Author: M Mykonos Villas

Before scheduling your holiday in Mykonos, you will most probably visit some of the most popular, reliable travel guides and read all about its spectacular beaches, picturesque alleys, whitewashed churches and fancy night clubs! Well, here we are to take you along a more private tour, that will reveal the secret side of this amazing island; an even more magical side that only a few have the privilege to discover while being there.

1. Act “Mykonian”

When in Mykonos, behave like if you’ve been there a hundred times before… This will make locals love you and share with you beauties of the island they would never share with newcomers! They will take you, for instance, to the best fishermen taverns and invite you to taste their best homemade tsipouro drink!

2. Eat Mykonian

If you like the idea of being welcome in a traditional Mykonian home, share the daily routine of its residents, help them prepare the food and enjoy the most delicious recipes of the island, then take the famous cooking classes, available every day in Chora (Mykonos town). More than a lesson it is a cultural experience of the traditional Greek way of life!

3. About Peter

Caught by a fisherman back in 1958, Peter the pelican was the symbol of Mykonos. When he was found he was badly injured and was adopted by the islanders who named it Petros, from “petra”, which in Greek means rock. He may be the most photographed bird ever, as even celebrities like Jackie Onassis wouldn’t miss the opportunity of a picture with the locals’ mascot! Unfortunately, in 1985 Petros was killed by a car. His story is one of a kind that every authentic Mykonos lover should be ready to tell.

4. Stars under the stars!

Open air cinemas are an exquisite attraction in Greece during the summer. So, while in Mykonos don’t miss a chance to visit Ciné Manto, located inside the Municipal Garden in Matoyianni. Inside the full of palm trees cinema area there is also an old church and an all-day cafe-bar-restaurant! You can choose to watch first worldwide released films and box-office productions for adults and children.

5. Go pro

Mykonos beaches are famous as perfect spots for windsurfing lovers. Just a few lessons will help you become the wind tamer you have always dreamt of. However you must take extra care and always follow instructions as every summer the island has a large share of the strong annual meltemi winds which can be an awesome natural force to experience. Best windsurfing beaches: Kalafatis, Korfos and Ftelia!

6. A reef in Paradise

Speaking about beaches, you may have heard that Paradise is one of the most amazing all-day party beaches in Mykonos, with crystal clear turquoise water. What you may not know though is that is a spectacular location for scuba diving, full of different species, such as sponges, wrasse, sea bream, starfish, octopus and much more. You can rent all equipment and take lessons on location.

7. Some ancient magic

A private tour of nearby Delos Island is an absolute must for every visitor of Mykonos. It is the only place in Greece where ancient private homes have been found in a wonderful state and are preserved in an equally wonderful way. Since 1990, Delos has been declared a World Heritage Site, protected by UNESCO.

Last but not at all least

Tips for an unforgettable stay in this unparalleled corner of the world could go on and on for hundreds of pages. From excellent VIP services tailored to your needs and organized tours, to organic wine tasting and walking around Chora with your personal photographer, in Mykonos there is always a once-in-a-lifetime experience waiting for you, just for the gods of the Aegean to make sure that, while being there, all of your dreams have come true!

Are you more of a “Mykonian” or of a “Santorinian”?

Chosen again and again by the most demanding travelers as world’s top destinations, appeared hundreds of times in the most prestigious tourism reviews, photographed a trillion times, Mykonos and Santorini are the Aegean “royalties”; two exceptional islands, worth visiting at least once in a lifetime! Nevertheless, given the fact that they are both stunning, the question is tough: Mykonos or Santorini?

We know it isn’t that easy to decide which one of the two would fulfill your personal dream of paradise. So, before booking your next holidays—hopefully with us—allow us to help you make the perfect choice.

Buy a ticket to Santorini…

…If you are a magical scenery lover. Santorini will give you more magic than you can ever dream of, offering an amazing view to an active volcano with one of the largest craters in the world, where you can even walk on! Moreover, Oia, one of the cliff top villages perched on the famous “caldera”, also offers a breathtaking view of the sun diving into the sea.

