Mykonos Island: a top tourist destination in Greece

Plan your Holidays on Mykonos by following our links Island Presentation Areas & Beach settlements Travel to Mykonos All lodging possibilities Activities & things to do: Sports, Beaches, Excursions Restaurants Nightlife Transportation: Car & Bikes

Mykonos awarded for the 7th consecutive year from 2004 till 2010

Mykonos one of the most reputed & successful tourist islands in the world is famed as a cosmopolitan destination with the most up-market contemporary facilities, and attracts a large numbers of tourists and regular visitors from all over the world. MYKONOS GENERAL INFORMATION GEOGRAPHICAL LENGTH: 25o 19 '43 " GEOGRAPHICAL WIDTH: 37o 26 '36 " Mykonos is part of the Cyclades, located in the Central Aegean Sea,  lying between Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos. It spans an area of 105.183 km2 (41 sq mi) and rises at an elevation of 341 m (1,119 ft) at its highest point. Mykonos has a maximum length of 14 km and a width of 10 km. The length of the coastline amounts to 81 km, and the shoreline penetrates deep into the land with the bays of Ftelia and Korfos. The island is composed primarily of granite. It has little natural fresh water and relies especially on 2 water dams in Marathi and Fokos, plus one desalination plant of sea water in order to meet its needs.  Comprised of the municipality of Mykonos. The total permanent population, is about 9,320 residents in accordance with the census of 2001 (E.S.Y). ( a very low estimate) In the sea area of Panormos region and in other locations around the island of Mykonos seals have been found.

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The largest part of the inhabitants live in the west part of the island, where lies Mykonos Town, also known as Chora.
It is believed that the island was named after a local hero, who is considered an offspring of the god Apollo and was worshipped locally in antiquity.

discover Mykonos by area: from Mykonos Town to all beach settlements
choose the right location for your hotel, beach, restaurant, water sport and visit...

Mykonos island is famous for: - unique traditional Cycladic architecture, - magnificent sandy beaches,
- excellent shopping and dining facilities, - cosmopolitan lifestyle, - diverse and intense nightlife .

Mykonos tends to be quite crowded with visitors from mid July till end August. The best time to visit Mykonos is May through June (in early and late season, accommodation will be much cheaper and it's not that hot), or September through mid-October (end summer season).  

Mykonos town - Around town, outskirts

Mykonos Town (Chora) is a stunningly picturesque Cycladic town with a maze of tiny streets and whitewashed steps lanes, houses and churches, gathered around its harbour in the middle of a wide bay.
It is one of the most cosmopolitan and busy towns of the Aegean. Although the streets are lined with little shops, boutiques, art galleries, cafes, stylish bars and restaurants, Mykonos Town has not completely lost its identity. Despite the island’s rapid growth and development, it’s traditional Cycladic architectural style and character has remained firmly intact, thanks to the island’s strict building regulations.
You can go shopping or window shopping in the fabulous little boutiques which carry exclusive name brands, among them outstanding Greek jewelers, souvenirs as well as works of art. Most shops are open seven days a week, some will be closed from 2PM to 5PM, and many tourist shops will remain open late into the evening. (there are no huge department stores). ATM's are available throughout town.
Attractions in Mykonos Town are: The Windmills, Little Venice (Alefkandra), Panagia Paraportiani and Petros the Pelican, the island's mascot.
You can also visit a variety of museums such as the Archaeological, Folklore, & Maritime Museum, plus Lena's House, and the Boni Mill.

Beach areas 3, 4 or 5 km away from town

Most of the beaches have tavernas and restaurants and are well equipped with with deck chairs and parasols.
Most common price is € 12 for a set of two deck chairs and an umbrella.
The best beaches are on the south side of the island and sheltered from the prevailing northern wind.
Platys Gialos, busy family and tourist beach. Lots of hotels, apartments and beach bars, lining the long sandy beach.
Ornos, busy family and tourist beach. It gathers many for its sun beds and umbrellas. The sandy beach slopes gently into the sea
Agios Ioannis is a small peaceful beach with snorkeling opportunities.
Psarou, this upmarket beach is popular amongst Greeks. A luxury hotel and famous restaurant, plus a few other facilities.
Paranga, there is a camping, some hotels and some nice beach bars and tavernas.
Agios Stefanos, a well developed, sandy beach close to the new harbor.
Paradise (Kalamopodi), probably the most popular beach on the island known for its parties. Camping, self-service restaurant, cafeteria, snack bars, beach bars, mini shops and discos. Nudity is still common.

