If you are searching for the perfect São Miguel Azores itinerary, you probably already know this is not a typical European island holiday.

São Miguel is wild. It is volcanic. It is incredibly green.

One moment you are looking down into a vast crater lake. The next, you are walking through giant ferns towards a waterfall. Then you are swimming in the Atlantic or soaking in warm, iron-rich thermal water.

I spent ten nights on São Miguel and used Ponta Delgada as my only base.

And yes, staying in one place for the entire trip worked!

It meant a little more driving on the east-coast days. But it also meant no repacking, no changing hotels and a much bigger choice of restaurants every evening.

This guide is based on my real trip. It includes the places I loved, the routes that made sense and the lessons the Azorean weather taught me very quickly.

Most importantly, this is not an itinerary you should follow blindly.

In the Azores, the weather makes the final decision.

São Miguel Azores itinerary at a glance

This itinerary is ideal for seven to ten days.

With ten days, you can explore at a relaxed pace. You also have time to repeat a dolphin tour, revisit a foggy viewpoint or enjoy a guilt-free spa day when the rain arrives.

Here is the basic São Miguel Azores itinerary route ( Screenshot this)

• · Day 1: Ponta Delgada and an easy arrival day
• Day 2: Dolphin and whale watching, followed by a beach
• Day 3: Sete Cidades and the wild west coast
• Day 4: Lagoa do Fogo, Caldeira Velha and Salto do Cabrito
• Day 5: Gorreana, Ribeira dos Caldeirões and Nordeste
• Day 6: Furnas, Terra Nostra and the thermal springs
• Day 7: Salto do Prego, Sanguinho and the southeast coast
• Day 8: Vila Franca do Campo and the south-coast beaches
• Day 9: A second dolphin tour or a missed weather window
• Day 10: A flexible favourite-place day or a rain-day spa

If you only have seven days, prioritise Days 2–7. Only Add Vila Franca do Campo if the islet is very high on your list.

How many days do you need in São Miguel?

You need at least 7 full days to see the most famous places in São Miguel.

However, I would recommend 10 days if you love nature, hiking, swimming and photography. The extra days are not wasted. They protect your trip from fog, heavy rain and rough sea conditions.

São Miguel may look small on a map. But the best places are spread across the island. You will also stop far more often than expected.

Trust me. The viewpoints will get you every time, so you wont regret adding 2-3 extra days in your São Miguel Azores itinerary

The most important São Miguel travel tip: follow the weather

Do not attach Sete Cidades or Lagoa do Fogo to one fixed date and refuse to move them.

Both are famous for disappearing behind thick cloud.

Check the SpotAzores webcams before breakfast. Look at the west, central ridge and east separately.

Ponta Delgada can be sunny while Sete Cidades is completely covered in fog. Forty minutes away can feel like another country.

For example, if the west is clear, go to Sete Cidades. If the central ridge is clear, go to Lagoa do Fogo.

And if the sea is rough, move your marine tour. Use that day for Furnas, the tea plantation, Ponta Delgada or a spa.

Tia’s Tip: Keep at least one full day unplanned. The Azores reward flexible travellers.

Where to stay in São Miguel

I stayed in Ponta Delgada for all ten nights.

For a first trip, it is the easiest base. You are close to the airport, whale-watching departures, supermarkets and the island’s widest choice of restaurants.

Approximate driving times from Ponta Delgada:

• Sete Cidades: 35–45 minutes
• Lagoa do Fogo and Caldeira Velha: 30–40 minutes
• Vila Franca do Campo: 25–30 minutes
• Furnas: 45–55 minutes
• Ribeira dos Caldeirões: 50–60 minutes
• Nordeste: 65–75 minutes
• Faial da Terra: 70–80 minutes

Nordeste, Faial da Terra and the southeast coast become longer day trips. If you hate driving, you could divide your stay between Ponta Delgada and Furnas.

However, you do not have to. Furnas is a tiny village – accommodation options are quite limited, and the village is known for its homegeothermal activity and its distinctive sulphur smell- i am very glad I didn’t end up staying there overnight.

My one-base São Miguel itinerary was completely manageable. I simply started the longest days early and kept the evenings relaxed.

Tia’s Tip: These are driving estimates. Always add time for parking, weather and spontaneous photo stops.

I also happened to be in Ponta Delgada for PDL White Ocean, when the historic centre transforms into a huge ocean-themed street party and everyone dresses in white.

Giant sea creatures hang above the old streets, music fills the city and the atmosphere is incredible — if your dates happen to coincide with it, definitely go! (photos below)

Do you need a car in São Miguel?

Yes. I strongly recommend hiring a car.

Many of the best viewpoints, waterfalls and trailheads are difficult to reach by public transport. A car also allows you to react quickly when the weather clears.

Overall the roads are well maintained and very easy to drive in – we felt quite safe, which is more than i can say about my trip to Costa Rica.

Of course, on any trip, practice common sense and caution. At Salto do Cabrito, for example, you can park above and walk down if the road feels uncomfortable ( after heavy rain )

The Best São Miguel Azores itinerary

Now, let’s get into the full itinerary! Print this and keep it in your car. I revisited mine every single day and updated it as the day went on. Extremely helpful if you are in an area with no signal, no wifi or no battery!

Day 1: Arrive and explore Ponta Delgada

Keep your first day easy.

Check in, collect your car and walk through the historic centre of Ponta Delgada.

Start at Portas da Cidade. Continue to São Sebastião Church and the marina. If you still have energy, visit a pineapple plantation just outside the centre.

This is also the time to buy water and basic supplies. Reconfirm your next morning’s dolphin tour before going to dinner.

Do not overfill the day. The wild part of your São Miguel itinerary starts tomorrow.

Day 2: Dolphin watching and an easy south-coast beach

If you only do ONE thing in the Azores, it needs to be this! Dozens of wild dolphin pods, whales, and incredible marine life that i never thought i would be able to experience in my lifetime.

Absolutely incredible and yes – i cried with happiness!

Book your first marine tour at the beginning of your trip. That gives you several days to reschedule if the Atlantic is too rough.

I actually did two dolphin tours in São Miguel. One was on a catamaran. The other was on a speedboat.

The experiences felt completely different.

Catamaran vs speedboat dolphin tour in São Miguel

The catamaran is the more comfortable choice.

There is more room to move, even if it fits 100 people, you really don’t feel it. We had front row views of dozens of dolphins and whales.

The ride generally feels more relaxed. It is a better option if you are nervous on boats or want a gentler morning at sea. I would definitely advise that if you are traveling with children or get seasick.

The speedboat feels much more adventurous, like a 3 hour rollercoaster ride with huge atlantic ocean waves to match! It holds 8-12 passengers only.

You sit closer to the water and travel quickly between sightings. You also feel every wave. Be prepared to get wet!

I am genuinely glad I tried both.

If you only want one tour, choose according to your comfort level rather than which boat looks better in photographs. i took great photos and videos on both but i got quite sea sick on the speedboat, even if i found that to be very fun!

Tia’s Dolphin Tour Tips

Firstly: take motion-sickness medication 30 mins before departure if you need it. Nautisol are great but anything is better than nothing! Do not wait until the boat is already moving.

Secondly, have your phone fully charged and secured on your body – also carry a power bank. And thirdly: Pack warm clothes, even if its sunny – the wind is tricky in the Atlantic!

Afternoon: Lunch and Beach

After the tour, head straight to Praia do Pópulo. Only a 10 minute drive from the marina, have lunch at Sunset Beach Restaurant and then walk the few steps to the beach.

tip: Praia das Milícias is another easy choice beach – the two are only 10 minutes apart .

Pineapple Plantation: Greenhouses and Dessert.

If you have time, stop at Arruda Pineapple Plantation in Ponta Delgada to see how São Miguel’s famous pineapples are grown inside traditional glass greenhouses.

It is a quick, free and easy visit and a lovely little break from the island’s hikes and viewpoints. There is a cafe at the end – make sure you try the pineapple flambe with ice cream – it’s divine!

Day 3: Sete Cidades and the wild west coast

This is one of the biggest days of your São Miguel road trip, and you will love every minute of it.

Only do this day when the western São Miguel webcams are clear. Sete Cidades is one of those places where cloud can completely swallow the views, so check before leaving and aim to be on the road by 9 am.

Here is how to explore the viewpoints!

When you arrive in the Sete Cidades/Serra Devassa area, park and take a moment to look at the large tourist map showing the different viewpoints and lakes by number. It makes the area much easier to understand.

From here, some viewpoints are reached almost directly from the road, while others involve short walks or easy hikes through forest and volcanic landscape.

Stop 1: Muro das Nove Janelas

This old moss-covered aqueduct is one of those wonderfully unexpected places that makes São Miguel feel almost prehistoric. There is no hike involved — park nearby and allow around 10–15 minutes to wander around, photograph the arches and explore the surrounding greenery.

I really recommend including it because it is completely different from the crater viewpoints and makes a beautiful break between them.

Stop 2: Lagoa das Empadadas

A small crater lake hidden among dense trees. It only takes around 5–10 minutes of easy walking to reach the lake from the nearby parking area. Much quieter than Sete Cidades itself and has a completely different atmosphere — peaceful, enclosed and almost secret.

It is worth visiting precisely because most people rush straight to the famous viewpoints and miss these smaller lakes.

Stop 3: Lagoa do Canario

Continue towards Lagoa do Canário. From the nearby parking area, it is only around a 5–10 minute easy walk down the stairs to reach the lake.

It is worth the short detour simply because the atmosphere is so quiet and almost otherworldly.

Lagoa do Canário feels completely different from the huge Sete Cidades crater: it is small, incredibly peaceful and surrounded closely by dense forest.

Stop 4: Miradouro da Grota do Inferno

Follow the route towards Miradouro da Grota do Inferno, better known as Boca do Inferno.

This is the viewpoint I would absolutely not skip. Allow roughly 30 minutes walk each way.

The walk is mostly easy, although there are some uneven and slightly steeper sections as you approach the viewpoint, so I would call it easy to moderate rather than difficult. Wear proper trainers rather than sandals.

And then you reach the reason everyone comes here.

From Boca do Inferno you look down over multiple volcanic lakes, the Sete Cidades caldera, the village and even the Atlantic Ocean beyond the crater rim. It is one of the most extraordinary views on São Miguel.

Go early because parking is limited and the viewpoint becomes much busier later in the day.

Stop 5: Lagoa do Santiago.

Arguably my favorite viewpoint in Azores – this requires virtually no hiking — the viewpoint is very close to the road.

Santiago looks completely different again: a deep emerald-green crater lake surrounded by steep forested walls. I strongly recommend a visit – the colour and shape of the lake are extraordinary.

Stop 6: Miradouro da Vista do Rei

Next, drive to Miradouro da Vista do Rei. There is no real hike required here — simply park and walk a few minutes to the viewpoint.

This is the classic postcard view of Sete Cidades, where you look directly down over the famous Blue and Green Lakes inside the enormous volcanic crater.

Even after seeing Boca do Inferno, I would still stop here because the perspective is completely different and gives you the clearest view of the twin lakes themselves.

Finally, drive down into the village of Sete Cidades. After spending the morning looking at the lakes from above, it is lovely to finally reach the water itself.

Walk along the lakeshore, rent a kayak if the weather is good, stop for lunch in the village or bring a picnic and simply sit beside the lake. Allow at least 30–60 minutes for an easy lakeside wander, longer if you want to kayak or have lunch.

This is one of those São Miguel days where I would not rush from viewpoint to viewpoint. The best part is the contrast: huge panoramic crater views, tiny forest lakes, short trails and then finally standing beside the water you have been looking down on all morning.