…If you love excellent wine. The island is considered as one of the top wine destinations in Europe and home to the exceptional sweet tasting local “Vinsanto” wine. It is also home to one of the very few wine museums in the world while its wineries are world-renowned as best wedding venues, mostly because of their spectacular views.

…If you have never swam in red, black or white volcanic beaches. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, especially when you realize that you are walking on some of history’s most ancient and rare pebbles!

…If you are about to getting married! “Appointed” as one of the world’s top romantic wedding destinations, Santorini is a pure paradise for honeymooners!

Buy a ticket to Mykonos…

…If you cannot resist an unparallelled swim! There are more than 20-30 spectacular sandy beaches with crystal clear turquoise waters on the island. Among them you will find gay-friendly and nudist beaches, beaches where the party starts at noon and ends after midnight, family beaches and even quiet beaches for perfectly relaxing times.

…If you are a shopping lover! It will be hard to choose among the vast variety of high-end boutiques, including designers brands and haute couture labels. Many designers choose Mykonos to present their most extravagant, exclusive collectors’ items since they know it is frequented by the most demanding shoppers of the world. There, you can also enjoy private shopping sessions at your resort or on a yacht. Shopping in Mykonos is indeed a unique experience!

…If you can dance every night until dawn! Mykonos is renowned for its nightlife and it is no surprise that some of the best DJs in the world perform there every summer. Also, do not be surprised if you find yourself dancing next to celebrities and jet-setters, as they all adore the island and keep coming back! In other words, in Mykonos the party never ends!

…If you are a fan of Greek mythology. You will have the unique opportunity to walk on the ancient ruins of Delos, a small island almost “touching” Mykonos, which was the mythological birthplace of the ancient god Apollo. Many people think that it features one of the most impressive sunsets on earth!

So what will it be, Mykonos or Santorini? Buy a ticket to both!

…Because they are equally and incredibly beautiful islands with great accommodation options, superb restaurants, breathtaking views and exciting sightseeings.

Because in both you will find picturesque white-washed sun-bleached houses and characteristic humble churches with colored domes.

Also, because both have international airports and—even better—they are connected with ferries and you can hop from one to the other!

Simple forms, bold lines, shady open spaces, bright blue and green window shutters on whitewashed walls, small balconies crowned by flashy purple bougainvilleas, pure dazzling sunlight everywhere; walking around the town of Mykonos is like visiting an art gallery, where a genius mind has composed a vivid tableau that incorporates the past and present of the Aegean culture and lifestyle!

The traditional architecture of Mykonos meets the standards of modern design in the sense that it celebrates simplicity and gracefully obeys to the forces of nature. Stormy winds, merciless sun exposure and long months without any rain demanded from locals to build “aerodynamic” cubic-shaped houses with flat roofs and very small windows at the northern side to ensure protection from the winds. Inside the houses cleverly placed air corridors guarantee a light fresh breeze even on the hottest summer days whereas stone walls, rooms with differing ceiling heights, interior yards and semi-open verandas regulate temperature according to the weather conditions. It is more than obvious that long before energy-friendly specifications were set, the architects who worked in the Cyclades had discovered the secrets of wise climate management. With earthy materials and decoration dedicated to simplicity, the houses of the island stand resilient and proud, reflecting their owners’ personalities.

Mykonos is one of the finest examples of Cycladic architecture that, among other, perfectly incorporates the Venetian influences on the area. The most characteristic example is Little Venice, the beautiful, picturesque and extremely popular neighborhood of the main town. Characteristic features of the local architecture are also the famous windmills and the usually blue-domed churches and chapels, many of which —along with some medieval monasteries— are declared as historical monuments.

Historically speaking, it seems that the Cycladic architecture reflects the shortage of building materials and the need for protection from both the weather and the foreign invaders. In Mykonos this protection is ensured by the way the houses were built side by side, separated by narrow streets that form a labyrinth and are also considered as one of its famous worth seeing sites of the island.