Shiny Greece
Apr 142 min read
1973
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Mykonos
The Jet-Setters' Paradise Island
Authors
George Papadellis | SG Head
Panagiotis Papadellis | SG Team
Sophia Parastatidou | SG Team | MA Candidate - ACG Apprentice
Windmills Chora Mykonos | Photo by: iStock.com, jesselindemann | 27.11.2017
Greece Mykonos is the only island of the Cyclades complex that put back slow vacations and gained the global elite. Mykonos is, for sure, a special tourist destination, and a jewel of insular architecture and natural Aegean beauty. It belongs to the islands’ chain of the Mediterranean, together with Majorca and Ibiza of Spain, where celebrities and economically robust of all continents resort. However, all this summer pandemonium and its opportunities for show-off slows down during Autumn, when a new Mykonos arises. Wounded from ultra-residential pressure, but human and attractive for a big part of alternative style people.
Mykonos island was named after Apollo’s grandson, and it was shaped by the bodies of the giants killed by Hercules. In the ancient years, Delos, the island close to Mykonos with the awesome archaeological sites, was more inhabited than Mykonos. Mykonos was a poor island, used as a transit place for trade, with two villages with Ionian population (11th century BC). Romans and Byzantines ruled Mykonos until the 12th century, and then it came into the hands of Venetians and then the rule of the Ottomans until 1821. In the Greek revolution, Mykonos fought under the command of Manto Mavrogenous, an aristocrat of the island who sacrificed her whole fortune to save it. After the victory against the Ottomans, the economy of Mykonos started to flourish until the 1st World War. After the war, the findings of the excavations in Delos activated tourist rows to the island. In the 30s, Mykonos was already a jet-setters’ island. This was again stopped by the 2nd World War and was reactivated in the 50s and the 60s.
Located in the heart of the Cyclades insular complex, this windmill-strewn sea paradise is full of unique energy, generated from the Mykonos blue sea and the land, and this is the reason why it is one of the most appealing destinations for summer vacations in the world. Mykonos Greece can meet everyone’s expectations, as one can see celebrities, young people, students, and families, all having fun and memorable moments. Mykonos island Greece has this refreshing wind whispering around and creating amazing summer vibes, thus called “island of the winds”. Located north and close enough to the mainland simultaneously, is a combo that leads to the sunny and very windy nature of Mykonos island. There are many words for the different kinds of winds in Mykonos, such as the northern wind “Meltemi”, the east wind “Gregos” and the western wind “Maistros”. The windiest part of Mykonos Greece is the east end of Paradise Beach because it has fewer buildings. As for Mykonos weather and its Mediterranean climate, it, in general, consists of hot, dry summers and mild winters. The sun rises upon Mykonos between June and September with an average daily maximum of 29o C and an average low of 23o C.
Photo by: iStock.com | Aetherial
But what about Mykonos things to do and places to visit? Arriving at the seaport, one can see the seven white Mykonos windmills built in the 16th century by the Venetians and known as the Mykonos island Greece symbol, used in the past to mill grain offloaded from ships. Moving to Mykonos town, it is great to walk through the north-to-south famous “Matogianni” street which is full of souvenir shops, small boutiques, jewelry stores, and international apparel stores, and to sit at a Mykonos restaurant or a Mykonos grill and taste the famous Greek souvlaki and several local specialties of Mykonos kuzina. Another critical place to mention is island Delos, an archeological site one can visit through sail from the old harbor, which is why Mykonos became so popular in 1920s when archeologists found rare ancient Greek ruins. Considered the birthplace of twin gods Apollo and Artemis, Delos has an educational and historical essence, and it is perfect for history lovers. Autumn and spring are perfect seasons for someone to visit this ancient religious and commercial center with the magnificent sculptures. The short distance of 2 miles from Mykonos is an opportunity for the visitor to be highly compensated also spiritually and culturally from the visit to the “Island of Winds”.