Stop 7: Ponta da Ferraria thermal ocean pools

Ponta da Ferraria has two nearby ocean-swimming spots worth exploring. The famous geothermal pool is the busy one, where hot spring water mixes with the Atlantic around low tide.

Walk a little farther along the volcanic rocks and there is another, deeper ocean entry with a larger ladder. It isn’t the thermal pool, but when I visited it was beautifully quiet and I practically had it to myself.

Tias Tip: If your priority is the warm-water experience, time the main Ferraria pool around low tide. That is when the geothermal water is least diluted by the Atlantic and the temperature is super warm.

Day 4: Lagoa do Fogo, Caldeira Velha and Salto do Cabrito

Central São Miguel is a combination of crater views, warm forest pools, waterfalls and black sand.

Stop 1: Caldeira Velha

An absolute MUST on any São Miguel Azores itinerary.

Start at Caldeira Velha, which you can ONLY visit with a reserved apointment ( same day booking is NOT available)

You can reserve them via their official site here. Choose the Full Ticket to access the thermal pools.

We kept our Caldeira Velha appointment despite the torrential rain. And I am SO glad we did.

Being submerged in warm, soothing volcanic water while the sky opened above us was almost impossible to describe. Rain crashed onto the pools, steam rose around the lush almost prehistoric forest and we simply stayed beneath the water, warm and completely mesmerised.

It became one of my favourite memories from the Azores.

Do not cancel Caldeira Velha because of rain. Unless there is a safety warning or official closure, the dramatic weather may make the experience even more magical.

Stop 2: Lagoa Do Fogo

The lake is one of the great natural landmarks of São Miguel.

Leave your car in the parking lot and continue with the shuttle towards Lagoa do Fogo.

During the summer access period, park at Caldeira Velha or the southern Rota da Água/Casa da Água access point and use the Lagoa do Fogo hop-on/hop-off shuttle to explore the viewpoints.

(Between 15 June and 30 September, 09:00–19:00, access by ordinary non-resident private vehicles is restricted in that zone.)

Stop 3: Salto Do Cabrito

After returning to your car, drive separately to Salto do Cabrito — it is not a stop on the Lagoa do Fogo shuttle.

Cabrito is a powerful waterfall hidden in a lush green canyon near Ribeira Grande. It is a brilliant stop if you want something wilder and less manicured than the island’s thermal attractions.

There are 2 ways to visit:

1. Hike: You can visit the waterfall as part of the full 8.6 km circular hike, which takes around three hours and includes forest trails, streams and steep steps.
2. Walk : You don’t need to do the full three-hour hike to see the waterfall. Park at the upper access point and follow the steep paved road downhill for around 10–15 minutes; allow approximately 30–45 minutes return. The climb back is steep, but the short route makes this an easy waterfall to add to a Ribeira Grande day.

Stop 4: Santa Barbara Beach

Finish at Praia de Santa Bárbara – but be aware of the waves.

One of São Miguel’s best-known black-sand beaches, with a huge stretch of coastline and strong Atlantic waves.

It is especially popular for surfing, but also worth visiting just for the scenery.

Safety Tip

Always obey the beach flags. The Atlantic is powerful. Do not enter the water if you feel unsafe.

Day 5: Gorreana tea fields, waterfalls and Nordeste

Leave early for the longest driving circuit in this itinerary. Buckle up for a fantastic day ahead! Be prepared for many cute cows too!

Stop 1: Miradouro de Santa Iria

Begin at Miradouro de Santa Iria. The view over the north coast is gorgeous and the drive is so scenic, you WILL want to stop at every turn.

Stop 2: Gorreana Tea Factory.

Walk through the tea fields and visit the factory. The rows of green plants are incredibly photogenic, especially when viewed along their curved lines.

You can visit the factory and sample the tea for free. There is a gift shop towards the exit too. You’ll need an hour here for a visit and photos.

Stop 3: Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões.

Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões was one of my favourite stops on São Miguel, and it was actually the first waterfall I saw on the trip.

The setting is absolutely beautiful, with the waterfall surrounded by lush, pristine greenery, old watermills and landscaped paths, and there is plenty more to explore once you cross over to the other side of the park.

It is more touristy than some of the island’s wilder waterfalls, but that is also what makes it such a good option for families and anyone who cannot manage a long or difficult hike.

The main areas are very easy to access, making it much more suitable for young children, people with limited mobility or anyone with poorer physical fitness.

I also saw guided canyoning groups here, wearing wetsuits and helmets and jumping from the rocks above the waterfall — so if you want something more adventurous, there are organised tours available too.

Stop 4: Salto da Farinha, Achadinha

If you are thinking of skipping this – don’t. I stumbled across this trail by accident – i didnt have a bathing suit on me, or comfortable ”sports wear” on – but i went along anyway.

Im glad i did!

Salto da Farinha was one of the wilder waterfall stops of my trip.

From Achadinha, the trail descends quite steeply through lush countryside and forest towards the waterfall, so the walk down is downhill and fast — just remember that everything you descend, you have to climb again on the way back!

Allow around 2 hours for this hike – the return climb is the part you will really feel, so I would rate it moderate rather than easy.

The scenery is beautiful and much wilder than the more accessible waterfalls, so it is absolutely worth it if you enjoy hiking.

Stop 5: Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego and Gardens

Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego is worth stopping for both the views and the gardens.

The landscaped paths, hydrangeas and tropical greenery are beautiful, while the viewpoint opens out over the dramatic cliffs and coastline of Nordeste.

Stop 6: Miradouro da Ponta da Madrugada.

It is an easy stop with no hike required, so allow around 20–30 minutes to explore and take pictures.

Pack snacks and water. A picnic at Ponta do Sossego is a beautiful option as this side of the island is slower and quieter.

It is also a long drive back to Ponta Delgada, so avoid rushing the cliff roads after dark.

Day 6: Furnas, Terra Nostra and volcanic hot springs

Stop 1: Furnas

Furnas is one of the most unusual places to visit in São Miguel.

Start at Lagoa das Furnas, walk beside the lake and visit the geothermal cooking area where large pots of cozido are lowered into the volcanic ground. The best time to see this is usually between 10:00 and 11:30 am.

If you eat meat and enjoy hearty stews, book a traditional cozido lunch in advance. (booking details further down the article).

This slow-cooked dish, prepared using the natural heat of the volcanic earth, is one of the island’s best-known food experiences. Personally, I wasn’t a fan, but that is completely down to taste.

I’d still say Furnas is worth visiting for its uniqueness, but the volcanic steam and strong sulphur smell are very noticeable. For me, that was probably the part I struggled with most.

Stop 2: Parque Terra Nostra and thermal Pools

Now THIS i enjoyed! Be prepared to spend at least three hours inside this luscious park!

The gardens are much bigger than they appear online. Giant trees, winding paths, and dense vegetation surround the famous iron-rich thermal pool.

Spend the first half exploring the gardens, there is so much beauty to see! Then head on to the changing rooms/lockers and prepare for the pools.

There is a giant thermal pool, as well as 2 smaller ones and the water is literally rusty orange from the iron – which you can smell too. Their temperatures are 40°C.

Wear dark swimwear. The orange water will stain pale fabric.

“After this, if you manage to secure an evening slot, continue to Poça da Dona Beija. I didn’t manage to get one

Tia’s Tip Rain is not a reason to cancel Furnas. The steam and deep green gardens can look even more atmospheric in wet weather.

Stop 3: Poça da Dona Beija.

Poça da Dona Beija is another beautiful collection of iron-rich thermal pools in Furnas. The water remains wonderfully warm at around 39°C, making an evening visit especially magical.

Tickets are timed and often sell out, so book well in advance. We could not find an available slot during our trip!

At the time of writing, tickets cost €12 before 5:30 pm and €16 from 6 pm onwards. Each visit lasts 90 minutes. Purchased tickets cannot be cancelled, exchanged or refunded, so check your plans carefully before booking.

Day 7: Salto do Prego and Sanguinho

This was the ultimate Jurassic-forest day, and one of my favourite memories from the Azores. Have I said that before? Probably, but the elation i felt that day is unmatched.

The views were jaw-dropping and well worth the hike which is of medium difficulty! The trail took us through thick vegetation, deep-green valleys and a landscape that barely looked real.

There were even dozens of wild chickens on the trail – which honestly was the icing on the cake for me.

The route begins in Faial da Terra and passes through the restored village of Sanguinho before reaching the magnificent Salto do Prego waterfall.

My day ended up at around 9 km of walking with all our exploring and stops, although the official Sanguinho–Salto do Prego circular trail is approximately 4.6 km and takes around two hours.

Drenched in sweat I reached the most incredible waterfall and immediately stepped into the freezing waterfall basin.

Cold, wild and completely unforgettable. what a sight!

I would personally allow at least three hours if you want photographs, time at the waterfall and a swim.

The trail can become extremely slippery after rain, so wear shoes with proper grip. Allow 3 hours minimum for photographs and always check the official Azores trail alerts before leaving.

Tia’s Tip: Pack your swimsuit, a small towel and plenty of water. You will definitely want to swim when you finally reach the waterfall!

After the hike, enjoy a picnic or lunch around Povoação.

You can then visit Praia do Fogo , a dark volcanic beach in the village at Ribeira Quente. It fits naturally into the return route and gives your legs a chance to recover.

Tia’s Tip: If the trail is dangerously wet, replace the hike with Povoação, Ribeira Quente and the southeast viewpoints.

Day 8: Vila Franca do Campo and the south coast

Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo is a protected volcanic islet just off the coast.

Its seawater lagoon is one of the most distinctive swimming places in the Azores. A must in any São Miguel Azores itinerary

You can only get to it by boat, and access depends on the season, ticket availability and sea conditions. A maximum of 400 people are allowed to visit per day – so book tickets well ahead before building your entire day around it.

Tia’s Tip: Only 100 tickets per day are released online, with 400 total daily visitors allowed. If online tickets sell out, arrive very early at the marina ticket office for same-day availability. Online tickets must still be validated at the physical ticket office before boarding.

After the islet, stop for a queijada in Vila Franca do Campo.

Finish the afternoon at Praia de Água d’Alto, a spacious volcanic-sand beach perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Alternatively, continue to Caloura for clear water, a rocky swimming area and fresh fish beside its picturesque little harbour.

Choose Água d’Alto for the beach and Caloura for swimming, snorkelling and lunch.

If the boat does not run, this is still a lovely south-coast day. Enjoy the beaches, and a long fish lunch instead.

Day 9: Take a second dolphin tour

I deliberately left space for a second marine day and it was one of the best decisions of my trip.

Wildlife tours are never identical. The sea changes. The boat changes. The atmosphere changes.

Because I used a catamaran for one dolphin tour and a speedboat for this one, the second experience did not feel repetitive at all.

I also chose to book with a marine biologist for this tour – Sea Colors – and learned so much about dolphins behaviour. I ended up seeing baby dolphins and a huge pod of 50+ dolphins – what a sight!

Use the rest of the day for a nearby beach or return to a viewpoint you missed because of fog.

Tia’s Tip: This flexible day is also your insurance policy. It prevents poor weather from “winning” Sete Cidades or Lagoa do Fogo.

Day 10: Repeat your favourite place or have a spa day

Do not plan every minute of your final full day before you arrive.

Spend the day souvenir shopping! ( i did!) Or return to the place you loved most. Choose a missed hike. Have one final swim. Or chase the sunset at Mosteiros.

And if the rain is relentless, make it a spa day.

