Anyone who has passed through Mykonos agrees that its Hora, as the main town is called, is one of the most dazzling in the Aegean. Most would agree that indeed, one of the greatest pleasures of visiting the island is wandering the streets of this town. The patchwork of white cube houses and traditional Cycladic architecture has retained its traditional charm.
See the blue domed churches that crown narrow whitewashed streets. Smell jasmine-scented alleys frame sunset views over the windmills at Kata Myli. Feel the salty sea breeze billowing through kaftans. Taste delicious cuisine – from old fashioned and classic to stunningly modern – and beautifully mixed drinks. Hear live and DJ music mixed with lively chatter and crashing waves.
Picture This: 24 Hours in Mykonos’ Hora
As the sun dips into the waiting Aegean, the gaze of the island turns inwards to the town’s sparkling lights, the ‘string of pearls’ as Mykonians call them. Throngs of visitors move down Matogianni street, passing inviting jewlry stores and glossy boutiques flashing their latest collections. Restaurant tables and spill onto the narrow alleyways and bars blast music over the conversations of scores of different languages as crowds hurtle through the streets, seeing and being seen. After midnight, night owls and blinged-up youths come out to play; a sexy, daring and flirtatious crowd dressed to the nines and eager to dance the night away.
The following morning, Chora wakes up late. Leave your sleeping friends behind and walk into the bright sunlight to see the town’s labyrinthine streets at this time of day. In the morning, Mykonos presents a different face to the glamorous partygoer-packed chaos of the night before. Street cleaners sweep up the mess and delivery drivers hound around the small streets, dropping off fresh produce and supplies. Grandmas in black headscarves return from market with stuffed carrier bags, and bleary eyes hide behind designer sunglasses over iced breakfast coffees. Sleepy and serene, this is the island refreshing itself before the headlong charge of yet another day and night rolls forth with blazing colors.
To be well-rehearsed in Mykonos main town, make sure to explore some of the highlights we list for you here. You haven’t been there if you don’t discover at least a few of them.
01
The Church
Mykonians claim there are 365 churches on the island, one for every day of the year, but the finest is Panagia Paraportiani, a true Byzantine jewel. One of the most photographed churches in the world, the whitewashed edifice stands on a promontory facing the sea. Dating back to 1425, it is actually five different churches melded into one, and gets its name from a gate in the medieval castle walls.
Many early ship captains built elegant houses here with elaborate balconies hanging over the sea. The neighbourhood is known as Alefkandra as this is where the local women came to do their laundry in the 18th century. Enigmatic, colourful and romantic, a favourite Mykonos experience is to enjoy a drink in one of the bars that now inhabit the buildings; in the evening couples sit hand-in-hand as the waves patter at their feet and the sun sinks below the horizon.
03
The Windmills
Across the water from Little Venice, set on a hill, are one of the landmark images of Mykonos. Barren and unforgiving, the island produced wheat and legumes that were sold to passing ships and the white, cylindrical mills with light sails and thatched roofs were used to grind grain until the early 20th century.
04
The Pelicans
The mascot of Mykonos, the Pelicans feature on many postcards sold around the town. In 1958 a group of migrating Pelicans passed over Mykonos, leaving behind a single exhausted bird. Nursed back to health, the bird was named Petros and soon became an island attraction. A flight to neighbouring Tinos saw the issuing of a lawsuit and a return home but in 1985 Petros was hit by a lorry and died. Jackie Onassis sent a replacement and now a small colony has been established.
05
The Square
Matogianni square is the heart of the town’s action, with an interesting history. In 1822, during the Greek War of Independence, Manto sent an armada of 24 ships to repel the Ottoman overlords. A scandalous love affair, very Mykonian, saw her exiled to Paros. Also known as taxi square for obvious reasons, it is the throbbing hub of the island with a bust of the islands’ heroine to remind of its torrid past.
06
The Culture
The main town isn’t only about people-watching, theatrical beauty, natural beauty and entertainment. There are several great museums there too, which can offer you a deeper view of the island’s socio-political history, culture and ancient identity. Visit the Mykonos Archaeological Museum, the Maritime Museum, the Folklore Museum and the Agricuoltural Museum. In terms of art, visit the Dio Horia Gallery, HOFA (House of Fine Art), Skoufa Gallery, Eden Gallery and Minima Gallery. Read more about Mykonos’ cultural scene.
07
The Shopping
Shopping is as integral a part of the Mykonos town experience as people-watching and drinking. From gift stores to polished clothes boutiques to jewelry and sandal stores, you’ll find an impeccable range varying from the hyper stylish (after all designers like Gaultier and Armani are regulars here) to the startlingly garish. Stores like Amnesia and Jardin are a must-visit for fashionistas. Read more about shopping in Mykonos.
08
The Food
Whether it’s BAOS Greek Restaurant in the Mykonia Corali Resort, M-Eating, Thioni or Krama Mykonos in the Semeli Hotel, you’ll be satisfied by the selection of restaurants and standards of food in the Hora. From simple tradeitional Greek fare to haute cuisine with exotic twists and turns, there’s something bfor everyone. Read about Mykonos’ gourmet dining scene, about Greek and Mediterranean cuisinie and about traditional Greek tavernas and restaurants island-wide.
09
The Nightlife
As night deepens, bar music amplifies, and second or third rounds of drinks are poured. La Barran’s little balcony becomes the new ‘go to’. The narrow alleyways become crowded with bodies, perfumes, voices, and clumsy dance moves, while thick cigar smoke lingers above our heads theatrically illuminated by the crisscross of lights. Some shops dim their lights, transforming parts of Chora into makeshift clubs, while the legendary Astra bar at Tria Pigadia remains the perennial meeting point. Discover more Mykonos bars.
10
The Beaches and Beach Clubs
Megali Ammos and Ai-Haralambis are the closest beaches to the main town. Megali Ammos is a long, sandy beach, but its proximity to the Hora means that it gets very busy. Ai-Haralambis is a little further north, behind the windmills and is the choice of those who who want to take a dip without leaving the capital. Certainly, Mykonos has a multitude of beaches for all tastes and styles, but mostly you’ll find shores lined with pricey sun loungers and umbrellas with loud beach bars where parties sometimes go on till dawn. Read more about Mykonos’ beaches.
