The laid-back side of Mykonos

We spent the last three days of our island-hopping adventure through the Greek Cyclades on the iconic island of Mykonos. Many people immediately think of bustling beach clubs and high prices, but we discovered a different, more relaxed side to the island. We stayed at the charming Rocabella hotel, within walking distance of Agios Stefanos beach. Here, you will mainly find locals on the beach and you can still enjoy delicious, affordable food and drinks. It was the perfect end to a trip full of sun, sea and Greek hospitality.

Our hideaway on Mykonos: Rocabella Hotel

Rocabella Mykonos is a charming boutique hotel with a modern boho vibe and typical Greek charm: white walls, wicker details, lots of cacti and a great view of Mykonos town, Delos, Syros, Tinos and, of course, the beautiful blue Aegean Sea. Rocabella has a lovely swimming pool and a small gym, and within a few minutes you can walk to the relaxed Agios Stefanos beach. No party noise, just laid-back locals, affordable beach bars and the ultimate island state of mind. In short, an ideal place!

Little Venice and the magic of Mykonos

A visit to Mykonos is not complete without spending a few hours wandering through Mykonos Town. We had been here a few years ago, but I wanted to see the town again. So we went back to the iconic windmills that tower above the town. Then we walked towards Little Venice, where colourful balconies seem to disappear into the sea and the sunset is magically beautiful. The whitewashed streets with their blue doors, pink bougainvillea and trendy boutiques are wonderful to wander around, with a new, photogenic alleyway around every corner. I couldn't stop taking photos. Mykonos town is really nice to visit, but preferably outside the high season, because it is flooded with tourists from large cruise ships, which you could already see now, but in the high season it is really awful.

Golden Hour at Adelon Sunset Bar

In the evening, we planned to go to the 180 bar during sunset, but unfortunately it was closed due to circumstances. By chance, we drove past another sunset bar, which was perhaps even nicer and less crowded, Adelon Sunset Bar.

A wonderfully relaxed and nicely decorated place, with benches, chairs and large cushions on the floor. As the sun slowly sank into the Aegean Sea and the sky turned from soft pink to gold, we sipped a cool glass of white wine and ate delicious mezze: creamy tzatziki, warm pitas, olives and other small Greek snacks to share. A moment of happiness, nice music and a balmy breeze. Highly recommended if you are looking for a nice quiet place to enjoy the sunset.

Chilling at Nosotros on Agios Stefanos

Our hotel was within walking distance of Agios Stefanos beach, which we knew from a few years ago. Agios Stefanos Beach is a real breath of fresh air after the hustle and bustle of the trendy beaches and expensive beach clubs. Here you will mainly find locals who come to enjoy the clear water and relaxed atmosphere. No inflated prices or crowded beach clubs, just a laid-back beach where everything is still affordable.

Between swimming and sunbathing, we stopped by Nosotros, a nice place with comfortable beanbags on the beach. This restaurant is perfect for a tasty lunch or an afternoon drink, with plenty of delicious options on the menu, from fresh salads to meat and fish. And on our last evening, we were unexpectedly treated to a delicious dessert because the beach boy liked us so much. How nice is that?

Extra tip: next to Nosotros is a beach supermarket where you can get really tasty freshly made sandwiches, fresh fruit salads, smoothies, coffee and much more.