Mykonos at a glance

 

 Mykonos is considered the most cosmopolitan spot in Greece, with amazing beaches, picturesque villages, vivid nightlife, numerous churches and museums. Iro’s Boutique Hotel’s team can assist you with discovering and visiting all kinds of attractions in the island of Mykonos.

 

Ano Mera Village

Ano Mera is located 8 km away from Mykonos Town, in the middle of the island and is the most populated village, consisted by several scattered settlements around the monastery and the Panagia Tourliani church which constitute the center of the village. This pure Cycladic architecture monastery was built in the 16th century and it was restructured in 1767 entailing impressive elements, worth for everyone to see. On the hill opposite Ano Mera village, the Paleokastro Monastery stands where there are remains of the Byzantine Castle and its fortress, as well as graves of the ancient Geometric period of Greece.

 

Ftelia & Panormos ancient settlement

Between Panormos and Ftelia beach, archaeologists excavated a 7,000-year-old settlement with well-preserved remains of public buildings and a rare example of the Neolithic goldsmith’s art, including pottery, obsidian blades, terracotta figurines and the fired clay model of a boat, as well as an extremely rare circular gold pendant with a hole in the middle for suspension.

 

Little Venice-Mykonos Town

Little Venice is located at the western part of the town where it meets the sea. The buildings have been constructed right on the edge of the sea with their balconies barely meeting the water. During the 16th and 17th century pirating was very common and it is believed that this area was used for the necessary quick loading and unloading of goods.

Mykonos Lighthouse

The Lighthouse of Mykonos, called “Armenistis” is located at the northeastern part of the island at about 7 km away from Mykonos Town. Getting there is very easy, just by following the signs to Fanari/Agios Stefanos. Armenistis Lightouse is located at a beautiful place with amazing view of Tinos Island and the boats arriving or leaving from Mykonos. The mechanism of the Lighthouse’s first lamp is exposed at the Aegean Naval Museum in Mykonos Town (Hora).

 

Mykonos Town

Mykonos Town, called Hora, is definitely one of the nicest and most charming old towns of the Greek islands, with endless small streets, shops, windmills, churches, terraces and whitewashed houses. The perfect place to wonder around with lots of bars, restaurants, shops and secret spots with amazing views of the Aegean Sea.

 

Mykonos Town Hall

The Town Hall is an impressive two-storied building, built in 1780, hosting all local and international authorities since then. The building itself and its surrounding buildings, are worth to visit, as they are an architectural landmark of the older ages.

The Windmills of Mykonos Town

From as early as the 16th century, one of the most recognized landmarks of Mykonos Island have been the windmills. Due to its geographical position, Mykonos was situated on a major sea trade-route which at a point in time joined Venice, the gateway of Europe, to Asia. The need to refine grain and compact it for transport combined with an ample year round supply of wind made Mykonos the perfect location. Easy access to the harbor was necessary so most of the island’s mills were positioned in or around the main port with the highest concentration covering the entire western portion of town. Due to industrialization, the windmills’ importance began to decline.

 

Aegean Maritime Museum

The Aegean Maritime Museum is a non-profit institution founded in 1983. The goal of the museum is the preservation, promotion and study of the Greek maritime history and tradition, and in particular the evolution and activities of the merchant ship, chiefly in the historic region of the Aegean Sea. The Aegean Maritime Museum is housed in a traditional Mykonian building of the 19th century located at the center of the Town of Mykonos, in the area known as Tria Pigadia. The building was the home of the legendary Master of the merchant ship “Enosis”, Nikolaos Sourmelis, who assisted the Cretans during their war of independence from the Ottoman Empire. The museum’s exhibits include models of ships from the pre-Minoan period down to the beginning of the twentieth century, historical shipping documents, rare engravings and maps, ancient artifacts, navigational instruments, equipment and tools, as well as a collection of rare coins with nautical subjects from the 5th century B.C. to the 5th century A.D. In the museum’s garden there are reproductions of ancient marble gravestones from the islands of Mykonos and Delos, dealing with shipwrecks and sailors who were lost at sea.

