The beautiful Mykonos!

Windmills of Mykonos! photo by Popi Kmb

Yes! Came the time to write about Mykonos! Mykonos it's very special for me, because I am from Mykonos, there I was born, grew up and went to school, I'm so lucky to come from this nice place.

Mykonos is a very popular island, and more popular about it's night life, but for me as I am from Mykonos, I think the island have very more to show except nightlife.
Mykonos have amazing beautiful beaches, have great traditional kitchen, very scenic places with great architecture, there are a few museums and is the island of Delos, that everyone should visit.

Ornos beach in Mykonos. photo by Popi Kmb

View of Mykonos town.

Paraportiani church in Mykonos!

Windmills of Mykonos!

Street & Church in Mykonos town.

Mykonos is a popular tourist destination in the Greek islands of the Cyclades group, situated in the middle of the Aegean Sea. Mykonos is located south of Tinos, east of Syros and north of Paros and Naxos. The island spans an area of 85.5 square kilometres and rises to an elevation of 341 metres at its highest point. There are 10,134 inhabitants, most of whom live in the largest town, Mykonos, which lies on the west coast. The town is also known as Chora.  Mykonos' nickname is The island of the winds. Tourism is a major industry.

Mykonos is famed as a cosmopolitan destination amongst the Greek islands and widely recognised as one of the great travel meccas. It is one of the most tourist islands in the Aegean. Mykonos, along with Santorini, is more expensive than other Greek islands. It would appear that on most days of the week, there will be at least one cruise ship docked, on these days, the small narrow streets of Mykonos get quite crowded. Mykonos tends to be extremely crowded with visitors in July and August. The best time to visit Mykonos is mid-May through June (early season, accommodation is much cheaper and it's not that hot), or September through mid-October (post season).
Mykonos' main communities are Chora, the island's port town and capital, and Ano Mera.  
Mykonos Town (Chora) is a stunningly picturesque Cycladic town with a maze of tiny streets and whitewashed steps lanes, houses and churches, gathered around its harbour in the middle of a wide bay. It is one of the most cosmopolitan and crowded towns of the Aegean. Although the streets are lined with little shops, boutiques, art galleries, cafes, stylish bars and restaurants, Mykonos Town has not completely lost its identity. Despite the island’s rapid growth and development, it’s traditional Cycladic architectural style and character has remained firmly intact, thanks to the island’s strict building regulations. Expect to find shops by Chanel, Burberry, Louis Vuitton and other well known, high-end brands. It would appear that these shops cater more for the tourists that arrive on many of cruise ships that dock nearby.
Ano Mera is a small village on the middle of the island, and the only inland settlement on the whole of Mykonos, about 7 km east of Mykonos Town. Ano Mera is based around a large central square, which is lined on three sides by a series of Greek tavernas. The monastery of Panagia Tourliani, founded in 1542, is Ano Mera's most significant highlight.
Other small communities include:
Agios Ioannis is a small settlement with two taverns, one restaurant and one tiny store. Agios Ioannis is famous as the location for the movie "Shirley Valentine".
Agios Stefanos with many hotels, good restaurants, taverns and cafes.
Platys Gialos is a popular tourist resort where small fishing boats transport tourists to the southern beaches of Mykonos.
Ornos with several choices for staying, food and drink, and a well organized food market with a butcher's shop, bakery, super market and a pharmacy.
Tourlos is where most of the cruise ships dock, private yachts and fishing boats use the marina and the port receives some of the ferries coming from the mainland or other islands.

A Man and His Donkey in Mykonos, Greece!

Beautiful house in Mykonos, Greece.

Fishing boats on Mykonos town!

Agios Ioannis and Delos island in background, Mykonos, Greece.

Houses & bar at Little Venice in Mykonos.

Little Venice in Mykonos, Greece.

Mykonos town street by night!

Mykonos at Dusk.

Mykonos, Greece.

Street of Mykonos!

Panoramic view of Mykonos town.

To See:
The Windmills in Mykonos Town. From as early as the 16th century, the windmills are one of the most recognized landmarks of Mykonos. Once this island was a great producer of wheat and bread. The area of the windmills has a splendid view on Little Venice and is the most popular place in Mykonos to watch the sunset.

Little Venice (Alefkandra) in Mykonos Town. A district located at the sea, famous for its picturesque medieval two and three storey houses, which stand like a wall above the sea, and their colourful wooden balconies. Little Venice is one of the most beautiful and romantic places in the whole of Mykonos and offers a fantastic sunset. A favourite activity is drinking a cocktail in one of the many bars and cafes while watching the sunset on the seashore. You will reach Little Venice walking from the windmills down the stairs. It is only a five minute walk from Fabrika bus station and there is a sign for it on the other side of the square.

