A guide to holidays to Mykonos - includes where to go for the best beaches in , what to expect from the main town and a small warning on the shopping.

Holidays to Mykonos - Travel Guide to Mykonos

The small island of Mykonos lies in the Aegean Sea and is one of many beautiful islands in the Cyclades region. It has become a popular Greek hotspot for Brits who continue to flee to the island for their summer holidays.

Where is Mykonos?

The island of Mykonos lies east of Athens, Greece in the centre of the Aegean Sea. It is one of over 200 islands which are referred to as the Cyclades Islands.

What is Mykonos Like?

Mykonos is mountainous in regions and boasts over 20 picturesque beaches, hundreds of shops and adventures to suit a broad range of travellers. As a result the island has emerged as a Greek hotspot for the British tourist particularly for lazy beach breaks and club seekers.

The main town of Mykonos is Hora, also known as Mykonos Town. Visitors are greeted with tall white washed buildings, narrow streets, winding passage ways and authentic restaurants overlooking the Aegean Sea. It is touristy, but also authentically Greek.

Weather in Mykonos

Like most of the Greek islands during summer Mykonos welcomes bright blue skies and lots of sunshine. Temperatures are high with most days hitting around 30°C. The island can however experience some strong winds with the months of July and August noticeably windier than others.

A Guide to the Greek Islands: Beaches on Mykonos

Sun worshippers will be thrilled with the number of gorgeous beaches the island has to offer. The first must see pit stop is Elia Beach; popular for its turquoise and royal blue waters and the island’s only Water Park. Nudists are also welcome!

Olympic sunbathers and clubbers will also enjoy Paradise Beach, famed for its buzzing night life and clubs which overlook the Aegean Sea - including Cavo Paradiso. The beach is also a great spot for water sports. Facilities include a professional diving centre and camping services. The beach is easy to get to from Hora with a local bus running frequently in between the two.

There are also a number of smaller beaches along the coast each with stunning characteristics, serviced by nearby restaurants and cafés. Recommended is the white sandy beach Agios Yannis, made famous by its appearance in Brit feature film “Shirley Valentine”. Other recommended beaches include Psarou and Plati Gialos.

A Guide to the Greek Islands: Shopping in Mykonos

Shopaholics will literally be able to spend hours and hours diving in and out of the hundreds of local shops found within the meandering streets of Hora town.

However, keep in mind that the shopping district can get a little over bearing with its maze like appearance. There really are a lot of stores to visit and you’ll find one street will lead to three others with even more shops to take you’re fancy.

Boutiques on the island sell all sorts including hand made jewellery and designer jeans. Compared to other Greek islands Mykonos is however a little pricey but many items are well worth the purchase.

A Guide to The Greek Islands: The Ancient Delos

If you’re eager to explore the other side of Mykonos there are several spots you should schedule to visit, including the sacred site of the Ancient Delos.

The Delos is a small uninhibited island once used as a base for trading and perceived as the religious centre of the entire Aegean area. Mythology also claims that the God Apollo was born on the island - encouraging many visitors from all over the globe to visit the spot, which is just 2-kilometres away from mainland Greece. The island features ruins over five thousand years old and have become one of the most famous archaeological sites of Greece.

A Guide to the Greek Islands: Mykonos Attractions

Mainland Mykonos also stores a wealth of intriguing history with past inhabitants varying from the likes of Alexander the Great to local pirates. The Archaeological Aegean Maritime and Folklore Museums capture the history of the island and its many changes very well.

Other attractions on the island include the ancient Windmills, dating as far back as the 16th century. Many are scattered near the harbour and the main port. They remain a reminder of ancient Mykonos whose regular winds powered the mills needed to refine grain for export. One of the island’s most famous mills is the “The Boni Mill” and it is still fully functional today.

Over in the western region of Hora, visitors can find Little Venice. Built during the 16th and 17th century Little Venice is filled with buildings sitting on the very edge of the island, with balconies overshadowing the sea. Stories say that pirates favoured these buildings because it allowed for goods to be loaded and unloaded in lightening speed.

Right near the harbour the magnificent Paraportiani church stands strong. Its architecture is fascinating to examine and sits within the castle region referred to as “Kastro”.

A Guide to the Greek Islands: Bars & Clubs in Mykonos

Hora and Paradise Beach are renowned for their bars and clubs. Mid to late June is when the party season commences but the whole island is sure to be in full swing by July.

Paradise Beach is filled with loads of bars and clubs but its most famous is Cavo Paradiso. The club sits on a 40m high rock complete with stunning sea views and pool. The likes of John Digweed, Carl Cox, Sasha, David Guetta, Frankie Knuckles, Armin Van Buuren, Sven Vath and others have all played at the club. Club nights at Cavo Paradiso are best from July through to late August.

From early June clubbers can expect a high energy night at Down Under, a bar regularly offering deals on cocktails and a modest dance floor welcoming a fun loving crowd.

Over on Georgouli Street, amongst all the shops and restaurants stands the Scandinavian Bar. This club gets rammed with bouncers rarely turning clubbers away, even when the venue is bursting at the seams. If you want to dance the night away and you manage to find enough room on the floor, you’ll have a great time, otherwise be warned it can get a little claustrophobic.

A Guide to the Greek Islands: Flights to Mykonos

Mykonos is in easy reach of the UK and takes around 6 hours by plane. Most major airports in Britain fly to the island, including Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and all London airports.

What’s more there are plenty of low cost airlines regularly catering for tourists between the UK and Mykonos, including the likes of easyJet.

Flight is not the only means of transport to the island. Travellers may be keen to embark on a cruise around the Greek islands with a one day stop in Mykonos.

A Guide to the Greek Islands: Cruise Holidays to Mykonos

easyCruise, sister company to easyJet, provide cruise holidays around the islands of the Aegean Sea (and several other routes). Unlike other cruise holidays easyCruise allow their guests to spend a whole day and most of the evening off the boat, to explore the many different islands on route. A Cruise holiday is a great way to experience the Greek islands and is no longer as expensive as it once was. For more information on cheap easyCruise holidays go to: EasyCruise Life