You have already explored volcanoes and waterfalls. You are allowed to stop!

The perfect rainy-day spa for your São Miguel Azores itinerary

A spa day works beautifully after several days of hiking and driving.

Start with a slow breakfast or brunch in Ponta Delgada. Jardim Botanico Azores Brunch is fab – but expect to queue and wait for a table. Great pancakes and very decent coffee – a rarity in Azores.

While you wait, explore the gardens with wild chicken, the lakes with the ducks, the hidden archways and beautiful surroundings. Book a massage or wellness circuit for late morning. Then enjoy a long lunch and keep the afternoon free.

Best Spas in Ponta Delgada

Octant Ponta Delgada Spa

This is the luxurious city option. The spa uses natural and organic products, with treatments inspired by São Miguel. Facilities include an indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath and aromatic shower.

It is perfect when you want an elevated spa experience without leaving Ponta Delgada.

Nine Dots Wellness Center

Its wellness centre includes an indoor heated saltwater pool, a Turkish bath and treatments using Azorean essences. The volcanic-stone setting feels especially appropriate on a dark, rainy day.

SENSI Azores Nature and Spa

SENSI is in Ginetes, on the western side of São Miguel.

It offers massages and treatments, as well as a heated indoor pool, Turkish bath and sauna. This is the best choice if you want your rain day to feel like a proper escape from the city.

Tia’s Tip: Contact every spa in advance. Ask whether non-hotel guests can book the facilities, as access and availability can change.

Best beaches in São Miguel

São Miguel is not a classic white-sand destination. The beaches are darker, moodier and far more dramatic.

• Praia de Santa Bárbara
• Praia do Pópulo
• Praia das Milícias
• Praia de Água d’Alto ( easy to combine with Vila Franca do Campo )
• Praia do Fogo ( Add it after Salto do Prego or Furnas )
• Mosteiros (fantastic sunsets, swim only when the ocean is calm )
• Ponta da Ferraria (thermal ocean pool )

Where to eat in São Miguel

Food was never really a major part of this trip because as a Cypriot island girl, we are spoiled with incredible food in Cyprus .

Ponta Delgada is one of the strongest reasons to use one base. You can return from a long day and still have plenty of choices nearby. The centre is packed with restaurants and bars – some are great, some are not. Here are my reccommendations

Sushi Time, Ponta Delgada

I went to Sushi Time twice. That probably tells you everything!

It was one of my repeat restaurant choices in Ponta Delgada and an easy option when I wanted sushi after a full day of exploring. Order ANYTHING from the menu – for only 22 EU per person – and eat ALL YOU CAN. Fab quality of sashimi and rolls too – highly recomment.

A Tasca, Ponta Delgada

A Tasca is one of the best-known restaurants in the city for local petiscos and Azorean classics.

It is also CRAZY busy. Any day after 6 pm, expect the wait to be over an hour. Do not arrive starving and assume you will sit down quickly.

Go very early or put your name down and be prepared to wait. They do not take phone numbers or reservations. I had the picanha steak, it was fab!

Õtaka, Ponta Delgada

A stylish choice for a special dinner, with Azorean ingredients and Japanese influence. An expensive dinner, and an excuse to dress up!

Rotas da Ilha Verde, Ponta Delgada

A useful vegetarian-friendly choice in the centre of the city.

Associação Agrícola, near Ribeira Grande

Come for Azorean beef steak. Reserve in advance, especially during busy summer periods. fantastic, and reasonably priced too.

TukáTulá, Santa Bárbara

A casual beachfront stop that fits perfectly after a central or north-coast day.

Tony’s, Furnas or Caldeiras & Vulcões, Furnas

Both classic places to try cozido – the famous geothermal-cooked stew. Book 2-3 days ahead.

Bar Caloura

A very popular harbour restaurant for fish. Combine it with a south-coast day.

Essential São Miguel packing list

The weather can change several times in one day.

Pack for rain, sunshine, wind and swimming—sometimes all within a few hours.

• · A lightweight waterproof jacket
• A warm layer for boat trips
• Walking shoes/trainers with good grip
• Quick-drying beach towel
• Dark swimwear and a dark towel for thermal pools
• A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch
• Resuable Water Bottle
• Offline Google Maps
• motion-sickness medication

Things I would do differently

I would keep even more space between the longest east-coast days.

Nordeste and Salto do Prego both deserve early starts. Placing them back-to-back on any São Miguel Azores itinerary can – and did become tiring.

I would also reserve the most important activities earlier.

That includes dolphin tours, thermal pools, Caldeira Velha, cozido lunch and Vila Franca Islet access.

Finally, I would never promise myself that a famous viewpoint had to happen on a specific date.

The best São Miguel itinerary is a flexible one.

São Miguel Azores itinerary FAQs

Is seven days enough for São Miguel?

Yes, just about . Seven days is enough to see the main crater lakes, Furnas, several waterfalls, the north coast and a marine tour. Ten days gives you a more relaxed pace and valuable weather flexibility.

Is ten days too long in São Miguel?

No. Ten days is ideal if you enjoy nature, hiking, beaches and wildlife. Extra days allow you to repeat a dolphin tour, revisit foggy viewpoints and recover between long drives.

We had a couple of chill days in our São Miguel Azores itinerary and they were very much appreciated and needed!

Can you stay in Ponta Delgada for the whole trip?

Yes. I stayed in Ponta Delgada for all ten nights. The east-coast days involve more driving, but you avoid changing hotels and have excellent restaurant choices every evening.this São Miguel Azores itinerary is made specifically keeping Ponta Delgada as a base.

Do you need to rent a car in São Miguel?

A rental car is strongly recommended. It gives you access to remote viewpoints, waterfalls, beaches and trailheads. It also allows you to change plans quickly according to the weather.

What is the best month to visit São Miguel?

Late spring (May) to early autumn (October) generally offers longer days and better access to seasonal activities. However, the Azores have changeable weather throughout the year. Always plan with flexibility and respect to the natural elements.

Can you see dolphins in São Miguel?

Yes. Dolphin and whale-watching tours depart from several points around São Miguel. Sightings are never guaranteed because the animals are wild. I took two dolphin tours—one by catamaran and one by speedboat—and enjoyed how different the experiences felt.

i saw 5 different whale species and hundreds of dolphins. one of the best wildlife experiences of my life. It is my Number 1 thing to add to your São Miguel Azores itinerary

Is São Miguel good in the rain?

Yes. Furnas, the tea factory, Ponta Delgada and a spa day all work well in rain. Avoid exposed viewpoints and slippery trails when conditions are unsafe.

No real São Miguel Azores itinerary will be complete without the rain – its the reason the Azores are so green year round!

Final thoughts on this São Miguel itinerary

São Miguel gave me crater lakes, hydrangea roads, black-sand beaches and forests that looked straight out of Jurassic Park.

It also gave me fog, sudden rain and plans that changed at breakfast.

That is part of the experience and it kept me on my toes.

Use this São Miguel Azores itinerary as your framework. Then check the webcams, watch the sea and let the island rearrange the days.

You will still see an extraordinary amount. And I can almost guarantee that you will leave a piece of your heart in the Azores.

And who knows? You may discover that the unexpected day becomes your favourite one.

See you soon,

Love, Tia x

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The post São Miguel Azores Itinerary: The Perfect 7–10 Day Travel Guide appeared first on Tia Does Travel.

In this Cyprus travel blog, you will find the initial information you need to visit this island paradise of mine! Budget, Climate, Cyprus Tips, food, and many more are right here.

I have TONS of articles on Cyprus, but this one should be your first stop before you read anything else. So let’s dive right in!

Tia Does Travel contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For full information, take a look at our disclaimer here

Cyprus Travel Blog – Location of Cyprus

The Republic of Cyprus is located in the Mediterranean, in the European continent! Cyprus is on the southeast of Greece, south of Turkey, north of Egypt, northwest of Israel and Lebanon, and west of Syria.

It is also the third-largest Mediterranean island. Our motherland, Greece is only a 2hrs flight away, Lebanon 50 minutes, and Israel, a mere 45 minutes.

Why you should Visit Cyprus

Are you a crystal clear beach lover? Sunset enthusiast? Do you enjoy filling your tastebuds with incredible food? How about exploring mountains and Scenic villages? Cosmopolitan beach clubs and incredible parties?

Then the answer is simple; visit Cyprus. On this paradisiacal island, you will find many treasures and delights, worth exploring.

It is no wonder that many British, American, and German locals are choosing to retire in Cyprus. Here, life is easy…and rather beautiful if I do say so myself!

Cyprus Travel Blog – Language and Religion in Cyprus

Cyprus is an independent island with its own flag and government. We do however hold a close relationship with Greece and are considered Greek Cypriots. The official language is Greek, although we speak it with a Cypriot dialect – our accent is similar to the one spoken in Crete, one of Greece’s incredible islands!

English is widely spoken here partly because of the huge number of tourists that visit per year. Additionally, because Cyprus used to be an English Colony until 1960 when it gained its independence after 82 years of British Control.

The biggest part of the Cypriot population (around 78% of the total population) belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus. The Turkish – Cypriots (18%) are Muslim.

The churches in Cyprus – especially in the cities are rather grand and impressive! You will not encounter many whitestone little churches like you will on the Greek Islands.

Cities to Visit in Cyprus – A local’s tips

Phew, I don’t know where to start! In my opinion, you should visit every city in Cyprus 🙂 The ”free” and unoccupied part of Cyprus (more on that later) is divided into these cities: Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos, and Ayia Napa/Paralimni.

I have an article listing what to do in each of these cities, as well as agrotourism options in Troodos mountains and surrounding villages so check it out to learn more…

Cyprus Travel Blog – Where to stay in Cyprus

There are literally hundreds of hotels in Cyprus – and a good few of them are extremely luxurious and breathtaking. Below, I will list a few that I have personally stayed at, and that fall into the affordable luxury category!

Nicosia: The capital hasn’t got too many great hotels but it does have some beautiful Airbnbs! Here are my two faves: This 3 bedroom flat in central Nicosia and this beautiful Studio with its own private pool!

Limassol: Alasia Boutique Hotel– Luxury and elegance is great for sophisticated elegance away from the noise.

Ayia Napa: The 4* Napa Mermaid Hotel is an absolute favorite of mine- I have visited over 7 times! It’s heavenly!

Protaras: Families or a group of friends will LOVE the Incredible Villa Oniro – a villa of 4 huge en suite bedrooms, garden swimming pool, and jacuzzi. I spent a glorious week there and I was in heaven! Alternatively, Sophia’s Seaview is a beautiful, luxe and modern flat in the center of Protaras Avenue – you wouldn’t even need to rent a car!

Also, check out these Agrotourism Hotel and cottages options for a real slice of Cyprus culture!

Also check out Paphos and Larnaca

Paphos: I am OBSESSED with the new and incredible 5* Amavi Hotel in Kato Paphos. This is an adults and couples only luxurious hotel! Paphos is very popular with families with small children, so the Amavi is a breath of quiet, peaceful and fresh air.

Larnaca: If you are visiting Larnaca (popular with foreign pensioners) I would advise you to stay close to Makenzie! This area has some lively beach bars, excellent food and parties. The 4-bedroom Makenzie Sunset Apartment is a great choice!

If you want a slightly more mature vibe, then choose to stay close to the Finikoudes area

Cyprus Travel Blog – Climate

Can you handle the heat? Cyprus is…gloriously sunny, and more often than not, beautifully warm. Ok tourists might call it boiling hot…But we love it!

