The Truth About the “Authentic” Experience

If you are looking for an escape from the relentless party vibe of Mykonos Town, Ano Mera is often the first name that pops up. However, the term “authentic” can be misleading. While many expect a large, walkable historic center, the reality is that Ano Mera is a “diffused” settlement.

It is composed of scattered traditional houses and several developed hubs separated by distance.

This means that despite being a small village, the car remains your most essential tool. To reach the central square, or to visit the famous bakery and supermarkets located along the main road, you will invariably find yourself getting back behind the wheel.

🎬 Ano Mera Visual Tour: Watch the Unfiltered Experience

If you want to see the real vibe of the village, I’ve put together a visual tour set to music that captures the contrast between the morning peace and the evening energy.

Make sure to turn on the subtitles (CC)! I’ve included my honest commentary, tips on the best logistics, and the story of that mysterious local rooster directly in the captions. This video will show you the “diffused” layout of the town and why having a car is absolutely essential to explore the island with freedom.+4

Press play and follow the subtitles to find out if Ano Mera is truly the base you’re looking for!

Watch the video directly on this page, or click here for viewing on YouTube (ideal for mobile users): https://youtu.be/y0GgcdgdIzY.

The Morning Rhythm and the Monastery

Early in the day, the central square offers a glimpse of peace. However, this quiet atmosphere is quickly punctuated by the arrival of large tour groups. These visitors are led by guides directly to the Panagia Tourliani monastery, which stands as the most ancient and iconic landmark of the area. While a photo in front of its facade is a must, I wouldn’t recommend a trip solely for the monastery unless you are a true architecture enthusiast. Most travelers come to Mykonos for the stunning beaches and the energy of the Chora, and Ano Mera can feel a bit like a stopover in that regard.

The only truly “countryside” detail we experienced staying there was the sound of a local rooster. However, it seemed as confused as the tourists; it would crow at the strangest hours. We used to joke that it had probably spent the night partying in Mykonos Town and had completely lost track of time!

A Village Built for Services

The layout of Ano Mera reflects its function as a service hub. The main square is essentially a ring of restaurants and bars designed to cater to visitors. Beyond the square, the town offers essential conveniences like a self-service laundry , large supermarkets, and pharmacies.

For a budget-friendly meal, Artisti Prozymi is a strategic choice. It is a bakery where a full breakfast costs about €7 and a quick lunch—like a sandwich or savory pie with a drink—is around €12 per person.

The Dining Dilemma: Prices and Reality

The belief that Ano Mera is a haven for cheap eats is only partially true. While prices can be slightly lower than a sea-view dinner, they are catching up fast. You are essentially trading the sea breeze for a seat in a town square. Here is what we found:

Fisherman Giorgos & Marina: A great choice for fresh fish. We paid €81.00 for two, including a Traditional Bouyourdi (€13), Grilled Octopus (€22), and Tuna (€35).+2

Fisherman’s House: An authentic atmosphere where a full fish dinner costs between €40 and €50 per person.

At Fisherman’s House, we wanted to see if eating away from the main Mykonos Town would truly save us money.

While the food was fresh—the grilled octopus (22€) and the tuna (35€) were highlights—the final bill for two people consistently hit the 81-82 Euro mark, even without ordering the most expensive catch of the day (which can go up to 90€ per kilo).

It’s important to know that ‘authentic’ doesn’t always mean ‘cheap’ in Mykonos peak season.

Evening Vibes: What happens after 8:10 PM?

If you look closely at our receipt from Fisherman’s House, you’ll see the time: 20:10 (8:10 PM). This timestamp is more important than the price itself because it marks the moment the evening in Ano Mera effectively “ends” for anyone looking for a bit of life.

By 8:10 PM, having finished our dinner, we realized there was absolutely nothing left to do in the village square. The atmosphere is peaceful, sure, but it can quickly feel too quiet if you’re not ready to go to sleep.

So, what did we do? We didn’t have much choice: we hopped into our car and drove straight to Mykonos Town (Chora) to find some energy and movement. This is why I keep stressing that having a car is non-negotiable if you stay here. Without your own wheels, your night ends before it even begins, and you’d be stuck in the silence of the village while the rest of the island is just waking up.

Nightlife in Ano Mera: Laundry or… Nothing?

Let’s be honest: once you’ve finished your dinner around 8:00 or 9:00 PM, the “magic” of Ano Mera square fades quickly. Unless you are planning to linger for hours at your restaurant table, the village doesn’t offer much else to do.

