Mykonos is not only one of the most famous Greek islands, but it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. You can enjoy an entire trip spent in Mykonos, or you can add it to a wider trip around the Cyclades Islands, including the likes of Milos (hidden gem) and Santorini in your sailing itinerary.
A Mykonos vacation perfectly combines the charm of ancient history with the excitement of modern culture and beauty. Mykonos is in the shadow of Delos, where Leto was believed to have given birth to the god Apollo and goddess Artemis. But little things are known about Mykonos during the Ancient Times. However, Mykonos owes its name to the son of the King of Delos, Mykonos. In fact, the history of Mykonos is strongly connected to the history of the neighboring Delos. According to mythology, in one of his twelve tasks, Hercules was fighting the Giants, and after killing them, he threw the giants into the sea where they turned into huge rocks, forming the island of Mykonos.
Mykonos is not only one of the most famous Greek islands, but it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Mykonos has been on the Greek tourism radar since the 1920s, when archaeologists used it as a base to visit the ancient Greek ruins on neighbouring Delos. It found fame in the 1960s as the ‘sexy and glamorous’ island, when former US first lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis visited with her second husband, the shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis. Add these places to your Mykonos itinerary, and please get in touch if you have any additional questions for us.
The island is still the destination of choice for some of the world’s wealthiest, most famous people wanting to travel Greece – from Kate Moss and Kim Kardashian to Leonardo DiCaprio. If you want to explore some hidden gems of this Greek island then Epicure Greece can take you back to the origins of this beautiful island…
Little Venice is not only one of the most romantic places in Mykonos, it’s one of the most photographed neighbourhoods in the whole of Europe – and it’s easy to see why! Centuries-old whitewashed houses with colourful balconies stand, quite literally, on the edge of the sea, and there are plenty of hidden alleys for you to discover in the enchanting backstreets.
Windmills operated on most Cycladic islands, from the 16th until late 19th century, making the most of the area’s gusty winds, to grind wheat and barley. It is said that, once upon a time, there were 28 windmills dotted around Mykonos. Nowadays, only 16 remain, 7 of them stood in a row in the area of Kato Mili – a symbol of Mykonos’ rich past and true icon of the island. These windmills are also celebrities – any ‘Bourne Identity’ fans reading this?! 😉
Petros the Pelican! In 1958, a wounded pelican was found off the coast of the island by a fisherman. The pelican was nursed back to health and then remained on the island. It soon adopted the name ‘Petros’. Sadly, Petros was hit and killed by a taxi in December 1985. The locals missed having Petros the pelican so they introduced three ‘new’ Petros pelicans to take the first one’s place. Your best bet of spotting ‘Petros’ is to hang around the square near Nikos’ Taverna.
One of the ultimate Greek Trip ‘Bucket List’ items is to sit with a cocktail, looking upon the famous Mykonos windmills. The problem is that ‘Little Venice’ – the area of Mykonos famed for the view – can get chaotic. Our ‘hidden gem’ is Rhapsody, which has a magnificent view minus the crowds – with the added benefit of delicious cocktails, hosted and owned by Elina, who is the true embodiment of ‘philoxenia’ (Greek Hospitality).
If you are a fan of savoury foods, we recommend you try the ‘Kremidopita’ (Onion pie), while those with sweet teeth should opt for an ‘Amygdalota’ (Greek Almond Cookie). You can try both of these Mykonian baked specialties at the wonderful Gioras Bakery in Mykonos town. It dates back to the 18th century and is the oldest working bakery on Mykonos island and the oldest wood-fired bakery in the Cyclades. Even more special is that it has belonged to the same family, the Vamvakourides, for more than two centuries!
We won’t lie to you, Mykonos isn’t an island known for its wines. In fact, there is only one real wine bar on the island. Luckily, it’s an absolutely brilliant one. Vinos Wine Bar in Chora features a stellar selection of fine, hard-to-find wines, and the owner Nikos absolutely knows his stuff!
Mykonos is known as ‘the windy island’ and which beach you visit is dependent on which way the wind is blowing. There is nothing worse than sand in your eyes! In the north, our top picks are Panormos and Agios Sostis (one of the few ‘virgin’ beaches left on Mykonos – while here, make sure you have lunch at Kiki’s Tavern!). In the South of Mykonos, we have soft spots for `Psarou and Ornos beach.
History buffs simply must check out the open-air archaeological site of Delos, the Ancient Greek world’s most sacred isle. Famous for being the island where Apollo, the god of light and music, and his twin sister Artemis, the goddess of hunting, were born. It was here in the heart of the Aegean that, in the 9th century BC, one of the greatest sanctuaries emerged. Today, you’ll find the remains of temples, sculptures and sacrificial altars, the markers of the myths and rituals played out on Delos all stand alongside the magnificent ruins of a later period when the Cycladic island became a commercial centre.
The streets of Chora can sometimes get a tad busy, so there are two funky spots we recommend ducking into, to escape the crowds! Rarity Gallery is a weird ‘n’ wonderful art gallery featuring a whole host of quirky pieces of artwork! Once you’ve had your art fix, visit Cine Manto Mykonos – an amazing open-air cinema right in the heart of Chora. A fantastic place to sip on a beer and watch a movie under the stars!
Would you like to find out more about this destination or speak with one of our Epicureans about the best options in Greece? Reach out to one of our experts who can tailor an unforgettable experience that will be the envy of your friends.