THE Greek islands are a dream for holidaymakers looking for sun, sea and whitewashed backdrops.
But this Instagram-perfect mix has also made Mykonos and Santorini some of the most popular destinations in Europe.
The Greek islands are some of the most stunning places in Europe – but they come with a hefty price tag[/caption]
Kim Kardashian poses on Mykonos, which has become a magnet for celebrities[/caption]
Freelance travel writer Laura Millar has visited Mykonos every year since she was a teenager[/caption]
Every summer, paparazzi pics of A-listers living it up in Mykonos make it into the news, with the tiny island hosting the likes of Beyonce, Lewis Hamilton, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kim Kardashian.
So it’s no surprise that holidays here come at a premium with prices (and crowds) higher than ever.
However, for those in the know, a budget break to these must-see Mediterranean beauty spots is possible.
We spoke to two Greek experts who spend every summer on the islands and their tips could save you hundreds on your holiday.
Money saving in Mykonos
Freelance travel writer Laura Millar has been going to Mykonos every year since she was a teenager and reveals how she gets her fix without breaking the bank…
Mykonos has gained a reputation for being one of the most expensive places in Greece, as well as the prettiest.
Think narrow, maze-like winding streets, walls draped in bright pink bougainvillea and cute chalk-white churches.
But it doesn’t have to be extortionate. I speak from experience, as someone who came here for the first time as a student, and has been returning almost every year since.
Swerve the summer
Firstly, if possible, avoid visiting in high season, which is July and August.
Not only will you avoid the crowds, but coming in May, June, September or October means that flights and accommodation are likely to be cheaper – even in the May and September school holidays.
Book as far in advance as you can, or set price alerts for the month you want to travel on sites like Skyscanner.
If you time it right, British Airways offers flights from around £72 one way from London in October, while Easyjet flies from Manchester from £32.99 one way in the same month.
When it comes to accommodation, I like to stay in pretty Mykonos Town, home to plenty of affordable bars and tavernas within walking distance.
As hotels can be pricey, I usually book an Airbnb, and when you share with two or three others you can usually find places that don’t cost more than £50 per person per night.
You may be tempted to stay somewhere further away, but bear in mind that while you might find a cheaper hotel in a quieter area, such as family-friendly Ornos or Platis Gialos (a ten to fifteen minute drive from town), you’ll have to factor in the cost of paying for a taxi to Mykonos Town, which can get expensive.
Some places are served by a bus route, but not all, so it can be inconvenient.
When it comes to accommodation, Laura likes to stay in pretty Mykonos Town, home to plenty of affordable bars and tavernas[/caption]
Mykonos has plenty of stunning beaches to choose from, whether you want peace and quiet or prefer thumping tunes[/caption]
When it comes to beaches, Mykonos has plenty to choose from, whether you want peace and quiet or prefer thumping tunes played by an on-site DJ.
Being based in Mykonos Town means you can take advantage of the network of public buses which serve most of the best beaches, costing two euros for a single journey. Check the timetables in advance mykonosbus.com.
Head to Paraga, a slightly quieter beach with plenty of cheap and cheerful tavernas right on the sand.
My favouite is Tasos, which offers simple but tasty dishes from Greek salads for £8 to grilled sardines and moussaka for under £10.
Be aware, however, that all beaches charge visitors for the privilege of using a sun lounger with a parasol.
Prices can vary from around £20 per day to an eye-watering £100 or even more, at glitzy beach clubs like Scorpios, Nammos and Jackie O’s.
If you don’t fancy shelling out, buy a cheap beach umbrella when you get there and lay your towel on the sand.
Cafe tables and chairs right near the sea with waves overlooking famous Mykonos windmills.[/caption]
Med-priced meals
Eating out can be incredibly reasonable if you know where to go.
As there’s plenty of competition in Mykonos Town and you’ll find loads of places where main courses cost around £15 or less, plus a variety of casual cafes and bakeries.
You can’t beat Niko’s, by the Old Port, serving classics like stuffed vine leaves (£8), grilled feta (£7) and lamb souvlaki (£14) and where a litre of house wine costs around £5.
For a quick daytime or late night snack, Leonidas, in the town centre, serves up delicious pork or chicken gyros for under £5.
Fancy a fun night out with cheap drinks?
Head to the popular Skandinavian Bar which has been a staple in Mykonos since the 70s.
Like many bars here, there’s even a dancefloor, which you will be more than happy to join after the £10 cocktails.
Sunset on the island of Santorini, Greece[/caption]
Beers cost £8 and you’ll be pushed to get one for cheaper than that in Mykonos.
If you want to be boujee on a budget, do what we do and buy a bottle of Prosecco and some paper cups from one of the supermarkets and take it to the square by the five windmills for a sunset aperitif and the most perfect view of the sun down.
Save money in Santorini
Local expert Heidi Fuller-Love – a travel writer based in Greece – shares her ways to save and see a more authentic side to Santorini, despite its reputation as one of Greece’s least affordable destinations.
