Mykonos Island
Mykonos is one of the Greek islands located in the warm Aegean Sea. It is part of the Cyclades archipelago, whose islands, like sea stones, are scattered south of the Greek mainland between the Peloponnese peninsula and the Dodecanese archipelago.
Video: Mykonos
Contents- Highlights
- History of Mykonos Island
Geography and climate - Interesting places
- Museums
- Beaches of Mykonos
Outdoor activities - Entertainment
- Local cuisine
Shopping - Where to stay
- Transportation
- How to get there
Highlights
History of Mykonos Island
In Greek mythology, the name of the island is identified with the name of its first ruler, Mykonos, the son of King Anias, whose father was Apollo himself. According to one mythological tradition, giants defeated by Heracles are buried under Mykonos. The name of the Cyclades archipelago, which includes Mykonos, is derived from the Greek word “Cyclades”, which literally means “lying in a circle”. This is how the islands of the archipelago are arranged in relation to the most important of them, the sacred island of Delos, where Apollo and his sister Artemis are said to have been born.
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Geography and climate
The Cyclades islands, which from afar look like huge desert gray-brown rocks, are divided into four groups: Northern, Central, Southern, Western. Mykonos, together with Andros, Tinos, Syros and Delos, is in the first group. It is not very small in size – 12-15 km long and 10 km wide. The total area of the island is about 88 km² and the coastline is 81.5 km long. In the northwest of the island is the highest point – Ilias Vorniotis (375 m), in its central part rises Kounaupas Hill (275 m), to the east is located Pritis Ilias Anemperites Hill (351 m). The coastline of Mykonos is picturesquely cut by numerous bays, where emerald water splashes near a narrow strip of beach. From the capital of Greece, Athens, the island is at a distance of 150 km, from the island of Delos it is separated by a little more than 3 km.
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The capital of the island, Mykonos, or Chora, is amphitheatrically located on the seashore, which is the name of the capital city in Greece if its name coincides with the name of the island itself. Not far from Chora is the main port of Mykonos – Tourlos.
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Interesting places
The chic resort of Mykonos, where for the vast majority of glamorous travelers there are two main types of facilities – beaches and bars, will willingly show curious tourists another side of itself. Many colorful churches, traditional villages with a typical Greek way of life, archaeological sites, original architecture – this is the cultural component of the island, which forms its true image.
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From Chora, roads fan out to different parts of the island. If you head north, you will reach the towns of Tourlos and Agios Stefanos. Tourlos has a new port where cruise ships call, and Agios Stefanos is called the place with the best beaches.
.The road east of the capital takes you to Ano Mero, a traditional Greek town, which consists of several neighborhoods around the male monastery of Panagia Turliani. The main picturesque square is a pleasant place to sit in one of the cafes, ordering traditional Mykonos snacks and coffee, wine or ouzo.
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On November 15, Ano Mero hosts the biggest festival in Mykonos – dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the heavenly patroness of the island. Local daily life is inextricably linked to the monastery, which was founded in 1542 and is considered the spiritual center of the town. In the monastery church you can see a magnificent gilded carved wooden iconostasis, supposedly created in Florence in 1775, and a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, which, according to legend, floated to the surface of the sea off the coast of the island. The icon is believed to be the work of the Evangelist Luke.
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In the Kastro district, a few meters from the church of Panagia Paraportiani, the Ethnographic Museum is located in a beautiful 18th century building. It includes six halls that house collections of antique furniture, clothing, local craftsmen of different eras, Byzantine icons, photographs, musical instruments.
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The museum is open from April through October from 16:30 to 20:30, except Sundays.
.A branch of the Ethnographic Museum, the so-called Lena House, is also worthy of a visit. Located in a 19th century mansion and named after its last owner Lena Skrivanu, the museum is small. It preserves the original interiors and recreates the typical furnishings of the century before last, typical of the houses inhabited by the wealthy class and the nobility. Beautiful carved antique furniture, antique mirrors, tapestries, engravings, elegant knick-knacks can be seen if you look into the House of Lena in the evening, from 18:30 to 21:30 – it is at such an unusual time the museum works.
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Not far from the Lena House is the Maritime Museum. It is small, but the exhibits within its walls are quite curious and depict the history of seafaring in Greece. Here you can see models of ships that sailed the Aegean Sea, from the early Minoan period to the last century, ancient nautical charts, engravings, navigational instruments. The museum displays finds raised from the bottom of the sea, with some artifacts dating back to the 2nd to 1st centuries B.C.
