Mykonos

Mykonos dazzles as the Greek Islands' glamorous party capital, where whitewashed Cycladic architecture meets world-class beach clubs where sunbeds cost $54+ with premium spots and packages reaching several hundred euros per person, designer boutiques line maze-like lanes, and champagne-spraying revelry continues until sunrise on golden-sand beaches where international DJs spin to crowds of beautiful people. This wind-swept island in the Aegean has transformed from sleepy fishing village to jet-set playground attracting celebrities, yachters, and LGBTQ+ travelers while preserving its postcard-perfect charm—five iconic windmills (Kato Mili) line Chora's hilltop like sentinels, bougainvillea in fuchsia and purple cascades over sugar-cube houses with blue shutters and doors, and Little Venice's colorful balconies dangle directly above waves crashing at sunset creating Mykonos Town's most romantic scene. The labyrinthine streets of Chora (Mykonos Town) were intentionally designed to confuse pirates, today serving to disorient happy wanderers stumbling between cocktail bars charging $16 drinks, jewelry boutiques selling gold evil eye charms, and galleries selling Cycladic-inspired minimalist art and photography.

The beach club scene dominates summer defining modern Mykonos—Paradise and Super Paradise throb with house music and LGBTQ+ pride celebrations, Scorpios on Paraga Beach offers boho-chic sunset sessions with live DJs, organic Mediterranean food, and spiritual vibes (sunbeds $54–$108 dinner $86–$162), and Nammos at Psarou serves lobster pasta ($86) and champagne to yachters and celebrities at eye-watering prices ($162–$432 per person) that epitomize luxe Greek island excess. Yet Mykonos rewards budget and family travelers willing to explore—Ornos and Platis Gialos offer family-friendly swimming with tavernas and watersports at reasonable prices (sunbeds $16–$27), Agios Sostis on the north coast remains delightfully undeveloped with one taverna serving fresh fish and free beach where you bring your own umbrella, and public buses (around $2–$3 per ride, cash only) connect most major beaches making car rental unnecessary. The sacred island of Delos, Apollo and Artemis's mythological birthplace, lies 30 minutes by boat ($22 return) with remarkable ancient ruins—the Terrace of the Lions, House of Dionysus mosaics, and temple remains—rivaling Delphi as Greece's most significant archaeological site, though day-trip boat schedules limit time to 3 hours and the exposed site offers zero shade (bring hat, water).

Fresh seafood at waterfront tavernas like Nikos or Kounelas in Chora (expect $43–$65 per person with wine), shopping along Matoyianni and Enoplon Dynameon streets for boutiques and souvenirs, and sunset cocktails at Katerina's Bar or Galleraki watching the Kato Mili windmills silhouette against orange-pink skies create quintessential Greek island moments beyond the party reputation. Panagia Paraportiani church, a asymmetrical white complex of four chapels melded together, ranks among Greece's most photographed churches. Visit May-June or September-October for warm 22-28°C weather, open hotels, and manageable crowds without August's complete insanity—peak season July-August sees hotel prices hit $324–$864+ per night, restaurants fully booked, beaches packed, and party scene at maximum intensity.

Despite high costs (Mykonos is Greece's most expensive island), over-development, and cruise ship crowds, Mykonos delivers hedonistic luxury, stunning Cycladic beauty, legendary LGBTQ+-welcoming nightlife, and Greek island atmosphere where ancient sacred history meets modern pleasure-seeking.