Mykonos

Area of island: 75 sq. km/29 sq. mi

Chief place: Mykonos (Khóra)

The bare rocky island of Mykonos, the most easterly of the northern Cyclades, was once one of the most important trading centers in the western Aegean. Its arid and only moderately fertile soil permits only a modest development of agriculture, but its beautiful beaches have made it one of the most popular holiday islands in the Aegean.

Picture - Houses and the barren countryside of Mykonos.

View a slideshow of Mykonos Pictures

Mykonos is also a good base from which to visit the neighboring islands of Délos and Rínia.

According to legeng, Mykonos was the rock with which Poseidon slew the giants. The island's history was closely bound up with that of Tínos. Unlike Tínos, however, it was occupied by the Turks for almost 300 years, although it contrived to maintain a considerable degree of independence under Turkish rule.

This island is extremely popular and has a reputation for attracting a younger crowd.

Related Attractions

Delos

Delos is small and sacred island of such significance, the Cyclades were named such because they circle this island. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Greece's most important archeological sites.

Highlights:	Sacred Precinct Hall of the Bulls Mt Kynthos	Archaeological Museum Sacred Lake & Marble Lions Archaeological Sites

Mykonos Town, Greece

The chief place on the island of Mykonos is also called Mykonos or Khóra. It is a charming little town of whitewashed cube-shaped houses, with numerous churches and several windmills, extending in a semicircle round a bay on the west coast. It occupies the site of the ancient city of the same name.

In the summer the town, like the island, is crowded with tourists.

Picture - The port of Mykonos seen at night.

Mykonos Archeological Museum

At Mykonos town there is a small museum with archeological material from Rínia and Delos.

The Mykonos Archeological Museum contains finds from tombs on the nearby island of Rhenia. The collection includes sculptures, vases and figurines, much of which dates to the 1st and 2nd Centuries BC.

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Petros the Pelican

The mascot of Mykonos for more than 30 years was a tame pelican called Petros. After his universally lamented death in December, 1985 he was stuffed and can now be seen in the museum. The town now has a number of younger pelicans.

Aegean Maritime Museum

The Aegean Maritime Museum in Mykonos has displays of maps, ship models and navigation instruments related primarily to the Aegean Sea.

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Mykonos Folk Art Museum

The Folk Art Museum in Mykonos brings together a number of collections of furniture, icons, pieces of sculpture and folk musical instruments.

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Paraportiani Church

The most interesting of the churches on Mykonos is the Paraportianí church, which is built on four levels.

Our Lady Paraportiani

In Mykonos is Our Lady Paraportiani which consists of a number of individual churches. Today the complex is a national cultural monument.

Surroundings

Ano Mera

Ten km/6mi east of Mykonos town, in the quiet little village of Áno Merá, is Tourlianí monastery. A little way north of this, at Palaiokástro, is a ruined Venetian castle, built on the remains of an ancient settlement.