Here in Cyprus, we enjoy an intense Mediterranean climate, with long and dry summers from mid–May to mid–October, and mild winters from December to February, which are separated by short autumn and spring seasons.

Winters are mild to average with rain in all cities and snow only on Troodos Mountains (usually starting before Christmas).

June, July, and August average a temp of 30-37 degrees, and they have been known to tip the scales at over 40 degrees too. So if you are fussy about the heat, I would skip those months!

Average temperatures in May, September, and October are 24-30 degrees.

When to visit Cyprus

Traveling in the winter is definitely cheaper, although you will miss the true magic of this island! A good compromise would be to visit in May, Sep, or October for lower temperatures and cheaper travels. If you want more info on national holidays and budget options, read my guide on the perfect time to visit Cyprus

The country truly comes alive with the sun – so beach lovers take note! The beach club and beach restaurant season starts in May and goes on until the end of September.

Cuisine in Cyprus – Mouthwatering food

Hello gorgeousness! Ooohhh the food in Cyprus is INSANE. I have had so many friends visit me over the years and the one thing everyone agrees is this: Nothing beats the food here. Period.

Cypriot cuisine is a happy marriage of Greek cuisine with an added Cypriot oomph and flair. Perfectly seasoned meats, fresh seafood, vibrant vegetables, and crunchy salads are what you will encounter here. Incredible deserts, fresh local fruit, and a great local wine scene put the cherry on an already stunning cake.

The watermelons in Cyprus are to die for! As for vegetarians and vegans, we Cypriots fast twice a year during Xmas and easter so finding dishes without animal products won’t be difficult at all – just ask the waiter! Check out the most incredible food in Cyprus that you simply MUST have

Cyprus Travel Blog – Transportation and Airports

Cyprus has two airports, Larnaca Airport – LCA -(the main airport, and the newest one) and Paphos Airport – PFO. Cheaper airlines like Easy Jet and Ryan Air fly into Paphos airport.

Larnaca is a 30-minute drive from the capital city Nicosia, and from the gorgeous seaside protagonists Ayia Napa and Protaras. Paphos, on the other hand, is closer to the city of Limassol (30 minutes) but much further from the other cities. It is a 1.5 hr drive from Larnaca, and 2hr drive from Nicosia.

Transportation

As far as transportation goes, don’t expect a great deal of public transport! For starters, we have no metro or train service and no local Cypriot takes the bus anywhere. We all drive here, and I would 100% suggest you rent a car if you want to REALLY see Cyprus in all its glory!

You can drive to the other cities, or do a road trip of the island at your own pace. The average cost of hiring a car is 15-20 euros daily. You should also know that here in Cyprus, we drive on the left side of the road, as the UK does. There are other forms of transportation too:

• By scooter. If you are set on only visiting one city, you can hire a scooter or a quad. You will find them easily accessible in touristic cities like Ayia Napa and Protaras, Paphos and Limassol. The average price is 260 euros for a week.
• Supercar. Luxe travelers can hire a luxury car or hire a driver! This luxury car company, offers supercars, luxury cars, city cars, and SUVs for rent.
• By the humble bus. There is a public bus system available, that can take you from city to city and inland too. In the past 3 years, Cyprus has done a lot to improve the public transportation of the island. As a result, it now caters to the backpacker and humble tourist!

What are the different modes of transport available from the airport to the city?

There are 2 airports in Cyprus. The closest to Nicosia is Larnaca International Airport which is a 25-minute drive from Nicosia. Paphos Airport on the other side of the island is 2hr drive from the city. 

The most used form of transportation is Kapnos Airport shuttle as it is cheap, reliable and runs regularly and through most hours of the day and night. For their timetable and fares, click here.

TIP: Kapnos has a designated pick up spot which means that they will not be picking you up from your chosen accommodation so you will need either a taxi or a bus to get to the pickup spot.

Cyprus Travel Blog – Charging your devices

In Cyprus the power plugs and sockets are type G. The standard voltage is 240 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. The Type G electrical plug is a British three-pin rectangular blade plug, therefore UK travelers do not need a travel adapter in Cyprus!

Visitors from Greece, the US, Canada, and South America will need an International travel adapter. I am linking mine that I got from Amazon years ago, and still works perfectly!

Packing Tips For Cyprus

Make sure you pack for the heat! Think light clothing, plenty of bikinis, a pashmina to cover up for monuments and church visiting, and plenty of sandals and flip flops. My Greece packing guide will come in handy as it is perfect with all tips to pack for Cyprus!

Cyprus Travel Blog – Political Situation and history

Sadly, my beautiful island is not a free country. In 1974, Turskish Troops invaded Cyprus, killed slaughtered and raped thousands, and forcibly took a chunk of the country for themselves.

The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, code-named by Turkey as Operation Atilla, was a Turkish military invasion of the island country of Cyprus. It was launched on 20 July 1974, following the Cypriot coup d’état on 15 July 1974.

To this day, they live in our previous houses, illegally sell our land as their own, and even founded their own ‘fake government – a government that NO nation in the world will recognize.

There is immense beauty to be found in the North Part of Cyprus, but I will never advise or encourage anyone to visit – both for safety and morality. If you get in any trouble there- well good luck to you because this ”state” is not recognized by any state, country or organization in the world!

Safety in Cyprus

For optimal health, I highly suggest packing a Medication Travel Bag. Pharmacies are fully stocked here, but medicines are more expensive here in comparison to the UK for example!

As for safety for travelers, Cyprus is generally very safe – with petty thefts occurring every now and then. Pickpocketing isn’t even common, although travelers at the beach should not leave belongings unattended! Things are easygoing here, so be careful, but no paranoid, you are safe!

Thank you for reading my Cyprus Travel Blog! Don’t forget to subscribe below for travel news and discounts! Let me know, have you visited Cyprus yet?

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Related Cyprus Articles

Tia Does Agrotourism Series

• 1. Episode 1 Wine Villages in Paphos – Cyprus Agrotourism in Pano Panayia, Letymbou, Lemona and Amargeti (And Video)
• 2. Episode 2 Culture, Nature and Wine in Kathikas, Arodes and Akamas Peninsula in Paphos (And Video_)
• 3. Episode 3 Omodos, Arsos and Ayios Amvrosios – the most picturesque villages in Limassol (And Video)
• 4. Episode 4 Vouni, Lofou and Koilani Villages – exploring Limassol Province (and Video)
• 5. Episode 5 Kalopanayiotis, Kykkos, and Pedoulas – Nicosia’s hidden village gems! (and Video )
• 6. Episode 6 Agrotourism in Cyprus – Farmakas, Palaichori, and Askas – Wine, Safari, and Nature! (and Video )
• 7. Episode 7 Tochni, Choirokitia, and Kalavasos – Basket Weaving, history, and cycling activities! (and Video)
• 8. Episode 8 Lefkara, Kato Drys, and Vavla – Lefkara lace designs, wineries, brunch, and bees! (and Video)

Exploring Cyprus Content

• When to Visit Cyprus – A guide to choosing the season to visit Cyprus
• Where to stay in Cyprus – The Best hotels And Cottages In The Villages
• Cyprus Meze – The best Cyprus Taverns in the Villages and Mountains of the island!
• Cyprus Travel Blog – Everything you need to know to visit Cyprus. Start with this first if you are not local!
• A city by city guide to Cyprus. Decide which city in Cyprus suits you best!
• Incredible food in Cyprus to try. You will most likely drool at this article!
• Edem’s Yard – Best Brunch in Cyprus – Larnaca. The best brunch spot in Cyprus- hands down!
• Hamam Omeriye – Stunning Turkish baths in the heart of Nicosia– A Hamam Experience you are unlikely to forget!
• The best beaches in Ayia Napa and Protaras. The best blue flag beaches on the island – say hello to paradise!
• Cyprus Passport Visa Free Countries – Travel to paradise without a visa!

Beautiful Seaside Hotels in Cyprus

• Hotel Napa Suites – Gorgeous, Central, with infinity pools
• Almyra Hotel Paphos – Luxury, elegance, and class.
• King Jason Hotel Protaras – Modern, central, fun, breathtaking!
• Napa Mermaid – The most incredible hotel in Ayia Napa– Looking for a proper hotel in Napa? Say no more!
• Apartment for rent in Protaras – Sofias Seaview review. A gorgeous apartment in the heart of Protaras square!
• Protaras Villas – The Incredible Villa Oniro. A huge and luxurious villa in Protaras!
• Limassol Hotels – A Beautiful stay at The Crowne Plaza Limassol. A modest hotel in Limassol that you will highly appreciate!
• Alasia Boutique Hotel- Luxury and elegance. Elegance and understated luxury in the quiet part of Limassol

The post Cyprus Travel Blog – A locals Guide To Mediterranean Paradise appeared first on Tia Does Travel.

Tia Does Travel contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For full information, take a look at our disclaimer here.

 Tip: Bars in Phi Phi (and Thailand in general) play music up to 2 am then the music stops. However, some tend to stay open as long as customers are inside the venue- with no music.

  Koh Phi Phi Nightlife – Banana bar

This bar on the rooftop of the Sombrero Mexican Restaurant offers gorgeous views from the terrace overlooking the Loh Dalum Bay. Cold beers and big projector screens showing the football are a plus! Cocktails are not their strong suit!  

Reggae Bar

One of the oldest establishments in Tonsai (center), this bar -is not the prettiest. Regardless, it’s a must if you want to witness traditional Mai-Thai fighting in the middle of the bar. After the pros finish- the amateur fights begin and anyone from the audience can sign up. Cue a bunch of unruly drunken tourists getting hyped by their friends and fighting like little school girls. Pure entertainment gold, and a night you will remember!

Koh Phi Phi Nightlife – Sun Flower Beach Bar & Restaurant

Not a fan of the teenage party craze? Same here! The Sun Flower is a great spot to relax and enjoy some peace and quiet! Situated on the northern end side of the Loh Dalum Bay, you can lay back on hammocks, mats and bamboos and simply chill and enjoy the sunset. You can also eat here – the menu offers a variety of Asian and western cuisine – with a large choice of Thai curries. Open 11:00 am to 2:00 am

Carlito’s Beach Bar & Nightclub

Carlitos is a popular beachfront nightclub, located on the eastern side of the Tonsai Bay. The main attraction here – apart from fun music and cheap drinks, is that you can learn the ‘Fire Poi Dance’! This dance will have you swinging on a chair around a person to make your own fire show. What can I say? Prepare to laugh, a lot!

Koh Phi Phi Nightlife – Slinky Beach Bar

It is the most famous outdoor nightclub in Phi Phi. It is located right on the Loh Dalum beach. If you are a party animal, this the perfect bar for you. It is an open-air dance club that opens at 4 pm! It offers live performances, fire shows, a hilarious texas style fake Bull, large drinks in cheap plastic buckets and some very passionate partygoers. Prepare to laugh your ass off – or get stupidly drunk!

Ibiza Beach Club

This beach club is located on Loh Dalum beach, and is responsible for many all-nighters and hangovers around the island! Enjoy pool parties, awesome sunset views, cheap drinks, and cocktails, Ibiza is open all night long.

Restaurants in Phi Phi Islands

Tip: Most restaurants remain open until 10:30 pm but do click on the individual links below to check a specific venue.  Below, I am giving you my top 6 personal recommendations for the best food in Phi Phi Islands- after all, holidays are all about indulging!

Aqua Restaurant

My favorite spot on Phi Phi Islands! This cute little restaurant serves a mean steak, fantastic burgers and succulent pork chops. The good wine list and gorgeous desserts such as the stunning Panacotta and Creme Brulee make the Aqua restaurant an absolute winner!