In fact, our most “productive” evenings often turned into laundry nights. Since we spent our days exploring the beaches, the evening was the only time to hit the local coin-operated laundries—which, luckily, are plentiful in the area and always open.

The Reality of the “Ano Mera Nightlife”:

• The Routine: We would drive to the laundromat to drop off our clothes. But since there was absolutely nothing to do in the village while waiting, we would just drive back to our nearby hotel to rest and then go back later to pick everything up.
• The Vibe: It’s a strange paradox—the most “happening” spots at night, once the dinner rush is over, are actually the laundromats.
• The Verdict: If you are looking for energy or movement after 9:00 PM, you won’t find it here. You’ll either end up retreating to your room early or doing chores like we did.

Deep Blue Mykonos: Quality Fish with a Price Tag to Match

If you are in the area and a fish lover, Deep Blue Mykonos is a solid choice.

While the restaurant is located on a busy transit point—meaning the view is mostly of the small parking lot directly in front—the interior is surprisingly charming and well-decorated. The atmosphere is further enhanced by pleasant Greek background music that makes for a very relaxing evening.

What we tasted:

• High-Quality Sushi: An absolute highlight. We tried several rolls that were a true explosion of flavor, featuring incredibly fresh fish. The shrimp, in particular, stood out for its quality.
• Red Snapper (Sea Bream): We also ordered the Red Sea bream. It was extremely fresh, perfectly cooked, and a generous portion (estimated at around 600 grams).

The Bottom Line: While the food is undeniably good, keep an eye on your budget. For a dinner in late July (peak season), our bill for two people—including sushi, the snapper, and wine—came to 82.00 Euros. It’s a great spot for a quality meal, but be prepared for a total that consistently exceeds the 80-euro mark for a couple.

Kalammmakia: A solid alternative for meat lovers, offering burgers and salads at more modest prices.

Mobility and the “Bakery Test”: Why a Car is Your Best Friend

While Ano Mera is located in the heart of the island , don’t let its small-town feel fool you into thinking you can rely on public transport. There is a bus stop, but being in such a strategic, central spot means you absolutely need a car to enjoy the freedom of the island. Relying on taxis or buses from here is inconvenient and limits your ability to reach the best beaches quickly.

Having a car also allows you to be picky about quality, especially when it comes to your morning routine. We initially tried the smaller bakery near the Deep Blue restaurant and the supermarket, but the experience was a letdown. Despite the convenience of its location, the outdoor area felt neglected and untidy—seeing cigarette butts near the windows and a lack of general cleanliness gave us a bad vibe.

This is where the advantage of the “diffused” nature of Ano Mera comes in. Since you have to drive anyway, we started stopping at different bakeries on our way to the coast. We found that not all are equal; by moving just a few minutes further, we found much better-maintained spots like Artisti Prozymi. This bakery offered a far superior experience, with a wider variety of fresh products and a cleaner, more welcoming environment. It taught us a valuable lesson: just because a place is the closest or most convenient doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your breakfast or lunch.

Logistics and the “Golden” Nights

Ano Mera’s true strength is its strategic position. You can reach Lia Beach in 10 minutes or the lively Super Paradise in about 20 minutes.

Parking is free and easy during the day, but at night, the “Golden” evening atmosphere draws crowds from across the island. The parking lots fill up unexpectedly, and finding a spot becomes a real struggle. If you have a small car, you can squeeze in, but be prepared for the evening rush.

Final Thoughts

I appreciated my stay because it was practical and made exploring the island easy. However, Ano Mera didn’t stay in my heart. It is a location of logistics rather than magic. It served its purpose perfectly as a well-equipped base, but the true soul of Mykonos still lives elsewhere.

First Impressions and the Call of the Chora

On our first night, we decided to stay local and dine in the village square. It was a pleasant experience—the food was good, and the atmosphere was welcoming. However, after that first evening, something becomes clear: while Ano Mera is a nice break, you quickly feel the urge to head towards Mykonos Town (Chora).

You start craving the sea breeze, the iconic sunsets, and those endless white-washed alleys that offer a much more immersive and characteristic experience. Ano Mera is a great starting point, but the true heart of the island beats elsewhere.

Want to discover the real vibe of the main town? Check out my next article: Mykonos Town (Chora) Unfiltered: A Guide to Sunsets, Windy Adventures, and Hidden Corners