Accommodation in this Area

At a Glance

Area Description

Although Mykonos is one of the smallest islands of the Cyclades complex, it is definitely the most famous, and its not hard to see why – due to its wealth of natural beauty, affluent history, cosmopolitan character combined with a wild nightlife, as well as plenty of local color. Mykonos is a dry, arid island, covering an area of barely 90 square kilometers and rises at an elevation of 364m at its highest point. It is situated in the middle of the Aegean, about 94 nautical miles from Piraeus port and is part of the Cyclades, lying between Tinos, Siros, Paros and Naxos. Mykonos owes its name to the son of the King of Delos and because of all its fantasic qualities it has often been named "the jewel" of the Aegean Sea.

Mykonos is a grand example of unique cycladic architecture set around a picturesque fishing-village bay. Totally whitewashed organic cube-like buildings fit closely together to form a kind of jumbled maze of narrow alley ways and streets. The earthen colors of the bare hills and symphony of blazing bare rock which surround the town's gleaming whiteness is set between the aura of an incredibly blue sky and even deeper blue sparkling sea. In contrast to its small size, Mykonos offers numerous lacy stretches of the most beautiful sandy beaches and the many museums with the historical ancient site of nearby Delos. There are many well preserved windmills and hundreds of tiny red-roofed churches which adds a flavour of culture. Residents of the island have a reputation of being friendly and open people, have a healthy understanding of what it means to have a good time and very adaptable to changes.

Chora is Mykonos port town and capital and is still considered by many as the Greek Saint-Tropez, with hundreds of visiters every year, it still has its unique character that locals have managed to preserve almost intact to this day. The town consists of narrow, whitewashed streets, there are white cubicle houses clustered, with their tiny balconies, colored windows and liliput yards lined by bougainvillea and pots of basilicum. Numerous little churches and chapels, hidden minuscule piazzas and water wells, as well as the multitude of colorful shops are there to further accent this chaotic charming setting.

The central harbor is very picturesque, lined with numerous cafes, bars and shops. At the western end of the harbour stands one of Chora's landmarks, the Church of Paraportiani, a whitewashed group of four chapels in vernacular architectural style. Perpendicular to the harbour is the main street, called Matoyanni, and that, together with its neighboring or continuing streets, consists the town's commercial core, full of shops, cafes and bars for every budget and every taste. Walking down these settings is a must, but make sure you also wander around the more quiet labyrinth of the little streets behind, where you can feel the aura of times past.

Mykonos attracts people from A-listers and millionaires to backpackers and ravers, it is still at the height of its popularity, and surprisingly, despite its rapid development and numerous, as well as drastic changes, it has managed to preserve its culture and character.

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