Mykonos is one of the great glamour islands of Greece in the Aegean sea & is well known for its party-hard reputation. According to mythology, Mykonos was formed from the petrified bodies of giants killed by Hercules. The travelers here are a mish-mash of celebrities, college students and families who are out to celebrate the Greek summer. Whether you are an entertainment junkie or a visitor who wishes to explore the island’s history and tradition, Mykonos will certainly meet your expectations. I took an early morning flight from Athens and the first view of the island was beautiful.
The Hotel where we stayed was located on the side of a hill and had a good view of the new port and the cruise ships bringing hordes of tourists to the island.
The capital town of Hora spreads out over a wide area and is a spellbinding attraction. We had a great time strolling around its narrow marble streets and gaping at the beauty around us. The whitewashed houses with colourful doors & window frames, bougainvillea trees in bloom and hidden churches are worth discovering in slow motion.
Our favourite activity was to wander around the pedestrian shopping streets of Hora, which are always colourful and busy. The most glamorous of all is Matoyanni Street, lined with brand name stores, charming cafes and stylish restaurants.
While you’re out strolling, there is a chance that you may come across the official mascot of Mykonos, which is none other than a pelican. The story goes that Petros the pelican was found by a fisherman after a storm in 1954, and eventually became the locals’ companion. When the pelican died, the grief for his loss was so deep that a replacement was soon found. In honour of Petros, the locals have established a long tradition of pelicans wandering around the waterfront as an essential part of everyday life.
If exploring the island proves to be too much in the summer heat, one can relax and soak up the atmosphere in the cafes and restaurants lining the lively waterfront and admire a fleet of fishing boats casting colourful reflections in the azure waters.
The windmills are among the most recognized landmarks of the island. For many centuries, the mills used to refine grain with the help of the high winds that blow on the island. With the progress of technology, the use of the mills declined and now the ones that survive are used as private homes or museums. The most famous ones are the Kato Myloi (Lower Windmills) that stand on a hill facing the sea. The view from up there is incredible, and it’s also one of the best places to watch the sunset.
Little Venice is a neighbourhood with colourful houses built on the edge of the sea. It took its name due to its resemblance with Venice. Nowadays the houses have been turned into elegant bars and restaurants and are among the best places in town to watch the sunset while sipping a cocktail.
One can also visit the island of Delos by taking one of the many ships that depart daily from the old harbour (except on Mondays, when it is closed). It is considered to be one of the most important archaeological Sites in Greece. According to mythology, it was the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.
One of the main characteristics of Mykonos is the abundance of churches that can be found scattered around the island. During my walk in Hora, I spotted a few but soon, I lost count.
One of the best past times is ordering something to eat or drink and observe what's going on around you. When in Mykonos, I highly recommend visiting Kostas Souvlaki (pita bread wraps), Falafellas (falafels) & Dr. Loukouma's (Loukoumades, traditional Greek donuts drenched in honey and topped with cinnamon - its taste will linger for a long time and it's tough to stop at just one).
The sunset in Greece is breathtaking and an occasion to remember. In most cities, we were trying to get to the best vantage points the place has to offer. One of my everlasting memories of Greece are its stunning sunsets.
Mykonos is definitely worth visiting for 2-3 days (an extra day if you wanna visit Delos) - probably in April or September if the heat and sunshine is not your thing. One of the best islands to visit, for sure !
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