Mythological Island-Mykonos Travel Guide
Mykonos (Mykonos) is one of the most preferred holiday destinations among the Greek Islands, famous for its cosmopolitanism. Mykonos is an unforgettable island with its white-washed and blue-windowed houses adorned with Sardinia and lilies, and terraces in the form of terraces. I think even those who have never stepped foot on the streets of the island have an opinion about Mykonos because of the photos circulating on Instagram. It is a complete holiday route with a sparkling sea, stylish restaurants, beach clubs where the fun never ends.
Conde Nast Traveler, one of the world’s leading travel magazines, ranked first in the list of 22 most beautiful islands in the world chosen by its readers. Mykonos, with its white painted houses covered with bougainvillea and geraniums, has an unforgettable beauty that will impress those who see it. According to classical Greek mythology, the giants that Hercules killed in a brutal war are buried under the Mykonos granites on this island. The name Mykonos also means ‘rock mass’ or ‘rocky’. According to the belief of later times, the name of the island is based on a hero named Mykonos. Mykonos is known as the son of King Anios of Delos, the son of the fairy Rhoio, descended from Apollo and Dionysus. Mykonos is one of the first Greek islands to develop as a tourist attraction. Mykonos, surrounded by a perfect Mediterranean air as soon as you step in, is known as the most visited and most expensive Greek island. Since the 1950s, the island’s touristic development has increased rapidly. What makes Mykonos unique is its striking nature with the texture of the Aegean and its characteristic traditional architectural structure.
Mykonos Attractions
Driving is prohibited due to small streets. When you come to Mykonos, you have no choice but to visit many places on foot. To reach the beach, you can use buses from a terminal called ‘Fabrica’ and you can reach more than one beach from here. Public transportation is provided by buses in Mykonos, but it is very common to rent a car, ATV and motorbike as it is limited and it is not possible to find it out of season. Mykonos Island is a perfect sea holiday island with its 15 beaches. Malalianos Beach and Tourlos Beach, the closest to Mykonos port, are crowded and attract a lot of attention. It is recommended that you take the buses that go to Platys Gialos beach from the port and go to Paradise (paradise), Super Paradise, Agrari or Elia, which are the best beaches of Mykonos Island by boat departing from here. Super Paradise is in the concept of a nudist camp. Elia is the last relatively quiet beach on the island.
Top tip: It is not possible to drive because the streets are small, you can reach these streets and beaches on foot. It is more common to use public transport here.
Chora
Chora is a wide bay with Cycladic (Cycladesian) architecture, labyrinths of narrow streets, houses and churches adorned with white stripes surrounding the harbour. This is the heart of the island, also known as Mykonos Town. One of the most cosmopolitan and crowded towns of the Aegean. Although the streets are lined with small shops, boutiques, art galleries, cafes, trendy bars and restaurants, the town of Mykonos has managed to preserve its traditional style. Despite the rapid development of the island, the Cycladic architectural elements and character were preserved as they were, thanks to the controlled construction. The most beautiful shops of the island are located on Matoyianni Street. See what used to be the captains’ houses known as Little Venice. Little Venice is one of the most beautiful places to see and photograph in Mykonos. The two-storey houses, located on a small hill, seem like they came out of a dreamland. It feels like a postcard when the sun hits the colorfully painted houses, wooden doors and balconies. The Ground Mills, which can be seen from all over the island, are one of the most characteristic features of Mykonus. At the time, there were a total of 16 windmills and they were all in operation. None of them are used anymore today, but they still have a symbolic value. Some of them have been restored and serve as museums, some of them have been restored and turned into livable residences. Mykonos Island is the scene of the most beautiful sunsets you can see in the world. One of the best places to see the extraordinary view created by the sun disappearing into the sea in the form of a fireball is the Little Venice district. Watch under the historic windmills at the end of Little Venice until the sun fades into the horizon.
Top tip: Although there are modern boutiques and galleries among the narrow streets of the city, the city retains traditional Cycladic architectural elements and the famous windmills.
The Church of Paraportiani
The Church of Paraportiani appears to be a single church but is actually made up of four smaller churches. One of the most photographed places on Mykonos Island. It is considered one of the most beautiful architectural works of the French-Swiss architect Le Corbusier. It is located at the entrance of the Kastro neighborhood by the sea. Paraportiani, which means second door in Greek, consists of five small churches with an extremely interesting architecture, some of which were built in the 13th century and some of them were built in the 16th and 17th centuries. A must-see for photography enthusiasts, the church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Folkloer Museum
If you like museums, visit Mykonos Folkloer Museum. The Folklore Museum is located in the Kastro district of Mykonos, right near the Paraportiani Church. The museum building is a mansion from the 1,700s. Inside, there is a restored 19th century classical furniture, old tools and ceramic works, a kitchen and bedroom in its old form, as well as many antiques from these centuries. Perfectly finished engravings of traditional Mykonian shipping ships, Historical photographs and traditional musical instruments can also be seen.
Mykonos Maritime Museum
Mykonos Maritime Museum (Aegean Maritime Museum) is a collection of ancient maritime tools and amphorae, old coins, etc. Also, if you have time, Mykonos Cultural Museum (Agricultural Museum- Mylos tou Boni) may be of interest to you. Traditional agricultural tools can be seen in the cultural museum, which is an open-air museum. Examples of these tools, which are ancient Greek relics, are the threshing tool, the well, the oven, and the winemaking tool. The important part of the museum is the ancient windmill, which is still in operation.
Mykonos Beaches
The island, which has about fifteen beaches, is mostly famous for its gay and nudist beaches. The ones close to the port are the beaches of Malalianos and Tourlos, but since these are crowded, you can go to Platys Gialos beach by taking the bus or go to Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari or Elia, which are called the best beaches of Mykonos island, by sea taxi or boat. Although Super Paradise beach usually welcomes gays, it is one of the beaches where nudity is free and used by everyone. Psarou Beach, on the other hand, is smaller and calmer than Super Paradise. Nammos Beach, located in the center and highly preferred, is one of the most beautiful beaches of the island. In the evening, crazy beach parties start with world-famous DJs. Fetelia and Kalafatis beaches are generally frequented by windsurfing enthusiasts.
Top tip: Due to the crowds, you can travel between the beaches by boats and public transport.
Ornos Beach
Ornos Beach, a wide beach with a peaceful atmosphere, is ideal for those who want to spend a quieter day as a family-friendly beach away from the noise, but it can get very crowded at times. The beach with shallow waters along the coast is ideal especially for children’s sea fun. There are sun loungers and umbrellas rented along the beach. Located in the beautiful and sheltered bay of Ornos, Kuzina Beach Club is an operation of Mykonos Ammos Hotel. Wonderful for sea pleasure. Buddha Bar Beach is another alternative place in Ornos Beach that you should keep in mind. Fetelia and Kalafatis beaches, which will be liked by those interested in windsurfing, are mentioned as beaches that promise happiness, dancing, socializing, relaxation, adventure, peace, sun and sea in Mykonos. Ftelia Beach is windy and wavy because it is open to the north east.
Top tip: Many small fish restaurants lined up right next to Ornos Beach offer seafood at a much more economical price than other beaches. There are also many hotels, rental apartments, villas and pensions around the beach.
