By Malika Bhavnani
From the picturesque sandy beaches and to those mesmerising blues, the exciting nightlife to the rich culture, the whitewashed architecture to the friendly faces, Mykonos is blessed with a number of hidden wonders that will pull at your heart at first glance. It also allows for a perfect balance between partying and winding down if you are planning a vacation to this Instagrammer’s Paradise, why not energise your holiday with a dash of fitness. The walking and water sports will help you burn off the kebabs and all the feta and you can have a cocktail or two as long as you promise to dance the night away with bae. Holidays are about indulging after all, right?
With one of the best climates as well as one of the healthiest diets in the world- an active holiday in Mykonos, Greece can be the perfect vacation spot to party, unwind and stay healthy. Here are my recommendations. Happy Holidays!
A beach for almost every kind of traveller
Paradise Beach, Paraga Beach, Super Paradise Beach, Elia Beach, Psarou Beach, Ornos Beach and Platys Gialos Beach are ALL recommended. Try them all to experience the perfect mix of party and relaxation beaches. While the buses from the town make it super convenient to get to the pristine beaches in Mykonos, they are all also mostly connected by little trails or rocky coastal paths that offer visitors easy access, allowing an exploration of multiple beaches in one day. The walks also guarantee spectacular, unobstructed views that capture the island’s array of vibrant colours that glisten during sunset and of course the Aegean Sea. It’s a bit of a hike to get down there and back, but its great exercise and the views are so worth it.
Cool Down!
Cooling off in the waters of a lovely beach is the perfect way to finish the hike. After enjoying the great outdoors and some stunning scenic viewpoints, it’s time to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe. The beaches on the island’s south shore – namely Kalafatis and Lia beaches boast of a range of activities from snorkelling to scuba diving and water sports like windsurfing. Certified divers can also rent equipment and participate in guided dives; first-time divers can rent snorkelling gear or take an introductory beach dive. Two of the recommended established dive centres are Mykonos Diving Centre, at Paradise beach and Psarou Diving Center in Mykonos town. We spent an entire day just swimming in the crystal clear water at Super Paradise Beach. I can’t even begin to describe the joy of watching the sky change colour, from the vantage point of the sea. Important to note that although the beaches on the island might look like a swimmer’s paradise, they are super windy and rough from mid-May to August.
You MUST ‘Get Lost’ In Mykonos Town
There is nothing quite like walking through the narrow whitewashed cobbled streets of one of the most picturesque towns in Greece – Mykonos Town (Chora). One of our favourite things to do in Mykonos was strolling through Chora – the heart of the city – and we never got tired of it. Countless little chic boutiques, jewellery stores, buzzing bars and restaurants, art galleries and small stores selling traditional Greek products – are just what you can look forward to walking through the beautiful winding streets. The beauty of it is that the simple small shops co-exist with the high-end, designer boutiques such as Chanel, Burberry, Dior and Louis Vuitton. Mykonos town is closed to car traffic but can be very crowded during the evenings, so it is highly recommended to discover it in the morning. Try and get your hands on some olive oil soap and you cannot leave Mykonos without an evil eye souvenir for good luck. As you wander around, don’t forget to search for Petros the Pelican, the fabled resident and mascot of Mykonos.
Dance the Night Away
From the beach clubs to the waterfront bars for sunset cocktails and the crazy clubs in Mykonos Town, the island has something for everyone. There’s no better way to burn off the delicious food than by a long night of dancing. Featuring some of the best clubs, the beach parties in Mykonos start in the early afternoon and continue until morning so you should pace it out. Grab a drink or a couple at Caprice or Scarpa at Little Venice- the picturesque harbourfront in Mykonos Town at sunset, then groove to some crazy tunes at the Scandinavian Bar or Argo Bar both located in Mykonos Town itself or dance the night away at Tropicana, Paradise Beach (the party here starts as early as 3 pm). To continue until the wee hours of the morning, head for Paradise beach (take the bus from town), to party at Cavo Paradiso on the hill.
Eat Like a Greek Islander
Inspired by the Mediterranean way of living – which is to eat seasonally – we chose to adhere to the Mediterranean diet, and not only because we were in Greece, but more so because it’s proven to be one of the most wholesome and satisfying ways of eating. We’re both total suckers for fresh olives and feta so the cuisine was delicious and easy to follow. Delicious salads and grilled vegetables drizzled with olive oil. Some of the most popular Greek dishes are Moussaka and Pastitsio, which is oven-baked, Souvlaki and Gyros, which are roast meat (pork or chicken) usually on pita bread with the famous tzatziki sauce (made with yoghurt, garlic and cucumbers). One must not miss the fresh and natural Greek FroYo which makes for a great alternative to ice cream. I have to admit that this was my staple diet when in Mykonos.
The Greek islands promise truly idyllic holidays where unforgettable food, sunsets and scenery will leave you with memories to savour long after the holiday is over. Mykonos was memorable in every way and I can’t wait to plan a trip back to the Greek Islands. If you need more tips or help planning your itinerary- write to me.
About the author-
I am a brand communications manager, animal lover, proud mother (of two brat-cats), spoilt daughter, aspiring writer (social media ranter for now), gym rat & shopaholic – not necessarily in that order, but the most appropriate title depends on the time of day.
It’s been about 10 years of me being a corporate slave to building and managing the reputation of some of the country’s leading brands. When I’m not being a corporate slave, you’ll see me turn into a complete party animal – one who not only loves to party but also loves animals (a lot more)! I am also a core team member of Mumbai-based NGO World For All working towards the cause of rescues and adoptions of stray animals.
Balance is what makes me happy. I’m the gym rat who loves CHEESE and cheat meals! Pizza is my weakness and I could eat it every day. But I also make sure I train hard through the week. So I’m the foodie who is also a fitness freak.
