Mykonos draws a wider mix of ages, backgrounds and lifestyles than its reputation suggests, and a striking share of them are returning visitors rather than first-timers. The island has never dealt in small portions, and prices sit well above what the other Cyclades ask.
It is easy to see why the island is so popular with the quality conscious. Base yourself in Mykonos Town and you will find yourself in possibly the most attractive Cycladic settlement in the Aegean. Narrow, spotlessly clean, whitewashed alleyways (another ancient ruse to try and confuse the attacking pirates) are home to opulent jewellery shops, plush restaurants, great tavernas and cafes and a varied choice of very exuberant, sophisticated clubs and bars that rarely close before dawn. All paths lead down to the harbour which is just as eye-catching as the interior, especially the 100 metres stretch known as ‘Little Venice’ where the join between sea and buildings is difficult to distinguish. The harbour is the springboard for a number of very interesting excursions to neighbouring islands including Delos, Tinos, Naxos, Syros and Paros. Ancient Delos is a must, with ruins dating back to the seventh century BC.
The two other major factors that have contributed to Mykonos’ popularity are the superb, sandy beaches (Ornos, Platy Gialos and Agios Ioannis are just three of the many to choose from) and the standard of accommodation, weighted heavily towards ‘A’ grade and deluxe hotels.
So there you have it. An upmarket, lively island with great beaches, great excursions and great accommodation for deep(ish) pockets.
Things to do
Only a short boat ride away from Mykonos is the island of Delos, known as the Sacred Island of Antiquity and birthplace of Apollo. The entire island is an archaeological monument with remains dating from Neolithic to Roman times. The indoor archaeological museum is one of the best is Greece.
A coach tour of Mykonos takes in most of the main beaches, the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani and finishes with a walking tour of Mykonos Town itself. Active souls can off road in jeeps on a 150 kilometre rugged terrain safari, horse ride or take to the sea and jet-ski, water-ski or windsurf.
Finally, there is a PADI dive centre at Paradise beach offering courses for beginners right through to experienced divers.