These gorgeous shots were taken by @true_santorini and were a last-minute decision I decided to do the day before we shot it. My trip to Greece happened over a month ago and I’m super behind on this blog post but better later than never huh?
I plan on going back again (hopefully next year) but this is an easy recap of must do’s and where I stayed and favorites that you can bookmark for your dream trip. I fully paid for this trip as it was during Greece’s busy season and honestly, I took it as a treat to myself (read here as to why I went). So the places we stayed at are pricier but there is a ton that is affordable. Read on for 8 must go spots if you travel to Mykonos and Santorini.
These shots were taken in Santorini and of the famous blue domes.
#1 BLUE DOMES: this was on the top of my list, as I had seen so many photos of it on Instagram. The domes and the shot were beautiful and the view from this spot is spectacular. So to get here is a lot more complicated than you think, ask the hotel for directions is the best bet and even better, hire a photographer like I did to direct you to this spot easily and shoot at 7 am. I found directions online but still, unless you are following the crowd, it is a little difficult and behind the main walking street.
Some back story about this, I used hashtags to find the photographer I worked with, an hour shoot was about $400-$500 and I rented the dress from him. The flying dress is a popular thing people shoot in Greece and I decided the day before to do this. I woke up at 7 am and illegally climbed to the dome area with his help and got these epic shots. 35 minutes in a 95-year old Greek lady that owns properties in the area shouted at us at the top of her lungs to get off. She’s famous for shooing people away from climbing on this spot. From my standpoint looking out, there were crowds of people staring at me and I was scared. I was scared of falling to my death, shaking from a heavy dress, sweating from the heat, and having the lady scream at me freaked me out. I only contained myself, because I didn’t want to fall over and hurt myself LOL. While up there all I kept saying was, “don’t lock my knees and focus, it will be over soon”. All this for photos! But the photos did turn out amazing.
#2 Stay in Oia – We stayed at Canaves Sunday Suites, it was epic with only 8 rooms and I LOVED it – the best location, awesome service and beautiful, beautiful view with a fabulous rooftop bar/restaurant. My goals are to stay at another Canaves – so good.
#3 Private Yacht – we booked a private yacht with another couple to tour the waters and snorkel. We did it through our hotel (there is a ton of ways to do this) and I loved seeing Santorini from the water. It is such a beautiful place that I can’t describe it properly. If you are on Instagram, I’m sure it’s on your bucket list to visit.
#4 Armeni Restaurant – you have to have lunch here! A private speedboat takes you to this dock where the restaurant is and the owner is unbelievable. Yummy seafood and just a special spot! It was one of my favorite favorite meals.
My exact kimono here | Favorite denim shorts | Similar bikini top here
My exact skirt here | Bikini gifted from Tutus Kurniati
Mykonos was the party capital of Greece and it was luxury partying. Just a disclaimer for anyone visiting, Mykonos was very pricey to do anything. Each car (taxis were less but so hard to find) to each destination was 40-50 euros. Food and drinks at each spot were expensive and just be prepared to bring your credit card. We were there for 4 days and it was our first spot, so we splurged and picked the very BEST places to go to. We didn’t do cheesy bars or beach clubs and went for the best. See below.
#5 Scorpios Mykonos – The place to be period. Sundays are their big party days (which to be honest was a little too packed and when we left the line was SOOOO long). We had an impeccable lunch there, the scene was to die for, and it’s like a Revolve campaign and Soho House rolled into one place. The beach club is now owned by Soho, but you can make reservations through your hotel or on the site. It is THE PLACE to be, try to go early, pay for a cabana and stay and party. The later you go, the more you’ll never get in lol.
Bikini gifted from Tutus Kurniati
#6 Nammos Mykonos – We went to the beach club where we rented two chairs and spent it people watching. What I didn’t expect was the epic shopping that was there. The Louis Vuitton tote I got was from Nammos and it was a limited edition special to Mykonos. In addition, were a plethora of other stores (like Dior and Gucci) where you could spend a pretty penny. Nammos is like a little village and at the end is the beach club (seen above) that starts to party hard by afternoon. It was another pretty scene for a pretty penny.
#7 Katikies Mykonos – I LOVED our hotel. Pricey but luxurious, it had amazing service and each room had a private terrace/pool. I chose it based on reviews and photos. I tend to look at trip advisor and each hotels Instagram to decide where to stay. I added both hotels to my list as if I would stay there again, that is a great sign.
#8 Mykonos Downtown – full of white buildings, bougainvilleas, and gorgeous accent doors, it is full of instagrammable spots, shopping for local items and yummy food. I felt like I was in Greece when walking these streets. In downtown, was a hot spot that EVERYONE was talking about and when we arrived it was a SCENE. Interni Restaurant I felt like I was in a Las Vegas club with dinner and I hadn’t seen anything like it. People dancing on their chairs, people sitting eating, and pretty people all around. Warning – food was terrible, lol, but we weren’t there for the food. It was an outdoor restaurant that had great music. Go there for the scene.
Other tips I found:
#1) eat dinner like at 9:30/10pm
#2) in between islands – google how to get to each one. For us, Athens to Mykonos was a flight. Mykonos to Santorini was a ferry. Santorini to Crete (which I didn’t write about as we didn’t have enough time there) was ferry. Crete back to Athens was a flight. Ferries – take the quicker ones (look up times) and you can opt for better seats. I used this site: https://www.ferryhopper.com/en/
#3) I got Euros at the airport – you’ll be using this while there
#4) For many of these hot spots have the hotel make the reservations for you. At times, it’s impossible to do them from the US or try it yourself.
#5) Plan to stay out late a few nights! We were out until 5 am a few nights, so much fun.
This trip was one of my favorites ever. Dying to go back as soon as I got home. Let me know if you go to any of these when YOU go! xoxo
