The paradise island of Mykonos is a favourite with those who enjoy life’s luxuries. Like stylish villa rentals, five-star dining, celebrity hangouts and plenty of soirees – from the beach to the bar.

Cultivating an image of good times, Mykonos has long attracted a cosmopolitan crowd, as reflected in its world-class night life. But even when the sun comes up, there’s still fun to be had. Once you’ve booked your luxury Mykonos villa it’s time to start planning the itinerary – here’s what’s in store for 2022…

Conventions and Conferences

Mykonos hosts a number of small business summits throughout the year. Two of these include; the Fifth Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Leadership Symposium (5-7 May) for business leaders in the community. The other is the annual ‘Dental Implants Masters’ (29 June – 1 July), bringing industry leaders together under one roof. Both events take place at Saint John Hotel, which is easy to reach from many of the luxury villa rentals in the nearby area.

Club Life

Visit Mykonos in the summer, and you’ll be grateful you booked a luxury villa rental in the quiet part of town. Because this is when the island best comes to life, with a busy party schedule.

Voted the 14^th best club in the world, Paradise Club Mykonos reopens its doors to an international set of partygoers come summer, with daily parties and big name DJs in attendance. It’s the number one all-day party destination on the island, and bookings are now open.

Mykonos music festivals 2022

In keeping with the music vobe, XLsior Mykonos Pride is the big music event in the Mykonos calendar that everyone’s talking about. Taking over the island from 17-24 August, more than 30,000 global guests are expected to rock up to Mykonos’ lively shores. This LGBT friendly event hosts some of the biggest names in the gay industry, world-class DJs, and plenty of fun by day and night. Passes are available to buy now online at https://xlsiorfestival.com/about- it’s wise to book these early along with your villa rental, to avoid missing out.

Parades and Traditional festivals

Myconians love tradition almost as much as they like to party. As such, there’s a number of traditional and religious events taking place throughout the year. Most of these fall on a Monday or Friday, meaning that there’s plenty of long weekend’s in store. If you’re staying in a Mykonos villa rental, you may want to consider booking a car or driver, for getting around during this time.

The first of many events kicks off February 16 – March 6 with the annual much-loved ‘Apokries’ carnival. This prelude to lent features bright and colourful costumes with parades and street parties taking place. There’s also plenty of feasts and local cooking to be enjoyed.

However, the biggest festival is Easter, which takes place between April 18-25 – also a public holiday. This is the biggest event in the Greek Orthodox calendar, and the island comes to a standstill as locals observe the religious festival. Church services take place throughout the weekend, and there’s plenty of local celebrations as well.

The final religious event to note is the ‘Ascension of the Virgin Mary’ which takes place in the peak of summer – August 15. Widely celebrated across Mykonos and Greece, this fast followed by a feast commemorates the life and death of the Virgin Mary. It’s especially big for those who have certain Greek names, as the locals celebrate ‘name days’ much like birthdays. Although it’s a public holiday, it’s still a busy time with most bars, restaurants and luxury villa rentals booked up months in advance.

Cultural events

Arts and crafts are big in Mykonos, so fully expect a packed schedule as the season unfolds. Last year the renowned HOFA gallery had two special events to celebrate a new art portfolio. This included showcasing work from Banksy, Jonas Wood and Yoshimoto Nara amongst international artists. The special event ran throughout July and August, and we expect a similar calendar of events this year – as yet to be confirmed.

For the very best Mykonos villa rentals, visit Villazzo today.

The glamourous island of Mykonos must be visited at least once. With a party scene to rival Ibiza, the exclusivity of St-Tropez, and some of the finest villa rentals in the Mediterranean, it’s a popular vacation choice for those with discerning taste.
Steeped in Greek culture, there also lots to enjoy outside of its stretches of golden beach, and throbbing night life. This includes a vibrant food scene, delightful markets and a chic café-bar culture.

Here’s how to enjoy the full cultural experience.

Local scene

Growing in popularity since the 60s, this one-time fishing village, is today known as the most exclusive of all the Greek islands. Its mix of luxury Mykonos villas, hip restaurants, and cool beach bars adding to its charm.
Visit outside of peak season though, and you’ll find a very different island. One that is sleepy and quiet, with a close knit-community feel. And because it’s the gateway to the nearby ruins of Delos, it remains a popular destination all year round.
Much like all the Greek islands, locals are warm and friendly, with excellent hospitality skills. Food is central to family life here, so a visit to a local taverna is a must on a night out from your villa rental.

Indulge in fresh seafood and mezze dining, with local delights such as kopanisti (a spicy cheese), louza (cured meat) and a fabulously comforting Kremidopita (creamy onion pie) on offer. Cinnamon, nuts and honey feature heavily in local cuisine and best celebrated in the local dessert ‘Melopita’ – a kind of honey pie finished in crispy pastry. This is best washed down with a class of local Ouzo or Raki – take note; these spirits are not for the faint-hearted and have been known to leave a lasting effect on lesser trained palettes! In other words, proceed with caution.

Early riser foodies should head down to the waterfront early doors, where local fisherman sell fresh seafood, alongside farmers offering up fresh fruit and vegetables, reminding you of the simple delights of Greek cuisine.

Local Customs and Traditions

Mykonians are proud of their heritage, and celebrate local feasts and religious events to keep their much-cherished traditions alive. As a visitor, this may not be immediately apparent, but if you visit any of the local churches, especially on Saint Days or key religious events, you’ll be privy to these customs.

