Travel to Mykonos

Travel to Mykonos

Lying between Tinos and Naxos, the popular Aegean island of Mykonos welcomes both young crowds and sophisticated travellers to the island that offers a perfect blend of wild parties and an interesting cultural centre. The city also has many exquisite sights boasting both charming natural and architectural beauty. Mikonos is also home to a large gay community.

Transportation to Mykonos

Mykonos has its own international airport catering for many international charter flights from major European cities and from Athens by Olympic Airways. Alternatively, you can choose to travel by sea by taking a hydrofoil from other islands, including Athens Piraeus. The trip by ferry from Piraeus takes about six hours. In summer there is a 'flying doplhin' service from Piraues or Rafina.

What to see

There are two towns on the island, the larger one is called Hora and the smaller one is Ano Mera. Hora boasts its bustling and vibrant clubbing scenes for party-goers while the pace slows down in the daytime with many interesting cultural sites to visit. Many art galleries, workshops and museums are located in the town with the most notable being the Archaeological Museum. A small film festival is hosted here in winter. Ano Mera is a quieter, more traditional town with the main attraction being the marble bell tower. Also visit the monastery of Paleokastro, dating from the 12th century, for some peaceful, relaxation time.

Day trips

It is a good idea to spend your day out exploring the island. Head to Alevkantra, the small sandy beach in front of Venetia, located at a corner of the island. Here, you can see a long impressive beach with crystal clear water. There are houses built over the sea with polychrome porches, balconies, windows, doors and charming wooden terraces. Also home to many artists, this part of the island is usually captured in their paintings, showing to the world the hidden beauty of the island. If you want to take a boat ride, Delos, the nearby island, is also worth visiting. Featuring many ruins from times past, the island boasts five marbled lions gazing out to the east, waiting for the rising of the sun, another beautiful sight not to be missed.

Activities and leisure

The island offers a variety of things to do. There are many sandy beaches and local bars. Scuba diving is also very popular here as Mikonos is the only islands in the Aegean that allows scuba diving. If you are not familiar with this sport, diving schools are located around the area to help you start. Beaches here are perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Hora has many taverns and bars where you can take a rest and enjoy the many scenic views.

Safety issues

Travelling to an unfamiliar environment can be quite dangerous. Be alert wherever you go and also take extra care of your belongings. Water sports are prone to accidents so make sure you are very careful. Language barriers can create booking problems. Taking out travel insurance for you and your family is strongly recommended.