Planning a honeymoon and not sure whether to choose Mykonos or Santorini? Here’s my honest opinion after visiting both iconic Mediterranean destinations on a romantic trip.

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Which is better to visit, Mykonos or Santorini?

Why I choose the Greek Islands for romantic trips

Greece is one of my all-time favorite destinations, and I’ve returned to this beautiful country multiple times to explore both its landmarks and beaches. Most of my visits were romantic trips with my husband, before we had kids. So believe me when I say – you don’t need to convince me that Greece is perfect for a honeymoon. I’ve chosen it myself for romantic getaways and haven’t regretted it for a second.

The laid-back vibe in Greece – especially on its islands – is unmatched. Delicious food, beautiful beaches, and crystal-clear water all add to the perfect romantic holiday experience. While there are many Greek islands to choose from, the two most famous are Mykonos and Santorini. They’re known for their picture-perfect whitewashed architecture and are popular among honeymooners for good reason.

The interesting thing about visiting the Greek islands is that they all have a similar feel but are so unique at the same time that there’s always a different opinion about which island is the best (my current favorite Greek island is actually Crete, and my husband’s – Rhodes).

Nevertheless, I’d say the biggest debate is always between Mykonos and Santorini, as they are some of the most unique islands in the world and top every Greece bucket list. So, let me share my honest thoughts after visiting both.

Mykonos or Santorini, which one is nicer for a honeymoon?

II have a very conflicted answer when it comes to choosing which island – Mykonos or Santorini – is nicer for a romantic trip. Overall, my experience on Mykonos was better. I felt the island offered a bit of everything and was easier to navigate. Yet, despite all the logical arguments I’ll outline in this post that lean away from Santorini, it was still unapologetically beautiful – one of those places you feel you have to see at least once in your life.

So honestly, I think Mykonos is a more versatile destination and would likely be a better fit for most honeymooners. However, in my case, I was so impressed by the views in Santorini that if I had to choose only one Greek island, I’d still go with Santorini.

That said, strangely enough, I’m not sure I’d return to either of these islands. As a first-time experience, both were absolutely unique, but they were also overpriced and overcrowded. Beautiful, yes – but not necessarily places I’d revisit. Yet, I should admit that they deserve every bit of the international attention. For first-timers, both are must-stops in Greece.

Why choose Mykonos for your honeymoon?

Mykonos is often considered the most luxurious island in Greece, making it perfect for honeymooners who appreciate an upscale touch. When it comes to summer parties and beach clubs, it rivals Ibiza without missing a beat.

While there are lots of expensive restaurants and luxury hotels in Mykonos, it still felt more versatile than Santorini. Our hotel in Mykonos was overpriced compared to Crete or Cyprus, but it was still okay considering that the island is one of the most popular Mediterranean destinations. By and large, Mykonos felt easier than Santorini in every possible way.

Navigating the island is easier than dealing with the mountain roads of Santorini, and the Old Town is full of charming streets and nice areas to walk.

While our romantic getaway took place at the beginning of September, it was still busy but didn’t feel like a nightmare, unlike Cinque Terre in Italy. We spent 3 days exploring the island in a laid-back way, and it felt enough for me. We visited Mykonos by ferry right after a week in Crete, and while everything was so picture-perfect, I felt a bit of contrast since Crete was much more interesting in terms of sightseeing.

By and large, I loved visiting Mykonos, and I feel like it fits the bill for travelers looking for a cliché Greek vacation where you can enjoy the architecture of a whitewashed fishing village, combined with beautiful hotels, nice beaches, top-rated restaurants, and trendy clubs. In fact, visiting the island is a great idea, even if you only have a day at the Mykonos cruise port.

By and large, after visiting Mykonos once, I’d prefer to explore another Greek island rather than return. However, if given the choice between returning exclusively to Mykonos or Santorini for a honeymoon or romantic getaway, I’d choose Mykonos. There are epic upscale places to stay in Mykonos, but at the same time, there are also plenty of affordable luxury options that are great, like Branco Mykonos, WhiteArt Suites, Palladium Hotel, Croco Mykonos and Nissaki Boutique Hotel.

Also, to my surprise, Mykonos made it onto my list of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. So, I definitely recommend the island for memorable honeymoon moments.

Why to choose Santorini for honeymoon

Santorini falls behind Mykonos in every logical argument – it’s even more overpriced and overcrowded. After reading about the local roads, we gave up the idea of renting a car, as an adventurous holiday was not my plan for Santorini at all. Yet, for some reason, the famous village of Oia, with its whitewashed hilltop architecture, felt like such an otherworldly destination. Santorini is a far less comfortable destination than Mykonos due to its steep elevations and winding mountain roads, but this mind-blowing geographical location is also what adds to its unique charm.

Santorini is one of the most iconic honeymoon destinations for a reason. In fact, when my husband and I visited the island, we had been dating for six months, and it was in Santorini where he popped the question, asking if I’d ever like to marry him. Needless to say, it wasn’t just me who was impressed by the views – Santorini feels special enough to inspire spontaneous, life-changing decisions. It is absolutely one of those “see-before-you-die” destinations from travel books. So it is great for a honeymoon in many ways.

There are also unique places and experiences on the island, like hiking to Skaros Rock or visiting Perissa Black Sand Beach, but one of the most compelling reasons to visit Santorini is for the famous hilltop views of Oia, surrounded by the sea. Also, it is easy to reach Santorini from Athens, either by plane or ferry. So, despite its mountainous landscape, it is a popular stop on any Greece itinerary.

As a one-time experience, Santorini impressed me even more than Mykonos. However, I’m not sure I would return – unless I could afford a private villa perched on the cliffs, where I could wake up to those breathtaking views far from the crowds. So, I’d say that for a luxury honeymoon, Santorini might still be an epic choice. The views are truly once-in-a-lifetime – arguably even more spectacular than those in Mykonos. I don’t even have words to describe stays like Canaves Elefas Villas, Divine Cave Experience, or Art Maisons Oia Castle.

Santorini is crowded, overpriced, and not the easiest island to navigate – so it’s not somewhere I’d choose to visit every summer. However, for first-time visitors, it absolutely makes sense to experience it at least once. What I really love about Santorini is that, unlike many places that look better in photos than in real life, this Greek island is every bit as beautiful as it seems. So if you can afford a luxury villa tucked away from the crowds, Santorini can be an unforgettable honeymoon destination.

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For more travel tips on Greece follow my Pinterest boards Greece & Islands and Europe Travel Destinations.

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