Holiday Guide for Mykonos
While it may be one of the most popular of the many Greek Islands- Mykonosâs popularity is warranted, so while you will be fighting with hoards of tourists youâll feel the fight is worth it as the island is the every bit the Mediterranean escape that you are seeking.
Many tourists will reach the island via the many ferries that operate too and from the main land and between the many other islands, though the island can also be reached by many leading airlines which fly there. One of the first steps to reaching the island is deciding which ferry to take- you can choose between the fast ferries or the slow ferries, the latter being considerably cheaper in price though you can be up for several hours crossing the Mediterranean Sea depending on how far you are coming from. Though if traveling on a budget, the cheaper ferries can be a great way to meet new people who are choosing to take the same option!
Being a Mediterranean resort, obviously the best time to visit is the summer months- though if you are particular averse to busy thriving crowds, then definitely avoid the month of July as this is when Mykonos is over run by tourists from every reach of the world. July and August will also see Mykonos reach it summer high temperatures, with daily highs reaching in excess of 30 degrees Celsius, and minimums only occurring once the cool breezes of the Med blow across the island. While you can spend you days laying on one of the islands picturesque white sandy beaches, you must be careful to cover up and wear plenty of sunscreen as the sun can be scorching and you run the risk of dehydration and sunburn.
There is very minimal rainfall during the summer months, the sunny days are a plenty, with the sun shining well into the night, only beginning to set after 9pm. The beautiful sea breezes provide evening relief from the heat and make for perfect atmosphere to enjoy some traditional Greek cuisine and a bottle of local wine.
The great thing about the more popular Greek islands such as Mykonos, Santorini and Ios is that while the town centre is played up for tourism purposes you do not have to travel far to reach the more authentic sides of the island. So in a sense you can have the best of both worlds- you can have Greek culture prepared for you in a perfect package, or you can travel slightly off the beaten track and see the more authentic side of the island.
When wandering the beautiful cobblestone streets of Mykonos one of the most striking sights is the many shades of blue which grab your attention from every angle. The blue of the water, against the bright cobalt roofs become all the more striking when set against the pristine white walls of the Greek homes.
If busy crowds are not your thing, then avoid the summer months and take a trip to Mykonos in Spring or Autumn, you will still have amazing summer temperature all the way into September so this can be an absolutely perfect time to visit.
See here for rain, sun and temperature averages throughout Spring and Autumn.
Winter, on the flipside, may not be the best time to visit. The winds whip the island, the rains come and the temperatures drop- and all in all the town becomes a ghost town. However, you can enjoy the town with just the locals- which is a definite upside. Be aware than many of the local shops and restaurants will be closed and ferry services limited as this is the off season.
See here for weather conditions in winter.