People always ask me Santorini or Mykonos? My response-both! Santorini and Mykonos need no introduction. You have seen the gorgeous pictures on t.v, and online, computer wallpapers, calendars, well it looks no different in person. Santorini is definitely more romantic and much better suited for a couples trip or honeymoon. While on the other hand, if you’re looking to party and for some nice beaches, Mykonos might actually be your better bet.
Getting Around
We rented a four wheeler in both Mykonos and Santorini. We loved the freedom of wandering aimlessly and finding so much to see and explore. Getting to the clubs at night, in Mykonos, we took the local buses that ran til late hours of the night.
Cruising-Mykonos
Food
Good food was easy to find on both islands. It was a bit pricier in Mykonos, but the healthy food choices and views were well worth it. My favorite “go to” was the refreshing “Greek Salad”.
While in Mykonos people, from the town, told us we needed to drive up to Kiki’s Tavern. They explained there is no electricity/natural gas, told us to drive north and we’d find it and advised us to get there in daylight. The ride there was fun in itself. We ATV’d from our hotel. We had no directions, there were no signs and it was a bit of a drive(30 minutes), but it was a fun mission to be on. When we arrived, we were told there was about a 2 hour wait and we’d be the last ones to get in. While we waited, we sipped on the endless free wine rose’ and sat overlooking a tiny cove-like beach talking to friendly people-all part of the experience.
Cheers to Free Rose’ Wine-Kiki’s Tavern
It was daylight when we were seated, however by the time our food was being cooked and served, it was dark out. The cook used a flashlight over the grill and we used our cellphone flashlights to help eat our food. The food was delicious and the staff was so friendly. Amazing experience – a must do in Mykonos!
Eating Dinner with a flashlight -Kiki’s Tavern
For Beaches
The beaches on Santorini are made of volcanic rock. If you are looking for a unique beach experience, visit Red Beach or the black-sand Perissa. In Mykonos, you will find beautiful beaches with golden sand and turquoise water.
Black Sand Perissa(in background)- Santorini
Platys Giaos Beach-Mykonos
For Sunsets
Sunsets are beautiful anywhere in the world. Although Mykonos has plenty of places to watch one, Santorini is the place to go. Oia, perched on the caldera, is the favored spot where visitors flock to see a sunset. While your waiting grab a spritzer and watch the sun sink into the sea.
Sunset-Oia
Spritzer-Oia
For Nightlife
For parties and nightlife, you want to go to Mykonos. The island has many diverse bars and clubs. There are many daytime parties on the beach and can last to wee hours of the morning. Meanwhile in Santorini, a couple of bars(like Tango Bar)in Fira (Thira) are worth visiting, but clubs are nonexistent. There is rarely something happening after midnight so if your looking for dinner, some drinks and calling it an early night Santorini it is.
Cavo Paradiso Nightclub-Mykonos
Skandinavian Bar/Club-Mykonos
Super Paradise Beach Party-Mykonos
Tango Bar-Santorini
For Scenery
In terms of scenery, Santorini, with its cliff-top villages overlooking the caldera, its sunsets and unique beaches, is top of the list. But Mykonos, with its picturesque main town featuring a maze of small streets and the colorful Little Venice, quaint windmills, and majestic beaches easily rival Santorini – so with this one it’s a bit of a win-win no matter which one you choose.
Night View-Santorini
Oia-Santorini
Oia-Santorini
The Windmills-Mykonos
Maze of small streets-Mykonos
Colorful Little Venice-Mykonos
Shopping
Mykonos has many high-end boutiques such as is Louis Vuitton, and Gucci and other labels. While Santorini has smaller locally-owned boutiques and craft stores.
Shopping-Santorini
Shopping-Mykonos
If after all this you still cannot decide which to go to, there is only one option: visit BOTH! You won’t regret it. We absolutely LOVED the Greek Islands and plan to go back one day soon.
