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Mykonos

I'm going to be honest with you. I really don't know what I'm expected to say at this point. I mean, it's Mykonos. It's one of the most famous islands of Greece, right there with Crete, Santorini and Cephalonia. I feel compelled to describe it as accurately and fairly as possible, but I don't even know if I can. What should I say? That it's a charming and hugely entertaining place? Meh. That doesn't even grasp what Mykonos is, what it stands for. Well, instead of trying to come up with astonishing words, I'm just going to do what I usually do: describe my personal experience with this island.

As you probably know, Mykonos is a very gay-friendly island. Well, Michael, one of my best friends is gay. He told us so many years ago, when we were 16. Well, not so much told us as it slipped through his tongue accidentally, but anyway, that's not the point. As you can imagine, visiting Mykonos was his idea. It was about 19 years ago and most of us had just turned 18, so we thought of it as only natural to visit a place where we could celebrate it.

When Michael recommended the 'myth', everyone agreed. Why wouldn't we? We'd been hearing about how everyone goes wild there and how it's all a constant party so we wanted to know what the fuss is all about. I have to admit, I was a little scared that it wouldn't eventually meet our expectations because, you know, when you hear a lot about something, be it a place, a movie or a person, you expect more and the reality doesn't stun as you thought it would. There's this Greek expression about it: "if you hear about many cherries, hold a small basket with you". Well, that's a rough translation but you get the point, don't you?

So, let me say that my basket was big enough but it still wasn't enough to fit Mykonos in. I'm very fond of my memories from each and every single Greek island, but when it comes to Mykonos, I feel excited just thinking about the time I had there. If I'm ever down, all I have to do is remember how fun those days were and hope more days like these are coming my way (even if I'm way too old to relive these experiences now) and I'll be OK. That's how amazing Mykonos is.

mykonos greece - Mykonos map

Mykonos Hotels

If you search for accommodation in Mykonos I recommend you to visit Mykonos Hotel Online Bookings. There, you can make your reservations directly to the hotels and find rooms in low prices and useful guest reviews.


Turismo Turquia - Ancara

Local Information

- Climate

Climate Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
Day Temperature 16 20 25 30 33 33 29 23
Night Temperature 10 11 16 20 23 23 19 15
Sea Temperature 15 15 18 22 24 24 23 21
Nainy Days/month 5 4 4 1 1 1 2 5
Sunlight hours/day 7 8 9 11 12 11 9 7

* All Temperatures are in the Celsius scale (°C).


What does Mykonos look like?

Some people may tell you that if you're looking for tradition, you should run the other way. But I have to disagree with that. Mykonos has the cubist charms of a traditional Cycladic town; narrow alleyways wriggle between the white-walled buildings and the flower-bedecked churches are scattered everywhere. Well, it figures; Mykonos claims to have 400 churches. Another version says they're 365, one for every day of the year. Some are no bigger than a bathroom, but each and every one has its own charm nonetheless. The houses are stark white with parallel staircases and multicolored doors. Thatched windmills on the hill overlook the harbor.

mykonos site seeing - mykonos town mykonos site seeing - little venice


Which places should I not miss in Mykonos?

mykonos - Aegean Maritime Museum

Well, I'm pretty certain that 90% of the people who will read this page are just going to scroll down at this point, but I'm still going to say what I have to say, even if that 10% I hope exists. doesn't. There has to be a person who will visit the museums of Mykonos, right?

Well, the fact that when I told my friends we'd visit them they laughed at my face says a lot. Luckily, I made a deal with Michael: if he convinced the rest to come to the museums, I'd come to the gay bars he wanted to visit. Of course, I was going to go to the bars anyway, but he didn't know that now did he?

So, let's start with the archaeological museum. This museum, near the quay, houses pottery from Delos and some grave stelae and jewelry from Renia, Delos' necropolis. It main exhibits are a pithos, a Minoan storage jar, featuring a Trojan War scene in relief, and a statue of Heracles.

mykonos - Aegean Maritime Museum

Then there's the Aegean Maritime Museum, which has a fascinating collection of nautical paraphernalia from all over the Aegean, including models of an cient vessels and an old lighthouse. The Folklore Museum, housed in an 18th-century sea captain's house, features a large collection of memorabilia and furnishing. It houses a traditional bedroom and kitchen as well. Finally, the Agricultural Museum, near the road to Ano Meria, is housed in a renovated windmill.