further out (+8km) and more isolated beaches

Buses every hour to Elia, Kalafati, Kalo Livadi, your own transportation recommended for Super Paradise, Agios Sostis & Panormos, Houlakia, Agrari & Lia.
Elia (south coast) is one of the larger beaches on Mykonos. It is a well organized beach with sun-beds and umbrellas, and various water sports (ski and jet-ski). Three restaurants and taverns. Also popular with gays
Kalafati (east coast) is a very large, beautiful and less developed beach and a favorite with windsurfers due to the offshore breeze.
Kalo Livadi (east coast). A quiet, long stretch of sandy beach. It offers some taverns with good food, and a few small hotels.
Super Paradise (Plintri), (south coast). Restaurants, beach bars and some villas. Still popular with gays, especially the right part (facing the sea, where nudity is quite common). At about 4PM the music will get really loud; for some time to leave, for others time to party.
Agios Sostis (north coast). This beach faces the east of Panormos Bay. Agios Sostis is one of the more remote beaches on the island.
Panormos, (north coast). On the north side of the island and facing east onto Panormos Bay is long and more peaceful.
Agrari (south coast) is less popular than its neighbour Elia and much calmer. Well organized with many watersports.
Lia, (east coast) now a quite busy sandy beach. Some tiny houses of fishermen, plus villas, with only a small fish tavern, + large beach restaurant.

Ano Mera village and areas of more remote countryside, hilltops (own transportation needed)

Ano Mera is a small village on the middle of the island, and the only inland settlement on the whole of Mykonos, about 7 km east of Mykonos Town. Ano Mera is based around a large central square, which is lined on three sides by a series of Greek tavernas. The monastery of Panagia Tourliani, founded in 1542, is Ano Mera's most significant highlight.

Getting around the island
For more detailed information click to our local transport page.

By Bus: There is a bus network that takes you around the island. There are two bus stations in Mykonos town, each on different sides of Mykonos town. 
By taxi: On the entire island there are only about 30 taxis, which means that depending on taxis for transport can be an exercise of great patience.
By water taxi: The Plati Yalos Boat Service provides a good and fun way of getting to the southern beaches of Mykonos.
By car or by motorbike: Renting a motorbike or a car is the way to go if you want to be free to explore the rest of the island, especially the more remote beaches . You will find our wide range of cars and bikes here.

Getting to Mykonos by plane or boat

By boat to Mykonos harbours
From the Greek mainland ferries and high-speed catamaran services run daily from Piraeus and Rafina.
The journey between the port of Piraeus (Athens) and Mykonos takes between 4h 30min and 5h 15min, depending on the type of ferry you are taking. All the ferries to Mykonos depart from Port Gate ?7.
If you are arriving at the airport of Athens you are often better off taking a ferry from Rafina than traveling to Athens and get a ferry from Piraeus. The journey between Rafina and Mykonos takes between 2h 10min and 5h 30min, depending on the type of ferry you are taking.
Mykonos can also be reached directly from many other islands in the Cyclades.

By plane
Mykonos has an airport, about 3km away from the main town. There are daily flights from Athens airport (35 minutes) by Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines. In high season there are also less frequent flights from Rhodes, Santorini and Crete (Heraklion) by Sky Express.
From May till October charter airlines fly directly to Mykonos from many European airports.   

Click for the practical general tourist information Mykonos visitors will need to know

MYKONOS ACCOMMODATION CENTER
Enoplon Dynameon No 10 (upper floor)
(end Matoyianni Street : main street)
Postal Address: P.O.Box 58 - 84600 Mykonos - GREECE
Tel: +30-2289023160 or 2289023408 or 2289028160. Fax: 2289024137.
E-mail : info@mykonos-accommodation.com

 Last update February 19th. 2012