About Mykonos
Explore Greece
Overview
The smallest of the Cyclades islands, Mykonos is big on style. Small fishing boats sit beside luxury yachts near golden beaches. Chic boutiques and restaurants offer the perfect respite from the midday sun. The Little Venice neighborhood provides marvelous views of the island’s iconic windmills and breathtaking sunsets across sparkling turquoise seas.
Vacationers looking for ancient ruins will discover several on nearby Delos or in the unique Archaeological Museum of Mykonos.
What To Do
Visit Little Venice, which overlooks the southwest end of the harbor. Sea captains settled here, building lovely homes that have been transformed into small shops, restaurants, and nightclubs.
Explore the enchanting 16th-century windmills, originally used to grind grain, above Little Venice. See the nearby Mykonos Agricultural Museum, part of the Mykonos Folk Museum.
Snorkel, swim and bask in the sunshine at beautiful Paradise beach, one of the most popular spots on the island.
Take a day-trip to nearby uninhabited Delos Island, the legendary birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. The island’s rich archaeological history was discovered towards the end of the 19th century. Wander through the ancient ruins of Propylaea and the Sanctuary of Apollo. Uncover even more antique treasures at the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos.
What To See
Visit the Mykonos Folk Museum at the 18th century House of Kastro in Chora. Discover traditional musical instruments and costumes, historic paintings and photographs of the island, and more. Wander through the museum garden, with artifacts such as anchors and the largest lighthouse in the Aegean, at the Aegean Maritime Museum in central Chora.
Windsurf, waterski or just sit back and let the calm blue waters wash over your body at sun-blessed Psarou Beach.
Shopping
On Mykonos, you’ll find everything from designer fashions and jewelry to handmade accessories and local art in the island’s delightful maze of whitewashed shops and charming boutiques.
Nightlife
Once the sun goes down, and often until it rises, vacationers and locals on magical Mykonos love to party. From Paradise Beach to the more laid back Little Venice, there’s a wealth of vibrant bars, dance clubs and cafes awaiting discovery.
Off the Beaten Path
Visit the tiny island of Rhenia, separated from Delos by a small strait. Swim and snorkel in the surrounding clear blue waters. Tour Delos, a World Cultural Property protected by UNESCO since 1990.
Walk down Lion Street and view the remains of the Temple of Apollo, the Old City, the Sanctuary of Artemis, the Theater and the Museum.
Food and Drink
Of course, there’s plenty of authentic Greek food on Mykonos. You’ll also find delicious Italian, Japanese, Argentinean and French cuisine on the island.
Try some of the island’s local creamy, slightly spicy kopanisti cheese made from cow’s milk. Enjoy a plate of louza made from pork, dried under the winter sun, then carefully prepared with salt, pepper, and secret spices. Be sure to try the locally-caught and delicately prepared seafood – also a mainstay of the cuisine in Mykonos.
Tame your sweet tooth with heavenly scented almond cakes and marzipans made from flour, butter, eggs, cinnamon and lots of almonds. Wash down your meal with local wine or ouzo, and celebrate life Mykonos style.
Mykonos with Kids
Ornos Bay, just a few miles from Mykonos Town, offers an excellent sheltered bay, perfect for families. Swim, sunbathe or build Cycladic-style sand castles at Psarou Beach, more serene and family-friendly than Paradise Beach.
When to Go
Mykonos, like the other Greek Islands, enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with hot sunny days and pleasant evenings from April to October. The rainy season begins around mid-October.
The average high temperature in July and August is around 81 F, although there’s nothing average about Mykonos, including the temperature. Summer tends to get quite hot. Mykonos can be windy in the summer months, with July and August seeing strong northerly winds, known as Meltemi, which help reduce the humidity but tend to blow things around.
The busy season lasts from around Easter through mid-September. The island is closed to tourists from November to March.
Fast Facts
The name ‘Cyclades’ is derived from the Greek word kiklos, meaning circle. It described how these islands encircled the sacred island of Delos.
The primary material used to whiten the walls of the homes, restaurants, museums, and shops of these islands was lime, an inexpensive local material.
The blue and white buildings on Mykonos mirror the colors of the Greek flag, as well as the vivid blue of the surrounding seas.
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