Mykonos & Paros Uncovered: Food, Beaches, Travel Tips and the Truth About the “Party Island”
Naoussa, Paros
Mykonos has a reputation as Greece's party island, but after seeing it up close, I can tell you there's much more to it. I recently spent time on Mykonos and Paros on a familiarization trip hosted by BlueVillas. A fam trip is how travel advisors get to see destinations and properties firsthand, so we can recommend them with confidence. Between touring 20 luxury villas, I ate my way through both islands, spent time at the beach clubs and rode the ferries between them. Here's everything I learned: where to eat, when to go, how to get around and why Mykonos works beautifully for families too.
Mykonos: Not Just a Party Island
Mykonos has a reputation, and yes, the nightlife is there if you want it. But it's also a wonderful island for families and anyone looking for a slower pace.
The Beach Club Culture
Beach clubs are a big part of life on Mykonos, and nearly every public beach has one with sunbeds to rent. They range from loud party scenes to calm, chill spots that are perfect for families, and many change character from day to night.
Nammos is one of the best beaches in Greece, ideal for a long day of lounging, great food and some of the best shopping on the island. Scorpios is relaxed and family-friendly by day, with surprisingly reasonable sunbeds. The DJs take over in the evening, and families are still welcome then too. To be clear, this isn’t a place to bring the kids for a free-for-all to run around. But there are tables where you can have dinner, enjoy the sunset and still listen to the lively music.
Scorpios
Favorite Things to Do
Take a boat tour. The best way to see Mykonos is from the water. A boat day takes you to hidden coves and private beaches you can't reach by road, and it's a great way to arrive at Nammos in style or explore other nearby islands. Be aware that Mykonos is windy year-round, so a fun boat day can be disrupted by rough seas. Have a back up plan.
Book a Beach Club at least 2-4 weeks prior to arrival. Beach clubs are a way of life in Mykonos. If you want lively and energetic, or family-friendly and relaxing, there is a beach club for you. Pricing ranges from €45 to over €350 per day per sunbed depending on the location, and typically include service. It’s typical for vacationers to enjoy the use of the club from 11:00am until evening, then wash up and have a late dinner.
Walk Mykonos Town. Chora (pronounced “Hora) is best explored on foot. Wind through whitewashed lanes past tiny chapels, boutiques and bougainvillea-draped doorways to the famous windmills and Little Venice. A guided walking tour adds the history behind the island's most photographed spots.
Dine day and night. Long seaside lunches and late, lively dinners are a highlight of any trip here.
The beach in Nammos is arguably one of the best in Greece
Where to Eat in Mykonos
Gioras Wood Medieval Mykonian Bakery. Tucked down a staircase on a backstreet of Mykonos Town, Gioras has been baking in its original wood-fired oven since the 1400s, making it one of the oldest bakeries in Greece. Don't leave without trying the baklava. It was the best I've ever tasted.
Gioras Wood Medieval Mykonian Bakery
Mamalouka. Modern takes on Greek dishes in the heart of Mykonos Town, with an atmosphere that's just as much of a draw. We loved the food and the entertainment, dining under the stars and the bougianvillea, and the lively scene goes late into the night with a crowd that includes plenty of Greeks.
Mamalouka
Notorious. A relaxed spot inside Mykonos Town near the waterfront for Greek favorites like moussaka and grilled octopus, served on a terrace under flowering trees. It's open late, with live music and prices that feel refreshingly reasonable for Mykonos. They have a great ice cream shop next door.
Keep in mind that dinner starts late in Greece, usually not before 8 p.m., and reservations are highly encouraged.
Notorious
Getting Around Mykonos
I don't recommend renting a car on Mykonos. The roads are narrow and traffic can be heavy. There are also only 33 taxis on the entire island, so planning ahead matters. Hotel shuttles or transfers arranged through your villa make a huge difference.
Tip: the official taxis are gray with a taxi sign on top. Be wary of black taxis that will overcharge you for a ride. While Ubers are available, they tend to charge much more than private transfers and taxis.
photo: @Tranigo
Paros: A Slower Pace
If Mykonos is energy, Paros is ease. The island feels more spacious and relaxed, and it pairs beautifully with Mykonos for travelers who want both in one trip.
Things to Do in Paros
Rent a car. Unlike Mykonos, Paros is a place where having a car makes sense. Paros is about twice the size of Mykonos, so there is plenty of space to wander. The pace is slower and there's parking widely available. Also due to the low availability of taxis, having a rental car will ensure you’re not stuck without a transfer when you need it.
