boat to Elia, Paranga and other beaches. Is good time here. You get bus to Platis Yialos also from litte bus station I tell you about.

I recommend here some times a restaurant called Taverna Mathios at Tourlos beach that is only 5 minutes by taxi from Mykonos close to new harbour. Used by locals, it is Greek food with much sea-food. You could also walk if plenty of time available. Another taverna with good food, mostly fish and used also by locals is Koubaros. It is top of town but better if your hotel decribes location to you as is diffuclt to detail here. they will guide you to it.

thanasis

Hi Thanos, we are going to be at the Harmony Hotel, how close is this hotel to town and any restaurants you would suggest ? We have 3 days and llove the beach..what would you do ? Would the same info
you gave in the previous post apply to us?
Thanks for your help !

hi newport

I am pleased that the Harmony got in touch. Did you use fax instead of email?

You are just above the port. It is a very good location. I think a long time ago someone was looking for its location and I asked them to go to the webcam site and from the bottom left picture of the harbour, the Harmony is almost in direct line up from the pier on a higher location overlooking harbour and town. The view will be similar to the picture top right, but imagine yourself a little back away from town. To walk there it will only be about 6 or 7 minutes. wenbcam address is:

http://www.mykon.net/

Yes, of course, the same information about the beaches for you also. If you want party time beaches or nude beaches tell me and I will recommend. Or if you want quietr isolated then also let me know.

Also, what kind of food do you want to eat when here?

thanos

We want to eat where the locals eat and drink...we would love to have a drink somewhere nice with a lovely view as well.Tell us your favortie restaurants We are not into a party beach, optional clothing is fine for us as well. Do your beaches have shells ? I know it might be a silly question but I make it a point to bring one or two home from everywhere I travel...

Hi Thanos. Our family is also planning to visit Mykonos early in July and we are also torn between beach or town. I will have two children with me, so we will not be interested in very much night life, but are looking forward to some nice dinners. We are currently booked at Hotel Tagoo. I've seen some of your previous posts where you've warned people not to confuse this hotel with Cavo Tagoo, which I have not, but do you know anything first hand about Hotel Tagoo? The other hotel I was interested in is Manoula's Beach hotel, but I have not gotten a reply to any of my inquiries yet. Any knowledge of that hotel or area? Do you think the Tagoo area or the beach area is better for families? Thank you.

Dear Thanos,
I will stay on your island for Easter. What should I not miss?
In which tavernas do you go? Kounelas? Nikos? What about Xidakis in Ornos? And in Ano Mera?
Thank you
Gaspard

Hi gaspard

I reply to you yesterday on your message for me. Click my name and you will find it.

Hello leslie28.

Hotel Tagoo is an OK hotel. B Class, pool and close to town.

If I had to choose it would be Manoulas Beach. Click on my name and you will find many times I speak about Agios Ioannis area where this hotel is located. It is peaceful, has a good little not busy beach and bus services into town until after midnight. There are a few little cafes/stores where essentials can be purchsed, one full service restaurant and two tavernas down at beach that open late for dinner. Because of Apollonia effect the sea colours looking over to Delos are amazing. For families I say that this area is better than where Tagoo Hotel is.

Also, the Manoulas Beach was the hotel used in the film oscar-win Shirley Valentine but is now more modern and upgraded. In fact many parts of movie were in the Agios Ioannis area. Try and rent or buy film and you will see more information about hotel and area than I could give you here!

It takes less than 10 minutes by bus to town, service is hourly. On way to town bus stops at Ornos and its beach so you could easily have different beach for the day and more shopping.

Please, if no reply from Manoulas Beach try a fax not email. Sometimes peoples come to hotel in off season and collect and reply to fax but do not have access to email.

thanos

Hi newport

Please see my reply to Cheryl, the two restaurants I mention are very good and also have nice views.

For more money you can choose Japanese restauarnt at the Belvedere. It has superb views over town. Also, simple meals are served in Rochari Hotel (along from Belvedere)in eveneings and their terrace views of the town are great. It is simple food though like lamb or chicken dishes or maybe fish.

I always say that best view restaurants are not many, as most are in town centre so it is difficult to recommend.

Also, you can eat with great views in the little venice area, but expensive.

