Greece

Mykonos – Best Places To Visit, Best Things To Do

Take a dose of St. Tropez‘s chic lifestyle add a hefty dose of Ibiza nightlife, mix together and, voilà, you have Mykonos!

Named after the hero Mykonos, son of Anios, King of Delos, who was born to the god Apollo and the nymph Reo, this Cyclades island is a favorite of the jetsetter crowd. The name itself conjures up images of white washed buildings, bright blue skies, turquoise waters and tanned bodies.

Little Venice

The seaside neighborhood of Little Venice is famous for its ancient houses lining the Aegean Sea. Owned by seafaring captains, trade merchants and, probably a few pirates, they were built during the island’s Venetian rule when the area was called Alefkandra. The balconies hovering over the water were originally used to load and unload cargo directly from the ships sailing in from Venice.
As we walked along the cobbled seaside promenade, we passed the quaint restaurants, bistros, cafes, and bars that now occupy the ancient buildings. The perfect spot to watch a spectacular Aegean Sea sunset over a plate of calamari and a cold Mythos!

The Windmills of Mykonos

During the 16th century, windmills were constructed to harness the northern wind coming from the Aegean Sea. Called the Meltemi winds, the mills were used to grind barely and wheat into flour. Seven windmills remain on Kato Mili, a hill overlooking the Sea and a short walk from Little Venice. Characterized by their white washed round shape, small windows and thatched, pointed roofs, the windmills serve as a reminder of early ingenuity in harnessing the power of the wind.

Wander Through Mykonos

There is no better way to experience Mykonos than wandering through its maze of white cobbled streets. Explore the quaint shops and chic boutiques while admiring the stunning Cycladic architecture.

The whitewashed walls, colorful wooden doors, and beautifully decorated courtyards create a dreamscape often copied, but never quite duplicated.

The Church of Panagia Paraportiani

The Church of Panagia Paraportiani is one of the most photographed sites in Mykonos. The church actually consists of five smaller churches built next to the other. The domed Church of the Virgin Mary sits on top of the four other churches. The oldest of the five churches is Agios Anargyros, constructed in the late 14th century with the four others built during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church

The Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rosary located in Alefcandra Square is just a short walk from the Windmills.  Dedicated in 1668 to the Virgin of St. Rosary, it is the only Roman Catholic church among the 400 churches in Mykonos.

The painting above the Holy Table was brought from Vienna to Mykonos in 1715 and depicts the Virgin and Child between St. Dominic and St. Catherine of Sienne.

View Mykonos From The Hills Above

Take the pathways leading up the hills to get a beautiful beautiful view of Mykonos and the hilltop homes.

The pathways can be steep at times, however, there are plenty of places to stop and catch your breath.

Mykonos is filled with foliage and vibrant colors set against a backdrop of pure white buildings and deep blue sky.

Even the newer homes are built in the same whitewashed architectural style found throughout Mykonos.

Experience Mykonos Beach Life

Mykonos boasts some of the most astonishing beaches in the world. From lively 24-hour party beach clubs to quite secluded beach hideaways, there is something for everyone. The South Coast has the best sandy beaches and clubs while being protected from the island’s north winds. The North Coast is less crowded and perfect for those seeking a more tranquil experience.

Mykonos At Night

Mykonos is known as having the best party scene in the Greek islands. Enjoy a romantic evening with champaign on the beach, relax over cocktails on the balconies in Little Venice, or experience one of Mykonos’ world famous clubs in the Chora district, it’s all there for you!

Voted one of the Top 15 Best Clubs Worldwide, the Paradise Beach Club has been a fixture in Mykonos for over 50 years. Hosting some of the most acclaimed DJs, the open-air club gives out the ultimate beach party vibe day or night. The club is open April to October.

Where We Stayed

We were guests of the Hermes Mykonos Hotel, perched on a hill overlooking the Aegean Sea and Mykonos below. The hotel provided a driver who met us at the port and took us directly to the hotel. There, we were met by an engaging staff who promptly checked us in. Already we felt the allure of Mykonos!

The whitewashed boutique hotel is beautifully landscaped and impeccably maintained.

The amenities include a fresh water pool with pool bar, satellite TV, complementary wi-fi access, a laptop (available on request), turn down service and breakfast.

The hotel’s lanai perfect for relaxing overlooks the Aegean.
Suites are located in extensions of the main hotel much like individual apartments and feature an open floor plan, king size bed, sitting area and two bathrooms.
The standard and deluxe rooms offer patios or balconies overlooking the Sea below.
Photo Courtesy of Hermes Mykonos Hotel

Getting To Mykonos

From Athens, we chose to book tickets on Blue Star Ferries for the 2.5 hour ride to Mykonos. There are also several direct flights from Athens, but for us, going by ferry would be more scenic and comfortable. If you are traveling from within the European continent or the UK, there are several domestic flights directly to Mykonos. If flying from abroad, such as the U.S., there are no direct international flights into Mykonos, which gives the perfect opportunity to spend a few days exploring Athens!

Mykonos is renowned for its cosmopolitan lifestyle, its intense nightlife, its amazing beaches, and attractions. It’s no wonder this slice of paradise is a favorite among celebrities and jet-setters from around the world!

Flying to Europe? Why not do what we do by relaxing in a first-class lounge between flights with Priority Pass membership? Sit down, stretch out, enjoy a pre-flight bite and a drink, including free alcohol at more than 1,500 lounges worldwide!

Capturing The Art Of Living

We are a pair of international filmmakers who love to travel extensively and, just as important, love to share our experiences with the hope of encouraging others to learn more about our world. We invite you to follow us, enjoy original photography, read about our travel experiences and find recommendations for awesome places to visit, what to see, where to stay and eat.

View Comments

  • This is one of the places that I would love to visit, the other being Santorini. When did you visit? When is a good time to visit if I want to avoid the summer vacation crowd?

    • Hi Edwin, we were in Mykonos and Santorini in June. We suggest you plan your trip during May, June or September to avoid the summer heat and heavy crowds. Actually, we are just finishing our next newsletter about our time in Santorini. It’s scheduled to publish this Saturday so be sure to look out for it! Thanks again for following us.

  • I spent a few marvellous days in Mykonos, the fine weather when it's already cold further north, the relaxed pace of life completely dedicated to visitors, getting lost in the streets that are all the same, the large number of restaurants and shops for entertainment.

    • We agree with you! Mykonos is a wonderful place to relax, shop and have fun! Thanks for following us!

  • It looks like a really beautiful. The white and blue colors are gorgeous. I have never been there but I've been to Krete and Rhodes.

    • You are correct Thomas, Mykonos is beautiful as is Krete and Rhodes. We hope you will put it on your list of places to travel! Thanks for following us!

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