Santorini or Mykonos in the Cyclades – Which One to Visit?
If you are wondering whether to go to Santorini or Mykonos, you are lucky. We are talking about two of the most beautiful islands in the world. Santorini and Mykonos are in the Cyclades, the most famous group of islands in Greece. However, though equally gorgeous, they are quite different. Therefore, they cater to different needs and fancies.
Santorini is all about nature, volcanoes, and views. Mykonos is about beaches, glamour, and atmosphere. Therefore, go to both if you can. That said, you need at least a week to visit. If you have 3 or 4 days, you have to choose. The two islands pack a lot. We are talking about beaches, nature, restaurants, culture, landscapes, nightlife, and incredible hosts.
Quick Comparison
With an area of around 34 square miles (85sq km), the two islands are roughly the same size. However, some 15,000 people live in Santorini, while 10,000 do in Mykonos. They receive roughly the same number of tourists each year. July and August are peak season. The infrastructure in both is top-notch. You will find the hotel you want on the beach or town you want.
The main difference between Santorini and Mykonos is nature. Santorini is the result of one of the biggest volcanic eruptions of all time. Thus, its landscape is more dramatic, with taller mountains and sharper canyons. Mykonos is flatter, with small hills and valleys. Beaches in Santorini are mostly pebbled or covered in thick sand. In Mykonos, there are wide sandy beaches.
If You Have to Choose
Our favorite is Santorini. Choose Santorini if you are into dramatic landscapes. Nowhere in Greece can you see the black sand beaches at the foot of tall rocky canyons. Plus, everything changes color as the sun moves. For long walks amongst nature, choose Santorini too. Once again, it’s all about the views. Wine lovers should choose Santorini too.
Mykonos has the best nightlife, shopping, and art galleries in Greece. If you like fancy, choose Mykonos. We believe that it has nicer beaches too. However, it can get windy in summer. Due to its location, choose Mykonos if you plan on going to other Islands. If you are visiting with friends, Mykonos has a more relaxed vibe. Both are some of the best Greek islands for couples.
Santorini Island
No matter how many islands you’ve seen, Santorini has the most dramatic landscape in Greece. The island is at the southern end of the Cyclades. Since it is mountainous, the terrain changes a lot; from flat on the coast to sharp peaks and anything in-between. Apparently, the volcanic explosion created the perfect climate for wine. Besides, the weather is extremely dry.
The best hotels in Santorini are on cliffs, overlooking the sea. That said, there are fantastic beach hotels too. You will find restaurants and bars everywhere on the island. The nightlife is mostly in bigger towns. Regarding families, there’s a lot to do too; especially outdoors. Though most people rent a car, there are buses all around the island, especially in summer.
Cities and Towns of Santorini
Fira
Fira is the biggest city in Santorini. Whatever you expect, you won’t get disappointed. No matter how many times you’ve seen it on postcards, in person it’s even better. The city hangs on a cliff overlooking the sea. Therefore, it looks picture perfect, and offers incredible views. Let’s be honest, it gets very crowded in summer. Even then, you will love it here.
You can spend hours hanging around Fira. Though the city isn’t big, it has loads of curvy streets. Lovely cafes, bars, and restaurants line the streets. All have fantastic views. To go up you can take the cable car. As hard as it seems, walking up is so much fun.
Oia
Oia is the best place to stay in Santorini. Just 1500 people live in the little town. Think of Greece, and Oia’s mill and blue houses come to mind. Oia sits on the northern slope of the caldera, some 300 feet (90 meters) above sea level. The town is long, with pedestrian paths that offer epic views. At every turn, you will see the volcano.
You have to walk from one end to the other discovering churches, mills, houses, and tavernas. There are a couple of great squares for photos. A very nice walk starts in Finakia on the east and goes all the way to Tholos. It’s one of the best walks in Greece. Another one goes down to Ammoudi, the cute little fishing town. Boats to Therasia leave from here.
Santorini Hiking Routes
Santorini offers some of the best hiking in Greece. You won’t believe the views. Of course, going up to Fira is a hike in itself. Our favorite walk is from Fira to Oia, just 7 miles (12 km) away. It takes 2 hours along the western slope of the caldera. The path is clear. If you walk from Fira to Oia in the afternoon you’ll be rewarded with killer sunsets.
