Mykonos, Greece - the best of all worlds

Visit Mykonos

Mykonos is one of the most popular of the Greek Islands. It has a beautiful main town called Mykonos Town or Chora and is a renowned party island and popular with the chic crowd and families too.

Explore Mykonos

Mykonos is one of the Cycladean Islands of Greece and these are very popular, especially Mykonos and Santorini. Most people will either fly in to Mykonos airport or arrive at the new port of Mykonos both of which are close to Mykonos town which is the main town on the island.

Mykonos has an arid landscape and was once quite poor but gained a reputation as a bohemian destination in the sixties and also became known for its walm welcome to gay visitors and these together led to a boom in tourism that continues to this day.

Mykonos Town

Visitors to Mykonos will love to visit Mykonos Town and indeed this is a great place to spend your holiday. With its whitewashed, cube-shaped houses with brightly colored doors and windows, flowers and bougainvilleas and narrow winding streets it is a joy to explore. It also has windmills, cute little churches, and amazing restaurants and cafes and a sea front position which is particularly popular around the 'Little Venice' area and the old harbour.

However Mykonos also has some very popular beaches. It has developed an international reputation as a party destination with an exciting nightlife and the main party beaches of Paradise and Super Paradise are particularly popular.

The resort of Platis Gialos is just a short bus ride from Mykonos Town and so is popular both as a pleasant beach destination and is great for a day trip to the beach from Mykonos Town. Psarou resort is also close to Mykonos town and is home to the famous Nammos restaurant and beach club.

To the north and the east of the island there are a number of quieter beaches and resorts to visit.

History of Mykonos

Greek mythology tells us that the giants were killed by Zeus' son Hercules. As the giants died and their bodies rotted, their corpses remained and became the rocks that surround the island. In addition, tradition says Mykonos was the primary ruler of the island. Aside from that, the first settlers of the island were Ionians around the 9th century B.C. The island was about to fall under the rule of Athenian, Macedonian and Romans as the years passed. Then the Venetians overtook the land.

Manto Mavrogenous

Manto Mavrogenous was a Greek heroine who fought the Turks successfully in 1822. There is a staue dedicated to her near to the old harbour in Mykonos town.

Platis Gialos beach

Mykonos Town

Mykonos town, also called Chora is fabulous. You will enjoy walking around the town, viewing the windmills, feeding the pelicans, having a drink at the little harbor and visiting the famous Parapotiani church. There are lots of chic shops and great bars and restaurants for all budgets.

The Many Museums of Mykonos

If you enjoy history and would like to know more about Mykonos' past, there are five museums to choose from; the Archaeological Museum, the Aegean Maritime Museum, Lena's House, the Folk Art Museum (Folklore) and the Agricultural Museum. Most of these museums are found on the street of Enopolon Dynameon, which is indeed one of the busiest streets of Mykonos Town, especially during the summer.

Attractions and activities

If you are a water lover, there are a lot of water sports on offer including diving and snorkling. You can also enjoy daily outings to some magnificent beaches as well as a trip to the archaeological ruins at Delos.

There are a couple of monasteries on Mykonos island. The most popular is the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani.

Ferries leave Mykonos for the other Cycladean Islands of Santorini, Naxos and Paros and so you can easily make your holiday into a two or three destination holiday.