Mykonos is not the only island with a reputation for being overpriced and overcrowded – Santorini is a magnet for honeymooners and a honeypot for A-listers ranging from Angelina Jolie to Beyoncé.
Rumour has it that now that Santorini has picked up a premium price tag, it’s putting people off, with hotels reporting bookings down by as much as 20–30% this year.
However it’s absolutely possible to explore this sizzling Cyclades island in the sun without breaking the bank if you know how, so now’s the time to take advantage.
Santorini island and its famous blue-domed skyline[/caption]
Stay away from the caldera
Santorini might be known for its picturesque volcanic caldera sprinkled with white villages and blue-domed churches, but if you want to save the pennies, head inland.
Away from tourist-heavy hotspots like Oia and Fira, you’ll find picture-postcard villages like Megalochori, Pyrgos, or Emborio with cobbled streets, homely tavernas, and competitively priced accommodation where your money will go much further — and you’ll also get a big bite of authentic island life.
A lot of people are surprised when I recommend simple but lovely hotels like Hotel L&S Lignos, in Fira and Villa Livadaros, Karterados which both have rooms from £35 a night.
Something with few more facilities like Depalmya Suites costs a bit more, but you can still get a deal for £350 for four nights, which is far less than the package prices suggest.
Beach by bus
Car hire is expensive on the island and quads are downright dangerous on Santorini’s narrow, crowded roads, so I would avoid this option.
Luckily, there are plenty of buses in summer leaving from Oia’s central bus station (generally every half hour), and tickets cost less than £2.
For the same price, there’s also a Santorini Airport Express bus that leaves from Fira every hour, so you don’t even need a taxi when you arrive.
Oia Ia village on Santorini is a sweet spot[/caption]
Kamari beach has reasonably-priced sun loungers[/caption]
Santorini has plenty of free attractions, if you know where to look.
The beaches, for starters, are so stunning, you wont want to leave. Red Beach’s sheer orange cliffs swoop to pristine turquoise waters.
It’s a bit of a trek to get onto it, but you are rewarded with an uncrowded spot in a secluded lagoon.
Perissa and Kamari both boast sweeping lengths of black volcanic sand – but, like Mykonos, sun loungers are expensive, so take your own towel and grab a shady spot by the sea wall.
The thing everyone wants to do is a catamaran tour at sunset, but for £100 per person, it’s very expensive, especially for families.
Instead, enjoy the highlights on a Volcanic Islands cruise for £21— you even get a swim in the hot springs — for a third of the price.
At sun down, if you’re feeling energetic, hike up the cobbled cliff-edge path from Fira to Oia at sunset.
The views are as good as any you’d get from those pricey cliff-edge hotels.
Eat like a local
Expect to pay top-notch prices for a table with a caldera view in Oia or Fira.
But in the warren of streets behind the volcano’s rim, you’ll find simple tavernas and cafés serving gyros pita, or tomato-and-sauce-stuffed falafel wraps, for around £4.
If you fancy a picnic, pick up a bag of cheese-stuffed tiropita pies or spanakopita spinach pies from family-run Grigoris Bakery in Fira for as little as £3 and take them with you to the beach.
Local food tastes better and costs less[/caption]
For keenly priced Santorini-themed meals, follow locals to family-run tavernas like Lava near Perissa or Metaxi Mas in Exo Gonia.
Both have sea views and fresh seafood, like a huge bowl of steamed mussels for £10 and grilled chicken skewers with rice for £12. Beers here are just £4.50 too.
Starry nights out in Santorini can be expensive, but clubs like Town Club Fira or Two Brothers Bar , have great happy hours and two-for-one promotions.
At Two Brothers, you can get a cocktail for £5, which is half the price of Marinera Bar down the road
Alternatively, grab a hammock and enjoy great value drinks and snacks as you lounge or dance in the sand at Tranquilo Café on Perissa Beach. Cocktails here are £12 but they pack a punch, so you won’t need many.
Opting for local Greek drinks like Santorini house wine, ouzo, or Metaxa brandy generally cost less than their branded booze counterparts, but be sure to ask for them specifically, or you will get a bill with the European prices.
Santorini habour at sunset is stunning[/caption]
Go out of season
In summer months in Santorini, when cruise ships dock at Fira and honeymooners head for Oia, you can expect crowds, sizzling heat, and bling-bling prices.
Just like in Mykonos, in May or October, evenings are cooler but days are generally still really hot.
Flights cost half the price, on my last trip I paid £28 one way.
Accommodation will be less per night and tavernas tend to offer more value for money too, to draw in business.
If flights are coming up expensive for your dates, there is a way to travel to Santorini much cheaper.
Book a flight to Athens. Ryaniar have bargain flights to the capital for as little as £19 each way.
From here, take a ferry over to Santorini for £40. It’s just like a cruise – you can sit out on deck and get a tan during the six-hour journey — and nothing tops the wow factor of arriving inside that jawdropping volcanic caldera by boat.