The easiest trek is from Kamari beach to Ancient Thera. It’s an hour from black volcanic sand to marvelous archaeological remains with stunning views. From Perissa beach to Ancient Thera it’s an hour long walk. The best walk is to the Tholos Nautilus volcano in front of the island.
The Best Beaches in Santorini
Red Beach
To the south of Santorini, we find the Red Beach, Kokkini in Greek. It’s probably the island’s most famous beach. It’s a black pebbled beach under a tall red cliff. It’s only a half an hour drive from Fira. Most people park up and access the beach on foot. However, it can be too crowded.
We like Vlichada Beach, half an hour from Fira. The beach is under rocks carved by the wind. It’s made of volcanic sand and offers unforgettable sunsets. Cool and relaxed bars line the beach. There are a lot of stones on most of the beaches in Santorini. These get really hot in the summer!
Other Beaches
The best beaches in Santorini are on the eastern coast. We love Perissa Beach. It’s a wide and long beach. The contrast between the black sand and the blue ocean is stunning. There are loads of umbrellas and bars. Perivolos Beach is the same beach to the south. Kamari Beach further north on the east is great too. It’s a long black pebbled beach.
Koloumpo Beach is the best beach in the north of Santorini. It’s sheltered from the wind by a fantastic cliff. There’s a nudist section and loads of space. It’s probably the most secluded beach on the island. From Koloumpo, it’s an hour long west to Paradisos Beach along the coast. One of the best sunsets in Santorini is here.
Where to Stay in Santorini
Santorini has hotels for all tastes and budgets. Our favorite hotel in Oia is Kaleidoscope Cave Houses, in the center. The views are to die for. Everything is tastefully decorated in Cycladic colors. You get the best of both worlds: a cave and a terrace. Book a room with a tub! The complimentary breakfast is delicious, and the service is impeccable.
The best luxury hotel in Fira is the incredible Lilium Hotel Santorini. It’s on the edge of the caldera. Everything is relaxed but sophisticated here. The pool is splendid and the rooms big and comfortable. To stay on the beach, we recommend Exi Seaside Rooms. It’s right on Perissa Beach. The rooms have a patio and a kitchenette. The garden is splendid!
What’s Special about Santorini
Nature makes Santorini special. Nowhere in Europe can you see such raw beauty. Volcanoes in the middle of crystal clear blue water? Delicate temples, wine, and delicious food? Though it can get extremely crowded in summer, the island itself is not overly built. No huge massive towers, large hotels, or endless franchises here! You can always find space to enjoy nature!
Cruises are the biggest problem in Santorini. Huge boats park on the island. People go down, then up to Fira, and can’t have enough! Can you blame them? Thank God they don’t have time to discover the rest of the island. Particularly at night. Finally, the hotels in Santorini provide a magical experience. You won’t forget the views and the service.
Mykonos Island
Mykonos is one of the most famous islands in Greece. The island became popular in the 1960s when the world’s rich and famous discovered it. However, it’s been inhabited for ages and has fascinating archaeological remains. It’s not a big island and has fantastic infrastructure. Due to its transport system, you don’t need a car to discover it. The nightlife is legendary.
We’ve been to Mykonos several times and love it. We’ve been alone and with friends and had a blast. You can be on a quiet beach, chill at your fancy hotel, go shopping at an exclusive boutique, and dine at a starred restaurant! Hanging by the beach doing nothing is an option too. Nature lovers have challenging treks to explore.
Cities and Towns of Mykonos
Mykonos Town
Mykonos town is where everything happens. Even if you don’t stay here, you will eventually gravitate to the largest settlement on the island. However, it is still a little town and not a city. Most of the center is blocked to traffic. Thus, you can spend hours walking around its lovely isles and streets. Locals call it Chora.
The town packs some of the country’s top attractions. Little Venice is the lovely center on the coast. We love walking next to the sea admiring the buildings and window shopping. The famous Greek windmills are up on the hill in Chora. There are a couple of historic churches and loads of beautiful tavernas. Though touristy, there’s a vibrant local population too.
Other towns and villages
Mykonos has more than incredible beaches. Ano Mera is a lovely little town in the center of the island. It doesn’t get any more authentic than here. Ano Mera’s biggest draw is the Monastery of Tourliani, from 1542. From Ano Mera it’s two miles up north to Ftelia Beach and two south to Kalo Livadi Beach. Only 20 minutes from Mykonos town.
