Most people associate Mykonos with glitz and glamor. After all, many celebrities have been known to choose the extravagant island as a home-away-from-home in the summertime. While the glamorous side of Mykonos cannot be denied, the island has a lot more than that to offer to travelers.
Yes, Mykonos is known for its party scene, great shopping, and general fabulousness. But Mykonos is also famous for its crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, and great architecture, which ranges from whitewashed churches to Venetian-style buildings.
Without further ado, let’s look into the highlights this Cycladic island has built a reputation for.
Table of Contents
1. Nightlife
Mykonos might as well be synonymous with “party”. Although it is not the only party island in Greece, Mykonos has a reputation for being one of the world’s leading destinations for decadence.
This is because, in Mykonos, the party never stops… literally. You can start your morning drinking from hollowed-out watermelons at a beach party and continue dancing until the next day!
From superclubs, like VOID, to iconic gay bars, such as Tropicana, and more, Mykonos promises endless fun.
2. Windmills
Mykonos is known as “the island of the winds”. This is because it is affected by a weather phenomenon called “meltemia”, also known as “Etesian winds”. These are dry, seasonal winds that blow from May to September in the Aegean islands and, in particular, the Cyclades.
In the 1500s, locals on Mykonos decided to take advantage of this natural element and built over 20 windmills where they produced flour by grinding grains, which significantly boosted the island’s economy.
Today, 16 of the windmills still stand on the island, even though they are not in operation anymore. They are one of Mykonos’ most famous landmarks in Chora, the island’s main town.
3. Super Paradise beach
Can you think of a better name for a beach than “Super Paradise”? No? I didn’t think so! This is the name of one of Mykonos’ most famous beaches and it really lives up to it.
Super Paradise beach is where the first daytime beach party on the island took place in the 1970s. It paved the way for the island to become a prime Mediterranean party destination.
Super Paradise’s reputation precedes it and, so, the beach is still very popular today. Go there early in the morning to enjoy some quiet time on your luxurious sunbed, before the iced coffees turn into espresso martinis!
4. Peter the pelican
As a child, going to Mykonos to me meant seeing Petros (Peter) the pelican! He was a pelican living on the island that became Mykonos’ mascot.
Peter is said to have been found wounded by a Mykonian fisherman in the 1950s. The fisherman nursed the bird back to health but he never flew away, deciding to stay in Mykonos instead (and who can blame him?!). He roamed the island’s narrow alleyways freely, and strolled by the port, enjoying all the human affection.
Sadly, Peter passed away in 1986, but the island has since adopted new pelicans to keep his legacy alive.
5. Sausages
While this may not be what most people associate with Mykonos, those in the know definitely will! Mykonos is known for its sausages, considered to be the best in the Aegean.
What makes their taste special comes down to the way they are prepared. The meat is thickly cut and then seasoned with sea salt, savory, oregano, and pepper. Finally, they are hung to air dry and it is said that the Mykonos winds play a very important role in the resulting flavor.
Try them as an appetizer with ouzo, as they make an exquisite meze!
6. Psarou beach
Psarou beach is a Mykonos institution. Located 5 kilometers from Chora, Psarou is a beautiful white sand beach with exceptional sunbed service. While it is a “must-visit” location on the island, you can’t just show up there.
Sunbeds on Psarou normally have to be reserved weeks, if not months, in advance. And the closer to the sea, the steeper the price for them. While it is not a cheap beach to spend the day at, it is the ultimate place for celebrity spotting.
If the rich and famous are not splashing around in the sea, they will most likely be at the famous Nammos Seaside Restaurant which also happens to be there.
7. Panagia Paraportiani
If there is one thing about Greece that everyone can agree on is that it has a lot of churches. There are temples, monasteries, and little chapels everywhere. But did you know one of the most photographed churches in Greece is in Mykonos?
Situated in the Kastro area, Panagia Paraportiani is an iconic whitewashed church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. What sets it apart from other churches is its unique architecture. The building actually consists of not one, but five churches gradually built on top of each other over the centuries since the 1500s.
These days, having your photo taken in front of Panagia Portiartiani is a Mykonian holiday rite of passage!
8. Little Venice
Little Venice is one of the most famous areas of Mykonos. It takes its name from the fact that it was actually modeled on Venice.
In the 13th century, the island used to be part of the Venetian trade routes. Wealthy merchants would spend a lot of time in Mykonos and ended up building Italian-style houses there.
Those beautiful, historical houses have since been turned into bars and restaurants. However, strolling around the area today and seeing all the colors, arches, and intricate balconies, you could easily be fooled into thinking you’re in Italy.
