Author: M Mykonos Villas

After a long period of 24/7 crazy dancing at the beach bars and night clubs, after the paparazzi are gone, taking most of the celebrities’ glitter with them, September is like a new dawn, revealing the real, inner beauties of Mykonos.

Like a woman waking up, looking even more beautiful without her makeup, this unexpectedly multi-dimensional island changes face to seduce its visitors with a new aura and a more meditative, romantic energy. Colors get softer and the sea gets calmer as the strong north summer winds lose their overwhelming power to the sweet autumn breeze.

This is the time for long swims in crystal clear but still warm waters. It is also the time for long walks across the town, watching the fishermen prepare their nets for their night expeditions. Hora, the town of Mykonos, is still alive and rocking but if you feel like enjoying a quite cup of coffee or a drink, now is the time to discover the beauty of the small bars and cafes, hidden in the tiny alleys of Little Venice.

You will be met by smiling villagers who, after the hectic high season, will be eager to fascinate you with stories about the Cycladic winter and their Xmas getaways to distant destinations. They will also tell you about the famous “merominia”; the empirical but faultless method to predict the whole year’s weather and treat you to a glass of homemade “tsipouro”, the transparent drink that burns the throat and sets the mind free.

And just before sunset, the island of Delos from across the sea, will mystify you with its purple colors and the falling shadows that silently speak of ancient journeys to where the gods of the Aegean were born: the same gods that are challenging you to come back to Mykonos again and again, just to find out that every time she has something new to show you.

In Mykonos, adrenaline runs at extremely high rates, day and night, during the whole summer. Especially for those who believe that holidays should be a lot more that just resting under the sun and swimming, the island offers a great variety of adventurous fun, for every taste and… stamina!

Water sports: it is the “goes without saying” activity in most Mykonos beaches as it doesn’t require any professional skills or experience. You will be guided through it by qualified instructors who will make sure that you will end up a champion! Water sports and games include the famous “Banana”, tubes, parachute, surfing, wind surfing, SUP, wakeboard, kneeboard, diving, water skiing and much, much more!

Motor yachting, sailing: it’s all about the unique experience of swimming in small, deserted bays with turquoise waters, enjoying an exclusive private dinner with no other company than this of the stars or touring around the Cyclades. Renting a vessel in Mykonos –from a traditional, handmade “kaiki” fishing boat to a mega yacht- is easy as there are many agencies on the island, eager to satisfy your wishes. Allow us a useful tip, though: even if you have a sailing license, do not deny the services of an experienced local skipper as handling the strong summer “meltemi” winds requires a lot of expertise!

Diving: try the lifetime experience of discovering the underwater magic of the deep crystal clear Aegean Sea. There are many diving schools in Mykonos offering excursions to certified divers and training for beginners. The waters around the island are safe with a high visibility and many interesting treasures to discover. All you have to do is follow the instructions of the experts and… breathe!

Apart from the above aquatic activities there are a lot more, offering fun and excitement. Horse riding could be one of them. The riding clubs organize guided tours to beautiful landscapes and provide the necessary equipment. There is also the possibility to rent soccer, football and tennis courts for your own private tournaments!

Luxury brands and designer labels, jeweler’s boutiques, handmade accessories, art galleries, the most exclusive butchers’ shop in the Aegean area and a brand new high end shopping mall in Psarrou, the famous celebrities’ beach: all you have to do when in Mykonos is set your shopaholic instincts free and indulge yourself to what may be the most spectacular shopping experience of your life.

The consumers’ paradise in Chora, the town of Mykonos, is called Matoyianni; a long, narrow paved street where shops are almost connected with each other and never close before midnight. Their colorful variety reminds of a fascinating patch-work: legendary designers’ boutiques next to bakeries, local food products stores and little white washed shops where old ladies sell handmade leather sandals.

In Matoyianni you can find almost anything you dream of and meet almost anyone who has made it to the celebrities’ report. Only a few decades ago, paparazzi would chase around Mykonos shopping center legends like Maria Callas, Grace Kelly or Jackie Kennedy Onassis. The inheritance left from this unforgettable era to the shop owners is that you treat absolutely every client like a kind, as the bearded, barefoot and almost ragged unidentified customer might very well be an incognito Oscar awarded star or worldwide tycoon.

Another area in which Mykonos merchants have become experts is efficiency and discretion when catering for their most demanding clientele. They are ready to serve their clients anytime and anywhere; might that be on a super yacht, at their luxury resort or even at their residence address back home. It is needless to add that all upscale resorts feature their own posh boutiques with exclusive signature brands.

Latest addition to the island’s shopping universe is the Nammos Mall that opened this summer on famous Psarrou beach. The shopping center is built according to the local architecture and is expected to change Mykonos’s lifestyle, offering more eclectic shopping opportunities for VIP visitors from all around the world.

Buying tips: jewelry, local products and selected souvenirs are a must. Nevertheless don’t underestimate the fact that Mykonos is a growing and fascinating art market.