Santorini vs Mykonos: which is best? (2024)

There’s a reason why Santorini and Mykonos are the most famous Greek islands. As Cycladic sisters barely more than 100km apart, they share some similarities – easily accessible, rocky interiors, sugar-cube architecture – but the experiences they offer are quite different. Santorini is best known as a romantic island with one-of-a-kind views, whereas Mykonos is more about sandy beaches and spirited partying. Depending on the vibe you seek, both islands suit holidays à deux. Solo travellers and groups of friends will also find both appealing, though Mykonos offers more in terms of edge. Travelling with kids? Again, Mykonos wins out because the beaches here are better and the ruins on nearby Delos are magical. But for dreamy scenery that’s unlike anywhere else on Earth? There’s nowhere that quite rivals Santorini.

This handy guide should help connect you with the isle that best suits your preferences. And if you still can’t decide? No worries: with ferry connections taking two to three hours, it’s super-straightforward to visit both islands in a single, bucket-list break.

Main photo: the Church of Panagia Paraportiani, Mykonos (Getty Images); Oia at sunset, Santorini (Alamy)

Beaches

Winner Mykonos

From a tourism perspective, both islands shut down for the winter; but in the summer months they’re positively booming. Though Santorini’s selling point is its sweeping volcanic caldera, there are beaches there too, mostly made of black pebbles or sand that shelve into the Aegean Sea. A notable exception is Red Beach, which sits beneath crimson cliffs and is best accessed by catamaran. In short, the beaches are memorable but not the main attraction.

Mykonos, on the other hand, is all about the beach. Beyond a handful of wilder shores such as sleepy Agios Sostis, the best beaches are in the south. From Platis Gialos to Paradise, laid-back beats drift over the sand, while several (notably Psarou and Super Paradise) have see-and-be-seen beach clubs. Renting loungers and parasols can be shockingly expensive (especially the row nearest the sea); but for sensational swims mixed with jet-set buzz, there’s nowhere quite like Mykonos.

Bars

Winner Mykonos

Mykonos isn’t the archipelago’s only party hotspot. Santorini’s main town, Fira, has a lively summertime bar scene. Things get particularly busy in the early evening, when crowds converge on the rim of the caldera to soak up sunset views. The best spots of all are the bars and restaurants with bijou rooftop terraces — or come back later at night when the party vibe spills into the streets.

Sunset is also peak hour at bars on Mykonos, especially in the capital, Mykonos Town. Come early if you want to grab a table at the most popular places along the Little Venice waterfront. It gets crowded, but you’ll never forget the views of the landmark windmills bathed in golden hour’s glow. Remember to pack plenty of stamina: Mykonos Town is an all-nighter kind of place.

Restaurants

Winner Santorini

Beyond its sunset-facing bars, Fira has plenty of decent restaurants for sampling Greek cuisine (be sure to try fava, a typical mezedakia dip made with Santorini-grown beans). The next village along the caldera, Imerovigli, also has great spots for dining and is generally more relaxed than Fira. Further round again, the clifftop village of Oia has the most in-demand tables at fine-dining establishments whose open-air terraces cascade down the caldera.

In keeping with its reputation for conspicuous consumption, Mykonos has many fancy restaurants, many with Michelin stars. Fine dining is a feature at the best hotels, but be careful at some of the beach clubs, where prices can be astronomical. Mykonos has some of the most expensive restaurants in Greece, but with more affordable spots in town (Leonidas is a favourite for souvlaki), dining out doesn’t need to blow your budget.

Hotels

Winner It’s a tie: both islands have brilliant hotels

Santorini’s signature is its cave-house architecture. Carved into soft volcanic clay on the face of the caldera, many are now luxury hotelswith rooms and suites (often with private plunge pools) that face out across the Aegean. They’re unique — and the setting is so special that some command prices higher than anywhere else in Greece. Andronis Luxury Suites in Oia is a standout; or try Santorini Sky, a gorgeous hideaway in hilltop Pyrgos.

• Best hotels in Santorini

Not to be outdone, Mykonos also has plenty of top-notch hotels: and because they’re not crowded along a caldera, they tend to offer more in terms of facilities and space. You could choose to stay somewhere close to the action like Semeli Hotel in Mykonos Town; or a five-star retreat overlooking the beach, such as Myconian Ambassador. Or shun the crowds altogether at super-stylish The Wild, which sits above its own private cove.

• Best hotels in Mykonos

Things to do

Winner Santorini

Sunset is a highlight when you visit Santorini, whether it’s viewed from an Oia hotel suite’s pool, a cliff-edge Imerovigli restaurant or even at sea on a sunset cruise; but there’s much more to do here besides. A vineyard tour will uncover the secrets of Santorini’s world-class wines; the hike along the crater from Fira to Oia is fantastic; or check out Akrotiri, one of the Agean’s most important archaeological sites.

Sunsets are just as spectacular in Mykonos; favourite spots to watch them include Mykonos Town’s Little Venice and windmills, or the lighthouse at Armenistis. Summer winds bring ideal conditions for kite-surfing, especially at Ftelia and Korfos. There’s history on the neighbouring (uninhabited) island of Delos, which makes for delightful day trips. And while those with kids tend to holiday on cheaper isles, the beaches of Mykonos are that bit more family-friendly than Santorini’s.

• Best things to do in Santorini
• Best things to do in Mykonos

Sign up for the Times Travel Newsletter here.