Mythical Mykonos
We recently welcomed Mykonos Villa into our collection, a wonderful modern rental on the mythical Greek island of Mykonos. The truly 4-bedroom stunning villa is carved into a hillside on the southeast side of the island, giving guests the impression of floating over the Aegean sea and amazing views of nearby islands. The salt-water pool has been named one of the sexist in the world by Conde Nast Traveller. If you’re already sold on a Greek holiday, click here to view more details about Mykonos Villa. For everyone else, read on for a short guide to the Greek island of Mykonos. We hope it inspires you to start packing!
Mykonos is part of the Cyclades Islands, a group of 2,200 islands (some little more than rocks) in the southern Aegean sea. Only 33 are actually inhabited. Along with Santorini, Mykonos is one of most famous inhabited islands in the archipelago. Mykonos is also the closest island to Delos, the sacred island at the heart of the Cyclades and the mythical birthplace of twin Greek gods Apollo and Artemis.
Pictureqesue Mykonos Town (Chora) is one of the most cosmopolitan settlements in the Cyclades. Despite having developed rapidly into a tourist hotspot, Mykonos Town still retains it’s charming character.
The simple lines and fresh colors of traditional Cycladian architecture line the narrow streets, giving the impression of a brightly lit maze organized around a harbor. The color white was chosen for its cooling properties during hot Mediterranean summers. Strict building regulations ensure that Mykonos Town won’t be overrun by modern developments any time soon.
Mykonos Town is home to many stylish boutiques, galleries, cafes, bars, and restaurants, as well as Petros the Pelican, a sort of mascot for the island.
The original Petros met his end after being hit by a car in 1985, but his popularity could not be killed so easily. Petros has since been replaced with three other pelicans that can be found wandering around the waterfront or even up in the streets of town. Make sure to say hello!
Aleukantras, or the Little Venice, is a neighborhood in Mykonos Town where rich seafarers built their homes right up to the ocean. The idyllic area is a beautiful place to enjoy a drink and watch the sun set over the Agean from one of the many bars overlooking the water.
Windmills may well be Mykonos defining feature. One local name for Mykonos is “island of the winds,” due to the the constant breezes that blow across the Cyclades. Though the windmills are no longer operational, they remain an important part of the island’s agricultural past. The windmills pictured above are located in Mykonos Town.
Ano Mera is another town on Mykonos that is well worth a visit. The village is the only inland settlement on the island. Panagia Tourliana, a mid 16th century monastery, is Ano Mera’s most historic site.
Mykonos is very centrally located in the Cyclades, and many visitors choose to visit several islands over the course of their trip. The sacred island of Delos is only a short boat ride away.
As the site of the most important Panhellenic sanctuary of the ancient world, Delos is covered in archeological riches and ruins. There are three temples dedicated to Apollo, an altar to Dionysus, a 2nd century theater, and the Lion Terrace (pictured above).
The House of Dionysus is famous for its beautiful mosaic work. A ferry from Mykonos to Delos runs daily, and as Delos is uninhabited, it’s possible to explore the extensive network of ruins by yourself, on your schedule.
Of course, there is always the beach. Mykonos is rightly famed for its miles of golden beaches and extensive water sport activities. The one pictured here is popular Elia Beach, where you can rent an umbrella and chair, and nudity is permitted. Did we mention that Mykonos Villa is located near to the secluded and private Lia Beach? You might want to check it out here.
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