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Elias Kordelakos
Travel
Everything You Need to Know About Traveling to Mykonos With Friends
The island that seems to be always full of life, wind and people, Mykonos is the kind of destination that’s best explored with lots of friends in tow. In addition to the gorgeous Cycladic luxury hotel and villa options, there...
The island that seems to be always full of life, wind and people, Mykonos is the kind of destination that’s best explored with lots of friends in tow. In addition to the gorgeous Cycladic luxury hotel and villa options, there are tons of amazing restaurants, bars and beach hangout spots. We’ve done a deep dive into the island’s best to sort out everything you need to know about traveling to Mykonos with a group. Looking for a laid-back villa on a hilltop to call home with a few travel buddies? Check out Villa Drakothea. Want to find an off-the-grid restaurant with the best pork chops on the island? Hop over to Kiki’s Tavern. Hoping to surprise your friends with cocktails in a cave? Spilia is the best. Come along as we explore Mykonos with a posse.
Reporter: Alyssa Brown
If there’s one thing most Mykonos hotels and villas have in common, it’s views of the sea. Every accommodation option on this list is group-friendly and looks out to the turquoise waters of the Aegean. From a posh hilltop villa to a waterfront hotel, most of these spots have a classic Mykonos style with whitewashed walls, natural stone elements and generally minimalistic aesthetics. Some suites have terrace hot tubs or plunge pools, others have private butlers and personal chefs.
The mind-body connection is an integral part of relaxation at San Giorgio, where yoga, Qi Gong, meditation and massage can all be integrated into your group’s stay. For optimal rest, you’ll want to book a few of the suites, where you’ll have space to share with friends.
The two-bedroom villa at Cavo Tagoo sleeps five guests and has a glass wall that opens right up to a private deck and pool. If you’re traveling with an even bigger squad, there’s also a five-bedroom villa with space for up to ten guests, an infinity pool, a hammam and a private gym. This spot pulls out all the luxury stops within its whitewashed caves and beautiful shared spaces.
Fit for a traveling crew of up to nine guests, the private hilltop house known as Villa Drakothea includes four bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and stunning view of the sea. And since you’ll want to soak up as much Vitamin D as possible, there’s plenty of space outdoors for sunbathing by the infinity pool or dining in the shade.
Check out the Grace family suite when you’re traveling with a posse and you’ll score two bedrooms, a spacious outdoor space and a heated plunge pool for all your casual hangouts. The spa treatments here are aces, and there’s a steam room, sauna and hydrotherapy bath available for guests.
Little Venice sets the scene for this small luxury hotel overlooking the sea. At Boheme, the Bohemian sea view suite sleeps up to four guests and includes a terrace with a jacuzzi and a dining zone.
The 13 contemporary villas at Santa Marina range in size from two to seven bedrooms, each a sun-drenched paradise of its own. Villa Horizon is the largest of them all, sleeping up to a dozen travelers, and it has a huge terrace and infinity pool overlooking the harbor.
Set right along the shoreline of Agios Ioannis Beach, there are 15 suites at Bill & Coo Coast Suites, each with a balcony or veranda overlooking the sea. If you’re traveling with a group, you’re sure to be in the party room if you book the suite with the private pool.
The bright, sleek cave-like rooms at Myconian Kyma can be set with two single-sized beds, making it easy-peasy to bunk with friends. The terrace suites with private pools rank highest on our crush list!
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The accommodation options at Belvedere include staying at the top of a hill, just along the waterfront or in an apartment in Little Venice. For those traveling with close friends, the two-bedroom pied-à-terre makes a perfect little home for a Greek getaway.
For separate sleeping arrangements, both of the Kensho Hotels are a great option, but if you’re traveling with friends and want to bunk together, the villa on Psarou Beach is a prize. The four-bedroom villa has a spacious deck and pool, and if you’re interested, you can also book a private yacht, personal chef and spa services through the hotel.
If a private manse is what you and your friends are after, Alegria sits perched and pretty on sprawling grounds and gardens overlooking the sea. There’s enough space here to sleep up to 30 overnight guests, and you’ll snag plenty of gathering space, a butler, a couple of chefs and a full house staff when you book here.
