It was when I was watching Netflix’s recent scandal documentary The Tinder Swindler, that I first came to learn of the existence of a certain Greek island – Mykonos. This got me thinking; “if this is the first time I have come to hear of this scenic slip, how many of us are unaware of the place even existing?”
Mykonos, a Greek island that is part of the Cyclades lies between the islands Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos (all of which, most of us might be hearing for the first time) is roughly 85 square kilometers and rises to an elevation of approximately 340 meters at its highest point. The island is situated in the Aegean Sea just southeast of mainland Greece and was a former administrative prefecture of the country as well.
According to the latest statistics from relevant travel-related entities, Mykonos has a population not exceeding 11,000 (as per the 2011 census). The island of Mykonos is also known as “The Island of the Winds” because of strong winds that generally blow on the island.
One of the main reasons why this island is relevant in the contemporary travel and trade industry is because of the island’s heavy focus on tourism – which is also one of its major industries. Another highlight of Mykonos is the exuberant nightlife.
Tourism found its roots in Mykonos following excavations led by the French School of Archaeology, which began work in Delos in 1873. By the 1960s, the island has become a top-of-the-mind destination for wealthy and affluent travelers from all over the world and by the 1970s it had become a raging hit among Americans as well. Since the 2000s, Mykonos has become one of Greece’s most expensive islands.
According to Greek mythology, the island of Mykonos was named after its first ruler, named Mykonos who was the supposed son or grandson of the Greek deity Apollo and a local hero. As per the mythology, the island is also the location of the Gigantomachy which was the great battle between the Greek deity Zeus and Giants where legend goes on to say that it was none other than Hercules who slew all the giants after luring them from the protection of Mount Olympus.
Spanning roughly 85 kilometers, Mykonos lies about 150 kilometers east of Athens in the Aegean Sea. One of the most distinctive things about the island is its lack of any rivers. However it does has several seasonal streams out of which two have been converted into reservoirs.
Mykonos is mostly formed on granite and the terrain is generally rocky with most of its landmass having been eroded away by strong winds. Due to the unique geographical composition, Mykonos was rich in high-quality clay and baryte (a mineral used as a lubricant in oil drilling) were mined on the eastern end of the island up until the late 1900s.
Mykonos mainly observes a hot semi-arid climate thanks to low overall rainfall, while the sun shines for up to 300 days a year. The rainy season starts from October and lasts until March, while vegetation in the island is typical to the pattern in the region and grows around mid-autumn and ends by the beginning of summer. The average daily temperature in the winter is around 15 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius during the summer. The island much like its sister islands in the Aegean Sea observes seasonal cool “Meltemi” wind and has a moderating sea because of which summer days are relatively cool, sunny, dry, and even delightfully pleasant.
The island of Mykonos has ten villages which are; Agios Ioannis, Agios Stefanos, Ano Mera, Ftelia, Kalafati, Omos, Platys Gialos, Psarrou, Tourlos, and one that bears the same name as the island itself; Mykonos which is also known as Chora.
Due to the island observing sunny days, for the most part each year as well as having coastal villages with stacks of colorful buildings and landmarks, Mykonos has grown in its popularity among international travelers.
Some of the notable landmarks on the island include the Municipal Library which is an 18th-century mansion that houses over 8,000 volumes and a vast and generous collection of 18th and 19th-century photographs, documents, and Cycladic coins. Another notable landmark of the island is the Mykonos windmills that are a defining feature of the island’s landscape, with most of it found in the town of Chora. The windmills were built by Venetians during the 16th-century while most of them have been refurbished in recent years.
Perhaps the most distinct landmark of Mykonos will be its coastal, waterfront rows of fishing houses with their verandas and porches facing the oceanic vista ahead – this spot is known as Mikri Venetia or “Little Venice.” The first row of fishing houses dates back to the 18th-century and originally belonged to rich merchants or captains. Many of these houses had basement doors that provided direct access to the sea, while they also had underground storage areas all of which constituted towards people believing that the original owners may have been pirates after all.
The rich history and the distinct cultures that had been home to the Greek islands can be observed from the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos which was built in 1905 to house the findings from the Putrefaction Pit of 425 BC – discovered in 1898 on the islet of Rheneia by archeologist D. Stavropoulos. The museum is also considered one of the oldest surviving museums in Greece and was funded by the Ministry of Education and the Archaeological Society of Athens.
Several other popular locations attract travelers in heavy numbers, such as the Agrari Beach, Fokos Beach, and of course Little Venice which has since gotten a major "face-lift." In addition to this, Mykonos is home to several tourist properties that include Palladium Boutique Hotel, Nissaki Boutique Hotel, Aeolos Resort Mykonos, Lithos by Spyros and Flora, Leonis Summer House among several other properties.
Travelers can rent several scenic, beautiful and large villas all over the island with most of these villas coming with their private pools while other activities include cruising tours to Rhenia Island and Delos Guided Tour as well as several sailing tours operated by local sailing ventures. There are other top-end, luxury suites in distinct locations that cater to travelers arriving in Mykonos to indulge in some rest and relaxation.
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