Archaeological Museum of Mykonos

The Archaeological Museum of Mykonos was built in 1902. The exhibition includes a large number of vases, ranging from the prehistoric to the late Hellenistic period (25th-1st century B.C.), grave statues, steal and funerary urns, pottery, jewelry, amphora, clay figurines and little archaic objects.

 

Mykonian Folklore museum

The museum was founded in May 1958 and is situated at Castro, in a 18th-century building. In there, museum articles are exposed sorted by subject.Keys’ and locks’ collections, handwoven tapestries, painted plates, old weights and measures, traditional Cycladic sculptures and lighting devices ranging from the ancient oil to the kerosene lamp. Obsidian tools and weapons representing the interior of a 19th-century middle class drawing room, a 19th-century bedroom and a 19th-century kitchen.

 

The Agricultural Museum

Situated at Ano Mili (Upper Windmills) in the town of Mykonos. It is a branch of the Folklore Museum and hosts installations for the processing agricultural products on the island before industrialization. The large “Bonis” -after the captain- Windmill, which dates since 16th century is a listed building, a traditional threshing-floor and a village style oven, the wine-press, a water wheel, a stone water tank, dovecote, pigsty, the miller’s house and two little twin churches. There is also a collection of old agricultural tools and machinery.

 

Churches of Mykonos

A characteristic feature of the Mykonian landscape is the plethora of votive chapels. After the World War II, it is said that these chapels were as numerous as the days of the year. The locals continue the tradition of building chapels as an act of devotion. It is estimated that the number of chapels today is close to 800 (which is actually one per local family). Some chapels are very old and have been designated as historical monuments by the Ministry of Culture, but the majority of them have been built during the last two centuries. These charming simple constructions, with a (usually) red arched roof, ornament the Mykonian countryside. They play a vital role in the spiritual and social life. Let alone in Hora it is said to be about 60 churches!

Paraportiani Church

This is the most popular and most photographed church on the whole island of Mykonos. What makes this church so unique is its construction which is an asymmetrical conglomeration of 4 churches into one. Notice the 4 different architectural styles mixing Byzantine, vernacular, traditional and western style. The church dates back to the middle of the 15th century A.D. The name comes from the word “Porta” = Door and Para=secondary as it was build right next to the entrance of the Medieval castle in Mykonos town, which unfortunately has been completely destroyed. Building of great Architectural value, it consists of 4 ground floor temples and one of the first floor, which is the main church. The churches around it (Aghios Sozontas, Aghii Anargyri, Aghia Anastasia, and Aghios Efstathios) comprise the whole of the church of Paraportiani.

Mykonos Beaches

Mykonos Island has 23 wonderful beaches accessible by car, which are worldly famous for their golden sand and the clear light green-blue waters. Most beaches on Mykonos Island are located on the southern coast, which get quite overcrowded during the peak season (Paradise, Super Paradise, Platis Yialos, Psarou and Ornos beach). Furthermore, the beaches of Paradise and Super Paradise are famous for the best beach parties worldwide. The beaches on the northern coast of Mykonos Island are less organized and more peaceful, ideal to enjoy some calm moments, especially for couples or families visiting the island of Mykonos.

 

Super Paradise Beach

Super Paradise is one of the most popular beaches on Mykonos, 7 km south east of Mykonos Town (Hora). This beach is the ultimate party place; amazing beach, water sports, food, lovely music until 5pm and loud music after 5pm, dancing floor and highly experienced staff.

Paradise Beach

Paradise is one of the most famous beaches of Mykonos, attracting mostly young crowds for its day and night beach parties. Exotic cocktails, head-banging music, excellent sandy beach and available water sport activities are the main characteristics of one of the very best beaches of the island. It is situated 6 km south east of Mykonos Town (Hora).

Elia Beach

Elia is one of the longest and most popular beaches of Mykonos, with many umbrellas, sun beds and beach bars on the coastline, offering water sport activities and nudist area. It is located 11 km south east of Mykonos Town (Hora).

Agrari Beach

A virgin beauty and very quiet cove between the popular beaches of Elia and Super Paradise, beach with many nudists, located 10 km south east of Hora.

Paraga Beach

One of the most famous beaches on Mykonos, Paraga seems like two beaches, the southern side which is calm and the northern side which is fully organized. It is situated 6 km south of Mykonos Town (Hora).

