Mykonos Travel guide

Arriving at the harbour we are welcomed by the windmills which together with the pelican, are the symbols that signifies this island.

We can say that Mykonos belongs to the tourists at night, but during the day one enjoys its calmness. The dazzling sun reflects on the deep-blue waters of the Aegean Sea and the whitewashed houses.

The sunset becomes more fascinating when it is enjoyed from the neighborhood of Alefkandra or the little Venice of Mykonos, as it is called.

The nights are endless on Mykonos, with many bars suitable for all tastes.

Even if most of the beaches are crowded, the clear seawater glitters with that kind of amazingly beautiful deep blue colors that are irresistible.

At Ornos Bay you can swim at the frequently visited sandy beach with its umbrellas, water sports and luxurious tourist installations. The beach of Psarou is the gathering spot for the VIP's with their sailing boats and jet skis.

Make a stop at the taverns for a glass of whine with the Mykonic Mostra, a kind of Rusk dipped in olive oil, tomatoes and pounded cheese, and end your break with a swim at the popular beach of Kalafati, one of the few with natural shade.


Mykonos history

In the wealth of ancient Greek mythology there are two references to Mykonos. The first tells us that the island took its name from the hero Mykonos and the other that it was on Mykonos that Hercules slew the Giants and that the large rocks which lie scattered about the island are their petrified corpses in antiquity, the greatest growth of this island was noted in the historical years during which there were two important cities, Mykonos and Panormos.

During the period between World War I and World War II, tourism made its first appearance. From the mid-50s on the island has been gradually transformed into an important tourist, cosmopolitan and artistic centre. The Venetians conquered Mykonos in 1207 and by Turks in 1537 Mykono's fleet energetically took part in the 1821 Revolution in which the figure of Manto Mavrogenous stood out. In October 1822, the Turks undertook a landing on the island, but the Mykonians under their heroic woman leader, Manto Mavroyenous, successfully repulsed it.

After liberation (1830) Mykonos managed to re-establish its commercial fleet but the after coming dominance of the steamship resulted in the gradual constriction of their shipping activities by the end of the past century.

According to Greek mythology, Delos is the place where Apollo, the god of light and Artemis, goddess of hunting, both Lito and Zeus children, were born. The myth says that the island called Delos was revealed from the waves when Lito, chased by Zeus wife, Hera, could not find a place to give birth to Apollo and Artemis. Zeus asked Poseidons help and he revealed a small rocky island called Delos, a word which means & laqno; revealed», &laqno; shown». All the islands around Delos which form a circle were called & laqno; Cyclades» Delos was first inhabited by Cares or Phoenicians during the 3rd millennium BC.

In Neolithic Ages, (1600 - 1500 BC) the island was quite developed whereas between 1500 and 1200 BC we know that an important settlement was formed. Around 1100 BC Ions came to the island bringing with them the Apollos worship. In 700 BC the island becomes the centre of an Ionian amphicyte, which was the basis for commercial development. In 540 BC Athenians forbade the burial of the dead in Delos because the island belonged to Apollo. The Persians respected the island during the Persian Wars.

In 477 BC Athenians decided a new & laqno; purification» of the island and forbade people from being born and dying on it. They also ordered the transfer of all dead people from Delos to the neighbouring Rinia. At the same time Athenians decreed a glorious ceremony, & laqno; Delia» held every five years. In 314 BC, Delos was under the protection of Ptolemy of Egypt and then under the influence of Macedonians when another flourishing period starts.

During Roman Times, the island turns into a important port in the Aegean Sea. This is the most prosperous time in its history. In 88 BC Mithridatis, King of Pontos, who was in war with the Romans, destroys Delos and Mykonos and looted the sanctum.