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heritage/history, scenic, culture, island, beaches, diving/snorkeling, musical, nightlife

Smack bang in the middle of the Agean Sea and half way between mainland Greece and Turkey, Mykonos is one of the jewels of the Cyclades Island group. Renowned for its party atmosphere, beautiful beaches and cute towns, Mykonos is descended on by people from the world over, looking for an idilic summer holiday.

The main beaches are standing room only in the high season, with plenty strutting their stuff. By night the party gets into full swing, with nightclubs and bars raging until the small hours. Mykonos is a regular stop on the Agean Cruise ship circuit and so the main town, Mykonos Town, gets a regular injection of people looking for a good time. The island is also very gay friendly and is one of the main destinations in Europe for gay and lesbian vacations.

But if partying isn't your scene don't despair, there is still plenty to keep you entertained. If the crowds sound like too much then plan your trip away from the two busiest months, July and August. Walking through Mykonos Town is fantastic with picturesque, white washed buildings and charming alleyways full of shops and eateries. Away from the main tourist haunts there are some lovely villages to explore with tavernas, markets and cafes. There are also dozens of smaller beaches that can be explored, many without the crowds of the major ones and with a variety of sports activities on offer.

Things to See and Do in Mykonos

Mykonos is best known for its party scene and its beaches, both of which are superb. The beaches extend right around the island where you can 'be seen' as well as just sit back and bask in the sun, swim, or take part in any kind of water-sports, from paragliding to snorkelling, jet skiing to wind surfing and everything in between. Be aware that nudity is common on many of the beaches.

Mykonos Town or 'Chora' is a charming and typically Greek town set around a beautiful port and filled with tavernas, restaurants, bars and shops. A feature of the town is the waterfront eating that is available at many of the taverns around the beautiful bay, all of at which you can enjoy some brilliant Greek food and even better views while sitting in the sun. From atop of the hill beside the town the famous Venetian windmills can be seen from all over, one even houses a restored and functional mill that can be visited. There are a number of museums throughout town that examine various aspects and eras of the island and its industries. At the western edge of the town is the district known as "little Venice". Here you'll find numerous multi-story houses which hang over the ocean and have colourfully painted verandahs. It is one of the loveliest place on the island and there are bars and cafes to enjoy the views from nearby. It's perfect at sunset, but get there early in high season.

A little further afield there are a few settlements you can visit that scattered across the island, or you can jump on a boat and visit the island of Delos. Delos is an uninhabited island which has archeological sites dating from many thousands of years ago and is regarded as one of the most important archeological sites on earth. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Delos is reportedly the birthplace of Apollo. Many of the remains date from the 3rd century BC and include temples, theatres and more. The ruins cover most of the island and there is a museum as well, which displays many recovered artefacts.

Local Flavours

Greek food is rich with the flavours of garlic, olive oil, lemon and seafood. Mykonos is a great place to eat, with such a thriving tourist trade there is no shortage of taverns, souvlaki restaurants and crêperies. Restaurants cover a full range of cuisines from around the world, the Greek establishments serving plenty of tasty grilled fish, octopus, meatballs (Keftedakia), feta cheeses, salads, Moussaka and of course delicious lamb.

In the drinks department, expect to see lots of Ouzo, and plenty of crisp cold white wines, especially Retsina.

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Getting In and Around Mykonos

Mykonos has an international airport with daily flights to Athens, as well as many places in Europe including Milan, Barcelona, Rome, Verona, Geneva, Vienna, Cologne, London and Berlin. You can also catch a ferry from the port of Piraeus in Athens, or from Rafina, which is quite close to the airport. It takes between four and five hours to reach Mykonos from Piraeus Port. There are also several ferries which operate from the other Greek Islands nearby, including Santorini, Andros, Syros, Paros and Naxos.

Getting around the island is pretty easy, it's relatively small so most trips are quick. There are buses that run around the island, which you can buy tickets for at shops and kiosks. In the high season you might feel a bit like a sardine in a tin, as the drivers will pack as many people as they can onto the bus. Taxis are around but the numbers of them is woefully inadequate and you may end up waiting hours, often it's better to ring and try to find out the waiting time before you make too many plans.

There are a few boats around as well that will get you to the main beaches on the south of the island. These cost a bit more than the bus but are much more fun and you get to do a bit of seaborne sightseeing along the way.

If you want to get off the well worn paths then a good option is to check out the Mykonos car rentals or motorbike rentals, there are several rental places in Mykonos Town.

Mykonos Weather

Like most of the Mediterranean, Mykonos has the typical hot dry summers and mild to cool winters. Not much rain falls here, particularly in summer. From April through to October the days are clear and sunny almost all the time. High temperatures in summer average up near 30°C (86°F) and the nights are beautiful and warm. It can get cold in winter with some frosts occasionally and the days require a jacket at around 12°C (54°F).

Good to Know

Mykonos is a good deal more expensive than some of the less popular islands around. If you are looking for a holiday on a budget, then Mykonos in the summer might not be your best option. Aim for the slightly out of season times when demand is not as high.

Staying at Mykonos

Most of the accommodation on Mykonos is around the Mykonos town, but there are some hotels down on the southern coast at the main beach locations, especially Psarou and Plati Yialos, and there is also a scattering of Mykonos hotels here and there all over the island. There are heaps of 4 and 5 star hotels, but even some of the 2 stars are good and often have pools and surprisingly good facilities.