Agia Anna Beach

Agia Anna is a small and calm beach with no sunbeds, within a walking distance from the well-known Paraga beach, ideally located for getting out of Paraga Beach crowd. Its location is 6 km south east of Mykonos Town (Hora).

Psarou Beach

Psarrou is a well-organized beach on the southern side of Mykonos, which attracts many celebrities from Greece and abroad. Various water sport activities such as scuba diving, etc. are available. It is located 5 km south of Mykonos Town (Hora).

Platis Gialos Beach

Platis Gialos is very popular and well-organized beach at the island of Mykonos, 5 km south of Mykonos Town (Hora). This sandy beach is very long with a lot of hotels and restaurants across its coastline. It is usually preferred by families and couples.

Agios Ioannis Beach

Agios Ioannis is one of the calmest and most beautiful sandy beaches in Mykonos, with an amazing view towards Delos Island. The beach’s location is 5 km south west of Mykonos Town (Hora).

Kapari Beach

Kapari is one of the few non-organized beaches of Mykonos Island. It is located nearby the Hora, just 6 km west of Mykonos Town, but far from the crowded beaches of the south

Agios Sostis Beach

Agios Sostis is among the quietest and unspoiled beaches of Mykonos Island. The beach stretches for about 250 meters and visitors go down a small path to reach Agios Sostis. There is no bus connection available so you can only come here by car or motorbike where you can park on the road and then walk down the hill. Another path will lead you to the beach of Panormos, a lovely fishing village. The beach is situated 8 km north east of Mykonos Town (Hora).

Agios Stefanos Beach

Agios Stefanos is a small and less crowded beach, during the whole summer season, 3 km north of Mykonos Town (Hora). Its location protects the beach from the winds and there are some water sport facilities available as well.

Ftelia Beach

Ftelia is a very peaceful beach on the north side of Ano Mera village, 10 km east of Mykonos Town (Hora). The strong winds that blow there make this beach ideal for windsurfers.

Houlakia Beach

This is one of the few pebbled beaches on Mykonos (divided in 2 coves, 1 pebbled and 1 sandy), just 5 km north of Mykonos Town (Hora). Houlakia beach is perfectly located for total isolation, as well as to enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets of Greece.

Kalafatis Beach

Kalafatis is the most well-known beach for water sport activities. This beach has very soft sand and crystal clear waters, and is situated 12 km east of Mykonos Town (Hora).

Lia Beach

Lia is a beautiful and sandy beach, located 14 km south east of Mykonos Town (Hora) with exotic and crystal clear green-blue waters. It is a fantastic place to be, away from the crowds yet busy enough to have a wonderful atmosphere.

Kalo Livadi Beach

Kalo Livadi is a fully organized beach with exotic colored waters and a very popular beach amongst families. Located between Kalafatis and Elia beach, 10 km east of Mykonos Town (Hora).

Korfos Beach

A very famous beach among windsurfers and kite surfers, due to its strong winds. However, when the winds calm, Korfos beach offers relaxing moments and beautiful crystal clear waters. Its location is 3 km south of Mykonos Town (Hora).

Megali Ammos Beach

Megali Ammos (meaning big sandy beach) is a lovely, sandy and non-organized beach within walking distance (1 km) south from Mykonos Town (Hora). Therefore it gets quite busy in the summer as it is the nearest beach from Hora.

Ornos Beach

Ornos is a lovely scenic beach with soft sand and very clear waters, right in front of a traditional fishing village, just 3 km south of Mykonos Town (Hora). It has organized beach bars, yet cause of its shallow waters families with young children have it at the top of their choice. The beach can get quite crowded during the peak season.

Panormos Beach

Panormos is one of the calmest beach resorts on the northern side of Mykonos, 6 km north east of Mykonos Town (Hora). It is best accessible by car or motorbike, and offers peaceful and relaxing moments.

Agios Lazaros Beach

Agios Lazaros is a little beach among the well-known beaches of Platys Gialos, Psarou, Paraga and Ornos, ideal for anyone who wants to visit a beach near Hora, but not necessarily crowded. It is located 6 km south of Mykonos Town (Hora).