5 Things I Hate About Mykonos
This summer I went to Mykonos, Greece for the second time, and while it's still as beautiful as ever, with great food and beaches, I'm sad to report that the luster has worn off — so much so that I actually left a day early. Maybe I'm becoming an old grouch, or maybe it was just a particularly hectic high-season week, but on this last trip I felt like it's becoming the Cancun of the Mediterranean, with loud, drunk crowds and jam-packed streets.
Here are five things that are making me question whether I want to go back to Mykonos next year:
1. Mykonos is expensive.
If you think you're going to get a deal because of the Greek crisis, think again. Hotels sell out quickly, so even the crappiest ones can charge obscene rates. At the Kiwi Collection's Belvedere, where I stayed last year, a Superior Sea View room that costs €165 ($185) a night in late October is €705 ($790) this weekend; the Rochari, on the lower end, starts at €60 ($67) for a single room in the off season, and jumps to €128 ($143) in the summer (July 10-September 11). Points-wise there are few options, and the super-nice SPG resorts — such as the Category 7 Santa Marina, which starts at about €350 ($394) or 30,000 Starpoints per night — have little availability, award or otherwise.
2. Mykonos is crowded.
Mykonos Town (Chora) is word-famously lovely, with winding alleys and whitewashed facades, but it's stressful as well. Even the tiniest streets are filled with all manner of vehicle and roaming hordes of pedestrians. The roads that look quaint in photographs in reality are loud, fume-filled traffic jams as everyone heads to the beach.
3. Mykonos has some horrible transportation options.
I cracked my smartphone's screen one day by accident, and wanted to go get it fixed near the airport. The hotel couldn't get me a taxi, at all, for hours; they kept calling to no avail, and finally just gave me a shrug. I ventured out on my own and tried the bus system, but wow, it was not easy to figure out. For such a touristy town, you'd think they'd make it as simple as possible to cut down on the chaos. Renting a moped or an ATV is an option — if you're a Formula One driver, that is — and drunk driving seems more like a hobby than a crime here.
4. Everything is an ordeal in Mykonos.
As I said above, taxis are impossible, and getting to the beach — or really anywhere — can be an all-day affair. Then once you do arrive, even if you have reservations, it's likely that they won't let you sit down right away ... for reasons no one can explain.
Nothing ever seems to be on time, which you start to embrace because it's the southern Mediterranean, but don't expect any service — at least without a hassle or even having to "fight" for it. But honestly, that takes the fun out of a vacation for me.
Getting money was also a lengthy process, as there aren't a ton of ATMs, and when you do find one, it may not have cash — and might not even be plugged in. And while you'd think that a credit card would work in a pinch, a lot of vendors like to be paid in cash, like our boat charter; it was a real time-waster to be running around to multiple ATMs to get the cash needed, and not the way I wanted to spend valuable vacation time.
5. Mykonos can be dangerous.
Now, I know that sounds alarmist, but hear me out. I don't mean that it's dangerous in terms of crime (except for the ubiquitous pickpocketing of tourists), but walking around town it seemed like we saw more than a normal number of people banged up, scratched up or in a cast. Also, my friend was almost hit by a car on the main road and jumped onto the sidewalk – except that there wasn't one, so he fell down a slope of roughly 15 feet. Luckily, he was okay; to me, though, it was just one more way that Mykonos is not a user-friendly town — to say the least.
What do you think? Is the beauty of Mykonos worth battling the drunken crowds and horrific infrastructure? Or should I take some advice for my next trip from TPG Contributor Lori Zaino's piece on 10 Amazing European Islands You May Not Know About?
[card card-name='Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express' card-id='22034416' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.