Mykonos

Mykonos is the most glamorous and cosmopolitan of the Cyclades, a sun-bleached island where a maze of whitewashed lanes, bougainvillea and boutiques makes up the pretty main town, crowned by a row of iconic windmills and the waterfront quarter of Little Venice. Famous for its golden beaches, chic beach clubs and legendary nightlife, it is the Aegean's byword for a stylish party.

Background

Mykonos lies in the Cyclades between Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos. It covers 85.5 square kilometres and rises to 341 metres at its highest point. The 2021 census counted 10,704 inhabitants, most of them in the main town on the west coast, which shares the island's name and is also called Chora, the usual Greek name for an island's chief town. Mykonos is nicknamed the Island of the Winds for the strong winds that usually blow across it, and tourism is its main industry.

Source: Wikipedia, "Mykonos"

What you'll find

• Mykonos Town (Chora) - the whitewashed maze of lanes, shops and churches.
• The windmills - the iconic row of white windmills above the town.
• Little Venice - the waterfront houses with the sea lapping their walls.
• The beaches - the golden beaches and famous beach clubs.

When to go

Late spring and September for warm weather and a calmer scene; July and August bring the peak party crowds, highest prices and strongest winds. The island is famously breezy, hence the windmills.

What to expect

It is expensive and, in peak summer, crowded and party-focused, which is either the appeal or the drawback depending on what you want. The famous meltemi wind can whip the beaches. It is chic and pricey rather than a quiet or budget island.

Nearby

The sacred ruins of Delos are a short boat trip; the other Cyclades, including Santorini, are reachable by ferry.

Key facts