Category: Blog

The weeks of Christmas and New Year are probably the quietest in Mykonos. This does not mean that visitors to the island are deprived of its charming hospitality and culinary traditions. However, it is the one time of year when the airport and port are flooded with locals leaving in droves. Some travel to visit friends and relatives in other parts of Greece, while others journey abroad—not only to rest but also to enrich their renowned hospitality culture with fresh ideas!

Soon after their return and as the weather gets better, they speed up their preparations for the new season: homes and shops are refreshed, restaurants and accommodations are renovated, and many new venues prepare to open their doors to welcome visitors.

By the end of March, the island begins to come alive. On April 13th, the first full moon of spring occurs, followed exactly one week later by Orthodox Easter. Regardless of one’s religion or faith, the traditions and customs of Easter are truly unique, as is the gastronomy of the season. Life gradually moves outdoors as temperatures rise and nature blooms. It’s the perfect time for a walk in the village of Ano Mera, where visitors can experience authentic rural life by visiting family-run farms that produce Mykonos’s famous cheeses and sausages. The air is filled with the scent of summer, and May marks the season’s official start. Organized beaches open, and the famous parties begin, featuring explosive energy and renowned DJs.

From mid-June onwards, the traffic on the island thickens rapidly. The international airport and the main port carry visitors from all over the world who are eager to experience the unique atmosphere that makes Mykonos a top global destination. Over the next two months the island rocks frantically, while ensuring for its eclectic guests a parallel paradise of privacy in stunning villas, private superyachts, secluded beaches, and ultra-luxurious cruises, all accompanied by impeccable service and aesthetics.

September and October are often considered the best months to visit, as the large crowds leave, leaving behind the island’s unparalleled beauty and explosive atmosphere. August marks the beginning of the harvest season, allowing visitors to tour small private wineries and take part in the unique rite of winemaking. Life on Mykonos remains vibrant and exciting until the end of October, when the island slowly returns settles into the calm routine of autumn.

Thus, another year ends on this dazzling Aegean gem, that is rightly celebrated as one of the Cyclades’ rare treasures, thanks to its fascinating coastline, iconic sights and some of the world’s most beautiful sunsets.

We wish everyone that 2025, which is just beginning, will be a year that will grant countless wishes and be as lucky and generous as possible. In the meantime, open your calendar and put in your plans this year a getaway to Mykonos to create new, amazing memories!

As 2025 begins, we wish everyone a year that will grant countless wishes and be as lucky and generous as possible. In the meantime, open your calendar and plan a getaway to Mykonos this year to create new, amazing memories!

Few people know much about Mykonos’s irresistible winter lifestyle. Around November, the vibrant, glittering, and explosive holiday season comes to an end, giving way to a quieter, slower, yet equally seductive way of life. This transition is seen in the warmly lit, white-washed houses of Chora, the cozy cafés, and the colorful fishing boats resting in the old harbor.

The time between the official end of summer and Christmas is short, and locals spend their days preparing for the festivities. Eating in Mykonos during the winter is a distinct experience, reflecting the island’s natural beauty and the calm, peaceful charm of indoor living. It is the perfect time to savor traditional Greek dishes made from fresh, seasonal ingredients, many of which are deeply rooted in the island’s agricultural history and culture.

The cuisine of Mykonos is heavily influenced by the sea, the land, and the unique conditions of island life, featuring fresh vegetables, dairy, meat, and fish. In winter, the menu shifts to heartier, warming dishes that incorporate preserved foods, locally grown vegetables, and aromatic flavors. Seasonal ingredients shine during this time, thanks to the island’s mild Mediterranean climate, which allows for the cultivation of fruits like oranges, lemons, and mandarins. These, along with herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves, are often used to season stews, roasts, and other comforting dishes.

