Mykonos City Guide

Mykonos City Guide
|

Blue skies, white buildings, beaches galore and sunshine through to October means it's no surprise Greece has topped a survey on Europe's most beautiful islands by review site www.zoover.co.uk.

Open Image Modal
AHJG15 Sunset at Little Venice Mykonos Town Mykonos The Cyclades Greek Islands Greece
Alamy

Alamy

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=941862&pid=941861&uts=1286790096
http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf

Starter for 10: Mykonos

On its own private peninsula, not far from two of the island's most famous beaches is the Petasos Beach Resort, which has played host to Sugababe Jade Ewen among other stars. With a thalassotherapy spa and two restaurants, plus a dedicated martini bar, in the unlikely event you can't relax here, there's taxi boats to take you around the coast. Rooms cost from around £145 per night for a double standard room, including breakfast and taxes.

Or check in to a villa in the Cavo Delos area. Sea Villa has an infinity pool, private beach and sleeps four. From £769 per week, with www.holidaylettings.co.uk.

Starter for 10: Mykonos

The sacred island of Delos, just a 30 minute boat trip from Mykonos' main town. According to Greek mythology it was the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and for years it was forbidden for anyone to be born or to die on the island.

Today it's an important archaeological site, and you can wander round the ruins dating back millennia. The site museum on the island has a collection of artefacts, including the lions from the famous Terrace of the Lions, while you can see the plaster replicas in situ, the Sanctuary of Apollo and the Sacred Way, as well as temple remains. If you have the time and energy, head through the remains of the houses in the Theatre Quarter to climb Mount Kythnos.

Boats leave the Old Jetty on Mykonos regularly during the morning and return between 11am and 3pm. No-one lives on the island these days, so don't miss the last one back! Entrance to the island and museum costs around £4.25, while a return boat ticket is around £13.

Starter for 10: Mykonos

Find the perfect beach to sunbathe on. Psarou beach is the top sunshine spot if you're hoping to lie side by side with celebrities, or if you'd rather get away from the crowds, head to the white sand beach at Agios Ioannis, one of the more secluded places to catch a few rays.

If relaxing leaves you bored, the stronger winds on the island's north coast mean it's not as much fun for sunbathers but windsurfers will love Ftelia beach. And for an all-over tan, it's fine to strip off on at Paradise and Super Paradise, both nudist beaches.

Starter for 10: Mykonos

With its white cubes of buildings and the ultra-blue sky, Mykonos is exactly what you'd imagine when you think of a Greek island. So spend some time wandering around the shady cobbled alleyways of the Hora, or old town.

Start at the harbour, keeping an eye out for the island's mascots, the tame pelicans who wander down there for fish first thing in the morning. If you don't fancy getting up early, head through seaside Little Venice to Mykonos' famous windmills, and chances are you'll spot one or two.

Starter for 10: Mykonos

The Panagia Paraportiani Church, one of hundreds on the small island. Actually a string of churches plastered together, four chapels make up the base with a fifth on top, with parts dating from the 15th century.

Mixing Byzantine architecture with vernacular, it gets its name of 'Our Lady of the Side Gate', as it originally stood near the entrance of a medieval castle. Climb up the stone staircase on the eastern side for views out to the sea.

Starter for 10: Mykonos

Mykonos is all about style, and there's no reason to stop when it comes to restaurants – Giorgio Armani and Jean Paul Gaultier have both been spotted at Italian restaurant Gola, whose executive chef has a Michelin star to his name.

Or for somewhere with a less than designer price tag, check out Bakalo, the newest Greek restaurant on the island where there's traditional food and equally retro decor.

Starter for 10: Mykonos

Flaunting its reputation as the world's coolest beach bar, Nammos on Psarou beach is perfect if you're looking to see and be seen. The restaurant is pricy – and during high season the service isn't always as efficient as it is decorative – but stop in for a cocktail. You need to reserve sunbeds on the beach first.

Less A-list, but with an equally fantastic view, Caprice bar in Little Venice does great cocktails. Sit at one of the tables on the cobbles by the waterfront, watch the world go by while the sun sets over the windmills.

Starter for 10: Mykonos

Mykonos didn't come by its party island tag without having a string of clubs. But it's back to the beach for one of the most famous. Paradise Club, on Paradise Beach, has seen DJs like Armand van Helden play on its three stages, while Paris Hilton has also been spotted on the sands. The club even has its own pool.

And on the rocks above the sea nearby, the music carries on through the night at Cavo Paradiso.

Starter for 10: Mykonos

Mykonos is designer heaven, although if your budget doesn't stretch quite that far, the island's traditional olive oil soap makes a good souvenir.

But do stop in at jewellery store Apriati. Designed by young artists, their delicate metal, leather and gem necklaces and bracelets have been picking up fans at the branches in Athens and Paris as well – whether you're looking to really splash out or just browse.

Starter for 10: Mykonos

Easyjet flies direct from London Gatwick until October. Thomson flies direct from London Gatwick and Manchester between May and October.

Olympic Air and Aegean Air fly year-round from London Heathrow via Athens.

Starter for 10: Mykonos