There aren’t any other proper towns on the island but clusters of villas and hotels. Our favorite is Ornos, where the island is the narrowest. That’s why it’s got two beaches, Korfos north and Ornos south. Thus, you get the feel of a typical Cyclades village and two fabulous beaches. It’s 15 minutes south of Chora. There are buses.
Mykonos Hiking Routes
Mykonos also offers incredible hiking. The hike along Little Venice and all the way to the mills is fantastic and easy. Our favorite is from Ornos beach to Paradisos Cape. It’s an easy trek you can do at your own pace. In 3 to 4 hours you get to visit the island’s most famous beaches: Ornos, Psarou, Platys Gialos, and Paradisos.
To escape the crowds, we go hiking from Chora to the Armenistis Lighthouse. From the center we walk along the coast past the Old Port and the New Port to Stefanos Beach. We then follow the paths until the lighthouse. It takes 3 hours at the most. A trek around Delos is essential. It’s an easy 3-hour walk around the archaeological remains.
The Best Beaches in Mykonos
Elia Beach
Elia Beach is one of the best beaches in Mykonos. Its white sand and crystal clear waters are irresistible. It’s got a bar with loud music and one without. The nudist section is to the east. If you continue 5 more minutes up the hill, you get to Agrari Beach. Though there is a bit of natural shade, expect to rent sunbeds and umbrellas.
Locals and tourists flock to Paradisos Cape. The atmosphere is cosmopolitan and so much fun. We are talking about three beaches. Super Paradise Beach is to the east. The famous Jacky O bar is on a cliff here. To the east is Paradise Beach proper. A bit further east is Platis Gialos Beach. You can take a bus.
Other Beaches
Mykonos doesn’t have secluded beaches. However, you can find peace even in the high season. We love Agios Sostis Beach, to the north. There are no bars or umbrellas to rent. Since it’s on a bay, it’s not that windy. You can eat at the famous Kiki Tavern. Just south is Panormos Beach.
On the same bay is Ftelias Beach, perfect for windsurfing. Further east is Fokos Beach, a lovely stretch of raw beach not overrun by tourists. There is a great tavern nearby. Though it can get crowded, Kalo Livadi Beach is so long, you will always find your spot. The sand goes inside the shallow sea.
Where to Stay in Mykonos
Mykonos has a wide range of hotels. Our favorite in Mykonos city is Casa Anna Suites. The hotel is just a 15-minute walk to Little Venice and 5 minutes from the beach. Thus, you are close to all the action but still in a peaceful area. It has a lovely pool and a delicious complimentary breakfast. We recommend booking the suite with sea views for splendid sunrises and sunsets.
The best luxury hotel on the beach is Super Paradise Suites. It’s one minute from the famous beach. It’s got a fantastic pool with lounges for everyone. Every room has a balcony and views. Kosmoplaz Beach Hotel offers the best rooms directly on Platis Gialos Beach. It’s got a pool and brilliant views. The bus stop is 1 minute away. You won’t want to leave though!
What’s Special about Mykonos
We love Mykonos because of its atmosphere. Nowhere in Greece you will find a more diverse, cosmopolitan, and fun-loving crowd. Everyone that visits Mykonos is in a great mood. Your hosts too! You will see couples, families, friends, and solo travelers from all over the world. It’s fantastic to see everyone mingling under the sun. Did we mention the sandy beaches?
The island is famous for its glamour. Some of the best bars, shops, and restaurants in Europe are here. That said, you don’t need to go fancy to enjoy Mykonos. There are eateries and hotels for all tastes and budgets. Besides, Chora is one of the nicest cities in the Cyclades. We like how easy it is to move around Mykonos. Even without a car.
Cycladic Architecture
The iconic white Cycladic architecture is a result of landscape and climate. The typical house is painted in white to properly absorb the sun. Houses in Santorini have arched roofs, and in Mykonos flat.
In Santorini the so called ‘cave-houses’ were partially built into the rock, to preserve warmth in winter and coolness in summer. In Mykonos most houses have blue colored balconies. Both islands are home to beautiful historical churches and round windmills.
Just like houses, the churches are mostly white, but there are some painted in yellow. Church domes in Mykonos are white, in Santorini they are blue. All towns are densely built with typical irregular streets and narrow alleys.
