Mykonos

Mykonos has been attracting an international crowd like a magnet since the 1960s and has been voted a top summer holiday destination time and again for good reason. Exceptional beaches, award-winning restaurants, legendary parties, expensive yachts, dreamy villas, luxury hotels and 5-star service… if it makes you feel like a celebrity, you’ll find it on Mykonos.

Awash in its iridescent Aegean light, which it shares with neighbouring Delos, you’ll fall hopelessly in love. So if you’ve got an appetite for luxury and adventure in equal measure on a cosmopolitan island in the Cyclades, read on. You’re in for a treat. 

What to do in Mykonos

Prepare to feel like a star on an island legend

It’s hard to imagine a time when Mykonos was a humble little island, without electricity, just a layover on the way to famous Delos. Things changed in the 1950s, with the arrival of the likes of Aristotle Onassis, Maria Callas, Jackie O, Marlon Brando, Grace Kelly, Princess Soraya, Elizabeth Taylor, Nureyev, Pierre Cardin, Stavros Niarchos… legendary names of the international jet set that became associated with Mykonos. 

Mykonos quickly became the favoured holiday destination in Greece for the super-rich, artists and movie stars. And the list of celebrities continues to grow: Harrison Ford, Tom Hanks, Shakira, Lady Gaga, Steven Spielberg, Monica Bellucci, Liam Neeson, Hugh Jackman, Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Clive Owen, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Giorgio Armani, Russell Crowe…
 

Admire Hora, the artistic capital of Mykonos

Sparkling white with a blue Aegean backdrop, the architecture of Mykonos is one of a kind. It extends into the little neighbourhoods of the island’s main town, Hora, with captains’ homes, old churches and wells. Everywhere you look, there’s a maze of whitewashed alleyways. In Gialos, you’ll find the famous pelicans, as well as Agios Nikolaos tis Kadenas, the Town Hall of 1780, and the imposing Mavrou School. Through Barkias, you will reach the Church of Panagia Paraportiani, a complex of five churches, completed in the 17th century.
 

Stroll around Little Venice and the iconic windmills

One of the most-photographed spots on Mykonos, Little Venice is made up of homes that were built in the 18th century and have their foundations in the sea. It has been said that pirates would store their loot here. Today, they have been converted to bars and restaurants and the view of the sparkling Aegean Sea from their balconies is dazzling. Mykonos’ other main attraction is its windmills, which stand facing the sea and at night are beautifully lit up. Powered by the north wind, these windmills used to grind the island’s grain into flour until the early 20th century.

Enjoy a walking tour of Hora 

Party 24hrs a day on an island that invented the good life

In Mykonos, anything is possible, especially when it comes to the island’s dining and nightlife spots. From Little Venice to Super Paradise, from Matogiannia to Psarou, Orno, Paradise… the party’s swinging all summer long. Day and night, spontaneous and organised, with guest DJs from all over the world. Holidays in Mykonos mean fun, fun, and more fun – champagne on the beach, cocktails on balconies, dancing and flirting until the sun comes up. 

Treat yourself to the feeling of 5-star luxury

Mykonos is a luxury destination that has it all: elegant villas and suites with private pools that merge with the blue horizon, award-winning design, five-star service, gourmet gastronomy served to you on dreamy balconies, on a yacht or on a private pier. Hospitality here has reached a standard all of its own.

Explore the shops and whitewashed magic of Hora

Shopping in Hora is a high-fashion experience, during which you can find the latest collections from top design houses. Sitting in Matogianni St makes for some great people-watching. The colourful crowd comes and goes, streaming in and out of brightly lit stores, whether they’re just window-shopping or holding bags full of clothes. Could there be a more beautiful catwalk than the cobblestone streets of Mykonos’ Hora?

Sample the refined food & wine of Mykonos

Mykonos boasts some of the best restaurants in the Mediterranean. Award-winning chefs bring you a medley of local and international cuisines. Fresh, local ingredients, elegant and refined dishes inspired by the latest culinary trends, all paired with wines that would satisfy even the most selective palate. So if you’re a foodie, don’t hesitate to take an agrotourism tour on Mykonos. You won’t regret it.
 

Spend the day at breathtakingly beautiful beaches

Green, blue and turquoise water, pebbly sand… some of the best beaches of the Aegean are found here. Agios Sostis, Kalafatis, Lia, Ornos, Paraga, Super Paradise, Ftelia, Psarou. By boat, car or on foot, you can get to cosmopolitan beaches or secluded coves. You’ll find all sorts of water sports: tubes, water-skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, parasailing, windsurfing… The choices of how to spend your day are endless.

Get the best out of Mykonos’ legendary beach life 

Feel the open-minded welcome the locals

In the 1970s, Jackie Onassis introduced Mykonos to her gay American friends. Being particularly open-minded, locals welcomed the gay community and soon it became known throughout the world as the most gay-friendly destination in Greece. 

Hidden gems of Mykonos, Greece

The ancient heritage of Mykonos

The Gyzi Castle in the hills of Paleokastro, the Neolithic settlement at Ftelia, the Myconian grave in Angelika, the ancient wells and ruins … all witness to the island’s great history and worth a visit.
 

Delos and other enticing nearby islands

The most unexpected excursion you’ll make when visiting Mykonos takes you to neighbouring Delos, where you can walk amongst the sanctuaries and statues of a vast Greco-Roman settlement dedicated to Apollo. And there are other small islands next to Mykonos that will enrich your holidays in Greece: Rineia, Tragonisi, Ktapodia. They are full of tiny bays with emerald water that are perfect for long, relaxing swims.

Take a boat trip to the birthplace of Apollo on Delos

A magical sunset at Armenistis lighthouse

Dating back to 1891, this is one of the most interesting lighthouses in the Cyclades. It is worth making the trip on foot and seeing the old mechanism in the garden of the Aegean Maritime Museum in Hora. Spend an evening there and watch the sunset, one of the most beautiful in Mykonos and in all of Greece. 

FAQs about Mykonos, Greece

• What is Mykonos island known for?

  Mykonos is famous for its natural beauty, luxury and nightlife and party scene. It is situated in the Aegean Sea and is part of the Cyclades islands group. Its best features include its sandy beaches, whitewashed houses and chapels, and wild bars and seaside clubs.



• Is Mykonos in Greece expensive?

  Mykonos is one of the most expensive islands in Greece. Hotel prices are above average, especially during the high season in summer. The same goes for other services, like restaurants, bars and beach sunbeds.



• When should I go to Mykonos?

  Summer is the most popular time to visit Mykonos. However, May and September-October are excellent months because the weather is still warm, the water temperature is ideal (especially in late summer/autumn), and there are fewer visitors.