Let me introduce you to the island of Mykonos, Greece. When you fly in, you may notice that it is not the most picturesque place for your eyes. There is no greenery, all around are grey-brown stones and tiny lonely houses painted white. Perhaps, at first glance, you will not understand why people are willing to pay a lot of money to go here. But very soon you will find the answer: atmosphere, freedom and complete relaxation!
How to get there?
You will have to get to Mykonos by sea or air. There is an international airport four kilometers from the island’s capital, Chora. Two local air carriers fly to Mykonos every day from the Greek capital, Athens. In the summer, charter flights from European airlines are added. You can get to any place on the island from the airport by taxi.
Ferries also depart from two Athenian ports (Piraeus and Rafina) during the high season. The ferry takes a long time, about five hours. A ticket from the first port costs 34.5€ per person. Check the current schedule and prices on the website www.paleologos.gr (there is a Russian version). It will be faster to get there by high-speed boat (you can save a couple of hours). You can find out the schedule and ticket prices on the carrier’s website – www.seajets.gr.
The island’s transport options are buses and taxis. A more expensive option is to rent a car or quad bike. Buses depart from three terminal stations:
- “Factory” (directions – Psaru, Platis Yalos, Paradise, Paranga);
- “OTE” (directions – Kalafati, Elia, Ano Mera).
- “Old Port” (directions – new port, Agios Stefanos).
Bus tickets can be bought from machines at bus stations, in shops, tourist shops and hotels. The fare is cheaper during the day, the night fare is 2 euros. Remote places in Mykonos can be reached by taxi (they are located in the main square of the city) or by boat from the beaches of Platis Yialos and Ornos.
There is a wide choice of hotels, varying in price and category, but on average the price is higher than in Greece as a whole.
What should you be prepared for?
Most of the vacationers are Europeans and Americans. Although there are also guests from South America, Africa, Australia. There are almost no Asians. Recently, Russian speech can be heard more often, but it is still exotic.
Experienced tourists say that with our mentality it is better not to come to this place. This is the “land of freedom”, you need to have a good idea of the norms of life in Europe. An unprepared traveler will not understand either the local prices or the freedom of morals. And if to be completely frank, a hypocrite here will be a foreign body among the democratic motley people.
Vacationing in Mykonos means getting used to seeing things that are unusual in Russia. A pretty blonde walking arm in arm with a dark-skinned man? Easy! Three girls kissing one guy on the street? Why not! Here, people sunbathe naked among the kids without any complexes, and families with children drop in to the gay bars on the beach. Trendy club tracks start playing from all sides of the beach even before sunset… At the same time, nothing is said about the sodomy and debauchery that people love to buzz about, without understanding a thing about it.
I walk along the avenue, through the night city
The only form of public transport in Mykonos is buses. The routes are varied, but it is not worth leaving the hotel by bus in the evening. The interval between buses is quite large, so you can wait at the bus stop for an hour or more. Taxis are also a hassle. Calling on the phone does not mean getting a car quickly. Therefore, the general advice if you live in Town is to look for nightlife closer to your place of stay.
Most of the hotels are located in Mykonos Town. Locals call it Chora. Here are those same white houses of hotels, shops and cafes that you saw when approaching the island. The cozy narrow streets of the Town will definitely lead you to one of dozens of amazing restaurants or taverns with delicious food.
Almost all tourists have breakfast at the hotel, lunch at the beach bar, and dinner in Mykonos Town. It is important to choose the right time here. At 19-00 some restaurants are still closed, but by 21-00 you may find that the establishment is overcrowded, there are no tables. It is better to book a table in advance at the cafe you like. About the time. It seems that on the island of Mykonos it is distorted. At midnight, the Town is just beginning to live, and buzzes like an anthill.
There are a lot of people sitting in restaurants, and it is also the time when the first night clubs and bars open. After two hours, the restaurants close, and the remaining cheerful people go out into the streets and go partying.
Information specifically for party-goers: the dance clubs we are used to are located on Paradise Beach (not to be confused with Super Paradise Beach), where famous DJs often play in the middle of summer.
Of course, Mykonos is not like Ibiza, and the town itself has establishments that resemble pubs.
For those living in Town, the most convenient way to get to the beach is by renting a motorbike or car. You can also wait for public transport, which leaves for the beach at noon and at 2 p.m.
I’m lying in the sun…
The main feature and attraction of this Greek island is, of course, the beaches. In Mykonos, the beaches can be strikingly different from each other. There are wild ones for surfers, and super-modern ones, equipped with the latest fashion, where you can call a waiter by pressing a button on a sun lounger.
