Mykonos Tourism And Travel Guide
Planning A Trip To Mykonos? Here's a detailed Mykonos tourism and travel guide to help you plan a memorable holiday
Current Temperature:
13.2° C / 55.8° F
Current Conditions:
Clear Sky
Best Months To Visit:
April to October
Recommended Duration:
3 to 4 Days
Nearest Airport:
Mykonos Airport (2.7 kms)
Nearest Railway Station:
Mykonos is a Greek Island and is part of the Cyclades, located in the Aegean Sea. The island got its name from its first ruler Mykonos who was the son (or grandson!) of the God Apollo according to Greek mythology. The island is small and has a population of only about 10,000 citizens. But the island is crowded almost all year round thanks to tourists who visit from all over the globe. Tourism in Mykonos is a thriving industry and is the main economy of the island. The island is quite dependent on the Greek mainlands for practically everything, including even a workforce for the summers! Mykonos is famous for its beautiful sunsets, pristine waters and crazy beach parties. It is a perfect destination for everyone - couples, bachelors and families! Read this travel guide to Mykonos to make your holiday a memorable one.
How To Reach
Photograph by www.wheretostayinmykonos.com
By Air:
Mykonos can be reached by flight via Athens or directly from a few European cities. During summers, charter flights are added to increase frequency. The easiest way to travel from India would be to fly to Athens and then take a domestic flight to Mykonos. There are plenty of flights daily. The airport at Mykonos is about 3 km from the main town of Mykonos - Chora.
By Sea:
The best way to travel to an Island is always by Ferry/Boat because it just makes the experience all the more exciting. You can reach Mykonos from any of the Cyclades or the mainland. There are daily ferries that take you to Mykonos from the port of Piraeus, near Athens. The duration of the ride would be between 2 to 5 hours, depending on which ferry company you travel with. The port is slightly over 3 km from the main town. Instead of taking a taxi, you can take a sea-taxi to reach the town quicker and this is also more cost-efficient.
Getting Around:
While you can walk around the main town easily, you will need some form of vehicle to access the various beaches around Mykonos. Driving a car isn't the best option, however, renting quads or bikes work well and are used frequently. The best option though is to use the local buses. These buses usually start from the main town and have a drop off at different locations around the Island. Multiple buses throughout the day make the buses frequent and convenient. The time-tables of the buses can be found at every bus stop, so you can make note of the first and last bus out. Taxis can get quite expensive, so are not used much by tourists, unless there is a real need.
Weather & Best Time To Visit
Photograph by www.alloutravel.com
Spring (March to May):
The average temperature in March is around 14°C and can be a bit chilly. But it gets warmer by April and May is almost as warm as summer. By mid-May, the crowds start to arrive and it can get really very crowded. To avoid crowds, you can visit in April or early May and still have enjoyable weather. Easter is a religious festival celebrated during this time, but no other events are held.
Summer (June to August):
Summer is a very popular time of the year at Mykonos and it is buzzing with activities. From crazy beach parties to watersports and crowded beaches. The average day temperature is around 25°C. Sunny days and clear skies make for great weather for swimming and just chilling on the beach. The Mykonos Summer Festival is held every year during these months and it includes events & performances. Also, the annual festival for the gay community takes place in August.
Autumn (September to November):
While September still seems like summertime in Mykonos, October starts to emit cool winds and lesser crowds. The weather can get quite chilly from mid-October onwards as the winds start to get a little violent. some beach parties are hosted till around the 2nd week of October. Hotels start closing for the winter from October onwards, so make sure you plan well in advance to avoid any disappointment later. You can enjoy some good wine this time of the year because of the grape harvest season.
Winter (December to February):
Mykonos has tourists visiting all year round, including the winter months. But the weather is not really favourable for swimming or other water activities as it can get quite cold - especially with harsh winds. The average temperature is around 10°C. You can expect some rain during these months. But, with fewer crowds, this can be one of the most romantic times to visit the island and enjoy the peace and quiet. There is still enough daylight hours. You will just need to plan your trip in advance because hotel accommodation and public transportation are less.
Things to Do
Photograph by www.wheretostayinmykonos.com
Beach Parties:
The party island of Greece, the beach parties here last all day and all night during peak tourist season. If you plan your trip right, you may get to visit it when a famous DJ is playing! Lots of dancing, loud music and great drinks with a splendid view of the sea is a perfect way to describe Mykonos's party scenes. It can get really crowded during the summers, so you need to be careful. Beaches like Paradise, Super Paradise, Paraga, Psarou are known for their beach clubs.
Water Sports:
Being an island, the best activities you can do are going to be water-related! Some water sports you can enjoy here are wakeboarding, water skiing, jet skiing, banana boat rides, sofa rides, scuba diving and snorkelling. All of the activities are safe while some are more family oriented for even the kids to enjoy. Beaches from where you can engage in these activities are Platis Gialos, Kalafatis, Ornos, Kalo Livadi, Elia and Lia beaches.
Beach Hopping:
The island has many beautiful beaches, so visiting just one, will definitely not be enough! Take a tour of the different beaches and experience different sides of the islands. Some of the beaches are more family-centric, while others are more for party goers. Almost all the beaches have restaurants and bars. Experience the sunset at a different place every evening! Some of the popular beaches people like to visit are Platys Gialos, Elia, Ornos, Paradise, Super Paradise, Paraga, Agios Stefanos, Kalafatis and more.
Delos Island:
The uninhabited island of Delos is located about 30 minutes from Mykonos. Many tour operators arrange for tours to the island (and also combine this tour with a tour of another island called Rineia).
Delos is believed to be the birthplaces of Greek Gods Apollo and Artemis. It was once an important town and you will find the remains of the town quite interesting. There are many temples, the famous Naxian lions, markets, housing complexes and also a theatre and stadium. The island is not all that big, so a few hours will be enough to explore it.
Shopping
Photograph by www.greece-is.com
The best place to shop in Mykonos is within Chora (Mykonos Town) and within Chora, Matoyianni Street is the most popular. You can, however, happily, get lost in the labyrinth cobbled streets of Chora and enjoy many hours of aimlessly strolling and shopping. Some of the things tourists tend to buy in Mykonos are jewellery, cotton clothing, pottery, handicrafts, evil eye items and more. There are many designer boutiques that you can find here.
Some popular stores that can be found here are Dew, Cosset, Rarity, Liontis, Freeshop, Jardin and Amnesia. One thing to keep in mind is that Mykonos is more expensive compared to other Greek cities.
Food
Photograph by www.greece-is.com
Mykonos has some great bars and restaurants spread across the Island. Most of the beaches have restaurants with great food and offering a variety of cuisines. Few of the popular places within Mykonos Town are - Funky Kitchen, that serves some delicious fusion foods and their signature dessert chocolate nirvana is an absolute delight.
Kadena, located by the waterfront serves some great local food like gyros and Mykonian sausage. Pepper and Sakis Grill House are great for the budget and offer quick meals like souvlakia and gyros. If you are a seafood lover, step into Kounelas Fish Tavern which is located close to the waterfront. Other popular restaurants that are outside the town are Hippie Fish which is located on Agios Ioannis beach and is popular for its delicious fish.
Indian Palace offers authentic Indian cuisine and is located on Paradise Beach. Buddha Bar at Ornos is an upscale restobar had serves south Asian food. Lohan Beach House at Kalo Livadi is a lesser crowded club which offers great views and amazing food. If you are looking for vegetarian or vegan options, try Avli Tou Thodori in Platys Gialos, Bowl in Ornos or Krama and M-eating in Mykonos Town.
