Author: M Mykonos Villas

In case you are one of the more than half a million travelers who chose every year Mykonos for their summer holidays, you surely need some insider information to avoid the clichés about what this amazing island has to offer. Well, you can’t exactly call the spectacular sandy beaches with crystal aquamarine waters, extraordinary dining, or rocking nightlife clichés. However, as Mykonos has hidden secrets that even some of its true connoisseurs tend to overlook, we have listed below a few tips that might help you get to know the island better.

Locals, for instance, know that tourism in Mykonos started back in the 1920s, which explains their long history of hospitality. The story began when archaeologists used the island as a base to explore the sacred island of Delos. Located 6 nautical miles from Mykonos, Delos, with its amazing archaeological site, still doesn’t offer any accommodation to this day, making Mykonos its enduring base camp.

So, a basic tip while in Mykonos is to treat yourself to a private sailing or motor yachting trip and an all-day guided tour around this ancient, reminiscent paradise. On the way back, you can enjoy one of the most spectacular sunsets in the Aegean.

Most of the island’s full-time residents live in Mykonos Town, also known as Chora. With most of it closed to cars, its picturesque alleys, filled with bars, cafes, restaurants, and shopping boutiques, are a must-visit. You should also keep your eyes and ears open, as many interesting activities take place in some of Chora’s houses, such as private cooking lessons by local chefs who will teach you their most mouthwatering recipes made with local ingredients.

Regarding beach life, amidst the many bustling beaches where the party often lasts until dawn, consider trying Kalafatis. It’s a relatively secluded spot about 7 miles east of Mykonos town, in a part of the island that, while not completely dry, offers some greenery as well. In addition to its azure waters, Kalafatis is also popular among windsurfers.

By visiting the village of Ano Mera, located about 4 miles from Chora, you will experience a more traditional and authentic Greek way of life. There, you will find small cafes and tavernas serving local food and the famous tsipouro, a spicy, high-alcohol drink that must be handled with extra care! Sightseeing in Ano Mera should also include a visit to the Panagia Tourliani Monastery and the Monastery of Paleokastro.

To cut a long story short, Mykonos is a special, multifaceted island that holds new surprises for every visitor, no matter how many times they return. Just visit it with an open mind, and you’ll find them!

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!

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!