Mykonos is known for its incredible nightlife, bars and restaurants. While there are plenty of casual spots you can dip into with your crew for a pick-me-up, here are some of our favorites for dining and drinking with the whole squad. Getting tired of Greek fare? We’ve also included the best Italian and sushi spots!
The kind of place that brings together art, culture, food, nature and design, Scorpios is an easy spot to hang out on the beach at any time of day or night. The food here is Mediterannean, nourishing and predominantly vegetarian.
One of the most off-the-grid options in Mykonos, Kiki’s is a small tavern on the north side of the island that runs without electricity. The portions here are generous, the food is authentic and lovingly made, and there’s a gorgeous little beach where you can hang out while waiting on a table.
Small, authentic and set just beside the sea, Kastro’s in Little Venice is perhaps best known for its cocktails and charming laneway of outdoor seating. There’s also a full dining menu here, offering fresh catches from the sea as well as heartier dishes like rack of lamb or stuffed pork tenderloin.
You and your travel crew can sip cocktails inside a cave on the edge of the Aegean Sea or dine in an open-air waterfront space at Spilia. Here, seafood is served straight from the sea with a Mediterranean-Mykonian approach.
A laid-back, bohemian beach restaurant and bar, Alemagou serves tried-and-true Greek fare with fresh and simple ingredients. This is one of those places you might stop by for a quick cocktail and instead end up hanging around for hours with your travel squad.
Whether you’re simply looking for a place to sip frozen cocktails while lounging in the sunshine, or prefer to check out a beach restaurant that serves whole catches of the day, you’re in luck at Nammos. This comfortable Psarrou Beach hangout makes it easy to spend the day beside the water by providing the best food, drink and buzzing atmosphere.
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Traditional Greek fare is served in a traditional Greek setting at Niko’s in the main square of Mykonos. This place is known for its generous serves and authentic recipes, as well as its lamb Kleftiko.
Set on the waterfront in Little Venice, Caprice is the place to go when you and your crew are craving really good, refreshing cocktails. Think frozen daiquiris packed with fresh fruits, sweet piña coladas and non-alcoholic ginger juices.
Pasta Fresca’s traditional, handmade Italian fare includes delicious dishes like crab linguini, stuffed ravioli and pizzas. The three-story restaurant offers plenty of seating for groups, but if we had to pick the best spot in the house, we’d sit right outside on the patio.
Sushi in Mykonos? Only if it’s from the best. Matsuhisa is an open-air sushi hotspot from the famed team behind Nobu. Here, you’ll get a glimpse into the classic Nobu experience, with a dash of Grecian influence dotted into the daily specials.
Octopus carpaccio, ceviche with tiger milk, and king crab salad are just a few of the highlights on the menu at Interni Restaurant. This outdoor dining experience is a great one when traveling with a crew, as there’s truly something for everyone on the menu, and the open space lends well to larger parties.
From wandering the quaint streets of Little Venice to visiting local wineries and island hopping, there’s plenty to do while hanging with friends in Mykonos. If you didn’t see the windmills, did you even go to Mykonos?
Organic farming paves the way for local wine production at the old monastery vineyard of Maou. As a group, you can head to the farm for a tour and tasting, or you might consider booking a bicycle tour of the island with this crew.
Four picturesque windmills stand at the top of a hill at Kato Mili, an iconic landmark of the island of Mykonos. The wood-and-straw structures date back to the 16th century.
The quaint streets of Little Venice are home to many local restaurants, bars and shops. It’s a place best explored slowly and with friends, giving you a chance to really enjoy its unique architecture and charms.
Whether you go for the swimming or the people watching, a session with friends at Psarrou Beach is sure to bring everyone in your troupe a bit of beachy happiness. There are lots of great options nearby for drinks and bites, so it’s fun to make a day out of this excursion.
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Photo by Barnard Gagnon
If you’re in the mood to get out of Mykonos for the day and learn about ancient Greek communities, a group trip to the island of Delos may be in store. The mythological birthplace of Apollo, this island is a modern-day relic of ancient civilization as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you and your friends are big ATV fans, you’ll be thrilled to find out that exploring Mykonos on ATV is an option. In fact, in a half day’s time, you can do a guided tour of local attractions and off-road trails to access some of the island’s most impressive settings.