Tip: Make a reservation, and be advised, there is no A/C inside.

 Efe Mediterranean Cuisine Restaurant

Sizzling Kebabs, Homemade Pita and Hummus, a variety of meats with all the spices of the Mediterranean and Western cuisine. Efe is located on the same lane as Acqua and also Unis which is the next restaurant on this list. So if you are in the mood for some Eastern flavourful food, Effe is the place to go!

Koh Phi Phi Nightlife and Food – Unnis

When you’ve been gone from home for a tad too long and you need your western cuisine fix…head to Unnis! The menu features Tapas and burritos, Greek salads, fetta toasts, avocado and salmon bagels, and an array of good cocktails. It’s almost as if Unnis has selected the top dishes from various cuisines and packed their menu full of then! Open all day!

The Mango Garden

Near the ferry pier in Phi Phi Don, lies a unique dessert shop. Mango Garden specializes in traditional Thai mango desserts as well as other desserts from all over the world. Yum. The prices are a bit closer to European ones but nothing too expensive to deter you from visiting! The waffles, smoothies and rice pudding make this hot spot one of the best breakfast shops in Phi Phi.  

Koh Phi Phi Nightlife – Papaya Restaurant

This cheap and cheerful place is SO popular that they now have a second one (Papaya 2) practically on the same street. Papaya is a local restaurant specializing in Thai and Indian Cuisine. The service is excellent and the prices are cheap (mains start from 4 euros per dish). The food is also flavourful and authentic – crispy spring rolls, tasty garlic shrimp chicken and excellent fried rice!

  Koh Phi Phi Nightlife – Pad-Thai Restaurant

As the name would suggest – this place cooks up the best prawn pad Thai on the island. Succulent huge local shrimps and a pad Thai cooked to absolute perfection. Other good eats are the Papaya salad (another Thai cuisine staple), the curry crab and for me, all the prawn dishes.  Be sure to try the cocktails- especially the mango Mojito!

Related Articles

• The ultimate guide to Phi Phi Islands
• The best beaches in Koh Phi Phi
• Phi Phi – Island Hopping Guide 
• Koh Samui Thailand – Full travel guide
• The best of the best Koh Samui Beach bars –  
• Koh Samui – The best Restaurants and Nightlife
• Thailand information you should know – climate, budget, visas
• The best Activities to do it Phuket
• Phuket’s best beaches
• The best restaurants and Nightlife in Phuket
• How to avoid getting sick on holiday – exotic diseases
• Responsible tourism and ethical travel
• Thailand Packing Guide
• Short funny travel stories – How I crashed my scooter in Thailand
• How to avoid getting sick on Holiday
• How to choose the perfect travel agent 

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Don’t forget to subscribe for newsletters and travel discounts!

Love, Tia x

The post Koh Phi Phi Nightlife – and incredible restaurants appeared first on Tia Does Travel.

Phi Phi Island Hopping – the ultimate experience! Imagine yourself on a classic Thai longtail boat cruising the pristine waters, and limestone cliffs and hopping from one spectacular island to the next. In Phi Phi, this is reality. You can take a boat tour and do it in a day, or rent a private boat and take your time exploring the wonders God left so generously in Thailand. However you choose to do it though, Phi Phi island hopping is a must. In this guide, I explain where to go, and how to get there, along with some unexpected truths, you probably didn’t expect to hear! Ready for wanderlust?

Without further delay, let’s start exploring the islands you can (and should) visit on your exploring adventures on the Islands!

Tia Does Travel contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For full information, take a look at our disclaimer here.

Phi Phi Island Hopping – Monkey Beach

Did you know monkeys can swim?! Well after Indonesia I knew they are clever as hell. I also knew they are prone to stealing your sunglasses but Phi Phi taught me more. Monkeys can swim! Throw a banana and watch them dive underwater peel/stuff it in their mouth in the blink of an eye. I came prepared and had the time of my life feeding those cheeky little babies! A visit to Monkey Beach is a MUST .

Bamboo Island

 This small heart-shaped island has a strip of white sand that goes around its entire perimeter! There is thick tropical vegetation growing in the middle of it which gives it the name of Bamboo island. So gorgeous!

Mosquito Island

A perfect hot spot for all snorkeling and water sports fans! This island would be packed with tourists… if it wasn’t for the hundreds of mosquitoes! Thankfully they come out after sunset, sucking the life out of you while you run for dear life.

Tip: As you may have already guessed…mosquito repellent is a must!

Viking Cave

Located at the base of a huge cliff in Phi Phi Leh, you will find the Viking Caves. The cave got its name from the paintings inside the cave, made by stranded sailors and Vikings. I actually saw people living there – inside the actual cliff, right in the middle of the ocean. That just blew my mind! I had a million questions – do they have electricity? How do they cook? Where do they sleep? What is their protection from the elements? Mr. Liang didn’t any answers for me – I think i overwhelmed the poor man with too many English questions!

Maya Bay

A bay of little beaches – Most of them only visible in low tide! The main beach is 200m long with soft sand, colorful corals and exotic fish in crystal clear waters. WELL…APPARENTLY.

Because we couldn’t ACTUALLY visit… as Maya bay (the little spot of paradise where Leonardo Di Caprio filmed ‘’The Beach’’ ) has officially been declared off-limits.

This is because it has been so damaged by the huge number of irresponsible tourists it receives. Therefore the government has decided (as of 2018) to close it to the public in order to help nature restore itself. Most of the coral life has been wiped out, and rubbish now litters the once crystal clear waters. In early 2020, Thai Officials released a statement that the world-famous beach is to remain closed for a further two years until mid-2021 at least. It is so sad and downright disgraceful- the human race truly destroys everything it touches! Read my Responsible tourism and ethical travel guide to help you with easy tips to travel ethically and help save the planet!

Kho Khai Nok – Ideal for a longer visit

No Phi Phi island hopping would be complete, without a visit to Kho Khai Nok! This place is famous for the Instagram worthy beach photos and incredible views! Here, the 12 exotic species of fish that are so accustomed to humans they swim right by your feet. Kho Khai Nok has a Caribbean feel to it, it almost transported me back to Belize! Definitely try and spend some time there, it’s blissful!  

Phi Phi Island Hopping Koh Yao Yai 

Located midway Phuket and Krabi, this island is quite popular among tourists. Here, you will find sandy beaches, coral-rich waters, fishing villages, and several dive sites. Loh Jark beach has a pier for boats to land on so you can get off and explore the island on foot. Enjoy fresh Grilled prawns on the edge of the water, and if you are a diver, go on and book a tour, or snorkel your way to Koh Yao Yai heaven! I recommend spending some time on the island which might not be possible with a group boat cruise. If you have your own boat rental, you are the master of your time, so you can decide how long to spend there!

Costs – Phi Phi island Hopping

Phi Phi islands are crawling with a vast choice of tours to choose from! There are also sightseeing tours, and several others I prefer not to mention. You see, I am big on ethical tourism and firmly against animal cruelty. As for the island hopping, You can choose a long tail boat, a big boat or a private boat. I took a long tail boat on a full day island hopping tour and it cost me 400 baht. (1 euro is 38 baht).  So 10 euros for a full day of feeding monkeys, exploring caves and beaches and lunch on the boat included!! #winner  

Tips for the best fun, health, and safety

• Make sure you pack some bananas to feed the monkeys!
• Your mosquito repellant is an obvious MUST. If you are prone to bites, go for the strong stuff – mosquitos in Thailand are not playing around – This strong, 100% natural, Deet free repellant is excellent!
• Sunblock – you will be so busy having fun, you won’t realize you are burning! If you have sun allergies like me, try this Piz Buin Sun Allergy sunblock – I discovered it 3 years ago and I haven’t had a breakout since! We don’t get the sun allergy range in Cyprus, but you can get it in my link online!
• If you get seasick, instead of pills try these nausea wristbands! The waves can get pretty major!
• Dry Bag. The boat will get wet, 100%. Carry as little as possible with you and make sure you keep it dry and safe in good quality, waterproof dry bags.

Related Articles

• Phi Islands – An Ultimate Guide
• The best food and nightlife in Phi Phi Islands
• The best beaches in Koh Phi Phi
• Koh Samui Beach bars – The best of the best 
• Koh Samui – The best Restaurants and Nightlife
• Thailand information you should know – climate, budget, visas
• The best Activities to do it Phuket
• The best beaches in Phuket
• How to avoid getting sick on holiday – exotic diseases
• Responsible tourism and ethical travel
• Thailand Packing Guide
• Short funny travel stories – How I crashed my scooter in Thailand
• How to avoid getting sick on Holiday
• How to choose the perfect travel agent 

Did you like this post? Then share it on Pinterest!

The post Phi Phi Island Hopping- The best islands to visit appeared first on Tia Does Travel.

Tia Does Travel contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For full information, take a look at our disclaimer here.

Koh Samui Nightlife – Luxurious bars

All the 5 beach clubs mentioned in my Koh Samui beach clubs guide do fantastic cocktails, have extensive wine lists, and good choices of beers. Some even have events with DJs flying in but generally have a more chilled and sophisticated vibe and attract the corresponding crowds.

Dress Code: Glamorous with or without heels  

Koh Samui Nightlife – Thailand Style Bars

Have you ever had a mojito with mint crushed so far into oblivion that it sneaks into your straw with every mouthful? How about a Cosmopolitan that tastes like watery ice and gone off Cranberry Juice?

Well, you will, In Thailand. 🙂 So unless your taste buds have been shot to hell, stick with anything bottled, like beers or a good old Smirnoff Ice and pretend its 1999. While some drinks are poo; nothings going to stop the party!  

Thailand Bar Dress Code: whatever the heck you like, this is #Thailand! Skip the heels and feel to rock up in anything you feel like, including shorts and flip flops!  

Elephant Beach Bar – Chaweng

Awesome fire shows with some brilliant acrobatics and fire show displays! At Elephant Beach Club, the drinks are decent and the setting is totally romantic! 

The Green Mango Club

The Green Mango Club – is all about Urban and Rnb Music. It’s a really spacious outdoor bar, with decent drinks and a really nice vibe! The Soi Green Mango Koh Samui is a Thailand Staple and a favorite among locals and tourists.

Ark Bar Koh Samui – Chaweng

The Ark is a tourist favorite and located right Next to Elephant Beach Club. Personally, I hated it BUT if you are under 25 you will love this place!  Booze so cheap that it’s served in plastic buckets, beers, pool table and more. The music is mixed international music and there are both indoor and outdoor options. The outdoors in on the beach, on sun loungers. 

Lava Lounge – Lamai

The venue provides relaxed vibes, great tunes and an impressive strong menu of 40+ drinks. Perfect if you want a grown-up experience! Perfect also if you are avoiding the inevitable run-in with Thailand’s ladyboys and call girls (embrace it, live a little!! ) The bar also serves an ample array of beers and fine wines appeasing all palates.

Koh Samui Restaurants – Incredible food on the island

Cliff bar and Grill

In my opinion, the undisputed no.1 restaurant in Koh Samui. Located on the outskirts of Lamai, The Cliff Koh Samui offers- as the name suggests- a Cliff Top setting and a true fine dining experience. The views are stunning and an early dinner res. (highly recommended as they are always full) will provide breathtaking sunset views. There’s an exquisite wine menu, and a delicious Italian, Portuguese fusion menu, with an Asian twist. Expect fresh Seafood and succulent Australian steaks.

