A 20-Something’s Guide To Travelling The Greek Islands
Yassou!
If you’re planning your Euro summer trip, Greece is likely on your itinerary, and if it isn’t, it should be. Picturesque, rich in culture, and downright incredible, it’s a destination worth visiting.
With 227 islands to choose from, deciding where to go can be overwhelming, especially with the constant stream of Instagram posts showcasing the country’s beauty. Having faced this decision myself last year, I’m here to help the designated travel planners among you decide where to visit in Greece.
My 10-day visit to Greece was nothing short of spectacular. We galavanted across the islands of Mykonos, Paros, and Milos, munching on gyros, basking in the sun, scootering around, and partying in vibrant bars and clubs.
As budget-conscious 20-somethings, we wanted the full experience without the luxury price tag. Although five-star accommodations and fine dining weren’t on our agenda, we managed to have an adventurous, fun-filled trip while avoiding any dodgy hostels. Staying in rental houses across the islands proved successful and even a little boujee at times.
So, if you want to enjoy freshly caught seafood by day and let loose at some of the world’s best clubs by night, read on. Here are my top tips and recommendations for conquering the Greek Islands.
Mykonos
You’ve probably heard mixed reviews when it comes to Mykonos, but I’m here to tell you it’s worth the hype. Not only does Mykonos have great nightlife, it’s got incredible restaurants, scenery, and things to do to keep you entertained between the clubs. A wander through the quaint cobblestone streets lined with blue and white houses will have you feeling like you’re on the set of Mamma Mia.
The streets of Mykonos
Stay
When it comes to accommodation, you have to be prepared to fork it out. My group of five booked a small house in the centre of the city and it turned out to be a great shout. Although far from spacious, we decided that location was more important than size, since we enjoyed being able to go everywhere by foot. Staying centrally meant that we were able to come and go as we pleased with ease, whether that be from a trip to the beach or from a night out. With many of our days and nights spent in town, this worked for us. To get to the clubs further away, we just hopped on the regular bus or caught a taxi – easy peasy!
Alternatively, you can rent a large house or hotel somewhere out of town. Although you’ll have a bigger and probably more luxurious stay, you must be prepared to spend big on Uber and taxi rides to get anywhere.
Eat
Being a party destination, food is likely low on the list of priorities. But, a girl’s gotta eat! I have to admit, the extent of our food exploration in Mykonos was limited, however, we did get to sample what felt like all of the gyros shops on the island.
Quick and affordable, gyros is a great option for lunches or late-night meals. Perfect as a hangover cure, think of them as the kebab of Greece. With a gyros shop on *literally* every corner, you can munch on this Greek delicacy at any time of the day. Our favourites were Sakis and Jimmy’s Gyros.
On our last night, our cravings for Asian food kicked in and we decided to book a fine-dining Japanese restaurant just out of town. Tokyo Joe, a modern Japanese restaurant, spoilt us with delicious, fresh sushi rolls, and other shared plates – 10/10 would recommend.
Pasta shop, Souvlaki Story Taverna, Tokyo Joe
Shop
If you didn’t think you’d be shopping in Mykonos, think again. Mykonos’ streets are lined with gorgeous designer shops and boutiques for you to browse all day long. Open till late (by late I mean 12am for some of them), you can literally shop ’til you drop. I’d recommend peeping into the designer shops like Louis and Dior as well as shopping at the homegrown boutiques (Greek sunglasses brand Kopajos is a must-visit) for one-of-a-kind pieces.
Louis Vuitton, Kopajos, Dior
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Now down to the important stuff. Clubbing in Mykonos can feel a little overwhelming. To put it simply, you can either go out in town where you’ll find smaller (but equally fun) bars and clubs, or you can trek out to the south of the island where all the popular beach clubs are located. It all comes down to how much you’re willing to spend. The big clubs like Scorpios and Paradise Beach Club are much more expensive, whilst the clubs in town are a little less flashy and are cheaper.
Negrita
Without a doubt one of the best clubs we visited all trip, Negrita is the perfect combination of a cool bar and buzzing club. Situated right on the water, you can enjoy ocean views as you sip on delicious cocktails. Booking a table in advance is recommended since this place is all about getting a table outside. A two-hour sitting meant afterwards we went inside to enjoy the dance floor. Over the four nights we were in Mykonos, we found ourselves back at Negrita every night – we couldn’t get enough!