It is also a must to visit the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos, which has artifacts from the Prehistoric to the Hellenistic Period (1st century BC), old Cycladic patterned pottery (2800 BC) and a great statue of Heracles wielding a bludgeon (approximately 2nd Century BC). Located in the Old Harbour, and perfect for coffee and dining, the Alefkandra, also known as Mykonos Little Venice, is enormously beautiful. For art lovers, the Rarity Gallery, founded in 1995, hosts paintings, sculptures, photos and installations of famous and less renowned international artists. On the same spectrum, Dio Horia is the contemporary art gallery of Mykonos Greece; the gallery hosts events to promote young talented artists from all over the world and has exhibited work by Tracey Emin, David Adamo, Erik Parker and Nina Chanel Abney.
Mykonos Blue | Photo by: David, Mykonos and sea scene, CC BY 2.0
Subsequently, one of the essential parts of the Mykonos summer list is finding the proper Mykonos beaches to chill the whole day under the sun's rays. Agios Sostis beach is the perfect place for those seeking calmness and quietness, as it is surrounded by natural parks, and it has no Mykonos clubs, restaurants or sunbeds. Elia beach, with the golden sand, is more cosmopolitan, overcrowded, and known as the longest beach of Mykonos Island Greece. It is recommended for people that prefer the Mykonos party, the diversity and the crowd. Kalo Livadi beach is the perfect option for families, as it has a soft gradient for children to play with, it is generally safe, and it has restaurants renting sunbeds (quite expensive though). Of course, there are also shadows under the rocks, only some meters away from the restaurants. Kalafatis beach, which is close to Kalo Livadi, has crystal clear shallow waters, golden sand and a great view of windsurfers, providing an exotic vibe in the landscape. There one can do watersports (wakeboarding, waterskiing, jet-skiing) and then enjoy a seafront Mykonos restaurant next to the beautiful boats.
When it comes to greek vacations, food and drinks are at the top of the list, and it is crucial to find the right places for gastronomic and Mykonos nightlife experiences. In Mykonos, the quality and the options are amazingly worth it for traditional and alternative preferences. Looking for a Mediterranean seafood Mykonos restaurant, one must visit NOA, Baos Fine Dining, Lyo Bar, Krama, Karavaki and To Apomero. For international alternatives, worth mentioning are Rustic, Phos, Tokyo Joe, D’Angelo, Yialo-Yialo, Sale e Pepe and Bowl. Last but not least, if looking for a best-loved Mykonos restaurant, these are Vasilikos bar, To Maereio, Farm n Sea, Funky Kitchen, and Nikos Gallop. When in Mykonos don’t make a reservation for Mykonos Graham, this is in North Carolina USA!
Cavo Paradiso Club Mykonos | Photo by: Thanos Ap, Cavo Paradiso Club Mykonos, Cropped by shinygreece.com, CC BY-SA 4.0
Regarding nightlife, Mykonos is known as “the Ibiza of Greece” because it has the best options for live music and clubbing experiences. This is why it is known as a party destination, especially for millionaires and billionaires. The best location to find a great Mykonos party is Mykonos town as it is full of bars and nightclubs (top DJs of the world perform on the island, same sets performing in top summer locations like Ibiza). On the other hand, the Paradise beach and the Super Paradise beach are the most well-known Mykonos beaches for top parties on the island until dawn.
Most Greek islands are accessible only via sea, of course Mykonos to Athens and the opposite is available too, a Mykonos to Athens ferry needs from 2,5 to 5 hours. However, Mykonos island, being one of the hottest destinations in the country, can be reached through direct Mykonos Athens flights.
For flexible mobility within Mykonos Greece, one can search for the appropriate vehicle on many websites such as Mykonos Rent a Car, Hertz, Kayak and Apollo. However, Mykonos car rental must be planned soon and not last minute, because demand is high.
Regarding accommodation, tourists can find in Mykonos almost all types. From top luxury hotels to mid-quality lodgings, luxurious Mykonos villas and Mykonos Airbnb. A Mykonos beach hotel, like Mykonos Blu in Psarou Beach is one of the best choices.