Price info: Definitely pricier than other restaurants on the island but worth every penny. Plan for approx 40 euros per person. $$$

Tip: The mussels, the prawn fettuccine, and the peri peri chicken are must-tries! The seafood, in general, is to die for! Opt for an earlier dinner to enjoy breathtaking sunset views of the island!

Dress Code- Smart Casual.  

No Stress beach bar and resto and next to it, the Baobar beach bar

From high end to super chilled, holidays are all about exploring different sides, budgets and experiences. Think cute little deckchairs in the sand right on Lamai Beach. Both restaurants serve Asian staples such as Pad Thai and Tom Yum. But you’ll also find western salads, baguettes and more at very low prices.

The No Stress specializes in mussels – 12+ glorious variations of them! Both double as bars so you can carry on drinking in your swimwear like a true Tourist in Thailand.

Price info: 3-10 euros per person $

Dress Code- Casual

The Chaweng Night Market

The Chaweng Night Market is essentially a large open-air area with countless dining Options and very little else. Prices are dirt cheap (Thai food for as little as 70 baht) which is amazing! The seafood is fresh and the people watching in itself is such a treat! It is by far the fastest way to observe the true local Thai life, and an experience you will remember!

Tip- If you are a seafood lover, go for the Lobster, Crab or catch of the day. Choosing a live one is worth the extra pennies! Both in taste and in limiting chances of food poisoning galore. Aka the #ThailandDoubleTrouble

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• Phi Phi – The best island-hopping itinerary
• The best beaches in Phi Phi
• Responsible tourism and ethical travel
• how to avoid getting sick in Thailand
• Thailand Packing Guide
• Short funny travel stories – How I crashed my scooter in Thailand

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Love, Tia x

The post Koh Samui Nightlife and the best food appeared first on Tia Does Travel.

Tia Does Travel contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For full information, take a look at our disclaimer here.

The following Koh Samui Beach Clubs come from some of the best hotels on the island too. Below, i am linking my personal recommendations so you can use booking.com to get to them straight away! If you want to do your own searching for hotels, use the link below

Search for your own hotels

Koh Samui Beach Clubs – Coast Beach Bar

The king of all Beach clubs and luxury hotels has got to the stunning Coast Beach Club of the Centara Grand Beach Resort – on Chaweng Beach.

  Located in the heart of Chaweng, this 5* beauty of a hotel just made my heart sing.

It was one of the first places I visited in Chaweng, and I spent my remaining days stubbornly trying to top it- without success. Think crystal clear blue waters, long sandy golden beach, and the absolute best Mojito in the whole of Thailand. Everything is spot on- extensive wine list, filtered ice, great food, free wi-fi and gorgeous circular sun loungers for two.  It’s on the pricier side but I cannot recommend enough!

Tip

If your #budget can stretch that far- book to stay at the hotel immediately- the grounds are to die for! Search for it here! If not, do like us and visit its beach club for the day. You can access all pool areas of the hotel as long as you are either a hotel guest or a guest of the Coast Beach Club.

$$$ for a full day including drinks and food.

Price info for sun loungers: Wooden style family beds 3.000 baht min spend and the rounded beds for two are 2000 baht min spend. The puffs below are cheaper.

Ocean Beach Club – of the Beach Republic Resort

 Aka a perfect #instagoals beach club on Lamai Beach. The Beach Republic is a vibrant, colorful and luxurious beach bar. It comes with an added great menu for food and drinks and various options for loungers. (all rented for 1000 baht per person and up) . #instagoals for sure.

I love this venue for its affordable luxury, the chilled out views of Lamai Beach, and I personally found the red decor to be so striking against the clear blue sea and the beautiful palm trees.

Book a hotel stay

$$ including drinks and food  

 Koh Samui Beach Clubs – Samui Paradise Beach Resort and spa – Chaweng.

A far more modest beach club, with cheaper prices all around. At Samui Paradise, both the pool and surrounding grounds are gorgeous and the food was great! The property is surrounded by luscious green – giving it a tropical feel, it really is beautiful.

Book a hotel stay

$$ for a full day including drinks and food  

The W Koh Samui – and its Beach bar- Woobar.

The W 5* Resort/ beach club has THE most breathtaking views I have seen anywhere in the world. All I’m going to say is its got sofas built inside an infinity pool that blends right into the ocean. If you love luxury, the Woobar is a definite must! 

$$$ for a full day including drinks and food.

THB 1,000 entry fee for adult THB 500 for children aged 6-12 years old between 11 AM-6 PM.

Fees are fully redeemable against all beverage and food purchased in WOOBAR® or The Kitchen Table. The bar is open from 11 am to 12 pm.  

Hotel Information: W Koh Samui luxury resort offers 74 private pool villas and is located between Maenam and Bo Phut in Koh Samui. It has the finest and most pristine beach location in Thailand. If you have the budget, nothing will match the elegance and luxury of the W Koh Samui resort. Search for it here!

Koh Samui Beach Clubs – Nikki Beach Koh Samui – 5* hotel and super luxurious beach club

Arguably one of the most instagrammable venues in Koh Samui! Nikki Beach is notorious for its wild beach and pool parties full of young partygoers and international DJs.  It is an absolute must if you are looking to mingle and live the high life! Expect to see celebrities! 

Love it? I don’t blame you! Book a hotel stay

$$$ for a full day including drinks and food  

Related Articles

• What to do in Koh Samui – A Perfect Guide
• Koh Samui – The best Restaurants and Nightlife
• Thailand information you should know
• The best Activities to do it Phuket
• The best beaches in Phuket
• Phi Islands – An Ultimate Guide
• Phi Phi – The best island-hopping itinerary
• The best beaches in Phi Phi
• Responsible tourism and ethical travel
• Thailand Packing Guide
• Short funny travel stories – How I crashed my scooter in Thailand

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Let me know in the comments if you have another Koh Samui beach clubs favorite! And subscribe down below for newsletters and travel discounts

Love, Tia x

The post Koh Samui Beach Clubs -A guide to the best of the best appeared first on Tia Does Travel.

Is the hype on this steakhouse real or faux? What is the cost, and is the taste worthy of the price tag?

Learn all about it here, in this unbiased article about Nusret Mykonos!

Tia Does Travel contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For full information, take a look at our disclaimer here.

Who Is Nusr-Et?

For those of you who don’t know, Nusr-et Gokce is a celebrated Turkish butcher, chef, and restaurateur, who owns Nusr-Et, a chain of steak houses.

He became a viral internet sensation because of his technique for preparing and seasoning meat – which earned him the nickname ”salt bae”.

He now owns and runs the Nus-ret chain restaurants in Mykonos, United Arab Emirates, USA, Turkey, and more.

Nusret Mykonos – Reservations, and Seating Arrangements

Reservations for Nusert Mykonos were made for us by our hotel – Kouros Hotel and Suites at 9 pm.

We arrived on time, but the reservation appeared to have been made for the previous day so we weren’t in the system. Awkward.

Nevertheless, there was no wait at the time so we were seated quickly!

But check this out; the restaurant has shared tables.

Yep, that’s right, there are no tables for one or two – therefore ”small” parties are seated at tables of 4 with complete strangers.

It is honestly the most awkward thing, not because it is shared, but because nothing about this restaurant screams ”casual dinner”.

If I was slurping noodles at a Wagamamas, I wouldn’t mind, but the fact that this is a heavily expensive steakhouse left me speechless.

Why? Because there is nothing romantic about seating down for dinner with complete strangers!

Surely paying an arm and a leg for dinner entitles me to some privacy! I don’t particularly want to have to make small talk with Susan about her job, kids, and whether she is enjoying Mykonos.

Rating: 5/10 for the table-sharing idea. And in all honesty, whoever thought of this should be fired.

The Restaurant and its Queues

Let’s move on to the interior of the restaurant as well as its Queues.

For starters, Nusr-Et Mykonos is set on a hill and is divided into 3 areas. There’s an outside area used as a bar for after-dinner drinks.

But if you know Mykonos you know the wind is not playing jokes especially when it’s high up on a hill. So of course, it was completely empty, because no one wanted to play a cameo in ”Gone with the Wind”.

If they had closed off that area, they would have more space inside for tables for 2.

The inside area is still windy but manageable, although a light cardigan might be useful!

That inside space is divided into an area of maybe 10 tables for 4 and the kitchen, bar, and reception.

Lastly, round the corner, there’s another room for larger tables and parties.

Tip: The restaurant is sadly NOT accessible to wheelchair users. It is high up on a hill that is reached by stairs only. 

Our table was right in front of the reservation desk. As I mentioned before, we were seated at 9:00 but around 9:15…All hell broke loose!

Reservation after reservation started arriving creating a massive queue right in front of our tables – and nothing seemed to move!

The restaurant was full, and some guests on a 9:30 reservation were still waiting to be seated at 10:30.

Honestly, it was pandemonium, one that I was happy NOT to be a part of thank god!

In my opinion, no restaurant; regardless of its reputation is worth queuing an hour for; especially with a reservation-unacceptable!

Rating – 6/10.

Tip: The restaurant is on a hill so offers fantastic views! An early reservation would mean a quieter dinner with beautiful sunset views! The atmoshere and ambiance is also beautiful so dress for the occasion! 

The Service

Highly trained staff – that are extremely efficient and polite. They all knew exactly what to do, it’s almost mechanical, but with a classy flair.

What impressed me was the speed in the kitchen, you could get through a three-course meal in an hour!

Again, would you want to rush through an expensive dinner in an hour? Probably not. But you definitely won’t be kept waiting!

Rating 10/10

Nusret Mykonos – Vegans and Vegetarians

Now let’s get something straight; if you are a vegetarian (no meat or fish) you won’t find this easy.

You can have a salad from the starter menu, and a couple of options from the side menu.

Bear in mind that most dishes contain dairy so vegans might have to skip this one!

Pescatarians have the choice of salmon steak as a main and 3 seafood starter plates to choose from.

Having said that, I can’t blame the restaurant for the lack of choice!

Nusret is a world-renowned butcher and chef who specializes in meat- and I am happy to see him sticking to what he knows best!

 So if you are a meat lover... welcome to heaven! 

Nusr-Et Mykonos Prices

An oasis for meat lovers the menu offers a great deal!

You will find Striploin, tenderloin, cheesy meatballs, burgers, lamb, ribs, and of course…the king of Nusret Mykonos; the giant Saltbae tomahawk bone-in Rib Eye.

Prices start from € 60 for the meatballs and burgers, and € 260 for the tomahawk for two.

They go up to €695 for a 24-karat gold-coated tenderloin…without any sides! The gold is edible yes!

For starters, there are salads, beef tartare and carpaccio, and a few seafood choices.

The prices for each dish range from € 25 to €120. There is also an extensive wine and a great cocktail list too.

There are 6 sides to choose from and they all range between 15 and 30 euros each. So yes, expensive.

As for the taste payout…? Keep reading to find out!

Rating 9/10 – It would have been a 10/10 but the french fries cost 30 euros! YES, 30 euros

Why is Nusr-Et so expensive?

It is because of the high quality of the meat, which makes it incredibly tender and flavorsome. While all those are incredibly true, it is even more expensive because Nusret is…a celebrity. You pay for the name AND the quality, much like you do with brands like Prada and Dior!

What to order to have Nusr-Et come to your table

If you wish to have Nusret come to your table you would need to order the tomahawk or any other large premium cut of meat that is to share.

If you are unsure, ask the polite waiters who are more than happy to help!

Your meat and Nusret will arrive together, and he will perform his well-practiced flamboyant routine of cutting and seasoning your steak.

