The Greek island of Mykonos, a setting for the upcoming final season of the television show "Emily in Paris," offers a glamorous introduction to island hopping in the Cyclades. The series, known for its visually rich cinematography, previously featured Italy and will now spotlight Mykonos's upscale hotels and beaches.
Mykonos's main town, Chora, with its labyrinthine streets and narrow alleyways, serves as a central location for the show's narrative. Filming has taken place throughout the town, including the designer shopping district of Matogianni. Visitors can explore these streets, admiring whitewashed walls adorned with bougainvillea and bright blue shutters, and browse high-end boutiques.
For beach experiences, Agios Sostis is a secluded cove where scenes from the show were filmed. Unlike more bustling beaches, it offers a tranquil environment with golden sands and clear waters. The picturesque district of Little Venice, another filming location, provides waterfront restaurants and bars with prime sunset views.
Accommodation options like The Belvedere, a five-star boutique hotel in Mykonos, offer a relaxed atmosphere and panoramic views of the Aegean Sea. The hotel features traditional Cycladic architecture and an on-site restaurant, Matsuhisa Mykonos, which serves dishes like sashimi and miso-glazed black cod.
Beyond Mykonos, Paros offers a contrasting experience with a focus on secluded coves and local tavernas. The island, the third-largest in the Cyclades, features fishing villages like Piso Livadi, known for freshly caught seafood. The nearby island of Antiparos, a short ferry ride away, is renowned for its exceptionally clear waters, including the Blue Lagoon and Epitaphios Cave, popular for snorkeling.
The village of Naoussa on Paros is home to Ovea Paros, a resort built with natural stone and wood, offering a tranquil escape. Its sister hotel, Vione, features a restaurant serving grilled fish and local vegetables.
Santorini, while not a direct filming location for the series, is an accessible addition to a Cycladic itinerary. While many visitors frequent Oia for its sunsets and blue-domed chapels, the village of Imerovigli provides a quieter alternative with similar sea views and blue-domed chapels.
Santorini's landscape is defined by its volcanic origins, featuring black-sand beaches like Perissa. The island is a caldera formed by a massive eruption thousands of years ago. A unique swimming spot is Palea Kameni, a small volcanic island with geothermal hot springs whose mineral-rich waters can turn the sea an orange-brown color.
Wellness-focused hotels such as Andronis Concept are located in Santorini's hillsides, emphasizing sustainability with locally sourced ingredients. These accommodations often feature private terraces and infinity pools designed to maximize views of the Aegean sunsets.
The journey through these islands combines the allure of the television series with the natural beauty and tranquility of the Greek Cyclades.