.One of the curious exhibits of the Maritime Museum is the mechanism of the Armenistis Lighthouse, which was built on the rocky shore of the northern Cape of Mykonos in 1891. The lighthouse tower is 19 meters high and was considered a technical marvel in its day. Today, the lighthouse is a tourist attraction. Climb up the steep, winding mountain path and you will be treated to one of the most stunning panoramas. Dress warmly – there is a strong wind that blows relentlessly here, literally knocking you off your feet.
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Beaches of Mykonos
Mykonos has countless sandy beaches. There are cafes, tavernas and restaurants on almost every one of them. Most beaches have sun loungers and umbrellas. You can rent a set of two sun loungers and an umbrella without beach towels from 13 €. On public beaches you can sit on the sand for free on your own towel.
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Platis Yalos’ neighboring beach Psarou has been embraced by the beau monde. The glamorous crowd, who do not miss the opportunity to “look at people and show themselves,” here enters the sea on wooden paths and sips refreshing cocktails from extravagant dishes in the form of halves of coconut and mango. Near the beach are palm gardens open to vacationers around the clock.
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The neighboring Super Paradise beach is small, with fine clean sand and a rocky pebble entrance to the sea. It’s also fun here, with music and dancing starting in the afternoon.
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Paraga Beach is also popular among young people, it is conditionally divided into two parts: the southern part is quite quiet and peaceful, while the northern part is crowded and noisy.
.Agrari beach is liked by tourists who prefer a quiet environment. Music is not played here, the water is crystal clear, the atmosphere disposes to relaxation. Five minutes from Agrari is the long beach of Elia. It is not too crowded, but it is well organized. Nudists and gays like to sunbathe on its outskirts. The resting place of the latter is marked with a flag with a rainbow image.
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The most famous resorts located in the west of Mykonos are Megali Ammos, Tourlous and Agios Stefanos. The first one is practically next to Chora. A vacation in this beautiful corner with an excellent Greek restaurant will be pleasant if the wind blows from the south, while the north wind may prevent you from calmly entering the sea. Tourlous and Agios Stefanos are small quiet beaches with beautiful views of cruise ships entering the port, white sand and minimal sea swell.
Kalafati Beach, located on the eastern side of Mykonos, is popular with surfers and couples with children, there is a playground for the little ones. The beach has an area with free sun loungers. Next to Kalafati is a very small and cozy beach of Lia, a great place for a secluded rest.
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The beaches dotted around the north of the island are exposed to strong winds and are not very comfortable for sunbathing and swimming, but for windsurfing these places are best suited for windsurfing. The exceptions are the luxurious, very picturesque Panormos beach, located in a bay protected by rocks from the wind, and Agios Sostis – wild and secluded, located away from the tourist centers.
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Active Vacation
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Local cuisine
In Mykonos you can taste any national cuisine, the prices in most places are quite democratic. A hearty lunch or dinner with a bottle of wine will cost 50-55 € for two people. If you choose dishes where there is no seafood, then you can well manage and 35 €.
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Of course, you will hardly get a taste of the local flavor if you bypass the traditional Greek tavernas and do not taste the delicious handmade cheeses, which are made only in the Cyclades.
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Among the iconic establishments with Greek cuisine is the Focos Taverna. Fish is divinely prepared here, as well as a local delicacy – Mykonos ham according to an ancient recipe. Dinner with wine will cost from 80 € for two people. Restaurants with national cuisine such as Avli Tou Thodori, Kikis Tavern, Nikos are also well known.
.Among the budget establishments in Mykonos are the Piccolo Cafe, where you can snack on tasty sandwiches and salads, and To Maereio, which serves inexpensive set lunches.
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Shopping
On Mykonos island you will not find large shopping centers, but there is an invisible variety of stores and boutiques where you can buy fashionable clothes sold under the world famous brands, as well as products of Greek designers. The Little Venice area is famous for the best stores.
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Transportation
Mykonos has a well-developed transportation infrastructure. Buses, cabs, scooters, boats and even ATVs can be used to reach almost any corner of the island.
.There are two bus stations here, they are located in Chora, a 20-minute walk from each other. From the South Station, located in Iralos Square, buses depart every half hour to the beach areas of Paraga, Ornos, Agios Ioannis, and Paradise. At night you can go from here to Platis Yalos and Paradise (buses leave every hour). From the North Bus Station, located in Piazza Rimezzo, buses take tourists almost all over the island, stopping even in the most remote corners.
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How to get there
The Athens – Mykonos flight will take about 40 minutes (tickets cost 70-90 €). From Thessaloniki, it will take you about an hour (tickets cost 80 to 100 €).
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From Athens to Mykonos you can also get to Mykonos by ferry. From the port of Piraeus ferries to the island leave twice a day. Travel time is 7 hours.
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