You are free to take videos and ask for a picture, but I was far too preoccupied with the look of our tomahawk steak to even bother asking for a picture for the blog. Oops!!

In general, he is lovely and incredibly kind with children too!

A Review Of The Taste

Obviously, I can’t review the whole menu but I can certainly tell you what I thought about my food!

We had the beef carpaccio, tomahawk steak, creamed spinach, and truffle mashed potatoes (paired with a bottle of French red)

The Beef carpaccio was prepared for us at our table by a waiter who performed a little show for us, much like Nusr-et. It tasted divine and the meat was buttery soft!

Furthermore, the beef tartare from the couple next to us looked incredible too! Highly recommend.

The tomahawk was….divine. Definitely, in the top 3 best steaks, I have had – and this means a lot coming from me.

I am a total steak enthusiast and I have it everywhere I travel to! I have been to dozens – of steakhouses around the world, and I eat mine medium-rare so I’m not easy to please!

The cut and marbling of the meat were just right! The fat content was just right, the size of the steak was….just right. The meat exploded with flavors in the mouth, and the knife cut through it like butter.

In all honesty, it was perfection. I highly, highly recommend it!

The creamed spinach was seasoned perfectly – without the cream overpowering the subtle taste of the spinach. The truffle mashed potatoes were incredibly smooth too – with the taste of the truffle truly making an impact on the taste!

Rating 10/10 with an exclamation mark!

Nusret Mykonos Overall Review

While the seating situation didn’t sit well with me, and the prices are high, the ambiance and service make up for it.

But the food and Nusr-Et himself managed to turn it all around, and I left there so happy and blissful!

He was sweet and polite and the food was so good, to the point where I couldn’t fault a single dish!

So if you have the budget, and want to treat yourself, book a spot at Nusret Mykonos!

And while you are on the island, don’t forget that Mykonos restaurants are notorious for their excellent food! So make sure you read my guide and visit them all!

Lastly, don’t forget to check out Mykonos Beaches for the best beach bars on the island and Mykonos Holidays – for information, budget, and accommodation options!

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Thank you for reading my Nusret Mykonos review! Have you ever visited? Let me know in the comments!

For travel vlogs, don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel! For group trips and travel discounts, subscribe with your email at the bottom of this page!

Also, join my travel family on Instagram, and let’s stay connected.

Love, Tia

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The post Nusret Mykonos Review – Is the hype real or faux? appeared first on Tia Does Travel.

This guide will take you on a culinary journey through Mykono’s most amazing restaurants and the best food on the island.

There are so many to choose from, but if you want the best..you have come to the right place!

Tia Does Travel contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For full information, take a look at our disclaimer here.

Mykonos Restaurant

Let’s get straight into discovering the best food on the island! In no order of importance, here are my top Mykonos Restaurant picks!

Ling Ling Mykonos

Ling-Ling is the Asian Fusion restaurant of your dreams.

Located in the old town center Ling Ling Mykonos has an open-air restaurant and bar, as well as a private dining and lounge area.

The Menu is Cantonese and comprised of various small dishes designed to be shared amongst friends.

Impressively enough, Ling Ling seamlessly manages to blend beautiful Asian Cuisine with the best local Greek ingredients.

World-class mixologists create innovative cocktails and the resident DJ does a fine job at entertainment!

The staff is also incredibly polite, quick, and knowledgeable!

There are also 3 set menu options for two, and although the prices are on the high end, every mouthwatering bite is worth the price tag. Yum!

As a result, Ling Ling quickly became my favorite Asian Mykonos restaurant!

Nus-Ret Mykonos

This incredible steakhouse belongs to the salt-bae chef who became a viral internet sensation.

If you are a meat lover, then I highly recommend a visit- although be warned, the price tag is high!

My Nusret Mykonos review has all the details, prices, and mouthwatering pictures you need 🙂

Cavo Tagoo

Located right next to my hotel – Kouros Hotel and Suites lies another excellent hotel, Cavo Tagoo Mykonos.

In this hotel, you will find an all-day lounge serving beautiful food, cocktails, and shisha.

Make an early dinner reservation at Cavo Tagoo and enjoy some of the best sunset views of the island,

accompanied by live classy entertainment, wine, cocktails, and gorgeous food.

Try out the lobster pasta, and the desserts – which I have to say were some of the best I had in Mykonos!

Principote Beach Bar- Lunch Restaurant

Although technically a beach club, here you will find a fine dining experience unlike any other.

Principote Mykonos is one of my favorite establishments on the island, and dare I say it, in all my travels!

When you visit, you will see that it exhumes elegance, class, luxury, service, beauty, and of course…incredible food.

It is no wonder it is also included in my Mykonos Beach Bars article – and a top contender at that!

Beautifully presented food, innovative recipes, organic fresh ingredients… I cannot recommend it enough!

The Incredible wine and champagne list completes the carefully crafted menu, for a mind-blowing dining sensation.

Have I found my favorite Mykonos Restaurant? I think I have!

Mykonos Restaurant – Passagi Beach Bar

Passaji offers a great gastronomic experience that celebrates the diversity and commonality of Greek, Italian, and Asian cuisine.

Pasaji means passage. From morning to dawn, it aims to do just that; create a passage through countries, kitchens, and aromas in an idyllic location on the beach.

Spend your day on the comfortable sunbeds and when it is time for your lunch reservation, move on up to the restaurant.

The menu is based on the purest local ingredients combined with the aromas of the East, creating a unique fusion menu inspired by Chefs John Vidalis and Stratos Chronakis.

The burgers and sushi options are particularly delicious!

Ftelia Beach Bar -Lunch

A new beach bar that is so unpretentious, you would think you’re not in Mykonos anymore!

Ftelia Beach is a surfer’s beach, with a beautiful and elegant beach bar that serves incredible food.

it is cheaper than the other beach bars mentioned above and so delicious that you will wanna eat there more than once!

At Ftelia Beach Bar, you will find a menu that celebrates Greek Cuisine at its finest, focusing on Aegean and Cycladic recipes.

Executive Chef Nikos Fotiadis is a Michelin Star title holder and has been honored with two Toques d’Or Awards by Athinorama.

And it makes sense, because simple things, like a lentil salad, were mind-blowingly delicious!

Highly recommend!

Lotus Resto Bar

Nothing cures a Mykonian hangover faster than a burger.

And Lotus Resto offers the Best Burger in Mykonos by FAR!

Chef Ilias Koulos nailed this burger- I wasn’t even particularly hungry when I ordered and I devoured the whole thing.

A soft, mouthwatering Angus beef burger, cooked to perfection. The bun was perfect, the cheese was perfect, and even the tomato was perfect, what is this witchcraft?!

Lotus Resto is so delicious it couldn’t go missing from my Mykonos Restaurant list! Yum!

Souvlaki Story

The humble souvlaki is a Greek way of life and no meal a tourist in Greece should ever miss.

For authentic souvlaki, gyro kebab, and some great vegetarian options too, Souvlaki Story is the place to be in Mykonos, located in the old town center, it is convenient, inexpensive, and oh so delicious!

 Kayak Ice Cream

No great meal is complete without dessert and no holiday is worth mentioning unless you have indulged a little bit.

Enter Kayak, serving the best ice cream in Mykonos! Kayak Ice Cream is all about fresh Greek ingredients that result in pure and mouthwatering ice cream.

Highly Recommend it for those lazy afternoons spent strolling the old town and shops.

Save this Post for later

Hope you have liked reading about these incredible Mykonos restaurants.

Have I left your favorite out? Let me know in the comments!

For travel vlogs, don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel! For group trips and travel discounts, subscribe with your email at the bottom of this page!

Also, join my travel family on Instagram, and let’s stay connected.

Love, Tia x

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The post Mykonos Restaurant – Where To Find The Best Food On The Island appeared first on Tia Does Travel.

Luxurious or laid back, all of these recommendations have something in common – unparalleled beauty, and exceptional service.

All the beaches and beach clubs mentioned here are fully organized, with access to free wifi, restaurants, music, and more.

Tia Does Travel contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For full information, take a look at our disclaimer here.

Other Mykonos Articles to help you plan the perfect holiday

Mykonos Holidays – All you need to know. How to get there, where to stay, budget, and more.

Mykonos Restaurants – The best places to eat for a true Mykonian Holiday

Kouros Hotel and Suites – An honest review of my chosen accommodation hotel

Nur-ret Mykonos – An inside look with prices into the steakhouse of viral chef Nusr-et aka ”Salt Bae”

Panormos Beach – Principote Beach Club

On the northwest part of Mykonos, lies the lovely bay of Panormos Beach. Panormos is a shallow beach, protected from the winds making it the perfect spot for swimming and relaxing.

It is also home to the utterly incredible Principote Beach Club – my favorite in Mykonos by far.

Neutral tones and the abundance of white throughout the entire beach club are so calming to the eye and every single detail is perfect.

The incredible ambiance and large and comfortable sunbeds are exhuming understated luxury!

The staff was by far the best I encountered on the island, even keeping an eye on our possessions while we swam in the sea or when we were having lunch upstairs.

Spectacular coffee, ice-cold champagne, and impressive pina Coladas kept us busy throughout the day and the music fitted the atmosphere perfectly.

Additionally, the lunch was to die for! It was high dining that meets Greek tradition completed yet again with impeccable service.

Top contender of Mykonos Beaches? check. Favorite beach club? check.

If you go anywhere in Mykonos, it has got to be Principote Beach Club.

Principote Prices: We paid  €150 for two sunbeds and an umbrella. Our Lunch was around  €260, and the drinks by our sunbeds were around €140. In total, we paid around €500 for two people, and we spent the entire day there.

We could have paid less if we didn’t go all out – with champagne, cocktails, and multiple dishes during lunch!

Mykonos Beaches- Ornos Beach/ Pasaji Beach Club

The nested beach of Ornos is another fabulous Mykonos Beaches option as it is home to the beautiful Pasaji Beach Club.

Here you will find luxury, comfort, and convenience and one of the best shishas in Mykonos.

This is a slightly more chilled beach, where you will happily spend a lazy day under the sun followed by a great and varied lunch if you choose to eat at the restaurant.

Beautiful ambiance in neutral and black tones set the tone at Pasaji Beach Club making Ornos Beach a top Mykonos Beaches contender.

Pasaji Beach Club Prices:  € 50 for two sunbeds and an umbrella. Lunch, shisha, coffee, and 2 cocktails were € 250.

The food was fantastic, especially the burgers and the sushi platters!

Ftelia Beach – Ftelia Beach Club

Ftelia Beach is a peaceful, laid-back beach so unpretentious you almost feel like you left Mykonos and ended up in gorgeous Milos Island.

This beach is on the Northern part of Mykonos, and it’s almost always windy therefore it is a windsurfers paradise.

The atmosphere here is more laid back, although in true Mykonos style, the service is good and the food is exceptional!

If you don’t mind a little wind, you will love everything Ftelia Beach Club has to offer!

Ftelia Beach Club Prices:  € 80 for a large cabana for two. Lunch and cocktails were €150

Tip: Located also in Ftelia Beach is the luxurious and fun Alemagkou Beach Club.

I didn’t have time to visit it myself but have heard great things from friends, so I am attaching the details here 🙂

Mykonos Beaches – Skorpios

Now I struggled with whether to include this. I don’t find the beach in Scorpios to be anything special.

The beach club, however, is a whole different story!

Beautifully decorated, Skorpios offers elegance and finesse.

The luxurious cabanas offer privacy and relaxation and the restaurant- although expensive- is one of the best on the island.

