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 on first sight! The perfect balance between partying and winding down… if you’re planning a vacation to this Instagrammer’s Paradise, why not energise your holiday with a dash of fitness. It’s easy to see travel and vacation as a time to fall off your exercise and healthy eating plan. With one of the best climates as well as one of the healthiest diets in the world, an active holiday in Mykonos, Greece would be an incomparable combination of fun, fitness and relaxation all of which would make for an unforgettable holiday! Here’s a selection of tips I used when traveling to help me stay on track.
A beach for almost every taste and mood!
To name a few, Paradise Beach, Paraga Beach, Super Paradise Beach, Elia Beach, Psarou Beach, Ornos Beach and Platys Gialos Beach are ALL must do-s! The perfect mix of party and relaxation station 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!
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 wind surfing. Certified divers can also rent equipment and participate in guided dives; first-time divers can rent snorkeling gear or take an introductory beach dive. Two of the recommended established dive centers are Mykonos Diving Centre, at Paradise beach and Psarou Diving Center in Mykonos town. We spent an entire day bearing the cold, 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 white washed 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. He is another trademark of the island!
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! No wonder it’s been world renowned as an effervescent place for partying non-stop. Featuring some of the best DJs in the world, some of the clubs and beach parties in Mykonos start in the early afternoon and continue until morning! Grab a drink or a couple of drinks at Caprice or Scarpa at Little Venice, the picturesque harbour front in Mykonos Town at sunset, then groove to some crazy tunes at the Skandinavian 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 3pm). To continue till 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 this was easy! Delicious salads and grilled vegetables drizzled with the most basic and popular ingredient of Mediterranean cuisine - olive oil. Some of the most popular Greek dishes are Moussaka and Pastitsio, which are oven baked, Souvlaki and Gyros, which are roast meat (pork or chicken) usually on pita bread with the famous tzatziki sauce (made with yogurt, garlic and cucumbers). Finally one must not miss the fresh and ALL nature Greek FroYo which makes for a great alternative to ice cream! This was basically 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!
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!
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!
