Today the image of Mykonos is so glamorous, so white-architecture-azure-ocean-clear-sea-and-sunshine perfection that it’s almost impossible to imagine that until relatively recently this was one of the barest, poorest islands in the Cyclades. But it’s adapted to popularity without losing its charms and traditions, and you’d never know that the elegant converted villa you’re staying in was rescued from before the bulldozers, or that the glitzy grand hotels are so very young. All of our picks for the best places to stay on Mykonos offer a Greek island dream of a holiday.

The high season can be hedonistic, with a never-ending parade of visitors to watch from your spot in a chic bar, or white, cubist taverna, but if you move away from the capital, Mykonos Town, and from the main resorts you’ll still be able to find a patch of coastline to call your own, be it a stretch of sand, a pebbly cove, or a low, rocky cliff.

Where to Stay? Which Part of the Island?

For many visitors the big choice when it comes to the best places to stay on Mykonos is whether you stay in Mykonos Town, otherwise know as Hora, which is where you’ll find the island’s glamour and nightlife, or in one of the beach resorts. There are buses between Mykonos Town and some of the beach resorts, and it’s easy to hire a vehicle of some kind, so you can still get the best of both worlds.

• If you want to soak up the glamorous holiday lifestyle of Mykonos then Mykonos Town is for you, with its luxurious boutiques, trendy bars and world-class dining options. The historic centre is a tangle of narrow alleys and pedestrianised streets, lined with those wonderful, whitewashed, sugar-cube buildings the Cyclades are so famous for. The historic part of town is where you’ll find some of our favourite places to stay in Mykonos Town: bijou boutique hotels and guesthouses with plenty of character. Down by the waterfront there are more tavernas and bars, and this is a good place to look for a hotel if you’re looking for something fancy and modern. Little Venice is a hip hub, with more waterside bars and restaurants— some with wonderful views of the Kato Mili windmills.
• Just 500 meters along the coast southwards from Mykonos Town is Megali Ammos, which is probably a good option if you can’t decide whether to stay in Mykonos Town or in one of the beach resorts, because it’s really both, a sort of satellite of the town, but with a sandy beach and its own hub. There are a couple of upmarket beach resorts here.
• If you go quite a bit further along the coast southwards you’ll reach Ornos, which is one the island’s busiest beach towns. There aren’t huge resorts here, though, instead there are numerous boutique hotels, villa conversions and guesthouses, which makes this a wonderful spot for families and groups.
• Paradise is one of the most famous beaches on Mykonos, known for its clear waters, golden sands and having one of the island’s most famous clubs. The gorgeous beach is completely lined with beach bars on one side and rows of umbrellas and sun loungers on the other, but it’s still gorgeous. Paradise has a dive centre too. Super Paradise is similar, but more glitzy and gay.
• Platis Gialos is another good choice for anyone struggling to decide between the beach and Mykonos Town, because it’s got quite a good nightlife scene, great variety when it comes to accommodation (private villas or stylish contemporary hotels are popular here), and the beach is really, really beautiful, with calm waters, pale sand and plenty of space.This is probably the best place to stay in Mykonos if you’re into watersports, there’s paddleboarding, wakeboarding and all sorts of boating on offer.
• Psarou is the other popular beach resort, arranged around a white sandy beach in a sheltered cove. This is another popular choice for families, what with the protected cove, and gentle incline into the clear turquoise waters. It’s also great for watersports. We like it for its relaxed atmosphere, and a feeling of greater privacy than the rest of the island.
• If you like the sound of that you might also want to check out our recommendations in Elia Beach, which is a beautiful golden sandy beach bookmarked by craggy cliffs at either end. Elia has some big resorts, and the resorts lay out sun loungers etc., but this beach doesn’t get a whole lot of other visitors so it doesn’t tend to feel too busy.
• Agio Ioannis, or Agios Giannis — both mean St. John — is a little settlement above a slim crescent of golden sand dotted with beach umbrellas. This is one of the best places on the island for watching the sunset, ideally from one of the few seafood restaurants along the edge of the sand, or from the deck of one of the boutique hotels on the hillside just back from the beach. There’s a pretty church, just around the headland is a very quiet, and very beautiful cove called Kapari Beach, and locals will probably point out that part of the film Shirley Valentine was shot here.
• Agios Stefanos is a beach close to the new port at Toulos, which is about three kilometres from the heart of Mykonos town. It’s yet another option for the indecisive, in that it’s certainly a beach (small, sandy and protected), with great swimming conditions and a few very nice restaurants and beach bars.
• Paraga Beach is known for its beach parties, which usually start up in the afternoon. At the opposite end of the beach to the parties is Scorpios, a club-lounge by night, but a wonderful place for a leisurely lunch or for watching the sun set too.

