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 Although one of the smallest
islands of the Cyclades complex,
Mykonos is
definitely the most famous, thanks to the winning combination of its natural
beauty, rich history and cosmopolitan character along with a wild nightlife
and plenty of traditional colour. A dry, arid island, Mykonos covers an area
of barely 90 square kilometers, situated in the middle of the Aegean, about
94 nautical miles from Piraeus port. A symphony of blazing bare rock,
blinding white peasant architecture and lacy stretches of the worlds most
beautiful sandy beaches compose the islands landscape, accentuated by the
wonderful Mediterranean light set against the deep-blue background of the
Aegean. The local population of approximately 11,000 are friendly, tolerant
to the islands wild lifestyle and very adaptable to changes.
 When exploring the history of
Mykonos, it is difficult to find an accurate beginning as its development is
richly entwined with fact and legend dating back thousands of years. Due to
its proximity to the sacred island of Delos, Mykonos in antiquity became
very important. The short two-kilometre distance between the two islands was
frequently traveled, since religious rules specified that nobody should be
born or die on Delos. Today, Mykonos enjoys a success unparalleled in its
history by having become one of the worlds most famous vacation islands.
Totally whitewashed organic
cube-like buildings fit closely together to form a kind of haphazard maze of
narrow alley ways and streets. The islands many well preserved windmills
and hundreds of tiny red-roofed churches add a flavour of culture and custom
to the landscape, enhanced by numerous museums.
 A true shoppers delight,
Mykonos Town is full of small shops that carry anything from trendy designer
labels to traditional ceramics and from exquisite jewellery to fine
antiques. Capital Choras incredible local colour is what makes shopping a
quite laid-back experience, with things displayed across a background of
white-washed walls and thatched ceilings in clustered, narrow alleys. Apart
from a gorgeous tan and a relaxed mood, visitors can take back home some
fabulous artwork from the numerous art galleries, fine jewellery, nice
handwoven items, icons from one of the Byzantine art shops or a small
handmade windmill as a souvenir of the happy days on the island. Mykonos is
famous for its large community of artists.
The islands infrastructure has
seen a great development over the years, while an emerging off-season
tourist industry makes visiting comfortable during the non-summer months.
Frequent air and sea connections together with heated rooms and good
tavernas in and around the main town, allow the adventurous traveller to
properly experience the island's natural beauty. Since Chora has been
proclaimed an architectural landmark, motorized traffic is prohibited on its
streets, with the exception
of a few small delivery vehicles. The only way to get around town is to
walk, while the rest of the island is served by a good transportation
system. |
