THE #DANNIJOTRAVELS GUIDE TO MYKONOS, GREECE
Once a bohemian getaway for Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Mykonos today is best known as a party island with a vibrant and well-established gay scene. It’s also a favorite with wealthy Europeans, who arrive by yacht and frequent upscale beach clubs like Jackie O’s and Scorpios. In fact, beach club culture dominates in Mykonos, where sunbathing and chill mixes segue into dancing and star DJs after sunset. Visitors will find some traditional Greek charm in the cobbled streets of Chora, the string of fishing cottages on the water known as Little Venice, and its distinctive windmills, which date back to the 16th Century.
Dannijo co-founder Danielle Snyder at Principote on Panormos beach, Mykonos, in the Dannijo Armie earrings and her signature arm party.
SLEEP
The Santa Marina resort comprises of hotel rooms and suites, as well as a cluster of villas for larger groups and families. The accommodation is as beautiful as you’d expect from a 5* Starwood property, and though it has been around since the mid-90s, everything feels new and upscale. The highlight, though, is its private beach. Set in a bay, it’s one of the most beautiful stretches of shore on the island, with calm water and comfortable loungers. The staff were friendly, but service could have been better. Don’t let that stop you from checking out Buddha Bar, located within the resort, as the food there is awesome.
The Alemagou beach club has a chill, Burning Man vibe.
EAT
The party culture on Mykonos means people generally eat late — lunch at around 4pm and dinner closer to 10pm. The food at the beach clubs is best, they serve Mediterranean fare and local seafood, though most turn into a party at around sunset.
Buddha Bar, located within the Santa Marina resort, really impressed. The whole seabass was the best fish we’d eaten in Greece, and the Greek salad was next level. The vibe was fun, though there wasn’t any dancing when we visited, and the music was a tad loud. Like a lot of places on Mykonos, it was very expensive.
Katrin is a family-owned establishment in Chora with tables spilling onto a narrow, cobbled street. The owner greets every guest and takes their order. The food was authentic Greek, and worthy of a return visit.
Danni dancing at Scorpios in the Dannijo Annabelle anklet (left) and one of the memorable lunches at the beach club.
BEACH CLUBS
Scorpios is one of the most famous beach clubs on Mykonos, its boho décor and vibe attracting the likes of Leonardo Dicaprio, Bella Hadid and Peter Dundas. It was chill during the day with great music, though its beach is not the easiest for swimming. It turns into a party from around 8pm. The food is excellent — the octopus in particular was phenomenal.
Principote on Panormos beach is one of the newer clubs on Mykonos, and certainly the fanciest — though its high standards are matched by high prices. The décor, especially the fringed umbrellas, was very cool, and the beach was gorgeous. The food was fantastic and the DJ kept the vibe fun. A great place to spend the day.
For a Burning Man vibe, we liked Alemagou, one of the more chill beach clubs on Mykonos. It was Danni's favorite for décor, but the food was mediocre.
Danni in the Santa Marina boutique, trying a crochet top by Helen Rödel — one of her favorite brands.
DRINK
Chora’s Interni is a great option for pre-dinner drinks. It’s located in a pretty outdoor courtyard space, but while it won points for the décor, the food was mediocre. It gets very crowded and scene-y later in the evening.
Danni with fiancé Brandon, both dressed in head-to-toe Caravana and Dannijo for Bronson Van Wyck’s Trojan/Mad Max-themed birthday party. Danni's 'bag' is actually a basket borrowed from their bathroom at Santa Marina.
DO
There are lots of cool places to shop on Mykonos, and it’s all too easy to get lost in the boutiques of the main town. Danielle’s favorite is next door to Katrin’s (see restaurant review above), as well as Scorpios Bazaar, curated by the same team as the Caravana boutique in Tulum.
Rent a car if you want to explore the island, as there are fewer than 30 taxis on the island. Most beach clubs have a car service, otherwise expect to wait a while. The average trip is 20 minutes and costs around €30-35.
Related Articles:
The #DannijoTravels Guide To Santorini, Greece
