What is Mykonos island
Mykonos island is part of what is known as the Cyclades Islands, an archipelago in the Aegean Sea in southeastern Greece.
Its capital bears the same name and is
currently one of the most important tourist centers in the country; in fact,
tourism is the main economic activity of these islands. The reason for this is
the number of attractions it has. It is a place to enjoy the beach during the
day and have fun at night. In addition, the city has certain characteristic
points to visit that are interesting for their beauty or their cultural value.
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What to visit
Mykonos is the island for those who are
looking for parties, nightlife, and beaches. We had many doubts about whether
or not to include it in our free trip to the Greek islands, but finally, we
decided to give it a try and we think it was the right decision. In fact, for
lovers of Hellenic culture, there is an essential place to visit: the
archaeological site of Delos was declared a World Heritage Site.
During the day, Mykonos offers beautiful
beaches to have fun in the sun or also at night. Some of the best-known spas
are the beaches of Paradise and Super Paradise, where the enjoyment in the sand
and front of the sea lasts all day. Both have bars to eat and drink. At night,
those same bars remain open, but with a more night-time style, with dancing and
music. This nightlife is not exclusive to these beaches, the entire city is
characterized by being active until after sunrise. A proof of this is that it
is known that, in Mykonos, several of the best-known DJs in the world usually
perform.
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| Mykonos |
In addition, the city and some of the
classic places in it to visit are also an attraction. The streets are
characterized by being narrow and the houses are predominantly white, but there
are also picturesque areas with color, such as “Little Venice”. There you can see
houses with colorful balconies that are right on the sea, a beautiful
landscape, and the dream home for many. This place is also famous for offering
one of the most beautiful sunsets in Greece.
On the other hand, another classic point to
visit is the mills. These are probably the protagonists of most of the
postcards of Mykonos. As the place is one of the windiest areas in Greece with
a very good wind regime, in the past they used to be an important source of
energy. Today, they are an icon of the city; and, due to their design and
conservation, they are also an ideal place to take a beautiful souvenir photo.
What to see and do in Mykonos
Although Mykonos is world-famous for its
nightclubs and paradisiacal beaches, this is the only one of the Cyclades Islands
that can boast of hosting a place inscribed on the World Heritage list. To be
precise, such an honor goes to the uninhabited island of Delos, run by the government of Mykonos. Several
boats set sail from the capital every day (it is recommended to book in
advance) full of tourists eager to explore the enormous archaeological site
that occupies a large part of the island.
The tiny Delos (3.5 km²) is the place where
mythology locates the birth of Apollo and Artemis, which is why it became one
of the holiest places in Greece. The remains of temples, shrines, noble houses,
agoras, the theater, etc. are testimony of the importance of the place in
Hellenistic and Roman times. Not to be missed, among other things, is the
famous “Lions of Delos”. You can see several copies at the site and the
originals in the small museum on the island, included with the ticket.
At the level of cultural visits, another
place of interest in Mykonos is the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani, in the town of Ano Mera ( Άνω ΜÎρα ).
Its origins date back to 1542, although it was almost completely restored in
1767. With a donation, you can visit the church, the courtyard, and a small
ecclesiastical museum. And of course, a stroll through Chora (or
Hora), the capital of Mykonos, is an absolute must. Its beautiful white streets
are charming (especially in the early morning, when they are still free of
tourists).
Do not miss the so-called "Little
Venice" neighborhood (with cafes with exorbitant prices), the fishing
port, the Kastro neighborhood, the charming Church of San Nicolás, the Church
of the Virgin of Paraportiani (traditional style), the famous windmills (the
typical photo of the island) and, if you have time to spare, the ethnographic
museum, where the pelican Petros, a symbol of Mykonos for decades, is stuffed.
Another must-see in Mykonos is the
photogenic Armenistis
Lighthouse, known for its
sunsets. And, of course, Mykonos is probably where the best beaches on
the Greek islands are to be found. The most popular are concentrated in the
south of the island: Pinky, Paraga, Paradise, Super Paradise, or Elia are the
ones that we can recommend. On some of these beaches, the best nightclubs are
also located: Tropicana, Scorpios, Paradise Beach Club, Cavo Paradiso, Kalua,
etc.
Tourist Options
As for the tourist options of more cultural
interest of the trip to Mykonos, you can visit some museums. The most important
is the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos. Since it is a place whose first
settlements date back thousands of years before Christ, very old pieces have
been found and are exposed in this place. In addition, another museum to visit
is the Folk Museum, which also has representative elements of the island's
history. Finally, you can also visit the Aegean Naval Museum, where you can see
models of different types of ships, old coins, and old nautical charts.
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History
According to Greek myths, it was on Mykonos
that Heracles defeated the giants. One of the versions about the name of the
place is that its meaning refers to a "pile of rocks", and these
rocks would be the petrified bodies of the giants.
Several civilizations have inhabited
Mykonos.
Before the place was invaded by the Romans and later became part of the Byzantine Empire, the Phoenicians and Ionians passed through there. However, throughout history, it has also been under the control of the Catalans, the Venetians, and the Ottomans, and has received immigrants from different nearby places.
Despite having gone through several wars and having experienced moments of instability, it is a place that has always managed to recover. In the early years of the 20th century, its definitive recovery was due to the development of tourism as the main economic activity of the place.
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Helpful tips
Since Mykonos offers a variety of attractions that range from more urban walks to beach activities and also nightlife, it is recommended to pack luggage according to all these options to be able to enjoy each one in the best way.
Recommended visiting time
Between 4 to 7 days.
Location
It is located in the Aegean Sea,
southeast of Greece, in the Cyclades Archipelago.
Hours
24 h.
How to get
Mykonos Airport can be reached by plane from different cities in Europe. The other option is to access the island by boat since it is a stop on the route of different cruises, or also by ferry. From the Port of Piraeus in Athens, a ferry departs that takes between 3 and a half hours and 4 and a half hours.
Nearby places
* Delos
* Tinos
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