Mykonos

Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos is an eclectic place - pristine beaches, elegant boutiques, fine dining, and rowdy bars are all packed onto one tiny piece of land, a mere 15km long at its widest point. Partying is a round-the-clock affair here, against a scenic backdrop of whitewashed houses and Little Venice, Mykonos Town's most charming neighbourhood.

Population:

10,134

Currency:

Euro

Emergency Numbers:

Police: 100
Fire: 199
Medical Emergency: 112
Ambulance: 166
Tourist Police: 171
Coast guard: 108
International phone assistance: 139

Opening Hours:

Shops and restaurants start operating in the morning and are open well into the night (often until midnight or later, some close for mid-day break). Museums and tourist attractions often close during low season, and work half day between April and October (some in the morning, others in the afternoon).

Newspapers:

Athens News (English)
Ekathimerini (English)
e-mykonos.gr (e-newspaper in English)

The Island

The tiny Cycladic island of Mykonos sprung to blossom as a tourist destination in the 60s and 70s, when it was first discovered by global glitterati and became featured in magazines as the new hot place to be for the "it" crowd. The island today has kept little of its past exclusivity (although celebrities do make appearances at some of its fashion boutiques every now and then), and welcomes diverse crowds every summer season. July and August are the busiest, with late spring and early fall allowing visitors to discover a quieter, more tranquil side to the island.
During high season, avoid the narrow streets of Mykonos Town (also referred to as "Hora", or "Chora") during daytime to escape cruise ship crowds and venture out to one of the island's many beaches, or try scuba diving under careful supervision of professionals from the island's many dive centres.
The island, along with its tiny neighbour of Delos, featured prominently in Greek mythology and was first settled in 11th century BC. Excursions into the past may be made via the island's several tiny museums and the well-maintained Archaeological Site of Delos.

Do & See

The entire island of Mykonos is only 15km at its widest point - a small but intimate place, where it's possible to see everything in a relatively short time period.

Start off by strolling through Little Venice, the waterfront bar and restaurant strip of Mykonos Town, and make your way up into the maze of narrow streets dotted with shops and eateries. Take a photo against the backdrop of the island's iconic windmills, and make the most of its many splendid beaches.

Dining

The sheer number of eateries for an island as small as Mykonos is dazzling, with the majority of restaurants and tavernas concentrated in Mykonos Town and along the waterfront of Little Venice. Mykonian cuisine is defined by its pork and fried fish dishes (red mullet and skate are most common), octopus meze (small tapas-style plates), and the use of goat milk and onions in cooking. The Greek classics (such as moussaka, for example) are readily available on most menus.

Cafés

Cafés dot the island, their numbers peaking in the old town area and along the beach front. Greek souvlaki enjoys special popularity among visitors looking to grab a quick bite with an authentic flair, and so do the sweet and savoury pancakes. For dessert, do not miss a local almond-based treat called 'amygdalota': a bell-shaped cookie with a soft core that is crunchy on the outside.