From Wikitravel

Mykonos, sometimes spelled Mikonos, is a popular tourist destination in the Greek islands of the Cyclades group, situated in the middle of the Aegean Sea close to Paros.

[edit] Understand

Mikonos is famed as a cosmopolitan destination amongst the Greek islands and widely recognised as one of the great travel meccas. It is the most touristed island in the Aegean. This means that any visitors should be prepared for loud dance clubs, English breakfasts and over-priced merchandise.

[edit] Fun stuff from the past

The "Famous Mikonos Bar" hosts a local Mykonian dancers show. Try to mingle with some of the best local dancers: Andreas, Giorgo "the fisherman", Francesco, and Konstantino "Kolombo".

There is a fruit market on the corner closest to the bus station. That market was once owned by Aleko's "o Maounis" dad. If you shop there, you will surely get a taste of the real Mikonos.

The best breakfast/afternoon snack place is the "blue umbrellas" in the main road which leads to the old port (i.e. restaurants that you see along the street near the taxi square). For a pizza/pasta lunch and refreshments, you must go to the second restaurant from the street at Platy Yialos. There is a glued coin in one of the steps of the stairs leading to the restaurant. That was glued there by a bunch of silly Mykonian young adults a few years ago. They also played a trick on one of their own, with a potato wrapped in aluminum foil. In their own minds, this was one of the funniest jokes of the century.

[edit] Talk

[edit] Get in

[edit] By sea

Ferrys and Highspeed catamaran services [1] run daily from Piraeus and Pari papari . Flying Dolphins [2] has a 3 1/2 hour trip for around €50 each way.

Mikonos can be reached daily directly from Santorini by catamaran, Hellenic Seaways [3], Sea Jets [4] and Santorini Maritime [5].

[edit] By plane

Mikonos has an airport, about 4km away from the main city. The airport has regular flights for Athens and Thessaloniki by Olympic Airways [6] and Aegean Airlines [7] . The airport can be reached only by taxi.

In summer - during high season - charter airlines are going directly to Mikonos from many European airports.

[edit] Get around

On Mikonos you can get around by scooter, ATV, car, or bus. There is a bus network [8], that takes you to virtually any point of the island.

Additionally taxis operate at constant rate. In the evening, it can be nearly impossible to find a taxi. You can wait hours at the taxi queue in town.

There are now two ferry terminals at Hora (Mikonos), the main sea port on the island. If you are on foot and leaving the island, be certain whether your ferry leaves from the old port (the nearest one to the main section of town) or the New Port (about 10 km to the north).

There is also a third "port" from whence boats to and from Delos depart and arrive, but most travellers won't confuse this with the ferry landings.

[edit][add listing] See

• The Windmills - the windmills are the landmark of Mikonos.

• Little Venice - a district in Mikonos City, famous for its colourful balconies.

• Petros the Pelican [9] can be found at the waterfront. Originally the pelican was found after a storm back in the 1950s. After Petros died he was so popular that a new pelican was introduced as a successor. Now there are two pelicans inhabiting the island, who can sometimes be found up in the town as well as at the port.

• Archaeological Museum of Mikonos - the exhibition of the museum includes a large number of vases, ranging from the prehistoric to the late Hellenistic period (25th-1st century B.C.), grave statues, stelae and funerary urns from Rheneia, and very few finds from Mikonos.

• Artists of Mikonos [10] - artists who live and work on Mikonos Island.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Delos Guided Tour from Mikonos [11] - Only a short boat ride away, and history awaits you. A must for all visitors.

[edit] Beaches

• Agios Ioannis Beach - a small beach with fantastic snorkeling opportunities. Never got over crowded, deck chairs were available to rent. Great tavern and cocktail bar very close. Not a tourist beach. Was used in the film Shirly Valentine

• Mylopotas Beach - a crowded party beach for the under 30 set, nudity is common. Large pebbly sand is great for windy days.

• Koukounaries Beach - another crowded party beach for the under 30 set. Paradise and Super Paradise may be some sort of quarantine created by the locals. Also popular with gays, and transgenders. Nudity is quite common and practised in the central beach area.

• The long Beach - Half the beach chairs and umbrella require reservations during peak season. Non-reserved chairs are available first come, first served.

• The Gialos Beach - busy family and tourist beach. Jet ski rentals available.

• Water Beach - Rents beach chairs and umbrella for 10 euro. Rentals for Jet ski, waterskiing, wakeboarding and para sailing are available. Elia is a large beach compared to other Mikonos beaches. Nudity is permitted but not as common as Paradise, Super Paradise and Paranga.

• Paranga Beach - another popular beach. Full nudity is practised on the right end (facing the water). Becoming more popular for nudists that don't want the party atmosphere of Paradise and Super Paradise.

• Town Beach - a quiet family beach. Lots of umbrellas and lounges available for rent. Bathing suit bottoms are required on Argos. The beach is lined with great restaurants, hotels and a nearby grocery store and town. Some hotels and restaurants are quite upscale. Serviced by bus and boat taxi.

