Mykonos - The best gay summer spot in Greece and one of the coolest in Europe
Greece
Mykonos is one of Greece's most popular islands and for a good reason. Mykonos is known for being a charming beach paradise, with stunning greek architecture, picturesque mountainous views and truly excellent nightlife.
Mykonos is ideal for any history enthusiast with over 365 beautiful churches, old school shops and museums. The island has structures dating back to the 16th century. Mykonos has never failed to preserve its distinct beauty which attracts millions of travellers, of all budgets, to revel in the island's unique scenery.
This blog is a guide on what to expect on this famous Greek island.
Gay Beaches
The beaches of Mykonos are one of the main attractions of this island. Mykonos is home to some of Europe's most beautiful beaches with beautiful white sand, epic blue seas and great hiking spots around the beaches.
One of the best beaches for gay travellers is Elia, this one of the worlds most famous gay beaches and is situated in the Southern tip of the island. Another perfect beach for gay travellers is Super Paradise Beach, this attracts vast numbers of gay travellers and is an excellent spot for the LGBT community to hang out.
If you're looking for a scenic beach with tremendous views then check out Psarou Beach, this is a beautiful spot with crystal clear blue waters and white sand. It does get crowded, but there's a reason for this. This beach is seen as the luxury beach of the island with local bars and beach clubs being expensive, you're looking at $100 to rent a deck chair for a day.
If you want to find an excellent partying spot, then look no further than paradise beach. This is a perfect party beach with parties starting early and lasting until the morning.
Mykonos is definitely not a prime backpacker spot, but it is possible to find cheaper accommodation. The island tends to attract wealthy travellers and is geared up to this clientele. You can spend unlimited cash on luxury accommodation.
But what if you're on a budget? Well, a great option is to try and find a hostel. In general, Greece doesn't have loads of hostels. I've never quite understood this, as it seems a perfect backpacker country, with heaps of islands, parties and culture.
Budget hostels on the island will cost you between $10-20. But beware, unlike most places in Europe, there is only a handful, and they will likely fill up fast during the summer months.
Budget hotel rooms will cost you around $40 per night, but there are more choices for budget hotels than budget hostels. Just be prepared to book in advance if you're looking to go in peak season.
The extensive quality of the Mykonos nightlife is perhaps the biggest attraction for young travellers, it's often described as the Ibiza of Greece. One of the most fantastic bars for gay travellers is the Jackie O'Beach club.
This is a beautiful spot for gay travellers, situated on the Super Paradise Beach, the beach that is the mecca of the LGBT community in Mykonos. There are numerous gay festivals in Mykonos in the summer months, and you should look out for various gay events during the peak season.
Due to Mykonos being such a small island of only 10,000 inhabitants, there isn't a massive amount of gay bars. However, a great option is to do a gay tour which offers a phenomenal chance to meet fellow gay travellers and do cool stuff.
Mykonos is a very liberal part of Greece and often attracts a wealthy clientele such as footballers and celebrities. However, like all places, there is always a risk of pickpockets and petty crime. Be vigilant at all times in regards to where you leave your belongings. You should look to apply the usual common sense that you will always use.
Mykonos is very open to gay travellers, and this shouldn't be an issue for you. The island is small, but it does cater to the gay community with gar clubs, bars and festival on throughout the high season.
There are many places in Europe, mainly Eastern and Central Europe that cater to budget travellers and backpackers. In general, Mykonos is one of the more expensive places in Europe. This is a combination of the Euro currency, high levels of tourism and the catering to wealthy individuals. Is it possible to do it on a budget?
Earlier in the article, I talked about finding cheaper accommodation on the island. But what about the other costs?
Food tends to be on the expensive side. You can expect to pay upwards of 10-20 Euros for meals in most restaurants. It is possible to find cheaper places to eat in Mykonos, and hotels tend to offer reasonably priced food with pizzas and burgers between 6-12 Euros.
Alcohol tends to be pricier on the island. Due to Mykonos's reputation as a party hub, prices will definitely reflect this. You can expect to pay around 6 Euros for a local beer, and up to 10 Euros for international beer. Cocktails tend to be between 10-20 Euros.
Depending on your alcohol tolerance, you could easily spend up to 100 Euros on a night out. Your best option is to buy alcohol from shops and drink in your accommodation if you're on a budget.
Transportation on the island varies in price, but an important thing to note is that there are only 30 taxis on the island. You can expect to find taxis during the day, and they will be metered and a reasonable price. But at night time, taxis are rare and won't be metered, and you might have to use some negotiation skills.
It definitely is possible to be smart and budget, but it's going to require more discipline than many other places. Cheap food, accommodation and transportation isn't everywhere and requires more searching.
Best Things To Do in Mykonos:
There are many incredible things to do in Mykonos, here are five great things to do.
Visit Mykonos Windmills
As you arrive in Mykonos harbour, you will be greeted by the sight of the Mykonos windmills. These are 16th-century windmills that were built by the Venetians and are the most iconic symbol of the island. It's worth checking these out, as they are incredibly picturesque.
