Mykonos.. island of the winds and party island

Mykonos, in my opinion is one of the nicest island's (better than Santorini) forming part the Cyclades (a group of Greek islands). The island got its name from the grandson of Apollo. This island lies between Tinos and Syros (also part of the Cyclades)  and it is 85.5 square kilometers. This is a great destination for summer holidays, specially since it is nicknamed as "The island of the winds". This nickname was given due to the strong northern winds that blow strong during the day, which make it better for surfers so they can enjoy surfing and also for other water sports.  During the past years it also got it's reputation as the party island of the Cycladic islands, with sunbathing, cocktails on the beaches and clubs on-going day and night. Paradise and Super Paradise are the best two beaches for party lovers.

The windy roads of Mykonos

On this island there are only 32 TAXIS, so to travel from one town to another a taxi costs quite a lot and you need to be very lucky to find one. Instead of a taxi you can get a sea taxi to travel between towns, which is rather cheap. The other way to see different areas of the island is making use of public transport.  I haven't personally used the public transport so I cannot say whether it is efficient or not. However the water taxi service was very efficient and on time. From the port to Hóra (the main town center) it only took us around a 7 minute ride. 

An extremely narrow pathway in Mykonos

While walking through the streets of Mykonos you will notice the beautiful charm of this island with marbled floor. It is also impressing how everything is so white, all the buildings are a bright white color with colorful doors and windows, usually a bright blue and sometimes red. While walking in any given alleyway in Mykonos and admiring picturesque walls and apertures, you will notice another adjacent alley even more beautiful than the first and you will get lost in a blue and white maze of alleys. Do not be surprised if while walking you come across a Pelican. Do not  worry, he is a friendly Pelican and is also a local. In fact he is the mascot of Mykonos.  Back in the days a Pelican was found by one of the fishermans after a storm in 1954 and became his companion. He was named Pelican Pétros. After Pétros died he was deeply grieved and therefore as a tradition locals decided to always replace the successor of Pelican Pétros. Do not forget to snap a picture with this little guy. 

Where and what to visit?:

Hora

Hora, is the capital of Mykonos, where the port is found. Hora is a beautiful village with a lot of charm. It has a lot of windy narrow pathways. All the buildings are painted in white, with doors and windows painted mostly blue and some red. Hora is overlooked by the well-known windmills of Mykonos (explained further below). During the summer months Hora is filled with tourists.

Little Venice:

Little Venice, is the second stop you should make after visiting Hora. This is made up of houses which date back to the 18th century and are built the foundations in the sea. Back in the day legends say that pirates use to store their loot inside this houses.  Most of the them today have been converted to  quaint, charming restaurants and pubs overlooking the Aegean Sea.

Windmills 

The island on Mykonos holds a total of 16 windmills, however there are 6 which can be spotted as soon as you approach Mykonos from the port. You can see the windmills standing on the hills of Chora. The windmills can be seen from everywhere on the island as they stand on a hill overlooking Mykonos. They are roughly a 15 minute walk from Hora. These windmills are facing North side, this is where the island get its strongest winds over from throughout most of the year. These windmills go back a long way as they where built by the Venetians during the 16th century, formerly used as a wheat mill and where a great income source of the island. During the early 20th century they have ceased production and are now only use as the landmarks of Mykonos

Mykonos windmills

Is Mykonos expensive?
During the peak season July/August Mykonos is where it is most expensive. Accommodation can range between 150 and can go up to over 1000 per night. It is also the busiest  during the summer months. Therefore I would avoid going during that period. September/October is slightly cheaper. It is still good to visit Mykonos during the beginning to mid September. You can still swim in beaches and they might be less crowded and find the alleys slighly less hectic.

Restaurants in Mykonos:

When looking for restaurants, you should walk slightly deep inside the village as close to the coast the restaurants are slightly expensive. You can find a plate of pasta for over 18Euros, a glass of orange juice in some places was 6Euros. If you walk  further in, prices are slightly cheaper. A plate of pasta will be 12/15Eur, whereas orange juice will cost around 2/3Euros.  Greek food is very good and portions are pretty generous.

Gorgeous white buildings and marbled floor 

Shopping in Mykonos:

Clothes shopping in Hora also isn't the cheapest but it is a place for high-fashion and latest collections from top designer homes like Luio Viton, Michael Kors, Guess, Furla etc...  You will also find  some local clothes shop with dresses starting from around 50Euros. There is also a number shops where you can buy and taste some of their local olive oil and their famous liquor ouzo. 

Considering all this, in my opinion Mykonos is not the most expensive of the Cyclades islands, Santorini is slightly more expensive. 

Tips:

• Do not visit in peak season to avoid a lot of chaos and crowded beaches
• If you go in low peak season it is cheaper
• Take comfortable shoes to walk around the roads are narrow and the ground is uneven
• Taste local cuisine
• Look out for the pelican and snap a picture