Panagia Paraportiani in Mykonos Town. Of all the churches on Mykonos, the most impressive is Panagia Paraportianí, a true Byzantine jewel. This whitewashed church, which building dates back to 1425 and was not completed until the 17th century, is the most popular and most photographed of the 400 churches on the whole island of Mykonos. It is made up of four chapels at ground level with another one above. Only one of the chapels on the ground floor is open to visitors, from early morning until sunset. The church is located in the Kastro district, the oldest section of Mykonos Town. 

Petros the Pelican, the island's mascot, can sometimes be found at the waterfront or even up in town. Originally the pelican was found wounded off the coast of Paranga shore after a storm back in the 1950s by a local fisherman. The pelican was nursed to health and remained on the island supported by locals. It soon adopted the name “Petros”. To great disappointment by locals and tourists alike, Petros was hit by a car on 2 December 1985 and failed to recover. After Petros died in 1986 he was so popular that a new pelican was introduced as a successor. Now there are three pelicans inhabiting the island.

Museums:
All museums are open from April to October, except the Archaeological Museum which is open year round. Most people keep the museums for a rainy day, but the Archaeological Museum is worth a visit. 

• Archaeological Museum of Mykonos in Mykonos Town ☎ +30 22890 22325. Open daily from 8:30AM to 3PM, except Mondays. Museum includes a large number of vases, ranging from the prehistoric to the late Hellenistic period (25th-1st century B.C.), grave statues, stelae and funerary urns from the nearby island of Rheneia (Delos' necropolis).
• Folklore Museum, Mykonos Town ☎ +30 22890 22591. Open daily from 4:30PM to 8:30PM, except Sundays. The Folklore Museum, housed in an 18th-century sea captain's house, brings together a number of collections of furniture, icons, pieces of sculpture, folk musical instruments, costumes and textiles. 
• Lena's House Museum at Tria Pigadia in Mykonos Town ☎ +30 22890 2239. Open daily from 6:30PM to 9:30PM, except Sundays. Lena's House Museum, a branch of the Folklore Museum, is an authentic 19th-century middle class Mykonian house, completely restored with furnishings.
• Aegean Maritime Museum at Tria Pigadia in Mykonos Town ☎ +30 22890 22700 Open daily, from 10:30AM to 1PM and from 6:30PM to 9PM. A collection of nautical instruments and ancient vessels.  
• Agricultural Museum in Mykonos Town ☎ +30 22890 22390. Open daily from 6:30PM to 9:30PM, except Sundays. A collection of traditional agricultural tools. 
• The Boni Mill in Mykonos Town ☎ +30 22890 26246. Open daily from June to September, from 4PM to 8PM. A 16th century windmill, overlooking the town. The mill has been maintained and is fully functional featuring its customary wood-burning stone oven.

Beaches:
Most of the beaches have tavernas and restaurants and are well equipped with deck chairs and parasols. The best beaches are on the south side of the island and sheltered from the prevailing northern wind. 

