Mykonos: Big Blue Magic

Big Blue Magic

There are many places around the world where swimming, partying and fine dining are a combination that can define a nice holiday. And then, there is Mykonos. This rocky Greek island, located somewhere in the middle of the Aegean Sea, just opposite to the holy sanctuary of Delos Island, has the privilege of a spectacular coastline with a great variety of organized or secluded sandy beaches, washed by the most inviting, crystal-clear waters you have ever seen. Its notorious nightlife and high-end gastronomy make it the jet-setters’ summer choice, while there is still enough space left for demanding travelers to discover their private paradises.

Choosing the best beaches in Mykonos depends on both the weather and your personal interpretation of what a perfect holiday is. Weather conditions on this always sunny, hot and dry piece of land can be affected only by the force of the wind. The famous north-east cool & fresh “Meltemi” air-current can become rather fierce, especially at midday, leading swimmers and sun-bathers to the southern coast that hosts the biggest part of beach life.

On not very windy days, consider the memory-making private yacht experience, renting from a beautiful sailing boat to the most luxury yacht. Their skippers and captains will take you to deserted beaches for an unforgettable haute-cuisine candle-lit dinner on the beach. Or else, you can rent an off-road vehicle and take a tour of some of the most sophisticated beaches that may also include a fully equipped water-sport center for a lifetime experience!

Speaking about watersports, if you are a windsurfing lover don’t miss an adventurous ride among the world champions that crowd the northern Ftelia beach for their summer training. As far as other sophisticated beaches are concerned, please note:

Agios Sostis, on the north coast. No sunbeds, no umbrellas, no beach bars. Just a perfect sunny beach, ideal destination for natural beauty seekers. After swimming, don’t miss Kiki’s Tavern yummy specialties.

Kapari Beach, on the southwestern coast. With an unobstructed, stunning view of the ancient ruins on Delos Island, Kapari is a quiet and unspoilt location with crystal waters and sandy shores. You will not find any umbrellas or bars, but you will definitely enjoy a never-to-forget sunset.

Lia, on the easter coast. A long golden beach with turquoise waters, ideal for snorkeling or scuba diving. Besides sunbeds and umbrellas, there is also an elegant beach restaurant where you can taste great dishes of the Greek cuisine.

The beaches mentioned above are just a sample of the hundred sea destinations available on Mykonos Island. Ask our team at M Mykonos Villas and they will happily guide you around the astonishing variety of near or remote sea spots where you can swim and party from morning to sunset!

The magic of celebrating Easter in Mykonos

The magic of celebrating Easter in Mykonos

In all the religions of the world, the resurrection of the soul plays a dominant role, as people symbolically celebrate the hope of rebirth – which is a universal expectation. And when this spiritual situation coincides with springtime, as is the case with the Greek Easter, this symbolism becomes a unique sensory experience, combining inner peace and anticipation within an explosion of colors and fragrances in the atmosphere.

In Mykonos, this magical atmosphere captivates visitors from the moment they arrive on the island. The sun shines as brightly as always, the sea surface glitters under its rays and the temperature is inviting for dives on its unique seabed, and evenings outdoors under the stars. Only, unlike the summer madness and the crowds of tourists flooding the picturesque streets, at Easter there is a wonderful quiet, a unique peace — as if all of nature, like the locals, is entering a phase of contemplation. At the same time, everywhere on the Island locals hustle to get everything ready for this major celebration that expresses human awe for the wonder of rebirth — both metaphorical and in nature.

Way beyond being a matter of religion or dogma, celebrating Easter on a Greek Island like Mykonos is a spectacular combination of traditions that address at the same time, the soul, the eyes, and the palate! Regardless of personal faith, this exquisite canvas of bells rhythmically ringing and people being somewhat quieter than usual make you want to contemplate the deeper meaning of life. Just follow the Epitaph on Good Friday, when the Body of Christ, wrapped in a white cloth and placed on a “bed” decorated with hundreds of flowers is carried through the town of Mykonos, with locals holding candles and chanting. Every day of the Holy Week has the feeling of a non-stop meditation, urging even the foreign visitors to the Island to lower their voices and be part of this unique atmosphere.

The rituals and traditions of the Orthodox Easter date back thousands of years, and they are all related to deeper symbolic meanings. At the same time this yearly celebration offers a unique opportunity to visit Mykonos at its best, with its world-famous landscape celebrating at its turn the wonders of spring. Easter in Mykonos is also a fantastic gastronomy tour among the fine greeneries and all the other delicacies of the Lent period, and the mouthwatering mix of roast lamb, homemade bread, and pies, lots of red eggs, fresh salads and fine wine, followed by the sweetest sweets that make you eager to come back for more!

Whether you’re drawn by the allure of the island’s picturesque landscape, the captivating rituals of Orthodox Easter, or the delectable flavors of its gastronomy, Mykonos invites you to immerse yourself in its unique blend of spirituality, beauty, and culinary delights. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness this extraordinary spectacle firsthand and discover why Easter on Mykonos is a truly magical experience like no other!

Easter in Mykonos

Nothing better than Easter in Mykonos!

Forget about strict religious teachings and dogmas, as the Greek Easter is one of the most beautiful ways in the Mediterranean to celebrate life over death and rejoice nature’s awakening after the winter silence!

In 2024, Orthodox Easter Sunday falls on the 2nd of May, marking at the same time the official opening of the “early birds” summer season. In Mykonos, for instance, it is the perfect time for beach bars to set up their luxurious sunbeds on the golden sand and turn the music on for the first seaside parties. While the first international flights have been landing on the island since the end of March, by May the weather is at its best: hot enough for all-day swimming, yet pleasantly fresh in the evening for dining out at the taverns around the old port!

Also known as “Pascha,” Greek Easter follows that of the Protestants and Catholics, as its date is calculated based on the ancient Julian calendar instead of the modern Gregorian. For the millions of church believers in Greece, the rituals begin forty days before Easter, marked by a long Lent that lasts until Easter day. On this day, they celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with various festivities, including a rich family lunch with roasted lamb, homemade onion pies, fresh salads, red eggs, and the traditional “magiritsa” soup from the night before, made of lamb liver, meat and herbs.

In Mykonos, as Lent begins, a holy icon from the Panagia Tourliani Monastery in Ano Mera, the island’s only large village, is transported to a church in Mykonos Town (Chora), where it is respectfully displayed until the Saturday before Palm Sunday. It is then brought back to the Monastery.

In the meantime, all the bakeries will be busy preparing the “lazarakia”, pastries shaped like small men and coated with sugar, as well as the “lambrokouloures”, the traditional Easter bread decorated with a red egg. Painting the eggs red is a custom that has held strong for many centuries, as the eggs symbolize Jesus’ tomb, and cracking them signifies his resurrection.

During the weeks before Easter, the atmosphere of the island is quiet, almost spiritual, as locals hurry to prepare everything according to holy tradition. You will see them gathering in churches, lighting candles, and singing Easter hymns, paying their respects to the significance of this special time of year. It’s a much different vibe compared to the summer frenzy; and yet, Mykonos is more beautiful than ever, inviting you to immerse yourself in the unique ambiance created by human faith and awakened nature, including the glittering, sun-washed azure blue Aegean Sea.

So, if you want to experience the magic of tradition brought to life, simply book your flight and pack!