Churches as decorated in all-white, with candles, flowers and basil on show to create a fragrant welcome. Most events are marked with small feasts that often take place with families cooking up homemade meals to be shared with friends and neighbours. Many of the luxury Mykonos villas have state-of-the-art kitchens, as well as outdoor dining facilities, if you decide to follow suit.

Just some of these religious festivals include; The Virgin Mary of Tourliani, Agios Haralambos and Agia Anna. Alongside good food, good music can be enjoyed with local musicians bring their violins and drums to the streets!

Celebrity fans

It’s no secret that Mykonos attracts a roll call of stars, in no small part thanks to the former first lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis, who visited in the 60s with her husband and international entrepreneur Aristotle Onassis. Since then, the island has welcomed A-listers, from Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor, to today’s stars such as Leonardo di Caprio, Ariana Grande and Bella Hadid. When not entertaining at their swish Mykonos villa rentals, you can find A-listers hanging out at Nobu, Caprice Bar, or docked in their superyacht at Tourlos marina.

Made in Mykonos

Finally no trip to Mykonos is complete without picking up some local produce. The locals are known for their craft skills, utilizing gem stones and turning them into bespoke jewels. Visit any of the cobbled streets in and around Mykonos Town, and you’ll see for yourself. From international names such as ‘Gofas’ to boutique stores like ‘Rousounelos’ and ‘Actipis’, you’re most likely to go home jewelled up than empty handed.
Mykonos – a stunning and welcoming island for all seasons.

Mykonos is noted for its beauty, vibrancy, luxurious Mykonos villas and golden beaches… but what Villazzo’s General Manager, Hanna Talaie, found on a business trip to goes beyond the aesthetics and into the heart of what makes Greece a number one destination….

By Hanna Talaie.

I landed into Mykonos airport excited to be here. My job takes me to all corners of the globe, but this was my first visit to this trendy Greek island I’d heard so much about. During my time here, I would recce the very best Mykonos villas and step inside the world of our clients, to personally vet and meet all the owners of our Mykonos villa rentals, checking them against our criteria for exceptional quality and comfort. 

The warmth of Greece

I’m initially struck by the warm Greek welcome and hospitality. Everyone I encountered, from private gardeners, to pool managers and Mykonos villa owners made me feel very much at home. 

It should be no surprise – Mykonos is known to be an island of luxury, hedonism and decadence. It is also the seventh destination added to the Villazzo collection, hence my visit. Whilst here, I would be meeting prospective property owners, to assess the very best villas in Mykonos we’re inviting into the Villazzo portfolio.

As with all our properties, I was specifically looking for the following:

• A well maintained property
• Size of property
• A superior location
• Unrivalled views
• Comfort and first-class facilities
• Cleanliness
• Proximity to local attractions and entertainment

The heat is on!

I purposely came during peak tourist season, to see how the island responds at its busiest. Whilst nearby island Santorini brings in the highest number of tourists, Mykonos is known to bring in the most discerning. Those with a taste for the finer things in life; like private rooftop pools, uninterrupted views out to sea, and Mykonos villas within easy reach of its marina filled with superyachts. 

I was wowed by the safety measures in place, and the inviting hospitality from all the property owners I met, taking the time to give me tours of the properties and the amazing facilities on offer.

Although the island has been a haven for the jet-set since the ‘60s, Mykonos is once again enjoying its time in the limelight, with a raft of A-list celebrities, beach bars, marinas and luxury Mykonos villas welcoming visitors. It is mainly a European crowd, with a growing interest from Americans. 

With luxury villas in Mykonos in growing demand, I visited no less than twenty of the most sought-after on the island to add to our collection – only half eventually made it.

Stepping inside a postcard

One of the joys of visiting Mykonos is that it’s authentically Greek. Its steep and narrow roads lead to breathtaking views and windmills gently turning in the breeze. There’s no better place than Mykonos Town to walk around and get lost in, but for the main, I drove around, and found the roads safe and easy to navigate.

It was also a great way to soak up the beauty of the island – it’s turquoise waters and sandy beaches, and mountain views, ensuring there’s something for everyone. And of course it’s famed nightlife.

If you’re all about eating out and five-star dining, there’s plenty to succumb to here. And because of the high-volume of international visitors, I found it provide five-star cuisine comparable to the likes of S. Tropez and Ibiza.

Myconian style and design

Getting a feel for the island is just as important as choosing the right Mykonos villas. We are the eyes and ears of our clients, and need to be able to recommend properties with insight and honesty. So whilst visiting homes, I took the time to meet and chat to the owners, and visit the local vicinity, posing all the questions I know customers would have.

Perhaps one of my favourite things about Mykonos is the incredible interior decoration – some of the best I’ve seen. Villas in Mykonos are designed with beauty and comfort, from charming artefacts and minimalist white-washed walls, to cosy villas hidden in the nooks of the island. This, along with the location and first-class facilities, such as pools and well maintained grounds, are a prerequisite for Villazzo.

Dreaming of Mykonos

As my time in Mykonos drew to a close, I left with a full heart, grateful for the kind hospitality and incredible homes I had been invited into – many now serving as Villazzo properties. I now fully understand why people rave about this island, and book months in advance. 

Finally, I would like to take the opportunity to extend my gratitude to all the homeowners who took the time to show me around their properties, and my team who helped to make this trip a great success.

Villazzo is pleased to introduce 10 Mykonos villa rentals now available for bookings at villazzo.com