Mykonos

The cosmopolitan Mykonos is one of the most beautiful islands of Greece and is high on the list of the most famous destinations for vacation. It is part of the island group of Cyclades and is chosen as a holiday destination by both foreign and Greek tourists. The capital of the island is Chora in which you will find the famous area of Little Venice. The 'island of the winds' is known for its beautiful beaches and for its vivid night life. The nightlife of Mykonos is considered to be one of the most active in Europe. Besides the nightlife though, the island has important monuments, attractions and archaeological sites which you can visit to experience the history of the place.

Even though the Phoenicians were the first inhabitants of Mykonos, the Ionians were the ones who settled and ruled the island from 1000 BC. After the Romans conquerors, the Byzantines ruled the island until the 12th century, and built various defensive structures. In 1292 the island was looted and was once again under the control of the Venetians; during their rule though, Mykonos was completely destroyed by Barbarossa. During the revolution of 1821, the island was able to repel a Turkish attack led by the famous Mando Mavrogenous. At the end of the 19th century, the evolution of technology and the opening of the Corinth canal led many locals to migration. After the Asia Minor Catastrophe in 1923 and the exchange of populations that it resulted in, several refugees from Asia Minor came and setteled on the island. The society and culture of the island was enriched with these new influences, which contributed to its economic and industrial development.

Mykonos, apart from its lively night life, is an island with a rich history and several places of tourist interest. Perhaps the most famous monument which has contributed to the growth of tourism is the archaeological site of Delos. The island of Delos, which is located very close to Mykonos, is one of the most important historical sites of Greece. The archaeological museum located on the island of Delos is also one of the most important in Greece.

Walk around the picturesque area of Little Venice in Chora, with its colorful balconies and the beautiful little shops. It is worth visiting the Church of Paraportiani, which is of particular architectural significance. It is actually made up of 5 churches, where the four are the basis, and the fifth is essentially the dome of the church. Of course, if you find yourself on the island of the winds make sure to visit the famous windmills. They impress visitors at first sight. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 10 windmills but now only seven remain. A visit to the maritime museum of Mykonos will give you the opportunity to experience the naval history and tradition of the island. It is also worth visiting the Monastery of Palaiokastro which is a genuine example of the architecture of the monasteries in Cyclades. During your holiday on the island you can visit some of the countless churches on the island and admire their architecture. In Agia Kyriaki square located in Chora you will find the Municipal Library, which has tens of thousand of tomes and a vast collection of photos and documents of the 18th and 19th century.

The island has beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters, that's why it attracts thousands of tourists every year. The most impressive beaches are on the south side of the island. The beach of Ai-Giannis is recommended for those seeking peace and relaxation. You will also find loungers offered by various resorts. Shortly after the chapel of Agios Ioannis is the small beach of Kapari which has fine sand and the best views to the island of Delos. On the west side of the island are the beaches of Agios Stefanos and Houlakia that are famous for their extraordinary beauty. Of course, there are also the beaches that are close to Chora. Megali Ammos is a beach suitable for water sports and is just 5 minutes away from Chora. A little further away is the beach of Korfos which is also suitable for water sports, such as windsurfing. One of the most popular beaches is Ornos. There you will find many hotels and restaurants to choose from. The famous beach of Psarou, which was famous during the 80's, is located 4 kilometres from Chora, and it has all the services of an organised beach. In the nearby area, you will find the well known beaches of Platis Gialos, Paraga, Paradise and Plintri, which are crowded every summer by famous people of Greece and abroad. A more secluded beach for those who prefer the peace and quiet is the beach Agrari. Even though the path to the beach is difficult, the blue waters and the sandy beach will compensate you. Also known beaches, visited by several celebrities, are the Elia beach and the Kalo Livadi. Lastly, it is worth swimming in the award-winning blue flag beach of Kalafatis. In the Northern part of the island there are also some of the most beautiful beaches such as Ftelia, Agios Sostis and Panormos. There are other not so famous beaches to explore such as the beach Merhia, Lia, Fokos and Mersini.

The traditional cuisine of Mykonos has been influenced by the different ethnicities who settled on the island. Some of the main local flavors are the famous mykonian louza, which is a sausage from ridge pig, and the peppery kopanisti, which is a type of local cheese. Also, there are a number of traditional appetizers of cheese and the local mostra is worth a try. The kremidopita (pie with onions) and the melopita (pie of honey) are probably the two main pies traditionally made by the Mykonians. Classic dishes are various kinds of mushrooms in the pan, beans with lard, collard greens with lard and marathokeftedes (fennel balls). Of course, meat and fish are always on the tables of Mykonians. The best appetizer according to the locals, is the toast skaros and then the limpets and the houhoulianoi (sea snails).

Mykonos is famous for the night life not only in Greece but throughout the world. For decades, the island manages to keep the lead in entertainment and luxury. On Mykonos there are trendy bars, especially in the area of Little Venice, where you can enjoy your drink while admiring the wonderful view of the sunset. The island offers countless suggestions for nightlife for all tastes and all ages. In Chora, as well as in other areas of the island, there are some of the most famous clubs and beach bars. Especially during the summer, parties with world renowned and famous Djs are organized.

Mykonos airport is 4.2 kilometres away from Chora.

There are three ports on the island. The new port is located close to Chora, the old port is located in the area of Tourlos, 10 kilometers north of the island, and a port that exclusively connects the island of Mykonos with the island of Delos.

On the island there is a good bus transportation network. During the summer, more routes are added for the majority of the beaches.

Moreover, for getting around the island you can use a taxi as there are two taxi stands, one in the central square of Chora and one at the bus stop in the area of Fabrica. Lastly, you can rent a car from the rent-a-car companies in Mykonos.