Book a farm-to-table tour. It's one of the best ways to experience the island's food and traditions. An absolutely must is to get out on the water and explore Paros, Antiparos, Despotiko, and Pateronisi. Explore Lefkes, the island’s former capital, nestled in the mountains. Wander through its whitewashed alleys and follow part of the historic Byzantine Trail, a centuries-old path that connects traditional settlements and offers stunning views of the island. Wander the beautiful white-washed streets and shops of Naoussa. The town is a bit smaller and more low-key than Mykonos, but has a strong restaurant scene and photo-worthy scenery.
Spend the day at Monastiri. Set in a protected nature park on a peninsula just outside Naoussa, Monastiri is a beach club with calm, crystal-clear water, a relaxed and cool vibe, and Mediterranean food made with local ingredients. Spend the whole day lounging, swimming or paddleboarding around the coves. If you'd rather not drive, take the easy boat transfer from Naoussa.
Monastiri
Where to Eat in Paros
Taverna Glafkos. A classic seafood taverna right on the sand at Agios Dimitrios Beach, just outside Naoussa. Order the grilled sea bass or fried calamari and linger over killer sunsets. Arrive early, since waits can be long in peak season.
Taverna Glakos
Lefkiano. Tucked into the alleyways of the hilltop village of Lefkes, this tiny spot serves delicious Cycladic cooking, and every meal ends with a complimentary dessert. Don't miss the feta saganaki, served with the darkest, almost black pan-roasted honey grapes.
Lefke, mountain village, Paros
Kedros. An artisanal cookhouse right on the water in the quiet village of Ampelas, with tables shaded by cedar trees and views across to Naxos. It's the perfect place for a long, lazy seaside lunch or magical dinner under the tree-lined lights.
Kedros
A Word About the Food (!)
Across Mykonos and Paros, I ate some of the best food of my life. No kidding. The freshest of tomatoes, fruits and vegetables, yogurt (hello, GREEK yogurt), tzatziki, olives, baklava and cheese. Just unbelievable.
But for travelers with food sensitivities, dining out here can still be a challenge. Many restaurants offer gluten-free and nut-free options, but most can't guarantee they'll fully accommodate celiac disease or serious food allergies. This is where renting a villa really pays off. With your own kitchen, or even a private chef, it's easy to control exactly what goes into every meal, and Mykonos has great access to quality ingredients. Paros can be a bit trickier, since it's a less developed island and specialty products can be harder to find, so it's worth planning ahead.
Island Hopping by Ferry
The ferries between the islands are easy to use, and highly recommended for transferring from one island to another. There's a bit of organized chaos getting on and off with luggage, but it's straightforward. There's no porter service, so even luxury travelers handle their own bags. If you're traveling as a group with a lot of luggage, bring a strap to tie your bags together.
I don't recommend private luxury boat transfers between islands. The wind and waves can change quickly, so they're never guaranteed. I didn’t experience a lot of movement from the windy seas on the ferries. The vessels are huge and do a phenomenal job of whipping through the waves. The seating is airplane-style and there are decent food and drink options. The larger ferries have business class seating which is upstairs with larger seats, but otherwise no additional services that aren’t already provided in regular seating. There is no priority embarkation or disembarkation either. So you decide if the upgrade makes sense.
When to Visit the Cyclades
September is the ideal time to visit. The water is still warm enough to swim, and with school back in session, the crowds thin out. July and August are the hottest, driest and busiest months.
Plan around the end of the season: things begin closing in mid-to-late September on Paros and mid-to-late October on Mykonos.
Good to Know Before You Go
Toilet paper. In most of Greece, including Athens, toilet paper shouldn't be flushed because the plumbing can't handle it. Every bathroom has a small bin for disposal, and it's emptied often. Some newer hotels and the airport are exceptions, so just look for a sign.
Skip the diving and deep-sea fishing. The Cyclades are made for swimming, boating and beach days, but there isn't much sea life for diving or fishing excursions.
Where to Stay: Coming Up Next
Where you stay shapes your whole island experience, and on this trip I saw a lot of options up close. I toured 20 luxury villas with BlueVillas across Mykonos and Paros and spent time at Myconian Ambassador, Mykonos Riviera and Mykonos Grand.
For families and groups, a private villa with its own pool, daily housekeeping, and sea views is hard to beat. BlueVillas pairs that space with a dedicated concierge and an on-island team, so you don't give up the service you'd get at a great hotel.
In my next post, I'll take you inside my favorite villas and hotels, explain how BlueVillas' three villa collections compare, and share which properties I'd recommend for families, couples and groups.
Whether you're picturing a family trip to Mykonos, a slow week on Paros or both, I can help you choose the right island, the right place to stay and the experiences that fit the way you like to travel. The best villas and hotels book early for summer, so now is the perfect time to start planning. Reach out and let's talk about what your ideal island trip looks like.
Ready to Plan Your Greek Island Escape? Get in touch and let's build the itinerary.