The real fun begins later on in the day at around 6:30 with the ”sunset rituals” – a party that should not be missed!

Scorpios is an absolute legend in Mykonos, and every celebrity always stops by Scorpios!

Cavo Tagoo

Cavo Tagoo is not a beach or a beach club, it is, in fact, a hotel.

However, I really feel like this deserves a place, and let me explain why.

The infinity pool of Cavo Tagoo is probably the best in Mykonos, the service is luxurious, the crowd is full of finesse and the food and evening entertainment are top-notch!

The sunset views here deserve a special mention too!

For those days when you simply don’t want to leave your hotel (if you are staying there) or want the convenience of a hotel, Cavo Tagoo is the place to be.

Other Great Beaches to visit in Mykonos

• Solymar Beach
• Nammos
• Jackie O
• Cavo Psarou
• Paradise Beach Club
• Platis Yialos

I hope you have enjoyed this Mykonos Beaches and best beach bars article! What are your favorite beaches? Let me know in the comments!

Like this post? Then share it on Pinterest!

For travel vlogs, don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel! For group trips and travel discounts, subscribe with your email at the bottom of this page!

Also, join my travel family on Instagram, and let’s stay connected.

Love, Tia x

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• Planning a trip to Greece – Everything you need to know about traveling to Greece
• Greece Island Hopping Itinerary – The ultimate guide to visiting multiple islands in Greece
• Greece Packing Guide – A local’s guide on what to pack for Greece
• 20 Greece Photos to Make You Fall in Love – Travelust loading!

Athens

• The most unusual things to do in Athens – Athens off the beaten path
• Where to stay in the center of Athens – Hotel Recommendation

Thessaloniki

• Thessaloniki Food – 11 Amazing Foods To Try In The City

Kefalonia

• Kefalonia Itinerary – The 17 Most Amazing Things to Do in Kefalonia 
• The Best Beaches in Kefalonia – 11 incredible beach destinations on the island
• Assos Kefalonia – The 9 best things to do in the picture-perfect village
• Where To Stay In Kefalonia – The best areas to stay on the island and accommodation options

Ithaki – Ithaca

• Ithaca Travel Guide: Everything you need to plan the perfect day trip or holiday to Odysseus Island

Mykonos

• Mykonos Holidays – All you need to know when visiting Mykonos
• Nusret Mykonos review – Is the ”salt bae” worth the hype?
• The best beach bars in Mykonos – Incredible beach bars and beaches
• The best restaurants in Mykonos – Unforgettable culinary experiences
• Where to stay in Mykonos – Hotel Review of the 5* Kouros Hotel

Milos Island

• Milos Island – The best beaches – Some of the best beaches in Greece
• Milos Accommodation – where to stay and why – Accommodation options

Agistri Island

• Visit Aggistri island – the best 8 things to do in Agistri island
• Amazing Agistri beaches – the top 7 beaches in Agistri

Spetses Island

• Spetses Greece: A Traveler’s Guide to Island Adventures
• Beaches in Spetses: A list of 12 unique beaches on the island to visit

The post Mykonos Beaches – And the Best Beach Bars appeared first on Tia Does Travel.

As much as I adore flying off to faraway destinations, I can’t possibly forget that I am lucky enough to live in paradise itself; the utterly gorgeous island of Cyprus.

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Discovering Cyprus – Best Beaches in Cyprus

Cyprus is famous for many things; incredible food, rich history, and excellent agro-tourism being just three of them.

The most important thing Cyprus is famous for though, are the beaches; crystal clear, vivid blue, golden sanded beaches to be precise.

All cities apart from Nicosia – the capital of Cyprus have hundreds of gorgeous beaches to choose from, but most of them lack one thing…peace and quiet.

Indeed, most of the best beaches in Cyprus get so packed during the summer months that you can’t even find a sun lounger to rent unless you get there at 9 am.

The beaches are packed with locals and tourists alike, and although this doesn’t make them any less gorgeous, it certainly takes away from a relaxing day on the beach.

Some of the best beaches in Cyprus have been turned into glitzy beach bars where we like to party away on the weekend, wearing our best bikinis, our best sunglasses, and our best beachwear.

But is it possible that us Cypriots have forgotten what it’s like to enjoy the true beauty standing right in front of our eyes?  Are we so consumed with looking popular and trendy that we have forgotten we live in pure paradise?

Best Beaches in Cyprus – The hunt for Something New

After a few weeks of living the Cypriot cosmopolitan beach life amongst the best beaches in Cyprus, I went on a hunt.

The hunt for the perfect secluded beach I craved to find the kind of beach that you can sit in silence. Enjoy some peace and quiet and listen to the sound of the waves. Mission ‘’Cyprus Best Beach’’ was officially on!

So off I went to the busiest town of them all – Ayia Napa because I clearly love a challenge!! Ayia Napa Beaches are amongst the best in Cyprus and all of Europe – making a fair few of them packed to the brim with tourists and locals alike.

Nissi Bay Beach – the famous Nissi Beach, or Konnos Beach in Cyprus Protaras area are breathtaking but no longer peaceful.

And I found it….oohhh I found it!

Hidden behind a dirt road, off one of the main roads of Ayia Napa you will find true beauty. The kind of raw, natural beauty, that explains why Cyprus is considered to be one of the Top European Destinations.

The Secret Beach

On this beach, there are no sun loungers, bars, cafes, or umbrellas. There is no free wifi or cool DJ’s and beach parties.

What you will find here though, is peace of mind. The perfect scenario for a romantic picnic on the rocks for two, a secluded little date, or a day of gorgeous lonesome and solitude.

Upon arrival, you will see a small stretch of sand and in front of you a gorgeous cove of crystal clear beach.

You can sunbathe on the warm fluffy sand there, and then follow the rocks to your right to find a glorious elevated spot, with no sand but a lovely rock cave offering shade and a few smooth surfaces to lay down your towel.

Although it is not amongst the Cyprus nudist beaches, that side of the beach is perfect for skinny dipping, as it is completely secluded from the sandy side. So if you are feeling adventurous, go for it!

The Secret Beach Vibe

There is something so calming about being on the beach completely alone and something so freeing and wild about swimming on your own with no one else in sight. Meditating on the side of the rocks with no other sounds than the soft, splashing sound of waves…Bliss!

Best Beaches in Cyprus- How to get there:

Begin driving from Ayia Napa towards Cavo Greko. If you have a GPS, you should enter, the Ammos tou Kampouri Address which is another beach that used to be secluded before it received the Blue Flag!

Pass the Ammos Tou kampouri Beach, and at 200m turn RIGHT inside a dirt road. Follow the road as it swerves to the right and park your car! The beach will be on your left down a small hill.

This beach is Perfect for:

• Yoga
• Meditation
• Peace and quiet
• Skinny Dipping – this is not a nudist beach!
• Picnics
• Romantic dates

So if you are looking for the best Beaches in Cyprus, then take my advice! Pack some food and drinks and a hat, and get ready to experience the TRUE beauty of Cyprus, on this beautiful secret beach in the heart of Ayia Napa.

Recommended Hotel to stay in Ayia Napa: The Incredible Napa Mermaid Hotel! You will adore this hotel for its affordable luxury and attention to detail!

The secret beach is also very close to the hotel! This is one of my favorite hotels in Cyprus, and one I have visited more than 6 times in the past 2 years! My detailed review is pretty insightful!

To book the Napa Mermaid Hotel click here

Hit the subscribe button for the next article about hidden beaches in Cyprus, as well as travel discounts and giveaways!

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Related Cyprus Articles

Tia Does Agrotourism Series – Discovering Cyprus

• 1. Episode 1 Wine Villages in Paphos – Cyprus Agrotourism in Pano Panayia, Letymbou, Lemona and Amargeti (And Video)
• 2. Episode 2 Culture, Nature and Wine in Kathikas, Arodes and Akamas Peninsula in Paphos (And Video_)
• 3. Episode 3 Omodos, Arsos and Ayios Amvrosios – the most picturesque villages in Limassol (And Video)
• 4. Episode 4 Vouni, Lofou and Koilani Villages – exploring Limassol Province (and Video)
• 5. Episode 5 Kalopanayiotis, Kykkos, and Pedoulas – Nicosia’s hidden village gems! (and Video )
• 6. Episode 6 Agrotourism in Cyprus – Farmakas, Palaichori, and Askas – Wine, Safari, and Nature! (and Video )
• 7. Episode 7 Tochni, Choirokitia, and Kalavasos – Basket Weaving, history, and cycling activities! (and Video)
• 8. Episode 8 Lefkara, Kato Drys, and Vavla – Lefkara lace designs, wineries, brunch, and bees! (and Video)
• 9. Season 2 Episode 1 Pelendri and Agros Cyprus – Rose factories, wineries, brunch, and religious tourism ( and Video)
• 10. Season 2 Episode 2 – Platres Cyprus and Pera Pedi – A nature lover’s paradise (and Video)
• 11. Season 2 Episode 3 – Paliometoxo and Nikitari – A gorgeous farm and religious tourism (and video)
• 12. Season 2 Episode 4 – Lympia, Skarinou, and Agios Theodoros – Street Art, donkey farms, and hiking trails (And Video)
• 13. Season 2 Episode 5 – Kakopetria and Galata – Nature, traditional architecture, and fantastic food (And Video)
• 14. Season 2 Episode 6 – Kyperounta – Wineries, hiking and religious tourism in Limassol (and Video)
• 15. Season 2 Episode 7 – Akamas and Paphos – Safari, nature and incredible landscapes ( and Video)
• 16. Season 2 Episode 8 – Phini Village – waterfalls, nature and haunted hotels ( and Video)

Exploring Cyprus Content

• When to Visit Cyprus – A guide to choosing the season to visit Cyprus
• Where to stay in Cyprus – The Best hotels And Cottages In The Villages
• Cyprus Meze – The best Cyprus Taverns in the Villages and Mountains of the island!
• Cyprus Travel Blog – Everything you need to know to visit Cyprus. Start with this first if you are not local!
• A city by city guide to Cyprus. Decide which city in Cyprus suits you best!
• Incredible food in Cyprus to try. You will most likely drool at this article!
• Edem’s Yard – Best Brunch in Cyprus – Larnaca. The best brunch spot in Cyprus- hands down!
• Hamam Omeriye – Stunning Turkish baths in the heart of Nicosia– A Hamam Experience you are unlikely to forget!
• The best beaches in Ayia Napa and Protaras. The best blue flag beaches on the island – say hello to paradise!
• Cyprus Passport Visa Free Countries – Travel to paradise without a visa!

Beautiful Seaside Hotels in Cyprus

• Hotel Napa Suites – Gorgeous, Central, with infinity pools
• Almyra Hotel Paphos – Luxury, elegance, and class.
• King Jason Hotel Protaras – Modern, central, fun, breathtaking!
• Napa Mermaid – The most incredible hotel in Ayia Napa– Looking for a proper hotel in Napa? Say no more!
• Apartment for rent in Protaras – Sofias Seaview review. A gorgeous apartment in the heart of Protaras square!
• Protaras Villas – The Incredible Villa Oniro. A huge and luxurious villa in Protaras!
• Limassol Hotels – A Beautiful stay at The Crowne Plaza Limassol. A modest hotel in Limassol that you will highly appreciate!
• Alasia Boutique Hotel- Luxury and elegance. Elegance and understated luxury in the quiet part of Limassol

Have the best time, and please send me pictures!

Until the next time, Tia x

The post Best Beaches In Cyprus – A Perfect Secret Beach in Ayia Napa appeared first on Tia Does Travel.