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Mykonos

Mykonos is the great glamour island of Greece and flaunts its sizzling St-Tropez-meets-Ibiza style and party-hard reputation. The high-season mix of hedonistic holidaymakers, cruise-ship crowds, buff gay men and posturing fashionistas throngs Mykonos Town (aka Hora), a gorgeous whitewashed Cycladic maze, delighting in its cubist charms and its chichi cafe-bar-boutique scene.

The island is maxed out with cashed-up (or spendthrift) visitors, hip hotels, beach bars and restaurants. There are a few provisos about visiting here. Come only if you are prepared to pay. And are intent on jostling with street crowds. And sitting bum cheek to cheek with oiled-up loungers at the packed main beaches. Oh, and partying relentlessly. Out of season, devoid of gloss and preening celebrities, Hora basically closes, with nothing but the occasional person and pelican wandering the empty streets.

Mykonos is the jumping-off point for the archaeological site of the nearby island of Delos.

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Mykonos.

  • Beach

    Agios Sostis

    This gorgeous, wide strip of golden sand receives far fewer visitors than the south coast. There's no shade and only limited parking but there's a popular taverna with a little sheltered cove directly below it.

  • Church

    Panagia Paraportiani

    Built between the 15th and 17th centuries, Mykonos’ most famous church comprises four small chapels – plus another on an upper storey reached by an exterior staircase. It’s usually locked, but the fabulously photogenic whitewashed, rock-like exterior is the drawcard.

  • Museum

    Archaeological Museum of Mykonos

    A headless, almost limbless 2nd-century BC statue of Hercules in Parian marble is the highlight of this small, well-presented collection. Otherwise it's very heavy on pottery and funerary stelae (carved monuments), much of it sourced from Delos and the neighbouring island of Rineia, which served as its cemetery. Periodic exhibitions incorporate contemporary art and design into the displays.

  • Beach

    Paradise

    Clear waters and golden sands make this one of the island's most famous beaches. It's completely lined with noisy beach bars and rows of umbrellas, but the service (particularly at Tropicana) is friendly and attentive. There's a camping resort here, a dive centre, an excellent Indian restaurant and the island's most highly rated club.

  • Beach

    Super Paradise

    Flashy, trashy and great for people-watching – Super Paradise is Mykonos' most popular gay-friendly beach. The action is split between the glitzy JackieO' Beach Club on the southern headland and the Super Paradise beach bar on the sands.

  • Monastery

    Tourliani Monastery

    Located in the centre of Ano Mera, the island's other main settlement, this castle-like monastery (founded in 1537 but rebuilt in 1767) has a gorgeous domed church with an ornate, gilded iconostasis, and a small museum displaying vestments, historic documents and icons.

  • Beach

    Paraga

    This beautiful crescent-shaped cove became popular in the hippy era and is still known for its beach parties. There's a good selection of tavernas, plus a party hostel, a small gay section and a nudist area.

  • Beach

    Megali Ammos

    The best beach within easy walking distance of the centre of town, Megali Ammos has a couple of upmarket resorts and an excellent taverna right on the golden sands. It's a 10-minute walk south from the windmills.

  • Beach

    Kapari

    Scooped out of the surrounding cliffs, this very appealing sandy cove is reached via a short walk along an unpaved track from the western end of Agios Ioannis.