• Psarou beach (5km from Mykonos Town). This upmarket beach is popular amongst Greeks. Lots of hotels, apartments and restaurants. Psarou is easily accessible by bus from Mykonos Town.
• Platys Gialos beach (6km from Mykonos Town). Busy family and tourist beach. Lots of hotels, apartments, restaurants and beach bars, lining the long sandy beach. Jet ski rentals are available. Bus service from Mykonos Town is very frequent and takes about 15 minutes. Platys Gialos is the starting point for regular boat services to the other southern Mykonos beaches.
• Paranga beach (6km from Mykonos Town). Sandy beach. There are some rocks in water, but many places where you can enter over sand. There is a camping, some hotels and some nice beach bars and restaurants. Nudity is quite common, especially on the right end. Paranga is easily accessible by bus from Mykonos Town or with a regular boat service from Platys Gialos.
• Paradise (Kalamopodi) beach (6km from Mykonos Town). Probably the most popular beach known for its parties. At about 4PM the music will get really loud. Paradise is easily reached by bus from Mykonos Town or with a regular boat service from Platys Gialos.
• Super Paradise (Plintri) beach (7km from Mykonos Town). Restaurants, beach bars and some hotels. At about 4PM the music will get really loud, for some is time to leave, for others time to have party. There is no bus service to Super Paradise, but it is easily accessible with a regular boat service from Platys Gialos. You can also take the bus to Paradise from Mykonos Town and then continue walking for 20 minutes over the hill to Superparadise. From June to September there is a boat from the harbour in Mykonos Town to Super Paradise, leaving in the morning and returning around 4:30PM in the afternoon. With your own transport it is a difficult winding road from Mykonos Town. The final hill can be tricky, because it is very steep. 
• Agrari beach (8km from Mykonos Town). Agrari Beach is less popular than its neighbour Elia and much calmer. Well organized with sunbeds and umbrellas, with many watersports. 
• Elia beach (8km from Mykonos Town). Elia is one of the larger beaches on Mykonos. It is a well organized beach with sunbeds and umbrellas, and various water sports. Three restaurants and taverns. Elia is most easily reached by a direct local bus from Mykonos Town’s northern bus terminal, but also with a regular boat service from Platys Gialos beach.
• Kalo Livadi beach (10km from, Mykonos Town). A quiet, long stretch of sandy beach. It offers some taverns with good food, and a few small hotels and villas. Best reached with your own transport, but you can get there by bus.
• Kalafatis beach (12km from Mykonos Town). A very large, beautiful and less developed beach and a favourite with windsurfers due to the offshore breeze. A variety of water sports are available here, including jet ski, water ski, wakeboard and tube rides. Kalafati can be reached by bus from Mykonos Town, but this bus only runs a few times a day. 
• Lia beach (14km from Mykonos Town). An uncrowded, sandy beach. Deck chairs and umbrellas are available to rent. Some tiny houses of fishermen from a little settlement, with two taverns and a beach bar. To get there you need your own transport or you can walk from Kalafati.
• Fokos beach. A small beach with coarse sand, not known by many people. This beach has no facilities like sunbeds and umbrellas, but it offers a very good tavern. To get to Fokos you need your own transport. Follow the signs for Fokos from Ano Mera.
• Ftelia beach (near Ano Mera, southern part of Panormos Bay). This beach faces the north and thus it is affected by the strong summer northern winds, which make it ideal for wind surfing, but not for swimming or sunbathing. Ftelia is an isolated, very tranquil place and even during July and August not very crowded, because it is often quite windy and dusty. To get there you need your own transport.
• Panormos beach. On the north side of the island and facing east onto Panormos Bay is the long and beautiful Panormos Beach. Two restaurants, one hotel and a trendy beach club serve this otherwise remote area. Panormos is most easily reached by a direct local bus from Mykonos Town’s northern bus terminal. 
• Agios Sostis beach. This beach faces the east of Panormos Bay. Agios Sostis is one of the more remote beaches on the island, without rental lounge chairs and umbrellas. Void of accommodation and crowds this beautiful beach offers not only peace and quiet, but also a very good small restaurant. To get there you need your own transport. Take the road beyond Panormos beach.
• Agios Stefanos beach (3km north of Mykonos Town). A well developed, sandy beach next to the new harbor. Agios Stefanos is very popular and gets very crowded during summer time. This beach is about the length of a soccer pitch. Agios Stefanos is reachable by bus from Mykonos town. 
• Tourlos beach (2km north of Mykonos Town). A small beach near the new port of Mykonos. The actual beach of Tourlos is not used much anymore since the construction of the new port and marina, but is still a busy area.
• Mykonos town beach (Aghia Anna) There's a small beach at the harbour front. Unless you are waiting for a boat leaving from the old port, there is no reason staying there. Much better beaches are within easy reach.
• Megali Ammos beach (1km south of Mykonos Town). The nearest beach to Mykonos Town, just a 10-minute walk from Mykonos Town along the coast into the direction of Ornos. The beach is next to the central road. There is a huge slab in the sea which makes it a little difficult to swim. The beach has no umbrellas and sunbeds due to the strong northerly winds. There are a few hotels and apartments and a wonderful tavern.
• Ornos beach (3km south of Mykonos Town). Busy family and tourist beach. It gathers many for its sunbeds and umbrellas, and bars and restaurants. The sandy beach slopes gently into the sea. There are schools for sea-skiing and surfing. Ornos is easily accessible by bus from Mykonos Town. 2km north of Ornos is the beach of Korfos, suitable for wind surfing, but not for swimming or sunbathing.
• Agios Ioannis beach (4km south west of Mykonos Town). Agios Ioannis is a small beach with snorkeling opportunities. The beach never gets over crowded and deck chairs are available to rent. Great tavern and cocktail bar very close. The beach offers a beautiful view towards the nearby islands of Delos and Rheneia. Agios Ioannis is easily accessible by bus from Mykonos Town. Next to Agios Ioannis is the small beach of Kapari, with a small nude section. This hidden beach is located north of Agios Ioannis, behind Agios Ioannis chapel, and then a steep walk downhill.

To Do:

• Delos, a small uninhabited island close to Mykonos, is a UNESCO world heritage area known for its important archaeological sites. There are daily excursions from Mykonos Town except Monday, when the archaeological site is closed. Boats leave from the pier at the west side of the harbour, right behind the little church of Agios Nikolaos. The boat trip takes about 30 minutes. Boat trips to Delos are also organised from Platys Gialos and Paranga Beach. The excavations are open from 8:30AM to 3PM, so have an early start if you really want to see it all. Delos is a must for all visitors.  
• Mykonos Private Cruises to Delos and Rhenia Island, with traditional Greek sailing boat.
• From Platys Gialos you can take a cruise on a GlassBottom Discover Boat, a boat with a glass floor at the bottom through which you can view underwater life. There are beach-to-beach cruises, sunset cruises and cruises to Delos and Rhenia.
• Check the ferry schedules well, but it is possible to make daytrips to the islands of Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos.

