Mykonos overview
Gateway to the sacred island of Delos and surrounded by the Aegean, Mykonos is one of the most cosmopolitan islands of the Cyclades and boasts picturesque windmills, traditional white washed sugar cube houses, a beautiful coastline, excellent sandy beaches, first class hotels and great nightlife.
One of the most visited of the Greek Islands, Mykonos is a small, arid island in the Cyclades which enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year and a sophisticated, cosmopolitan atmosphere. It boasts beautiful bays andnumerous pristine sandy beaches along the south coast including the Blue Flag, family friendly, Ornos, picturesque Agios Ioannis, and party beaches of Paradise and Super Paradise. Mykonos Town, with its trademark white windmills and typical Cycladic architecture with a labyrinth of narrow, pedestrianised streets, offers sophisticated nightlife and a myriad of restaurants lining the harbour front. Close-by, the UNESCO World Heritage site of the sacred island of Delos is an archaeological wonder and well worth a visit.
Mykonos Town
Traditional, yet sophisticated and glamorous Mykonos Town, the St Tropez of the Aegean, attracts celebrity in-crowds and boasts some of the most luxurious accommodation in the Cyclades, together with chic designer shopping, art galleries, and a vibrant nightlife which includes elegant restaurants, Greek tavernas and stylish bars and clubs.
Picture postcard pretty with its landmark whitewashed windmills overlooking the harbour and traditional Cycladic sugar cube houses clinging to the hillside, the capital is one of the most beautiful towns in the Greek Islands. Becoming very lively at night, the charming artistic quarter, Alefkandra, known as Little Venice, by day boasts enchanting Venetian-style houses, art galleries, trendy cafes and bars, the much photographed Panagia Paraportiani churches and the town’s resident mascot, Petros the pelican.
Agios Ioannis
Picturesque Ayios Yiannis beach, of Shirley Valentine movie fame, is half an hour’s walk from Ornos, and 4km from Mykonos Town. It boasts gorgeous views across the azure Aegean Sea to the sacred island of Delos. A popular resort with a relaxed atmosphere and with a long stretch of fine white sand punctuated by a number of smaller coves, it offers a few traditional tavernas serving typical Greek cuisine and a good range of hotels.
Platis Yialos
Located 4km south of Mykonos Town, the family friendly beach resort of Platis Yialos boasts superb crystal clear turquoise waters and a wonderful long sandy beach with a plethora of watersports, bars and restaurants. There are regular taxi boat services from here to other beaches along the south coast including the picturesque Paraga and the tranquil and secluded Agrari.
Other beaches easily reached by regular boat services include the long golden stretch at Elia which is close to the island’s only waterpark, and the beaches of Paradise or Kalamopodi and the magnificent Super Paradise or Plintri: both of which enjoy a lively hedonistic party atmosphere where all over tans are de rigueur.
Ornos Bay
Beautifully tranquil Ornos Bay offers a glorious gently shelving sandy beach and is ideal for families and those looking for a quiet stay where the main focus is on lazy days on the beach and quiet evenings in a delightfully traditional taverna.
There’s numerous watersports including snorkelling and scuba diving, and caique cruise excursions to other locations along the coast depart from this bay. The capital town of Mykonos, with its sophisticated restaurants, chic bars and designer shopping is a mere 3km away.