Just don't forget that this island is hugely busy during the peak summer months. So if you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Mykonos during July or August, you'll have to get organised and book well ahead.

The Best Places to Stay on Mykonos

For luxury

• Kivotos Club Hotel is so luxurious that it offers you limo transfers from the airport to their super luxurious hideaway, and access to a private yacht. And they don’t just have a cocktail bar and two exceptional restaurants, they also have a caviar and cigar bar. There are only 39 rooms and suites, all of them luxurious and romantic, with wonderful ocean views and contemporary, white-on-white decor. They offer yoga classes on a deck by their prime beach, they have their own art exhibitions and they have four pools. Absolutely unforgettable.
• More accessible because of its size, Mykonos Blu offers classic Mykonos luxury, with 103 rooms, suites and villas, in a village-style arrangement of sugar-cube buildings overlooking the ocean, many of them with their own private pools and gardens. This is Cycladic luxury personified, with stylish white and blue decor that makes the most of the gorgeous Psarou location. The advantages of staying at a larger hotel are always in the range of facilities and Mykonos Blu has a huge infinity pool, and a number of bars and restaurants to choose from onsite, plus, you’re just ten minutes from Mykonos Town by taxi.
• We love the Santa Marina Resort & Villas on Ornos Bay for its varied, but always five star decor, which ranges from contemporary luxury, to colonial luxury to Art Deco luxury. We also love the private beach, choice of infinity pools and bars, and restaurants. And the hotel also has a fantastic spa and beauty salon, and a boutique. There are 96 rooms, suites and villas.

For a beach resort

• The Myconian Avaton is a chic, design hotel with 85 rooms, suites and villas on a private rocky hillside overlooking a private, sandy beach. Some of the suites and villas have their own infinity pools, but there’s also a gorgeous hotel pool with a wonderful ocean view. Expect terraces with views too, and lots of natural, local materials, and animal skin rugs and local artworks. The villas have full kitchens, but there’s also a choice of restaurants, including a fine dining restaurant. And there’s a spa.

For a honeymoon

• Small, very Cycladic feeling, and very romantic, the Kensho Boutique Hotel is a honeymoon favourite of the Hotel Gurus for its luxurious details. We love the pool with its lighting and views and the stunning location, and quite a number of the 35 rooms and suites have their own private plunge pools and balconies too. Plus there's a fab laid-back poolside restaurant where Mediterranean dishes are given an Asian or Latin twist.
• Mykonos Riviera is a wonderful Cycladic escape overlooking the ocean and Agios Stefanos. There are just 44 rooms and suites, all of them minimally decorated with clean, angular lines and an almost all white colour scheme, with a subtle nod to the nautical. We recommend the rooms with sea views and private terraces, complete with a hot tub, if you fancy one. This is an indulgent feeling spot with a great spa and Greek restaurant.

Hip Hotels on Mykonos

• The Vencia Boutique Hotel is a boutique hotel close to the centre of Mykonos Town, with 34 contemporary rooms and suites and a fantastic infinity pool overlooking the bay. We think it’s hip because it’s so beautiful and peaceful, yet also so conveniently located for all the fun of Mykonos Town. The decor has a contemporary feel with a natural palette and wood accents, which doesn’t sound very edgy, but the infinity pool, bar and restaurant are all certainly cool places to be.

For a romantic hotel

• For peace, luxury and ocean views try Cavo Tagoo, a paradise of ocean-facing rooms, suites and villas, with ribbon-draped four poster beds, private balconies and pools and incredible sunset views. The hotel’s main pool, a wonderful infinity pool overlooking the water, has its own elegant bar and restaurant serving Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, and there’s an extensive spa.
• If you like the idea of finding somewhere small and a bit out of the way consider Grace Mykonos, which offers more incredible views and chic white-on-white decor. There are just 32 rooms and suites, most with private balconies (some of the suites have private hot tubs too), plus there’s a dreamy infinity pool, an extensive spa, and their Grace restaurant is one of Mykonos' best.