Finally, I'm going to recommend a church. Yeah, Mykonos has about 400 churches and I'm just going to recommend this one, so I hope you understand just how g reat it is. Panagia Paraportiani is Mykonos' most famous church. Actually, it's five small churches amalgamated, in classical Byzantine style, into one entity, asymmetrical and rock-like. It's really a photographer's delight.

mykonos site seeing - panagia paraportiani mykonos site seeing - panagia paraportiani

What about the archaeological and historical sites of Mykonos?


Please, don't scroll down as of yet. As you can guess by the size of this text, there are no places I have to recommend to you. All I have to say is this: follow the link to Delos. Delos, as you perhaps know, is an island near Mykonos, an archaeological paradise. If you want a good dose of history, that's where you want to go.

mykonos site seeing - delos mykonos site seeing - delos

If you would like to combine a holiday in a cosmopolitan Greek island with a visit to a historical place, then visit Rinia island, next to Mykonos island.

rinia island mykonos rinia island mykonos

Are there any good beaches in Mykonos?

beach mykonos - paradise beach beach mykonos - paradise beach

Do you want me to answer that, or shall I just glare? Well, I'm going to answer: duh! Mykonos has a great amount of beaches and most of them are spectacular. Now, if you're looking for seclusion as well, things are a tad more complicated.

The nearest beaches to Hora are Malaliamos and Tourlos. Malaliamos is less glamorous than the popular beaches. Tourlos is tiny and kind of crowded, but still very pretty and 100% worth visiting.


beach mykonos - paradise beach.jpg beach mykonos - paradise beach.jpg

Agios Ioannis is popular with families. Platys Yalos is a good beach for youngsters. Elia is gay-friendly and less busy than the rest of the beaches near it.

If you don't mind the crowds, you should visit the best and busiest beaches of Mykonos, Paradise, Super Paradise and Agrari. Nudity is commonplace on all these beaches.



Where should I eat in Mykonos?

mykonos - restaurant mykonos - restaurant

If you avoid the tourist traps that an island as popular as Mykonos is bound to have, you'll be sure to have a decent meal. First of all, there's Nikos Taverna. Seafood is by the kilo and the dishes of the day are always quite delicious (the dish of the day when we visited it was baked fish with tomatoes and spinach).

Antonini's is a local hang-out with standard, reliable Greek food. Camares Café-Bar-Restaurant offers decent helpings of meat dishes, salads and seafood. Vamvakouris Bakery is a tourist attraction due to its engaging medieval ambience, but you still won't beat the wood-fired bread or the tasty walnut cake for taste.

mykonos - restaurant

Magic Garden has a unique atmosphere with a genuine garden environment. The food is simply great, with treats such as shrimps in ouzo and baked lamb with yoghurt, garlic and nutmeg.

Finally, there's Lotus, a local favorite with excellent character and style. It may be a little pricy but it's worth it.



What about Mykonos' nightlife?

mykonos greece - privilege club

I'm going to quote my own self now (which basically means I'm going to sound repetitive), but no words can describe Mykonos' nightlife. Mykonos, as I said, has the reputation of an island where the party simply never stops and I'm going to have to agree that this is more than a rumor; it's the truth.

Nowhere else will you find clubs like Caprice, Galleraki, Scandinavian or Veranda. Caprice is the most famous spot on Little Venice area, the ultimate place to watch the sunset, with the most fought-over tables in Mykonos. Galleraki is a beautiful bar with a relaxed and funky atmosphere, playing reggae music. Scandinavian is one of the oldest nightlife spots in Mykonos, with the cheapest drinks and a European crowd and setting. As for Veranda, it's a mansion overlooking the sea, with a romantic atmosphere and a ravishing view.


Then there are the gay bars. Kastro in Little Venice is good for a start, serving cocktails. Diva has a mixed crowd with a loyal lesbian element. Porta is one of the most "hardcore" gay bars in Mykonos, with a rather friendly atmosphere and music from the 70's. Finally, Pierro's is a dance club playing heavy-beat house, which also has drag action.




mykonos site seeing - pieros bar mykonos site seeing - pieros bar

How do I get to Mykonos?

There are several connections daily with Athens, several a week with Thessaloniki, Santorini, Rhodes and Heraklion. As for by sea, there are several ferry and hydrofoil connections daily with Piraeus, Rafina, Andros, Tinos, Syros, Naxos, Paros, Ios and Santorini. Mykonos is connected with most of the Greek islands, some less frequently than the others.

Book online your ferry tickets to the greek islands and have them delivered at home easily.

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