A trip to Greece without visiting Mykonos might sound crazy, but after my somewhat underwhelming experience there, I’d definitely consider exploring one of Greece’s ‘lesser famous’ islands on my next trip.
My overall takeaway is, if you’re on a budget, it might be best to skip Mykonos altogether. Unless you can swing the super-luxe experience, opting for a more affordable island could be a better choice.
Transportation Nightmare
The worst experience of my Mykonos trip involved being scammed by my taxi driver. Despite pre-booking a taxi service from the airport to our Airbnb because we heard how hard it is to find a taxi, our initial encounter with a seemingly friendly driver turned terrible. After loading up our bags and reaching our fantastic beach-front Airbnb, I handed him €70 along with a tip. Upon grabbing my bag and preparing to leave, he claimed I had only given him €10. Shocked, I insisted I handed him €70, but he dismissively said “search the car, you never paid me.” Then, he told me he wouldn’t leave until I paid him more. Determined not to escalate the situation further, I reluctantly handed over an extra €70, shedding many tears in the process. This incident definitely left me feeling like a ‘dumb American,’ setting a terrible tone for the beginning of our trip. Every subsequent taxi ride made me nervous, fearing this scam would happen again.
Party, Party, Party
Of course, I was well aware of the party culture in Mykonos before hopping on my flight. However, once we arrived, I found it challenging to discover alternative fun activities beyond the nightlife scene. Our Airbnb was a bit far from the bustling action, leading us to spend a significant amount of time unwinding by the stunning pool and venturing into town at night. On the flip side, arriving at the clubs too early (we’re talking 11 pm early) often meant dancing solo until the real crowd showed up around 1-2 am.
$$$$$$
I live in New York City, so I’m familiar with expensive living. However, I was taken aback by the prices of everyday items like bread, fruit, and bottled water in Mykonos. Even enjoying the beach came at an additional cost, as you had to pay for a spot on the sand. It would be one thing if I felt the prices were “’worth it,” but the high costs of food, drinks, and experiences in Mykonos turned out to be more forgettable compared to my other stops in Greece
Have you been to Mykonos? I’d love to know your thoughts! While overall I did enjoy my time on the island, I think islands like Paros and Hydra are more my speed.