Elia Beach
Elia Beach is probably not only the longest, but also the most beautiful beach on Mykonos. The bottom is very good when entering the water. In general, Elia has coarse yellow sand, but in some places there are large pebbles, especially at the water’s edge. Buses always go here, although quite rarely. The ticket costs about 2 euros. The bus leaves from the station in the old port area.
Elia is a very clean, but crowded beach (although Paradise is even more crowded with tourists). You can find parking and a restaurant nearby. You will have to pay 40 euros for the entrance, two sun loungers and an umbrella, on the first line by the sea – 50. You can have a snack in the beach restaurants. There is a service to take away food and drinks from the establishment. The food is varied and delicious. The sea and sand are very clean.
At the far end of Elia is a nudist area where gays come to swim and sunbathe. The prices for snacks, water and alcohol are of course high, but this is due to the lack of competition. Overall, it is a good, uncrowded beach.
Agios Sostis Beach
Quite a secluded beach, away from the main tourist routes of Mykonos. Unlike the big beaches, Agios Sostis is not filled with sunbeds from coastal cafes and bars, and there are no establishments on the shore. No sun loungers, umbrellas or restaurants (there is only one tavern, but not on the beach itself, but a little higher).
A great place for a wild vacation. One of the best northern beaches of the island, which will make you feel completely at one with nature. The sea is calm, despite the wind.
The beach is a 20-minute drive from the center of the island, but easy to find (just 1 km from Panormos beach with the beach restaurant Principote). There is a parking lot above the beach, but it is always full, so the best solution is to just park on the side of the road above the beach.
This quiet beach is ideal for couples and romance.
Platis Gialos
One of the most pompous beaches of Mykonos. It seems that couples accustomed to luxury like to relax here. There are a sufficient number of cafes and restaurants. The island of Mykonos in Greece attracts many tourists, because it is a great place to relax. If you have the strength to get up before dawn, you can swim in the warm sea alone.
Fine yellow sand, clean water, shops and bars nearby – what else do you need? Everything here exudes comfort. At Platis Gialos, Wi-Fi is available in the sun lounger area, and you can take food with you – to go. The prices here are high compared to other beaches in Mykonos. Depending on the establishment where you decide to stay, renting two sun loungers with an umbrella will cost from 20 to 80€.
A nice wide sandy strip, the entry into the water is gentle. Its only downside is that there is no free zone, so those who come with their own towel are located in front of the first line of sun loungers. From here, boats depart to other beaches in the southern part of the island. One of the downsides is that there are a lot of black traders who sell fake Rolexes and leather bags a la Louis Vuitton.
You can get to Platis Yialos from Mykonos town by bus for 2.3 euros.
Super Paradise Beach
Super Paradise is located in a picturesque deep lagoon. Public transport did not go here before, so it was always intimate. But recently the beach has changed: minibuses and boats on the sea have started going to Super Paradise. It is not difficult to find the beach by car, if you pay attention to the signs along the road. A shuttle runs from the city to this place (9€ roundtrip).
A fantastic bar has opened in place of an ordinary cafe, a restaurant with live music has grown in the center of the beach. New comfortable sun loungers and umbrellas (though not cheap – 30€ per pair + umbrella). There is a volleyball court, shower. Entrance is free. The sea is wonderful, the sand is excellent. There are a lot of people, but not so many that you have to look for a place among them.
The dancers delight the vacationers with their art, and in the evenings the hosts in thongs entertain. In general, the place is not pretentious, but cheerful, more for young people and large companies. Although in the evenings you can meet fiery European old men at the discos.
Paranga Beach
A small beach that can be reached by bus from the Fabrika station. It is easy to get there and park by car. The highlight of the beach is the lack of complexes. For some Russians, it will probably remain in the memory as a beach of debauchees. Even if you look at the photos from Mykonos, Greece, you can see that sunbathing topless is the norm there. But on this beach, people lie completely naked, and there are a lot of them. Therefore, we do not recommend coming with children, unless you have the same free morals as Europeans.
There is a spacious area for free sunbathing, good entry into the water. A quiet bay, almost without waves. The sea is crystal clear, and the atmosphere is relaxed. There is a place to have a snack. A few meters from the shore there is a huge rock. You can swim there and climb on it to sunbathe. A taxi boat goes to the neighboring Paradise beach. Platis Gialos is also nearby. In general, you can spend the whole day here.
Where to go besides the beach?