For a total escape

• Archipelagos is a very Cycladic hotel, a white, sugar-cube of a building with 40 rooms and suites with incredible views of the ocean and of Kalo Livadi Beach on the eastern coast of Mykonos. Expect plenty of blue and white, an authentic Greek restaurant and an excellent spa.
• Livin Mykonos might seem like an odd recommendation for a hideaway hotel considering how close it is to Mykonos Town, but it’s well and truly outside the centre of town, in a private spot close to Psarou Beach, so it has the feel of a hotel escape. There are 26 rooms and suites, the best with private terraces and sea views, and several elegant, relaxed public spaces, including a lovely hotel pool and bar, and a stylish restaurant. It’s also adults only.

In Mykonos Town

• If you want to stay in Mykonos Town consider staying at Mykonos Theoxenia, a super chic, 60s-tastic styled hotel with the glamorous vibe, and look, of a Bond film. Staying in one of these 52 rooms and suites puts you in a great spot for enjoying the nightlife of Mykonos Town, but it’s got a trendy gastronomic restaurant of its own, and an elegant pool with a cocktail bar. The views over the town, with its white buildings and windmills, make this a place you really won’t want to leave.
• Bill And Coo is another upmarket choice in Mykonos Town, a wonderfully chic modern hotel with 24 spacious rooms and suites with white-on-white decor and wonderful balcony views. There’s a lovely pool area and a gourmet Mediterranean restaurant. You’re close to Megali Ammos Beach, but just a short walk from Mykonos Town.
• If you’re looking for great value in Mykonos Town try Tharroe of Mykonos, which is a chic little boutique hotel which is affordable because it’s on a hilltop outside Mykonos Town, rather than right in it. There are 26 contemporary rooms and suites, some with private balconies and hot tubs, plus a relaxing spa and a gorgeous pool and pool terrace with stunning views.

For Families

• The Osom Resort is a really good choice for a family island holiday. It's a quiet resort in Ornos, with just 12 rooms and suites, all of them spacious and contemporary and the family suites come with private terraces and sea views. You’re just a few minutes walk from the beach and there’s a large outdoor pool with panoramic sea views.
• Our Gurus also recommend the Leonis Summer Houses, a collection of self-contained studios and private villas overlooking Korfu and Ornos beaches. The largest of the villas are perfect for families of four, and offer private terraces and separate lounge and dining areas. There’s no restaurant, but they do offer breakfast, and there’s a wonderful communal spa and hotel pool.

For great value

• The Semeli Hotel is one of the best places to stay in Mykonos to feel the island's real pulse. This traditional, white mansion, and surrounding village of villas, stands stylishly aloof, but is close enough to enjoy local tavernas and explore Mykonos Town’s historic heart. There are 60 rooms, suites and villas, some with private hot tubs, plus stylish public areas, a fine dining restaurant and an indulgent spa.
• For great value in Mykonos Town consider My Mykonos, which is in the centre of town, but with a ‘tucked away’ feeling. There are just 38 rooms and suites, in a traditionally Greek building, complete with a courtyard pool, with a chic bar and beautiful stone walls. But the interior is quite minimal, with beamed ceilings, pared back details and lots of natural materials. The suites are big, especially the family suites, and they have private terraces, with pools or plunge pools. 
• Also in Mykonos Town, the Hotel Rochari offers 60 bright, simply furnished rooms, a large pool and terrace and a choice of places to eat and drink. The hotel is family run, and much of the produce served in the restaurants and bars comes from the family farm. We also love the Rochari for its location and the views. The value really is hard to beat.

Prefer an Apartment or Villa?

• If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, booking.com.

Travel Information

• Mykonos Airport is only about three kilometres outside Mykonos Town, and if your hotel doesn’t offer transfers then you’ll have no trouble catching a taxi from the terminal to take you the short distance in to town if that’s where you’re headed. If it’s really busy try the bus, which takes a bit longer. Alternatively you can get to Mykonos by ferry or catamaran from Piraeus or Rafina, which is closer to Athens Airport. Cruise ships come into the newer port, which is just two kilometres from town.
• If you’re thinking about hiring a car we recommend checking what our online partners, Rentalcars have to offer.
• If you’re coming to Mykonos for the nightlife and glamour then you need to come in season, between June and September. If you’re not, and you’d prefer a quieter island then April, May and October are probably the best months to plan your trip. Mykonos Town is a totally different place out of season, but during the shoulder seasons quite a lot will remain open, and the weather is still pretty gorgeous!

Still not sure?

• You could expand your search to include all the best places to stay in the Cyclades?
• Or our pick of the best places to stay in Santorini.
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Mykonos