Why not choose restaurant in town then find a bar with wonderful views to relax later. Many are in Kastro area.

Many island beaches have most sand. The little beach in Mykonos town and also in Tourlos area has shells. But small shells not large.

Any questions please ask but our baby is a little sick and we may have to go to Athens for a few days for medicare if not improved tonight. So, could be a delay for replying until we get home.

thanos

Oh Thanos. I am very sorry to read what you say. You and your family were so kind to us when we arrived on Mykonos and you had arranged in advance a wheelchair for my husband. Hopefully, everything will be ok. Please keep us posted when you can.

Thanos, thank you so much for your help. I will try faxing Manoula's and see if I have better luck. I'm leaning toward staying in that area if it works out. Hope your baby is better soon.

Hi, Thanos. Hope all is well with the baby. We have very limited time in Mykonos: arriving at 7:30 at night on the first day, 1 full day the next day, and half a day on the 3rd day. On the only full day we have, we're planning to go to Delos in the morning and come back to Mykonos and do the beaches, ie Agios Ioannis and Paradise Beach (got to 'cuz this might be the only time we'll be in Mykonos and we want to see what everybody is talking about!). Re lunch/dinner we plan to dine at Rochari the 1st night we arrive then definitely lunch/dinner eat at Taverna Mathios and Koubaros. We also do some walking and light shopping in town. Would you please suggest an itinerary based on locations of those beaches, restaurants, town/shopping centers, and bus routes. We're also a bit concerned 'cuz we'll be there when the college spring break is going to be which is starting May 26. Thank you so much again, Thanos.

Hi Cheryl8

Baby is responding to antbiotics so no trip to Athens. We have been so many time last winter months that it is good not to go hospital again.

To Millie (how are you and how are your husband? Coming here again summer time?) and Leslie thank you for your good wishes.

Cheryl

Rochari food is served on outside or inside terrace but it may be still a little cold in evening when you are there if wind is strong. If you cannot eat on terrace then can I suggest you leave hotel and go down into town. It is very easy.

You go down to bottom of hotel steps and turn left then cross a little bridge. Follow walk-way all way to end and you are in town. First you will pass Carbonaki Hotel, keep walking on this little street and you will come to some good restaurants on right side. Turn right and keep walking around and many restaurants here also. It will be warmer and give you some idea of local peoples and little shops. I do not speak aginst Rochari's simple food but I still think if windy it will be cold at end of May. But into town restaurants is no more than 5 mins walk.

After meal I suggest you walk around town, through narrow streets down to harbour area and return. Everyone needs to see Mykonos town in evneings when dark. Lots of nice stores and cafe houses. To get back to your hotel is so easy and maximim 10 minutes.

You will return from Delos close to 2pm. So, you will have time I think for one bus service only. Agios Ioannis is very beautiful but is not so known for it's beach. It is small, long and uncrowded with nice sand but is a quiet area.

If it was me and I really wanted to see the 'real' Mykonos beach scene then I would take the bus (from bus staion 5 mins from hotel) to Platis Gialos or Psarou. First stop on bus is Platis Gialos, then Paradise and last stop is Psarou.

On your last morning take some time to walk around town. You will enjoy it very much. Make your way right down to the harbour area where there are many little cafe's where you can eat/drink and watch boats come in and out of harbour. Walk to Blue domed church and take side street there and follw litttle lanes back to your hotel. You will pass many shops and local crafts.

thanos

hello thanos

I am so pleased baby is OK and improving.

I am working on my husband with the idea that we travel once again to your island in September. Boy, am I working on him and the signs are looking good. I have said we could once again travel to some of his old navy haunts in Athens and Piraeus then spend a week or so on Mykonos. This time around we wont need you to help us find a wheelchair to hire for him. I'll never forget the kindness of you and your family when you sorted it all out for us.

Best wishes to everyone,

milley

Thanks, again Thanos. I am glad to hear that the baby is improving here's hoping that he/she is doing well now. We're planning to take the bus and get off Platis Gialos and then walk all the way to Psarou. Is that doable? How long a walk would it be from Platis Gialos to Paradise Beach, then from Paradise to Psarou? How often does the bus operate from town to beaches and vice versa? Thank you.