Santorini vs Mykonos

Mykonos and Santorini are the absolute giants when it comes to vacation on the Greek islands. Pictures of the two islands are often on the cover of tourist guides to Greece, while the names of celebrity people who visit the country are very often connected to one of the two diamonds of the Aegean.

Both are part of the Cyclades cluster of islands and both have devoted visitors. Yet, many differences between them often confuse one who has to choose between the two.

It is undoubtedly true, that if you can afford to go to both islands, then you should do it. You will not any problem finding accommodation, from hotels and Airbnb apartments to luxury villas.

• Both Mykonos and Santorini are amazingly wonderful islands. It’s easy to visit both on the same trip. A ferry from one to the other takes about 3 hours.
• Go to Mykonos for beaches and nightlife. Go to Santorini for views, view, wineries, tours, and hikes.
• Both are great for a honeymoon, but Santorini has a more romantic atmosphere.
• Santorini tourist season: April to early November. Mykonos tourist season: May to September. (Santorini has far more to see and do in the winter, off-season months.)
• Tip: If you do visit both islands fly into one, ferry to the other, and fly out of the 2nd island so you don’t have to retrace your steps back to the first island to catch your flight home.
• Both Santorini and Mykonos have international airports with direct flights from Athens, Rome, Paris, London, and Amsterdam. And occasionally from Venice, Naples, Berlin, and Frankfurt.

Why: This one is easy I think. If you are looking for a romantic destination, well…stop looking. You found it. It’s Santorini.

Detailed Comparison:

• Santorini is considered one of the most romantic destinations in the world and one of the top destinations for honeymooners. For a lot of good reasons: sunsets, views, food, cute villages…what else do you need?
• Mykonos was always considered a destination for singles rather than a destination for couples. That doesn’t mean you won’t have a good time if you visit Mykonos with your other half. Quite the opposite I would say.

Why: Are you and your friends looking for a place to party? Then you should go to Mykonos. Hands down it’s one of the best partying and clubbing destinations in the world. It’s the greek Ibiza!

Detailed Comparison:

• Mykonos is considered one of the best clubbing and partying destinations in the world. The nightlife in Mykonos is u-n-r-e-a-l and it’s not limited only at night time. The party literally never stops at Mykonos City or at any of the beach Bars of the island (including the famous Super Paradise Beach Club)
• Some of the best DJ’s in the world perform every summer in Mykonos
• Mykonos is the place where greek spring breakers go every year…
• If you are single while visiting Mykonos and you are into party mode then you won’t get much sleep as the party goes on 24/7 (especially in high season May-October)
• Santorini has a decent nightlife but it’s literally nothing compared to Mykonos…

excavation sites to explore, day trips to traditional villages around the island, winery tours, and boat tours around the volcano. Mykonos has some fine scenery, beautiful walks, and picturesque windmills – but in general, Santorini has more to see and do. Mykonos does have the nearby island of Delos (one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in the Greek islands) to explore by day trip.

Santorini and which only a handful of Greek islands have. Both islands have direct flights from Athens and northern and western Europe – they’re the only islands in the Cyclades that have international flights.

There is no appreciable difference in climate between Santorini and Mykonos. The best weather for both islands is from late May to early October.
Since Santorini is more of a sight-seeing island than Mykonos, visits in spring and fall still offer lots to see and do (the views don’t go away with the hot weather). The tourist season on Santorini is from April to early November.
Since most people go to Mykonos for the beaches, a visit outside of the warmest months has less to offer. The tourist season on Mykonos is from late May to early October.

Pictures of a plush dining table with the sunset in Santorini’s Caldera in the backdrop are loved the world over. A romantic dinner on beautiful Santorini is something all couples wish to have at least once in their lives.
In this aspect Santorini has a great advantage: Locals grow many vegetables and the island is known for its great wines. The rocky, sloped, volcanic area is ideal for vineyards and local wines are famous the world over. So, food in Santorini is fresh and light Mediterranean, overall. And the service is warm and friendly.
In Mykonos, on the other hand, most restaurants try to impress with their cuisine, often falling in the trap of serving dishes that are too complex, and expensive too. Also, many Mykonos restaurants seem to care more about how many celebrities they will serve, and not so much about the quality of the food. As for the service, in Mykonos we found several snobbish waiters who did not contribute to an overall pleasant dining experience.