Category: Blog

There is something almost magical about Greece and, in particular, about the Cyclades: even in the heart of the toughest winter, you cannot have cold temperatures, strong winds or heavy rain for more than a (very) few days in a row. In this truly blessed corner of the Mediterranean with the mild climate, the sun will come out eventually and then, in the middle of December or February, an unexpectedly brilliant spring-like day will have you out in the balconies, streets or beaches, getting an equally unexpected suntan!

The only reason why December to February may not be the best time for a trip to Mykonos is because, during these 3 months, the island takes a short break to recover from the summer frenzy and prepare for the new season!  And then, all of a sudden, at mid-March, just as the days start growing bigger and bigger, Mykonos is back along with the sun and the first colors of the spring!

Here are a few tips that might help you decide an off-season visit to this absolutely exceptional place where every season is bliss:

In March the wind is still crispy but you can take long walks under the sun, watching the fishermen’s boats coming in after a long night’s sea trip. The blue color of the sky is unique at this time of the year.

April is the time when you will love seeing old ladies painting their home yards white, while enjoying their coffee under the sun and taking care of their blooming flowers. Daytime now becomes busy like the bees!

May is the time for a first swim in the deep blue waters, so crystal clear that you don’t need a mask to look at their hidden treasures. Usually May is also the month of Easter celebration and there is nothing more beautiful than following the long queue of locals, with lit candles in their hands, escorting the “epitaph” around the port.

June is, for some, the ideal month for a holiday in Mykonos! Perfect weather, warmer seas, not yet overcrowded beaches and… the beat goes up!

And then, after the July-August frenzy, autumn in Mykonos is like a refreshing balm on a sunburnt skin: stunning blue and grey skies, still warm and calm seas, relaxing days on the beach and quiet evenings. Till next year!

Even the best tourist guides fail to show that what one really expects from Mykonos, this blessed Aegean diamond, is the unexpected: the unexpected colors of the sunset on Delos island, that have inspired painters and poets throughout the centuries; the sounds that seem to sing along with the wind through the stone made windmills; the unexpectedly romantic small houses with the wooden blue windows that form the spectacular scenery of Little Venice neighborhood. And there is so much more…

The beauties of Mykonos are waiting at every corner to be discovered. Among them a beach life beyond imagination, with crystal clear waters velvet sand and the sun shining till late afternoon. Some of the best beaches for swimming and lounging are the cosmopolitan Psarou, the family friendly Ornos, Platys Gialos from where you can catch a water-taxi to more remote beaches, Paraga, offering a large variety of bars and restaurants, Paradise where the party is always loud, the most gay-friendly Super Paradise, the secluded, quiet Agrari, the impressively long Elia or the ideal for snorkeling Lia. And these are only some of the treasures hidden along the island’s coastline.

Some say that the most unexpected attraction of Mykonos is its nightlife and long tradition in haute gastronomy. The food here is excellent, from the world renowned Matsuhisa by Nobu, with its small yet smart Japanese garden, the famous Nammos on Psarou beach and the unique Caprice Sea Satin under the windmills to the small restaurants and fish taverns, offering freshly cooked, delicious local and international recipes.

As far as bars and clubs are concerned, the variety is endless and includes the world’s first beach Buddha Bar in Santa Marina and the emblematic Remezzo that has been the jet-set’s favorite night-club since the late ‘60s.

Last but not least is the fun and pleasure of shopping in Mykonos, where all shops, from posh fashion and jeweler boutiques to small souvenir corners, filled with handmade crafts, never close before midnight. Crowded by art galleries showing the works of talented local and international designers, Mykonos is also THE place for art shopping – mostly because this rare gem of the Cycladic archipelago is itself a piece of art.

Greek heritage is considered to be one of the wonders of the world. A fascinating mythology, the wisdom that sprung from ancient times, unique monuments attracting millions of travelers and a civilization that influenced the course of history in the whole world…

Standing proud and beautiful among the Cyclades, Mykonos and the neighboring magical Delos Island have a heritage that is a wonder in itself. According to mythology the island of Mykonos that was named after the son of the King of Delos, was in fact formed by one of the Titans who, after being killed by Hercules during one of his epic feats, was thrown in the Aegean and transformed to a rock.

During ancient times Mykonos, like the rest of the area, developed a very important culture, reflected among other in the legendary Mykonos Vase, the earliest amphora ever found on Greek ground. In 1207, the Cyclades came under Venetian domination and in 1537 it was the turn of Turks to occupy the region, along with the rest of the country. The inhabitants of Mykonos joined Manto Mavrogenous, a very courageous, well-educated wealthy aristocrat who led the cause and together they offered all their ships and crew for the struggle against the enemy. As a result of the famous 1821 Greek revolution, in 1839 Greece became an independent state. In 1873 a very important excavation, carried out by the French School of Archaeology, began in the neighboring Delos islands bringing these two Aegean gems in the center of the world’s attention.

Sightseeing in Mykonos

So, here is what you MUST see when in Mykonos:

• Delos Island, They say that its breathtaking archaeological site offers the most stunning sunset view in the world
• The famous Windmills. They are Mykonos’ “logo” and are definitely worth visiting
• Little Venice. These small houses with their balconies hanging over the sea are one of the most romantic sceneries on the island
• Armenistis Lighthouse. Still functioning and beautiful it is located 6,5 km away from Chora (the main town)
• Archeological Museum. It is one of the oldest in Greece and contains, among other, treasures found in the neighboring island Rhenia, including 9th- to 8th-century BC ceramic pottery from the Cyclades
• Aegean Maritime Museum. All about maritime history and the history of the merchant ship in the Aegean Sea
• Paraportiani church. One of the most picturesque churches in Greece, famous for its architectural design