Mykonos

The best time for a beach holiday is June to September. The sea is warm and the days are dry and sunny. July and August are the busiest and most expensive months, and the meltemi wind can be strong. May and late September to October are calmer, with lower prices and good weather for walking. Winter is quiet, and many hotels, restaurants and clubs close.

The peak of the season is around 15 August (Assumption Day), a public holiday in Greece. Rooms and ferries fill up well in advance, so book early if you travel then.

• Windmills stand in a row on a hill above Chora. Venetians built them in the 16th century to mill grain. They are a classic spot for sunset, with the wind that gave the island its mills.
• Little Venice is a row of old fishermen's houses with balconies over the water. Come in the late afternoon for the view, and stay for a drink or dinner.
• Panagia Paraportiani is a white church made of several small chapels joined together. It took about 200 years to build, from the 15th to the 17th century. It is the most photographed church on the island.
• Aegean Maritime Museum in Chora shows ship models and sea history. Archaeological Museum of Mykonos holds ancient finds from Mykonos and nearby Delos. Lena's House is a preserved house that shows island life before the 20th century.
• Tourliani Monastery is a peaceful white monastery near the inland village of Ano Mera. It is a good stop on a drive across the island.
• Armenistis Lighthouse stands on the north coast, about 6 km from Chora. It is a working lighthouse with sea views and a quiet atmosphere.
• Paradise Beach is the best-known party beach on the south coast, with beach clubs and music. Elia Beach is a long sandy beach that is easier to enjoy with family. Psarou is a smart, popular beach with beach bars.
• Platis Gialos and Ornos are easy to reach by bus from Chora and suit families.

• Watch the sunset from a table in Little Venice, then walk back through the lanes of Chora.
• Spend a day at a beach club on Paradise Beach or Psarou, with music and a sun lounger.
• Try windsurfing or kitesurfing on the windy beaches. Ftelia and the north coast are known for it in summer.
• Take a boat trip around the coast or to Delos, with swim stops in quiet coves.
• Go out late. Bars in Chora and Little Venice stay open until the early morning in high season.

Most day trips from Mykonos go by boat. Sea conditions can change plans in windy weather.

• Delos is about 30 minutes by boat from the Old Port in Chora, and it is the main day trip. Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage site and, in Greek legend, the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Visitors walk through an ancient port city with mosaics, temples and the Terrace of the Lions. Boats leave the Old Port in the morning, and the last one back leaves in the afternoon. The site is closed on Mondays, and the entrance ticket is sold separately from the boat. Bring a hat and water, as there is little shade.
• Tinos is the next island to the north. It is a pilgrimage island with a famous church and many small villages. It is reached by ferry from Mykonos.
• Syros has the elegant town of Ermoupoli, with neoclassical buildings and a lively harbour. It is reached by ferry from Mykonos.
• Paros and Naxos are bigger islands with beaches and old towns. Both are reached by ferry and suit a longer stay.

Mykonos sits in the central Cyclades. These islands are good for island hopping by ferry.

• Nearby to the north and west: Tinos and Syros.
• Larger islands with beaches and old towns: Paros, Naxos and Antiparos.
• Farther south: Santorini, Ios and Milos.
• The wider island group: Cyclades.

• By air: Mykonos Island National Airport is about 4 km from Chora. It has flights from Athens all year and more routes from other European cities in summer. A taxi or bus takes you to town in about 10 to 15 minutes.
• By ferry from Athens: Ferries leave from Piraeus, and from Rafina, with more sailings in summer. High-speed boats take about 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Slower conventional ferries take about 4.5 to 5.5 hours. Book ahead in July and August.
• By ferry from other islands: Mykonos is linked to nearby Cycladic islands such as Tinos, Syros, Paros, Naxos and Santorini. Services are more frequent in summer.
• Ports: Boats use the Old Port in Chora or the New Port at Tourlos, about 2 km north. Check your ticket for the right port.
• Wind: Strong meltemi winds in summer can delay or cancel ferries. Do not plan a tight connection on the day you fly home.

• Public transit: Buses run from the bus stations in Chora to the main beaches, Ano Mera and other villages. They are frequent in summer and limited in winter. Buy tickets at the station or on board.
• Taxis: Taxis are few and can be hard to find in peak season, especially at night. Book ahead for airport and late-night trips.
• Boats: In summer, small boats link some southern beaches.
• On foot: Chora is small and best explored on foot. The lanes are narrow and cars cannot enter the old town.
• Scooters and ATVs: Many visitors rent them for the beaches. Roads are narrow and winding, and accidents are common. Wear a helmet and ride carefully.

• Is a car worth it? A car, scooter or taxi helps if you stay outside Chora and want to see several beaches. If you stay in town, buses and taxis are enough.
• Parking: Parking in and around Chora is limited. Use the public car parks at the edge of the old town.
• Restrictions: The old town is closed to cars. Roads are narrow and busy in July and August, and some beach roads are unpaved.

Look for local products such as louza (cured pork), kopanisti (a spicy soft cheese) and almond sweets called amygdalota. Seafood is common in the harbour restaurants. Mykonos is expensive, so check prices before you sit down, especially at beachfront and Little Venice restaurants.

For good eating, try the lanes around Matogianni Street in Chora for a wide choice. The square in Ano Mera has simple, more local tavernas away from the crowds.

Mykonos is generally very safe. The main risks are traffic accidents on scooters and ATVs, strong sun and strong waves on windy days. Check the wind before swimming on the north coast.

• Beach clubs and bars can be expensive. Check minimum spends and prices before you order.
• Keep an eye on your drinks and belongings at night, and in crowded places.
• Tap water is produced by desalination. Most visitors drink bottled water.
• Medical care on the island is limited. Serious cases are usually transferred to the mainland, so take travel insurance.

Delos, the nearby sacred island, shaped the early history of the area. Delos was a major religious centre and, later, a rich trading port.

Venetians ruled the Cyclades in the Middle Ages and left their mark on the island. In 1537 the Ottoman fleet under Barbarossa attacked the island, and Ottoman rule lasted until the Greek War of Independence. The local heroine Manto Mavrogenous organised and funded the island's part in the revolt of 1821.

The old houses of Little Venice date from the 18th century, when merchants and sea captains grew rich. Panagia Paraportiani was built in stages between the 15th and 17th centuries. Mykonos became a famous holiday island in the 20th century, and tourism is now its main business.

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