Explore Little Venice
Not too far from the windmills, lies the beautiful Little Venice part of the island. This is seen as the romantic part of the island, and for a good reason, it's surrounded by classic greek restaurants, quiet little bars and a relaxed atmosphere. The gay tour will bring you through Little Venice and give you an excellent opportunity to meet fellow gay travellers.
Visit Agari Beach
Without a doubt, the most famous beach on Mykonos island is Agari beach. This beach is surrounded by beautiful greek hills and crystal clear blue seas. This is a great spot to relax as there is no beach club and unlike other parts of the island, such as Super Paradise Beach, it's relatively quiet. There is a variety of watersports surrounding the beach, and it's a great spot to get involved in water activities.
Walk Around Mykonos Town
The one spot that everyone seems to see on Instagram is Mykonos town. Mykonos town is one of the best kept historic towns in Greece, and like much of the island, it dates back to the 16th century. It has a quintessential Greek vibe, with small back alleys, winding hills and backstreets. It's absolutely worth a walk around.
Visit the Historic Island of Delos
One of the best things to do is catch a day trip to Delos. This is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. The island is a poignant part of Ancient Greek history and was first settled by the Greeks in 3000 BC. Delos is home to a UNESCO world heritage site and offers tremendous insight into ancient Greece. However, there is no accommodation on the island, and a return ferry is 20 Euros. It's definitely a great day out and one to put on your itinerary.
In summary, Mykonos is a classic Greek island paradise, this can't be argued. But it's definitely not the cheapest budget destination, and everyone on a budget should plan in advance. Mykonos does cater for gay travellers and has many bars, clubs and tours for the LGBT community. But due to being such a small island, there is less of a gay scene than other popular European holiday destinations. The island is open to the gay community, and this will not be an issue. Mykonos is undoubtedly a great place to visit and definitely one to tick off the list.
Gay Tips in Mykonos
· Get a picture with Jackie O' in the background as the stylish island is Europe's most Instagrammable gay destination. Then walk inside and start dancing with no restraints.
· Nowhere does beaches quite like Mykonos, and Elia Beach, among others, is undoubtedly the most action-packed; the pleasures of gay cruising and even the dangers associated with public sex.
· Let the sun shine again, and never stop thinking about the annual highlight of Mykonos, which is the big international gay party festival XLSIOR in August.
· Homos have been flocking the sauna and steam room at Elysium, but Grindr remains the favorite way of meeting; otherwise, connect around the Church of Paraportiani.
· Combine Mykonos with other islands in the Cyclades, such as Paros – a perfect, peaceful, and gay-friendly place to rest after a week of excess in the amazeballs island.
Before we book a holiday or a flight, check if we need a holiday visa or a transit visa (if we're not sure), just to have as little as possible unpleasant situation. The best you can check is on your embassy ( the origin of your passport), but other sites will also give you some ideas of how strong your passport is for free visa traveling; please check here.
Have an amazing time in Mykonos
Text and pictures Sam and Ioannins (Thanks ).
Suositukset
Mykonos is definitely not a prime backpacker spot, but it is possible to find cheaper accommodation. The island tends to attract wealthy travellers and is geared up to this clientele. You can spend unlimited cash on luxury accommodation.
But what if you're on a budget? Well, a great option is to try and find a hostel. In general, Greece doesn't have loads of hostels. Budget hostels on the island will cost you between $10-20. But beware, unlike most places in Europe, there is only a handful, and they will likely fill up fast during the summer months.
Budget hotel rooms will cost you around $40 per night, but there are more choices for budget hotels than budget hostels. Just be prepared to book in advance if you're looking to go in peak season.
Gay Hotels Mykonos:
If the above hotels are not to your liking, check out the list below of some great websites where you can book your stays for your gay holidays. The first link is one of the best and most popular gay accommodation platforms:
1. Misterbandb
2. Booking.com
3. Agoda
4. Hostelworld
5. Hotels.com
6. Expedia
7. Wotif
9. Lastminute
10. Kayak
The extensive quality of the Mykonos nightlife is perhaps the biggest attraction for young travellers, it's often described as the Ibiza of Greece.
Gay Bars in Mykonos:
2. Babylon Bar
Gay Clubs in Mykonos:
1. Porta Club
Have fun!
Transportation on the island varies in price, but an important thing to note is that there are only 30 taxis on the island. You can expect to find taxis during the day, and they will be metered and a reasonable price. But at night, taxis are rare and won't be metered, and you might have to use some negotiation skills.
- This is the closest airport you will find. While there are other airports, we recommend using this one as the second closest is around 3 hours away.
- The bus will take only 10 minutes from Mykonos Airport. You will need to find the bus that takes you to Mykonos Fabrika Square.
- You can take a taxi for 3 minutes but the price might be higher, but still affordable.
Below are some of the best airlines which connect Europe to the world:
1. British Airways - U.K National Airline
2. Lufthansa - National German Airline
3. Air France - National French Airline
4. KLM - National Dutch Airline
5. SWISS - National Swiss Airline
Some of the most useful sites to book flights are:
1. Skyscanner
2. Kayak
3. Lastminute
4. Momondo
5. Opodo
If you need more help, please contact me!
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