A small boat reflecting in the old harbor of Mykonos.

Archaeological museum of Mykonos.

Armenistis lighthouse in Mykonos, Greece.

Little Church in Mykonos, Greece.

Little Venice in Mykonos at sunset!

Mykonos old Port.

Old port of Mykonos, Greece.

Panoramic photo in Kalafatis beach!

Paraportiani church at Mykonos island.

Petros the Pelican!

Street in Mykonos town.

Mykonos, Greece.

Get around:
With a length of 12 to 15 km and a width of 10km, Mykonos is one of the smallest of the Cyclades islands. On Mykonos you can get around by bus, taxi, car, scooter, ATV or boat.
By bus: There is a bus network that takes you around the island. There are two bus stations in Mykonos Town, each on different sides of Mykonos Town. From the main southern bus station, Fabrica, buses can be taken for departures to Platys Gialos, Paraga, Paradise, Ornos and Agios Ioannis. From the northern bus station which is not very far from the old port ferry quay, buses can be taken for departures to Ano Mera, Elia, Panormos and Kalafatis. Departure times are clearly marked at the two bus stations and the end of the bus routes. Frequencies of buses are higher in high season.
By taxi: On the entire island there are only about 30 taxis, which means that depending on taxis for transport can be an exercise of great patience. In Mykonos Town the main location for taxis is in Manto Square, on the harbour front near the statue. Taxis do not use meters, but there's a notice board giving rates for each destination. Contact telephone numbers are 22400 and 23700.
By boat: The Plati Yalos Boat Service provides a good and fun way of getting to the southern beaches of Mykonos. From Platys Gialos small fishing boats converted into tourist transport leave every hour or less to the beaches of Paranga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari and Elia. From Ornos boats leave for the beaches of Platys Gialos, Paranga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari and Elia. Boat services can be cancelled due to strong wind, but with the exception of Super Paradise all of these beaches can be reached by bus from Mykonos Town as well. There is also short cruises possibilities to Delos - Naxos - Paros and back in nice traditional yachts, but is need to book before. From June to September there are also infrequently boats leaving from the harbour in Mykonos Town to Super Paradise, Agrari and Elia.
By car or by motorbike: Mykonos has an extensive public transport system from Mykonos Town. By public transport it is easy to get to all the southern beaches, which happen to be the nicest beaches as well. Renting a motorbike or a car is the way to go if you want to explore the rest of the island, especially the more remote beaches at the north coast. Motorbike and car rentals are readily available around the island. In Mykonos Town the highest concentration of rent a car - motorbike agencies is in and around the area of the southern busstation, where you will find a wide range of choices. The other area of Mykonos Town with rent a car - motorbike agencies is near to the old port, behind the Archaeological Museum.

Mykonos sunset.

Mykonos, Greece.

Mykonos, Greece.

Paraportiani church in Mykonos!

Street in Mykonos town.

Street in Mykonos town.

Super Paradise beach, Mykonos!

Windmill in Mykonos!

Windmills & town of Mykonos!

Windmills of Mykonos!

Go there:
By boat: From the Greek mainland ferries and highspeed catamaran services run daily from Piraeus and Rafina. The highspeeds take half the time but cost twice as much. The journey between the port of Piraeus (Athens) and Mykonos takes between 3h 30min and 5h 15min, depending on the type of ferry you are taking. If you are arriving at the airport of Athens you are often better off taking a ferry from Rafina than traveling to Athens and get a ferry from Piraeus. The journey between Rafina and Mykonos takes between 2h 10min and 5h 30min, depending on the type of ferry you are taking.

By cruise ship: Mykonos is a popular stop on cruise ship tours of the Greek Islands. Almost all cruise ships dock at the new port in Tourlos, some cruise ships use the old port, and if several ships visit at once, one or more may have to moor/anchor off-shore.
By plane: Mykonos has an airport (IATA: JMK), about 4km away from the main town. There are daily flights from Athens airport (35 minutes). During summer have daily direct flights from Thessaloniki. In high season there are also less frequent flights from Rhodes, Santorini, Crete (Heraklion) and Volos. May till October charter airlines fly directly to Mykonos from many European airports.

Kanalia area on Mykonos!

Little Venice in Mykonos, Greece.

Port of Delos.

The Terrace of the Lions, Delos.

Windmills and Little Venice, Mykonos!

The Island Of Delos, Greece.

Websites:

Mykonos official website

Delos travel guide