In the middle of the Aegean Sea, Mykonos, this Cycladic jewel is waiting for you to explore it.
Formed, according to mythology, from the petrified bodies of giants killed by Hercules, it took its name from the grandson of Apollo, the god of light.
History of Mykonos in the antiquity was much connected to the history of the neighbouring Delos. Delos was the most sacred place back then, because Apollo and Artemis, two of the most important deities of the Greek pantheon, were born there. After the declaration of Delos as a free port, all the commercial activity of the eastern Mediterranean was congregated on the isle. The small island became soon the maximum emporium totius orbis terrarum – the greatest commercial centre of the world.
Due to the proximity to Delos and the religious rules that prohibit any birth or death on the sacred island, Mykonos soon became a very important supply island and developed accordingly to become a commercial centre for agriculture and maritime trade.
Like the rest of the Cyclades, Mykonos came under Venetian rule in 13th century A.C. and under Turkish occupation in 16th century A.C. until the Greek revolution during which the Mykonians offer great support with their big fleet and economic contribution.
After the liberation and the creation of the new Greek state, trade and shipping rose again.
During the interwar period Mykonos starts to become famous again. In the early 30’s tourism starts to grow slowly, mainly due to the excavations at the archeological site of Delos. Later on, famous people start to visit the island charmed by its beauty, its people and its blue waters.
In the decades of 60s and 70s the international jet set discover Mykonos and the island is transformed into the cosmopolitan destination it is today.
Famous for the cosmopolitan atmosphere and the Cycladic architecture with the whitewashed houses, the blue or red-roofed churches and the traditional windmills Mykonos is calling you to wander through its narrow streets and discover a fascinating world where glamour meets simplicity. Every corner of the town’s maze will reveal a charming surprise like a little shop for shopping, a cozy restaurant to dine or a local delicatessen to buy some of the local delicacies like Louza the homemade cold cut or Kopanisti the famous spicy cheese. Whatever you do don’t miss to enjoy the stunning sunset from Little Venice.
The most valuable tourist asset of the island is still the impressive number of its magnificent beaches with the crystal clear water. According to your preferences you can enjoy a relaxing day on the azure blue of Ornos’ beach or a non-stop beach party on Paradise beach or even an exciting day doing water sports like kite-surfing on the famous for that beach of Korfos.