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GREECE IS THE WORD

How Mykonos is becoming the new Ibiza with celebs from Kate Wright to Kerry Katona flying in to party

ONCE a quiet Greek island, Mykonos is fast becoming the new Ibiza, thanks to the bustling party scene.

Since the 1950s, its popularity has surged, and is now favoured by billionaires, celebrities and honeymooning couples, as well as young travellers looking for boozy escapes.

The party scene at Mykonos has exploded in recent years
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The party scene at Mykonos has exploded in recent yearsCredit: Alamy

What was Mykonos like in the past?

The island has   of which 4,000 aren't Greek nationals.

But during the summer months, Mykonos attracts almost 50,000 visitors.

Famous faces often spotted on the island include Leonardo DiCaprio, Richard Branson and Alessandra Ambrosio - a far cry from the 1950s, when it was still a sleepy fishing town.

The beaches were home to just a few local fishing boats, where men dried their nets in the sun and kids dangled their legs over the edge of the harbour.

The cliffs were natural and rocky, although these are now full of hotels with infinity pools.

It wasn't long until the rich and the famous arrived following World War II.

In 1954, Queen Frederica of Greece organised a cruise around the islands for other European royals.

This was followed by famous film stars of the day, including Grace Kelly and Richard Burton in the 1960s, as well as First Lady Jackie Kennedy.

Mykonos is also renowned for being LGBT-friendly, with the 1970s proving popular with gay tourists at the time.

Mykonos is fast becoming the new Ibiza
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Mykonos is fast becoming the new Ibiza
Clubs such as Tropicana Club attract young single travellers
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Clubs such as Tropicana Club attract young single travellers

Young, beautiful women are often caught posing on Instagram at the famous party scene
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Young, beautiful women are often caught posing on Instagram at the famous party sceneCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Despite not being the cheapest, the party island is fast becoming the new Ibiza
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Despite not being the cheapest, the party island is fast becoming the new Ibiza

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What celebrities have recently been spotted there?

Kate Wright recently returned from her secret hen do in Mykonos, and Kerry Katona was there on holiday earlier this month.

Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Rochelle Humes and Cristiano Ronaldo also holidayed in Mykonos this year.

Other celebrities include last year's Love Island contestants Alexandra Cane, Kaz Crossley, Samira Mighty and Ellie Brown, who went on a girls' holiday to the island.

Lindsay Lohan is often on the island thanks to her beach club and reality show.

Kate Wright is currently on her honeymoon in Mykonos
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Kate Wright is currently on her honeymoon in Mykonos

Leigh-Anne Pinnock was spotted with her boyfriend Andre Grey on the island
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Leigh-Anne Pinnock was spotted with her boyfriend Andre Grey on the islandCredit: Refer to Caption
The Little Mix star showed off her amazing body in Mykonos
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The Little Mix star showed off her amazing body in MykonosCredit: INSTAGRAM/LEIGH-ANNE PINNOCK
The 2018 Love Island girls were also spotted earlier this year
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The 2018 Love Island girls were also spotted earlier this year

Where are the popular celebrity party spots?

Nammos is one of the most popular celebrity spots, with Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande and Leonardo Di Caprio fans of the club.

It may come as no surprise as it is home to , and even £100 bottles of "spraying champagne".

Scorpios is another fashionable restaurant-beach club, which has attracted Usain Bolt and many models along the way.

More affordable clubs include Jackie O', which often has drag shows and sunset cocktails, Tropicana Beach Bar, Cavo Paradiso and The Skandinavian Bar.

Kate Wright jets off on her hen do ahead of wedding to Rio Ferdinand

How to do Mykonos on a budget

Flights to Mykonos start from just £63 return, according to Skyscanner, with October being the cheapest month to travel.

There are also a number of cheap holiday deals for a week long holiday on the Greek island.

Love Holidays have affordable deals such as , or a

Travelling in the summer isn't cheap, however - with for a seven-night holiday in August.

Hotels also aren't cheap, being , meaning the best options are hostels or even beach camping.

Mykonos isn't the only Euro hotspot, with Bulgaria's Sunny Beach being called the new Magaluf.

Cheap hotels, and easy access to booze and and prostitutes has made it appealing to Brits wanting a raucous holiday.

We also look back at what Benidorm was like before the days of bad behaved tourists, from the sleeping village in the 1920s to the holiday resorts of the 1960s.

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