Windmills, Whitewash and Little Venice at Sunset
Mykonos is a Greek island in the Cyclades, in the Aegean Sea, known for its whitewashed town, windmills, golden beaches, sunsets and an international, style-conscious atmosphere. Its main town, Chora, or Mykonos Town, is a maze of narrow lanes, blue-shuttered houses and bougainvillea, laid out to confuse pirates and now a joy to wander. Little Venice, where houses overhang the water, and the row of windmills above it are the island's best-known landmarks, and the evening light on them is among the most photographed in the Mediterranean.
History runs deep. Just a short boat ride away, the uninhabited island of Delos, birthplace in myth of Apollo and Artemis, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1990, with ancient temples, mosaics and the famous Terrace of the Lions. Back on Mykonos, the whitewashed church of Panagia Paraportiani, built in several layers over centuries, is a sculptural highlight beside the sea. Together, the island and Delos make a rare mix of glamour and antiquity, a story to tell for a tourist board.
Beaches, Tables and Island Evenings
Mykonos beaches suit every mood. Psarou and Platis Gialos are polished, social stretches with beach clubs and water sports, Elia is a long, wide sweep of sand, Agios Sostis is a quiet, natural bay on the north coast, and Kalafatis is known for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Evenings are for the harbour and the old town, where bars, galleries and restaurants fill the lanes. The resident pelican, Petros, is a much-loved mascot along the waterfront.
The table is Greek and sun-soaked: grilled octopus, fresh fish, kopanisti, a peppery local cheese, louza, a cured pork speciality, and almond sweets called amygdalota. Stays range from boutique whitewashed hotels to villa estates above the sea, which gives a hotel group a rich range of styles to promote. For a similar blend of sunsets, music and style, travellers often compare Ibiza, while quieter neighbours such as Paros offer a calmer, more rustic island rhythm.
Read the full Mykonos guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitMykonos.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.