Santorini and Mykonos restaurant and activity recommendations

[Duchessofmuchness]

Visiting Santorini and Mykonos in July for 10 days - me, DH, DD (20) and DS (18). Would love ideas - first holiday in 3 years and maybe last time for just the 4 of us.

Staying in Fira and Mykonos Town. Both hotels have small pools and in central locations. So should be easy for us all to chill or go off to things. Don't want to rent car (but will for a day or 2 to do something specific). It's always DH who does driving and some days feels like we don't use. Extra expensive that I'd like to avoid. So planning on buses. Another reason chose Fira as believe all buses go from there.

Any great recommendations for best activities? Ideas for lunches, dinners, things to do. We are planning to mix it up in terms of expensive vs cheaper days. Keen to do a boat trip and some nice dinners. Kids might do beach club and couple of nights out on their own.

TIA

[CharlotteSt]

In Santorini go to the Akrotiri archaeological site, it's amazing. The village itself has some lovely restaurants so you can make a day of it. You can also view the sunset over the caldera from there. Oia is of course a must but it's very crowded so be warned. Red Beach is interesting to see but I'm not sure you can use it anymore.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1189834-d4126654-Reviews-Akrotiri_Archaeological_Site-Akrotiri_Santorini_Cyclades_South_Aegean.html

Can't really help with Mykonos as not been there (we go to Naxos) but the Little Venice area looks lovely.

www.greeka.com/cyclades/mykonos/sightseeing/little-venice/

[whenwillthemadnessend]

Santorini Get a boat trip to the volcano ans also you can swim in the volcanic waters Beware tho. Don't wear a light coloured costume as the volcanic water stains them. Wear a old or dark one.

[Duchessofmuchness]

Thank you - really helpful. Loads of boat tour options - if you happen to know which one you did and can recommend that would be wonderful but I know it's probably impossible to remember.

Super excited. I'm actually quite glad not going for 6 weeks as can enjoy the build up!

[Duchessofmuchness]

The archeological visit looks great. Definitely one for me and DH even if kids would rather be at pool. I'm pretty relaxed about us doing different things - nice that they can now they are young adults.

How did you get around the island?

[whenwillthemadnessend]

There is a really great bus service in Santorini. All out of fira. Covers the whole island. Or taxi. Car hire isn't that common tho I saw a few dune buggy type things but they looks bit dangerous too me.

I've been twice and always used buses and the odd taxi.

Beaches are gritty and painful to walk on and the pools are tiny so it's more for sunbathing etc. It's very beautiful tho. Friendly. Hilly!! I really like it.

[TracyBeakerSoYeah]

It's been a while since I went to Santorini but it's my favourite Greek Island & you will love it!
As all the suggestions above & I can't wait to go back again one day

[CharlotteSt]

@Duchessofmuchness

The archeological visit looks great. Definitely one for me and DH even if kids would rather be at pool. I'm pretty relaxed about us doing different things - nice that they can now they are young adults.

How did you get around the island?

The buses are brilliant. Last time I went to Santorini in 2018 you paid on the bus although that may have changed as on other islands you have to get a ticket in advance.

[user7637293]

Mykonos is a nightmare for taxis so either hire car or hire quad bikes/scooters to get around.

Quad bikes are the most fun though.

[monotype]

Great thread. Similar situation here so following with interest. I heard about this great bakery if you want to check it out for a cheap meal. Erotokritos Bakery in Fira

[SFisnotsimple]

We went to Santorini from another island last year and the chaos at the harbour was something to behold. Add Covid restrictions into the mix and we have a hilarious family holiday tale for life, although was a bit of a shocker at the time! I’m guessing restrictions now removed so hopefully will be a calmer experience for you. We had to wear masks on the enclosed hydrofoil - I would recommend an open air ferry as preference if that’s an option.

we had fantastic drinks at a garden themed place in Fira, can’t remember it’s name though. Oia was nice but apparently it’s completely rammed at sunset.