Negrita
Scorpios
Scorpios Beach Club
Paradise Beach Club
PAROS
If you’re scratching your head at what islands you should visit, Paros should be on your list. Boasting the perfect mix of nightlife, incredible beaches, shopping and restaurants, I truly think Paros has something for everyone.
Stay
In Paros, there are two popular areas to stay: Parikia and Naousa.
The town my group stayed in, Parikia, is a beautiful town full of life. Also where the ferry arrives and departs from, Parikia’s bustling streets are lined with beautiful restaurants and gorgeous boutiques. We stayed in a modern, clean, and affordable hotel that was perfect for our three-night stay (find it here).
Streets of Paros, Galinos Hotel, Naousa
Despite staying in Parikia, we found ourselves spending a lot of time in the north of the island near Naousa. This was simply because the best beaches and clubs are in the north. Although it would have made more sense to stay in Naousa, we enjoyed riding across the island on our scooters daily to visit the town and its surroundings.
HOT TIP: mopeds and ATVs are a great way to see the sights in Paros.
Eat
In Paros, there are Greek restaurants at every turn. Both in Parikia and Naousa, you can find traditional Greek food, complete with incredible fresh seafood pretty much everywhere.
Monastiri Paros
Monsatiri Paros is a must-visit if you’re looking for something more lively – a trendy beach club serving up fine dining meals with ocean views. Their slogan ‘be blessed, be bronzed, be satisfied,’ really says it all.
Bebop, Taverna Mira, Monastiri Paros
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As mentioned, hiring mopeds formed our most memorable moments. Mopeds are great for relatively cheap, easy transport and allow you to truly explore the island without the restrictions of parking a car. Swim in secret coves, discover amazing restaurants and ride through towns with ease!
HOT TIP: head up to the northern part of the island for some of the best beaches in Europe!
Cove in Paros Park
Despite the sleepy nature of Paros, it has a very vibrant nightlife worth partaking in. At night, Naosa comes to life with tourists packing into the clubs and bars where music plays till the wee hours of the morning. Wander the streets to find the best clubs by just following the music.
MILOS
When you think of Milos, the white cliffs of Sarakiniko Beach are likely the first thing that comes to mind. A beautiful island blessed with incredible scenery, Milos is a must-visit for that authentic Greek experience. With small, quaint towns, a humble yet buzzing nightlife and a glorious coastline, Milos is somewhere particularly special.
Our number one recommendation for Milos? Renting a car or ATV during your stay. With little to do in the actual town, getting around is essential. A moped won’t cut it on the unsealed roads so a car or ATV are your best bet in getting around and really exploring the island.
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When it comes to planning things to do in Milos, it’s all about day trips. From beautiful beaches and boat days, you won’t run out of things to do.
Sarakiniko Beach
You haven’t visited Milos if you don’t go to Sarakiniko. One of the world’s most unique landscapes, Milos is described as like being on the Moon, and I couldn’t agree more. Dive off the chalk-white cliffs into the crystal-clear water and immerse yourself in this iconic destination. Easy to get to by car with plenty of parking, this is very accessible for visitors to spend the day under the sun.
Sarakiniko Beach
Mandrakia
A picturesque fishing village, Mandrakia is another spot to pop into during your travels around the island. Famous for its colourful boat garages, this village is densely populated with locals. With little to no tourist accommodation, you can get an insight into how the locals live, providing an authentic cultural experience. Make sure to visit Medusa Restaurant, one of the most visited eateries on the island. Known to welcome major celebrities to its tables, this place is famous for its incredible meals of fresh seafood and expansive ocean views. There are no bookings here so prepare to wait a while (but trust us, it’s worth it!).
Mandrakia
Boat day
If you’re embarking on your hot girl Euro summer, a boat trip is necessary. Not just to get that iconic snap for the ‘gram, but to experience the island in all its glory. On our last day in Europe, my group embarked on a full-day catamaran trip with Polco Sailing. An unforgettable experience, the day was filled with breathtaking views of the island, swimming in coves, exploring grottos, enjoying incredible Greek cuisine and learning about the history of the island. Joined by 15 or so other guests, the boat was spacious giving everyone space to relax and enjoy whilst being spoilt by the incredible crew. Certainly an essential thing to do if you’re visiting Milos.
Sailing around Milos