Visit | Taste | Learn
There is an ongoing sort of rivalry Mykonos vs Santorini, the other luxurious island of the Cyclades. The debate on whether Mykonos or Santorini is the best choice for travelers makes sense, as they are arguably the most famous and most visited Greek islands. At first sight, the islands are similar because they are both located in the Cyclades of the Aegean Sea and have quite same climate and architecture. However, there are still some key differences between the two. Santorini is the most beautiful island in Cyclades, especially because of its volcanic nature, but its reputation is not that of an island with many awesome beaches. On the contrary, Mykonos has many gorgeous beaches to choose. Santorini has several unique locations to discover, while Mykonos island is more of a destination for jet-setters and for fun. Mykonos Athens is about 180 Km, while Santorini Athens is about 350 Km, so a Mykonos to Athens flight lasts about 45 minutes, while a Santorini to Athens flight lasts about 55 minutes. Prices are about the same, although Mykonos flights are more from Athens. The Mykonos airport is about 3 Km from Mykonos town, while Santorini airport is about 5 Km from Fira town. Looking at a Mykonos map and a Santorini map, you will realize that Mykonos is a smaller and more easy-to-discover island. Last but not least, if you wish to see also Santorini when you travel to Mykonos, a Mykonos to Santorini ferry trip lasts from 2 to 2,5 hours. Mykonos Greece is a magical destination, with a wealth of beauty and freshness. Words and stories are never enough to describe the uniqueness and the charms of Mykonos island, it is life experience that combines entertainment, luxury, quality, relaxation, history and romance, able to please every age, income, gender and personality. The only necessary thing you need to go to Mykonos is a good mood and a ticket! Like the Mykonos Fleet Foxes song mentions: “And you will go to Mykonos with a vision of a gentle coast”.
Windmills of Mykonos | Photo by: dronepicr, Closer view of the windmills in Mykonos, Greece, Cropped by shinygreece.com, CC BY 2.0
Our Hotel Proposals
A Hotel Mykonos
A Hotel Mykonos is an exclusive boutique hotel with unique and eclectic architectural design details, proximity to town, stunning and discrete location. Followed by the sun, the hotel offers exceptional and intimate service, delicious Mediterranean cuisine treats, refreshing drinks and signature cocktails.
Book your stay | How to get there | Visit the hotel's website
Bill & Coo
Bill & Coo Suites & Lounge is a grand luxury 5-stars hotel situated above Megali Ammos Bay - on the outskirts of Greece Mykonos Town. The hotel includes 47 rooms and suites, several of which have private pools, and it hosts one fusion cuisine restaurant "the Gastronomy Project", one steak house cuisine bar "the Beef Bar Mykonos", one spa center "the Valmont Spa" (massage, hammam, sauna) and one fitness center.
Book your stay | How to get there | Visit the hotel's website
Boheme Hotel
Boheme is a Greece Mykonos Town Luxury Hotel, built - just a stone’s throw from the unique Mykonian Windmills and the popular Little Venice. The hotel has been built according to the traditional Cycladic architecture standards, with luxurious suites, some of them with outdoor jacuzzi and Bohemian facilities. With impeccable service and style, the hotel offers high levels of hospitality coupled with untouched privacy.
Book your stay | How to get there | Visit the hotel's website
Cavo Tagoo Hotel
Cavo Tagoo is a barefoot-vibe boutique hotel, built into the cliff face, with crystal clear sea views from rooms and the pool. Whitewashed suites also come with jacuzzis and private pools. The ultra-unique Cave Suites are carved directly into the cliff, with a heated outdoor infinity pool that you access from the bedroom. The hotel's top restaurant offers high quality sushi.
Book your stay | How to get there | Visit the hotel's website
Kouros Boutique Hotel
Kouros Boutique Hotel is an efficiently organized resort offering exceptional service, personalized to each guest’s needs and designed to serve the true essence of being in Greece Mykonos. The hotel focuses on exclusive services and VIP treatment of all residents. With 9 classic rooms and 28 suites, a creative cuisine and the Zoe spa, it is ahead of the luxury accommodation in Mykonos.
Book your stay | How to get there | Visit the hotel's website
Semeli Hotel
Semeli Hotel is a unique haven of relaxation and warm atmosphere for its guests, all housed in a building showcasing a uniquely aesthetically elegant design. The hotel offers double rooms, suites and spa apartments, and also the a la carte Thioni restaurant, a heated garden pool, a fitness center and a very organized spa to relax the mind, the body and the soul.
Book your stay | How to get there | Visit the hotel's website
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