Little Venice boasts some of the best sunsets on the island, so it is definitely a great place to visit if you’re ever in Mykonos.
9. Shopping
It is only natural that since Mykonos attracts famous big spenders, it would have great shopping. Indeed, even though they are small, the island’s cobblestone streets hide some serious luxury.
In Matoyianni, you can find shops by the most prestigious upscale brands, such as Louis Vuitton and Juicy Couture. There, you can also buy jewelry from distinguished stores like Kessaris and Jackie O’s favorite Lalaounis.
Don’t worry if all your shopping doesn’t fit into your suitcase. Luxury stores in Mykonos all boast excellent service, and they can ship anything to your home abroad!
Also read: 25 Best Souvenirs from Greece to Bring Home With You
10. Movies
A lot of people have heard of Mykonos through movies. It is not exactly surprising that such an iconic island would end up becoming a popular destination for filming movies that are set in the Mediterranean.
If you’re a cult classic fan, you will have definitely seen “Shirley Valentine”. In the late ‘80s British film, a Liverpudlian housewife finds love with a Greek man called Costas in Mykonos. Costas’ restaurant is still standing today, even though it has now turned into a fancy sushi place!
Some other movies shot in Mykonos, partly or entirely, are “The Bourne Identity” featuring Matt Damon and the Australian comedy “The Kings of Mykonos”.
11. Armenistis Lighthouse
Overlooking Armenistis bay on the northwest of Mykonos Island is a lighthouse by the same name. Armenistis Lighthouse is one of the most important landmarks of Mykonos, attesting to the island’s historical maritime importance.
The lighthouse was built there in 1891, after the Volta steamship wrecking, in order to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The lighthouse is not functional anymore, but you can learn more about it at the Aegean Maritime Museum of the island.
You can also visit the lighthouse for some fantastic views of the Aegean. On a very clear day, you will feel you are so close to Tinos Island that you can almost touch it.
12. Dairy farms
Most foodies know Mykonos for its cheese. While it may not sound very glamorous, Mykonos is famous for its dairy farms where delicious cheeses are produced. Some acclaimed Mykonos cheeses include ksinotiro, tirovolia, and kopanisti.
For a break from partying, a great way to spend a day in Mykonos is actually visiting the island’s dairy farms. There, you can become familiar with the island’s different cheeses, find out how they are made, and learn about authentic Mykonian traditions from real locals.
Some great choices of dairy farms to visit include Mykonos Farmers and Mykonos Vioma Organic Farm.
13. LGBT-friendly
Mykonos is one of the most LGBT-friendly places in the world. Jackie Onassis and her elegant, fashionable entourage first put the island on the LGBT map when they were photographed there in the 1970s. Following her visit to Mykonos, gay tourism on the island skyrocketed.
Ever since, despite being part of a conservative country, Mykonos has been welcoming members of the LGBT community with open arms. Mykonians are very open-minded and there are many locations, like bars and hotels, entirely dedicated to the gay community.
There are also plenty of designated gay beaches on the island, such as Elia beach (pictured above). A fun fact that you should keep in mind while in Mykonos is that the right-hand side of every beach is considered the gay side!
14. Mega yachts
Are you into yacht spotting? If so, Mykonos is the place for you! The island is popular with all sorts of yachts, as it does not impose high port fees for mooring. Also, most beaches and seaside restaurants set out moorings for customers, so yacht tourism is even further encouraged.
If you can afford it, yachting around Mykonos can be a great idea in the summer. The island gets so busy that driving from one side to the other on the road can take a long time. The same distance on a yacht, however, would take no time!
To see some of the world’s most luxurious mega yachts, all you have to do is head to Ornos or Psarou in the middle of August.
15. Delos
It is quite ironic, but one of the most famous things about Mykonos is not in Mykonos. It is, however, most commonly associated with Mykonos due to its proximity to it.
The island of Delos is an important archaeological site 6 nautical miles away from Mykonos. In antiquity, Delos was considered a sacred place, as it was the birthplace of the god Apollo. It was a wealthy island that was home to elites in ancient Greece.
Today, it houses a museum and impressive ruins from the 5th century BC. While it is not possible to stay on Delos overnight, travelers can take day trips to this awe-inspiring island from Mykonos, Paros, and Naxos.
Conclusion
As the party capital of the Aegean, Mykonos is a fun and welcoming location with a rich history. This Cycladic island is a perfect choice for travelers looking for an unforgettable time under the Aegean sun, and moon!
Have you been to Mykonos? What’s your favorite from this list? Haven’t been yet? What are you looking forward to most? Chime in on the comments!
