A Guide To Mykonos

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 230
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Mykonos is a popular Greek island holiday destination for tourists in the Aegean sea. It has two main parts, Ano Mera and Chora, or Mykonos Town as it is also known. Chora is set on the coast, with a beautiful bay and traditional whitewashed buildings and narrow streets all around. Ano Mera is a small village based inland and is almost 8km east from Chora.

Alefkandra, or Little Venice, is a district of Mykonos Town that is famed for its medieval architecture, most notably its two storey medieval houses that stretch along the coast. Their multicoloured wooden balconies make for a picturesque town and the restaurants and bars that are dotted along the bay here are a great place to watch the sun set over the sea.

Mykonos was once a major producer of wheat and bread and plenty of remnants of its agricultural past still remain. Among the best known landmarks on the island are The Windmills, which are a short walk from the centre of town itself. Take a walk here and you will be rewarded with some of the finest views over Little Venice.

You can learn all about Mykonos and its surrounding Greek islands and history ...
... by making a trip to the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos. Located near to the bus station in Mykonos Town, it is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8.30am until 3pm and houses an extensive collection of archaeological finds from Mykonos and nearby islands.

The Folklore Museum in Mykonos Town makes for a fantastic afternoon out for all the family. Once the 18th century house of a sea captain, the building now houses a collection of folklore exhibits, folk musical instruments, local traditional costumes and more. The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 4.30pm to 8.30pm.

Take a boat trip to the uninhabited island of Delos, just 30 minutes away from Mykonos and explore the important archaeological sites there. Boat trips leave regularly every morning, except for Mondays and the excavation sites are open to the public from 8.30am until 3pm.

If you have your own transport, then it is well worth the drive north to experience the northern beaches of Mykonos. These are almost always empty - the perfect place if you want to escape the tourist crowds. The northerly winds make sea swimming difficult, but conditions are absolutely ideal for windsurfing.

The best beaches for a spot of sunbathing and swimming are the beaches along the south coast of the island, where they are sheltered from the northerly winds. Beaches along the west coast, such as Ornos and Agios Stefanos tend to be busiest due to their proximity to Mykonos Town. Head north and you will still find peaceful and secluded beaches that are seldom busy even during high season. Bonny Kominek wrote this guide to Mykonos, an experienced travel agent. They recommend checking the Octopus Travel website for the latest Mykonos hotels.