Category: Blog

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.

Hanging over mountain cliffs or washed by the sea in small lonely beaches, standing tall and proud over the harbor or lost within the labyrinth of Mykonos Town’s streets, churches in Mykonos are to be found all over the island!

Some say that there are more of 800 worship sites on the island, from cathedrals to family chapels, and the locals still keep the tradition of building them as an act of faith and devotion. One thing is for sure: that on this small island you can find at least 365 “official” churches, one for every day of the year!

The oldest churches in Mykonos that belong to the primary Byzantine era are usually found in monasteries and have been declared as historical monuments by the Greek Ministry of Culture. The majority of the rest were built between the 17th and the 19th centuries while there are much newer churches that come in rather simple architectural forms, usually featuring colorful arched roofs. Regardless of your religion, once in Mykonos take some time to visit as many as you can because there is nothing more serene and mystifying than listening to the evening mass in an isolated, candle-lit chapel by the sea, where the sound of the waves is harmoniously tuned to the rhythmical chant.

Churches and monasteries not to miss while on the island: 

	The 17th century Agios Panteleimonas monastery in Marathi, for its beautiful wall paintings
	The great Monastery of Panagia Tourliani (16th-18th centuries) for its rare icons and the Ecclesiastical Museum of Mykonos it hosts in its premises
	The Monastery of Paleokastro (18th century) near Ano Mera operating today as a nunnery
	Panagia Paraportiani in the area of Kastro; one of the most photographed churches of the Cyclades, consisting of five other churches
	Saint Charalambos on the water edge, behind the emblematic windmills, with a terrace offering spectacular view at the Aegean Sea