Among the variety of local delicacies, don’t miss these highlights:

• Kopanisti – A famous Mykonian spicy, soft, creamy cheese made from sheep’s milk, ideally paired with bread, olives, and meats. It’s especially popular in winter, served at festive gatherings or as an accompaniment to roasts.
• Louza – An iconic winter specialty, this cured pork is seasoned with salt, pepper, and spices, then thinly sliced and served as part of an appetizer.
• Revithada – A delicious chickpea stew simmered with onions, garlic, olive oil, lemon, and herbs, enjoyed especially during the cooler months.
• Kavourmas – Mykonos’s version of this spiced pork sausage is made with cuts like pork belly or shoulder and seasoned with garlic, fennel seeds, and cinnamon.

When Christmas arrives, it becomes a deeply familial affair, centered around the warmth of the hearth, cherished customs, and a selection of unique desserts:

• Melomakarona – Honey-soaked, oval-shaped cookies infused with orange, cinnamon, and nuts, then sprinkled with chopped walnuts. These treats are loved throughout Greece and served to guests during Christmas.
• Kourabiedes – Butter cookies dusted with powdered sugar. Made with butter, flour, and sugar, they’re often flavored with almonds or rosewater and are a Christmas staple.
• Christopsomo (or “Christ’s bread”) – A beautifully braided loaf adorned with symbolic carvings. Made with a rich, sweet dough that includes olive oil, sugar, nuts, and cinnamon, it graces the family’s table during the Christmas Eve meal.

Whether you’re indulging in a hearty winter stew, savoring the island’s iconic cheeses and cured meats, or enjoying the festive sweetness of traditional Christmas desserts, winter in Mykonos offers a culinary journey that is as authentic as it is unforgettable!

Make no mistake: there is a growing crowd of demanding travelers who vote for September and October as the hottest months for a holiday in Mykonos! Some say it’s the sunny, warm weather that usually prolongs the summerish sense until mid-autumn. Others insist that the true beauty of Mykonos is revealed only after the August frenzy is over. And they are both right.

Climate-wise there is no doubt that Greece is one of the most blessed countries in south-eastern Europe. With temperatures usually encouraging swimming and outdoor living until early November, the real winter season doesn’t last more than 4 months – with long intervals of sunny days that call for beautiful walks along the beaches and mouthwatering lunches in picturesque fish taverns. This means that September and October are indeed perfect periods of the year to spend a late but great summer holiday!

Like a few more islands of the Aegean archipelago, Mykonos has also the privilege of being relatively close to Athens, either by plane (35-40 minutes) or by ferry (3,5-4 hours) from the ports of Piraeus or Rafina, with daily itineraries throughout the year. And unlike other popular tourist destinations that close most of their hospitality facilities at the end of September, Mykonos stays open and vivid until much later, with its usually rocking atmosphere giving its place to more sophisticated, eclectic vibes that make it irresistible to the real travel connoisseurs. Moreover, things get a lot easier during the late summer days. No need to worry about finding a first-row sunbed at its stunningly beautiful sandy beaches, or a front table at fancy restaurants. No road traffic or queuing for a sunset cocktail in the legendary Little Venice bars or waiting in line to visit the emblematic Byzantine monasteries. Nevertheless, Mykonos is still alive, offering the real one-of-a-kind dolce vita experience that keeps its guests happy from morning till dawn the next day!

Furthermore, as a late summer guest you are given some exceptional opportunities, like going on an exclusive private cruise to the nearby sacred Island of Delos, shopping at your own pace or mingling with the locals who will be delighted to tell you stories about how Mykonos had become a paradise for royals and Hollywood stars since the ’50s.

But what will really take your breath away is Mykonos’ landscape under the autumn light, its beaches forming a magnificent coastline, with the deep blue sea glittering under the morning sunshine and the sky changing a thousand colors before sundown. With its soft, quiet beauty revealed, it gives its visitors the chance to discover the “unplugged” side of this unparalleled Aegean gem that knows how to keeps its promises all year round!