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit] Mikonos Town

• La Casa - Italian cuisine in Mykonos town centre
• Nikos - Amazing food, Great prices. Always packed. One block off the harbor towards little Venice.
• La Maison de Catherine, Ayios Gerasimos, Mikonos Town - phone 22890/22169. Serves French and Greek food. Prices range from €12 to €20.
• Kalidonia Restaurant -
• Aqua Tavernia, Little Venice, Mikonos Town - phone 22890/26083. A little Italian restaurant serving Mediterranean-style food.
• Giros, at the Kebab The owner is always singing while you wait.

For better Gyros look for "TAKIS". All other Gyros taste te same. TAKIS has some better Spices and the Meat taste as Gyros should,,,

[edit] Ano Mera

The town square offers several traditional restaurants.

[edit] Beach Taverns

• Ammos on ammos Beach - quality at good prices

• Ftelia on st. Elias Beach - large menu, reasonable and very good food

• Mylopotas has good variety of restaurants. Serviced with boat taxi and bus from Mikonos town

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Skandinavian Bars-Disco [12] Skandinavian bar is the meeting point of the island and its located in Mikonos town.Friendly atmosphere,excellent service and drinks at the best prices.

• Caprice in Little Venice is ever popular and perhaps the most crowded bar on the island. Its beautiful when the surf is up.

• Several nightclubs are open after hours and offer Greek songs and trays of flowers to throw at the singers.
• Super Paradise Beach Club, [13]. Super Paradise beach is the most alternative and anti-conformist beach on the island.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Apsenti Boutique Hotel [14] - Apsenti is the only one between Mykonos hotels that is dedicated to couples and honeymooners only. Traditional design Mykonos boutique hotel with great service and unique atmosphere. 300m from Ag.Ioannis beach and 3.7km from Mykonos town. Tel:+302289024015

• Art Hotel Pelican Bay [15] - one of the most contemporary boutique hotels. Great Service.

• Belvedere Hotel [16] - one of the most popular boutique hotels. Most rooms, however, have a poor view.

• Carbonaki Hotel [17] - situated right in the heart of Mikonos town center with access to all major points of interest and offering modern & comfortable facilities to it`s guests.

• Contiki Mikonos Resort For ages 18-35. Great beach front location, nightclub, and swimming pool! Perfect for the younger crowd. Contiki is locataed on the other side of the Island from the main city, about 20-25 minutes drive, so keep in mind that unless you have a rented car or motorbike you will depend on the Bus or expensive Taxi ride any time you like to go to town to party or eat.

• Hotel Nazos, [18]. Hotel Nazos in Mykonos Town warmly welcomes guests with a friendly Greek atmosphere and hospitality. Located in Mykonos town.

• Dionysos Hotel [19] - Associated with Bestwestern International and located just 50 meters from Ornos Beach, Dionysos Hotel has 50 rooms.

• Harmony Boutique Hotel [20] -An exclusive luxurious boutique hotel situated in the heart of Mikonos, just by its port(Mikonos town), is the ideal place to enjoy the legendary and cosmopolitan aura of Mikonos.

• Hotel Tagoo [21] - Wonderful place to stay near town, and an excellent value. Recently renovated, it has a pool with a great view and a bar with a relaxed atmosphere. The owners are incredibly hospitable.

• Mikonos Grand Hotel & Resort [[22] - Located on the beach of Aghios Yiannis, offers 100 deluxe rooms and suites.

• Myconian Imperial Hotel, Elia Beach 846 00 Kalo Livadi, ☎ +30(22890) 72027, [23]. checkin: 12; checkout: 10. . A luxury hotel offering bed and breakfast, and many different room & suite types to choose  edit

• Pelican Hotel [24] - Only 200 m (10 minute walk) from Mikonos town center. It has an amazing panoramic view of Mikonos town and port.

• Rochari Hotel, Mikonos town 84600, ☎ +30 22890 23107 (fax: +30 22890 24307), [25]. A 3 star hotel with comfortable rooms, most of which have view.  edit

• San Marco Hotel, Houlakia Bay, ☎ (+ 30) 22890 27172, (+ 30) 22890 25375, [26]. . The San Marco Hotel is built in authentic Cycladic style with traditional whitewashed walls and deep blue wooden shutters.  edit

• St Johns Hotel [27] - a beautiful new five star hotel outside of town. Most rooms offer either sea views or a partial sea view.

• Zorzis Hotel, 30 Nik Kalogera Street, Mykonos, 84600, ☎ +30 22890 22167, [28]. Located in the centre of Mykonos town.  edit

Its hot on Mikonos during July and August, so you may want to ensure your hotel has air conditioning. Note that there are some exclusively gay (targeted) hotels on the island of Mikonos, while the majority of the other hotels are gay-friendly.

[edit] Contact

It isn't hard to find a cafe or a restaurant that offers free wifi, there are also internet cafe's mostly located up near the south bus station.

• Internet World is a charming little internet cafe surrounded by flags. They offer cheap internet, international calls and also run a book exchange for travellers.

[edit] Get out

Delos, an island close to Mikonos is famous for its ancient temples. Daily excursions can be booked in Mikonos. Delos was the most important Panhellenic sanctuary, and, according to mythology, the birth-place of Apollo and Artemis. The first signs of habitation on the island date from the 3rd millennium B.C., and important remains of the Mycenaean period have been uncovered in the area of the sanctuary. In the 7th century B.C. Delos was already a known Ionic centre because of its religious importance as the birth-place of Apollo.

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