So – Mykonos, Greece, attractions. In fact, there are many interesting places on the island. We have selected for you a list of the most popular among tourists. And, of course, diverse.
Rarity’s gallery
Rarity Gallery is a modest-sized gallery of contemporary art. Admission is free. The exhibits are created by witty, if not talented, people. Usually in such museums the “works” resemble the works of crazy artists, but here there is something to see. Mainly paintings and sculptures. One security guard deserves special applause (you can guess that he is not real only by the lack of a crossword).
The interior of the landmark is stylish: white walls and arches contrast with a dark, almost black ceiling made of wooden beams. Every year from May to October, seasonal summer exhibitions are held, presenting the works of the Impressionists. Here are exhibited the works of artists famous in narrow circles: David W. Ellis, Fabio Aguzzi, Luciana Abate, Hanneke Beaumont, Charles Bell, Fotis and others. You can find the gallery in the center of the Town, on Kalogera Street.
Shopping street Matogianni
Matogianni Street – also located in Taun. As the locals say, all roads lead to Matogianni. The street is narrow. Tourists maneuver among white houses, cozy benches, artists’ workshops and pink bougainvillea bushes… There is something to profit from for connoisseurs of antiques. The stairs and shutters are painted blue or red, very beautiful. In Mykonos, goods are more expensive than on neighboring islands. This is especially noticeable in ceramics and jewelry.
On Matogianni Street you can buy all sorts of useful (and not so useful) little things, in general, everything from souvenirs to clothes. There are also boutiques of world-famous brands: Lacoste, Victoria’s Secret, Juicy Couture… And where would we be without bars, restaurants and dance floors! Life is in full swing here at any time of the day, even late at night it lives and breathes.
The Magic Windmills of Mykonos
The delightful snow-white buildings that the locals call Kato Milli. Perhaps this is the main attraction of Mykonos, because all roads lead to them. Windmill towers appeared in this country in the 12th-13th centuries. The remaining 7 of the twenty mills on the island are located in the area of Hora and Kastro. The round mill structures, looking out to the open sea, have withstood the powerful gusts of the Cycladic winds for centuries.
You are not allowed to go inside, you can only take photos from the outside. The place is really spectacular, tourists take selfies in droves. You can soak up the beauty in the restaurant near the mills and admire the view of the sea. From here there is an interesting view of Little Venice and the embankment, where the motley houses seem to be peeking out of the water. It is better to come early in the morning. You will probably run into a pelican. The birds are used to people and pose for photos.
The magnificent stone church of Papaportiani
Church of Paraportiani is one of the best places on the island of Mykonos, a photo of which almost every tourist has. It is called a pearl. This is an ancient and valuable architectural monument, which is definitely worth including in a trip to Chora. A wonderful Christian church of the 16th-17th centuries, without sharp corners, completely snow-white. Surprisingly, there are no blue accents, typical of Greek architecture. It is made in the Cycladic style, consists of several chapels. It seems to be nothing special, but against the background of the blue sky and sea it looks great. The entrance to the attraction is closed, you can only take pictures nearby.
Organic Farm (Mykonos Vioma Organic Farm)
An authentic place where you will enjoy all the shades of the taste of true Greece. If you are tired of the hustle and bustle and respect wine, then the Vioma farm is definitely worth a visit! The hospitable daughter of the owner gives a tour and shows and tells everything in detail. Wine tasting here is unthinkable without Greek snacks: sun-dried tomatoes, cheese, carbonate…
In the fresh air right on the plantation you will enjoy all this with opera arias. At first the farm may seem strange and a little shabby, but after meeting the charming family, you will appreciate the discreet rural beauty. This pleasure will cost about fifty euros for two, and the memories will be priceless.
And a few words about the weather
The climate on this Greek island is typically Mediterranean: that is, hot summers and mild winters. It is a pleasure to relax here. The weather on Mykonos is subject to strong winds. In the high season (that is, in July-August), the wind force reaches 6-7 points. In the middle and end of summer, the air temperature reaches 25-30 degrees, but the same wind helps to tolerate the heat well. Rain is rare, and the weather is mostly sunny. The water warms up to a temperature of 25-26 degrees in July-August and drops to 15-16 degrees in January-March.
In winter, there is no cold, no fog. Therefore, you can admire the local landscapes. Snow falls very rarely, so you will not be able to make a snowman for the New Year on the island.
Mykonos, Greece, for those who don’t accept all inclusive. It is for those who are young at heart (and body), and are able to appreciate freedom, the charm of the sea waves, the charge of universal joy, the diversity of people and the taste of Greek cuisine.
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