[ouch44]

I think July in Santorini will be very busy. We’ve been in may half term before and stayed in Oia and then near Akrotiri. The north is very busy. You can’t move at sunset. The roads are especially bad. People also go to watch the sunset at the lighthouse at the bottom of the island.
My kids were tweens and they really enjoyed the archeological site. They also recommend Lucky Souvlaki in Thira!
We wanted to go back this year but can’t get away as it GCSEs this year and too hot for us in July.
I seem to remember there is a pretty active Santorini forum on Tripadvisor where you might get more up to date info

[Duchessofmuchness]

Thanks for all the messages - thought I would return to give some ideas in case anyone ever searching

We stayed in Fira on Santorini.
Good meals at Argo (more expensive), Parea Tavern and Naoussa (crazy mad Greek experience but good food and we liked the vibe).
Sunset cocktails - PK cocktail, Oh Boy
(Book for front row at cocktail places).

Great stuff to do - walk from Fira to Oia - well worth it. Took about 3 hours for us was hot towards end but manageable . We set off at 7.30 and wouldn't have wanted to be later than that. We could have stopped more en route . Oia v v crowded in July. I wonder if might be good to stay there a night or 2 to experience early/late and avoid the crowds.
Pyrgos Village. A gem. So much quieter than anywhere else with some lovely shops (and lower prices). Franco (or was it frank?) cafe. Lovely to stop for a drink with views. Lots of pretty churches.
Santo Winery - 20 mins walk along the road from Pyrgos village. Fantastic sunset views. We did 6 flight wine tasting with a couple of platters. Great experience for family with young adults. One of our favourite days
Santorini Boat tours for day cruise. We did the day tour not sunset one - several swimming spots and good lunch.

Ferry to Mykonos definitely book. Get to port in reasonable time and be ready for chaos. No one gives announcements. Make sure you get on right boat. Ours was about an hour late and a passenger for next ferry ended up on ours and had to pay again! They didn't check tickets until boat had left!

Mykonos we stayed in Mykonos Town.
Went to Ornos Beach (€25 per Sun lounger with umbrella and towel). (That was 3rd/4th row) . Chilled day. Food and bottle of wine for the 4 of us was €120 .
Also Paradise Beach - €30 per Sun lounger with umbrella. Beach party kicks off around 4. We took loungers st Paradise beach but actually think Tropicana beach club looked nicer and we ate there at lunch.
180 sunset bar in Mykonos- personally I wouldn't bother. Over rated and commercial but the insta crowd loves it. Sunset is amazing but they play Romantic music as sun goes down and it's very over priced.
Good priced tavern in Mykonos / Nikos for basic Greek fare.

Overall beautiful islands, lovely people, fantastic sunsets, food etc. we loved it. but it's expensive and hard to find the cheaper options. (I'm sure there and we did gyros for lunch, dinner a few times ). We decided to embrace the experience and will do a cheaper holiday next year to balance things out.

[CharlotteSt]

Glad you had a good time!

We came back last week from a few days each in Santorini, Paros, Antiparos and just over a week in Naxos. Hadn't been to Paros before, totally fell in love with it (although Naxos cannot be beaten for beaches).

Differences since our last trip (2018) was that it was soooo much busier than usual, for obvious reasons I guess, and lots more Americans - not least because their exchange rate with the Euro is very favourable at the moment.

Ferries also busier - didn't get our usual deck spot on the Blue Star Delos - huff 😄

As a veteran of Santorini airport, the new airport is stunning (although I missed the roof terrace 🚬 😳).

There only used to be two or three flights a day from Athens to Naxos, even in July. This year there were 16.

We also seemed to spend a lot more money.

But it was sooooo good to be back!

[CharlotteSt]

Sorry, meant to add, would you recommend Mykonos?

[Duchessofmuchness]

@CharlotteSt

Sorry, meant to add, would you recommend Mykonos?

We did. And glad we did it for the contrast. Beach club, bust , more party vibe. Which our young people liked. Id have enjoyed another island I think for quiet peaceful Greece. But perhaps not possible in July!

You are right about how busy it is - a lot of Americans and so many cruise ships.

[Duchessofmuchness]

Should add buses in both Santorini and Mykonos were easy