About Mykonos

General

Although one of the smallest islands of the Cyclades complex, Mykonos is definitely the most famous, thanks to its treasure of natural beauty, rich history, cosmopolitan character combined with a wild nightlife, as well as plenty of local color. A dry, arid island, it is covering an area of barely 90 square kilometers and it is situated in the middle of the Aegean, about 94 nautical miles from Piraeus port.

The island’s landscape is a symphony of blazing bare rock, blinding white peasant architecture and, in contrast to its small size, numerous lacy stretches of the most beautiful sandy beaches, all these accentuated by the wonderful Mediterranean light and set against the deep blue background of the Aegean.

Today it is estimated that the population amounts to 11.000 people (4,000 are foreign residents), who have a reputation of being friendly, tolerant to the island’s wild lifestyle, and very adaptable to changes.

Mykonos owes its name to the son of the King of Delos.

History

According to the mythology, Hercules, in one of his twelve tasks, killed the Giants and threw them into the sea where they petrified and turned into huge rocks, forming the island of Mykonos.

During ancient times, Mykonos, due to its proximity to Delos, which was then highly populated, became very important as a supply island. The short 2-kilometer distance between the islands was frequently travelled, since religious rules specified that no one should be born or die on Delos.

Around the time of Alexander the Great the island became a commercial centre for agriculture and maritime trade.

In 1207, like the rest of the Cyclades, Mykonos came under Venetian rule which lasted until 1537, when the Turks dominated the islands along with the rest of Greece. The inhabitants were great sailors, so they provided important help to the Greek Revolution against the Turkish yoke, in 1821, offering 22 ships, crew and ammunition. After the country’s independence in 1830, the island’s economy and commercial power were slowly but steadily reestablished.

In the period between World War I and II, visitors were attracted here mainly by the archaeological site of Delos. During the ’50s, modern-day tourism started to grow, along with the island’s population, but it was in the following two decades of the ’60s and the ’70s that, thanks to the likes of Jackie O and numerous other jetsetters, the island was turned into one of the most cosmopolitan holiday resorts of the Mediterranean, if not of the world.

Attracting people from A-listers and millionaires to backpackers and ravers, it is still at the height of its popularity, and the amazing thing is that, despite its rapid development and numerous, as well as drastic changes, it has managed to preserve its color and character intact.

Mykonos Town

Chora, the island’s port town and capital, is still considered by many as the Greek Saint-Tropez and it never fails to allure the crowds that flood it every year, thanks to its unique character that locals have managed to preserve almost intact to this day.

Around narrow, whitewashed streets there are white cubicle houses clustered, with their tiny balconies, colored windows and liliput yards lined by bougainvillea and pots of basilicum. Numerous little churches and chapels, hidden minuscule piazzas and water wells, as well as the multitude of colorful shops are there to further accent this chaotic picturesque setting, where a simple stroll can turn into the most exhilarating experience.

Perpendicular to the harbour is the main street, called Matoyanni, and that, along with its neighboring or continuing streets, consists the town’s commercial core, full of shops, cafes and bars for every budget and every taste. Walking down these settings is a must, but make sure you also wander around the more quiet labyrinth of the little streets behind, where you can feel the aura of times past.

The central harbor is another multi-photographed attraction, with a lot of traffic going on along the esplanade, lined with numerous cafes, bars and shops. At the western end of the harbour stands one of Chora’s landmarks, the Church of Paraportiani, a whitewashed group of four chapels in vernacular architectural style.

Little Venice is a picturesque neighborhood at the southwest end of the port and owes its name to the fact that many of the island’s wealthy early captains built their houses directly on the sea here. It is the town’s most idyllic spot, especially in the late afternoon, where one can enjoy a wonderful sunset on one of the stylish bars overlooking the water.

On the high windswept hill that rises nearby you can see another of the island’s famous landmarks, the Mykonos windmills. If you wish to see the authentic interior of such a windmill, dating to the 16th century, visit the Mykonos Agricultural Museum, on the road connecting Chora and Platis Yalos (open 16:00-20.30, June to October).