The Greek island of Mykonos, located in the center of the Cyclades archipelago in the Aegean Sea, attracts tourists primarily with its beautiful beaches and an abundance of historical sites to explore. In ancient Greek mythology, there are several references to the island, named after the hero Mikon, grandson of Apollo. You can get acquainted with the history and myths of Mykonos by visiting the Museum of the Aegean Sea and the Archaeological Museum. It is noteworthy that the small island, rich in cultural and historical sights, receives more than 1 million tourists annually.
Mykonos is a resort favored by world celebrities, and among its regular guests are Nicolas Cage, Madonna and Michael Jordan and other stars. As experienced travelers 2yachts note, vacation on the island is considered prestigious, and here the beauty of pristine nature and a high level of service are successfully combined. Warm sea, famous sandy beaches, a huge selection of entertainment and a lot of attractions will make your vacation in Mykonos unforgettable.
It is worth starting sightseeing with the Castro fortress, located in the capital - the city of Mykonos, surrounded by ancient churches. Today these churches have united to form the Greek National Monument - Paraportiani. And near the sea there is a site called "local Venice" - a very popular location for taking beautiful photographs.
In the vicinity of the city, the monastery of Our Lady of Tourlos 16 in the town of Ano Mera in the center of the island, dedicated to the patroness of the island, deserves attention. Its rooms are decorated with wood, and in the courtyard there is a chapel and a beautiful marble fountain.
The expositions of the Aegean Sea Museum are very interesting, where you can get acquainted with the history of navigation in Greece. Some of the exhibits date back to the 2nd - 1st centuries BC. Very unusual towers of the Hellenistic period, called "the gate of Mykonos". Many vacationers in Mykonos love to photograph architectural landmarks.
For a long time, snow-white windmills have become the emblem of the island - popular tourist attraction. Mills began to be built here from the beginning of the 15th century - their use became relevant due to the frequent and strong winds present here.
The Byzantine Church of Panagia Paraportiani, located between the Old Port and st. Agios Anargion. A combination of elements of various styles can be traced in the architecture of the temple, which has become its hallmark. To get to know the history of the island and the region, it is worth visiting the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos. Among the famous exhibits of the museum are the statue of Hercules and the Archean hydra.
And 2 km southwest of Mykonos, there is a tiny rocky islet of Delos - a unique place where you can see a huge number of artifacts of various cultures over several millennia. Among the archaeological sites located in the territory of Delos are the ruins of market squares, the Minoan fountain, the ruins of the oldest synagogue in the world and a temple dedicated to Apollo.
Separately, it should be said about the nature of the island, covered with rocks and treeless hills. Although Mykonos lacks dense vegetation, it is home to over 1,500 species of shrubs and flowers. Part of the island is quite deserted, and giant cacti grow on it, while in the rest of the territory there are vineyards, citrus and olive plantations, and palm groves are also found. The island's fauna is no less diverse, with stone goats, foxes, wild forest cats, jackals, lizards and turtles.
The beaches of the island have become the reason that in recent years Mykonos has become one of the most popular resorts in the country. The most picturesque beaches are located in beautiful bays in the south-west of the island. The northern beaches are not crowded, with the exception of those located in Panormos Bay. Mykonos has several nudist beaches, the most popular of which is Paradise in the south of the island. It hosts the best parties and popular DJs, and the beach is always crowded with tourists.
It is also always very lively and noisy on the Super Paradise Beach, where loud music plays around the clock. Good conditions for windsurfing and water skiing have been formed at Psarou Beach, where vacationers will find soft fine sand and a calm quiet atmosphere. Also, a large selection of entertainment is presented on the Paranga beach, located 5 km from the capital of the island. Glass bottom boat cruises depart from Platias Gialos Beach on the south coast.
Mykonos has ample opportunities for water sports - windsurfing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, water skiing. Diving is also popular and should appeal to both experienced and novice swimmers alike, with good visibility, underwater biodiversity, scenic nature and spectacular scenery. There are 3 professional diving centers on the island, where you will be taught diving and underwater swimming. And if you're not in the mood for diving training, you can head to one of the secluded snorkelling beaches. There are also centers for training and preparation for windsurfing, water skiing or diving on the island. Many beaches have sports equipment rentals.
In the vicinity of the Agrari resort there is a water park - an excellent option for organizing family vacations. Horseback riding is popular among the options for active pastime - while walking with an instructor, tourists can visit and explore the most picturesque places of the island. Also, Mykonos should appeal to fans of hiking - a large number of routes of varying difficulty have been created here, from simple transitions between villages to difficult hikes in the mountainous part of the island.
The island has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers. In summer, the average air temperature is 25 ° C. As the region is exposed to strong northerly and northeasterly winds, there is no stifling heat here. The fresh sea breeze will make your holiday in Mykonos especially enjoyable.
In Mykonos, you should definitely try dishes of both national and Italian, Chinese and Turkish cuisines. Local delicacies worth mentioning are pork jerky, as well as thinly sliced Mykonos ham with salad, prepared according to an old recipe.
It is also worth trying mushrooms stuffed with vegetables and feta cheese and the famous lukanika (sausages) served in local taverns. You should definitely look for “lettuce horiatiki” in the menu - a salad known all over the world as “Greek”. Also in abundance there are seafood, including popular squids. Separately, the menu of popular establishments includes hand-made cheeses - fried saganaki or salty and spicy kopanisti. Of the popular drinks on the island - juices and coffee, Greeks almost never drink tea. Wine connoisseurs are advised to drink local, Greek, for example, Parapotriano, made in Mykonos.
Note that when preparing dishes, they adhere to the same recipe that was used hundreds of years ago, without adjustments to please tourists. Holidays in Mykonos are a great opportunity to explore the breathtaking bays, see world-famous archaeological finds, attend performances by world-renowned DJs and enjoy traditional local cuisine.
If you are considering purchasing options or yacht charter in Greece, we recommend contacting the professionals of the 2yachts company. With us you will find the right boat to organize an unforgettable vacation in your chosen region of the world.