Situated in the Aegean Sea, 150 kilometres east of Athens, people have been calling Mykonos home for well over a thousand years. First inhabited by polytheists, Mykonos was eventually conquered by the Romans and converted to Christianity. Over many hundreds of years, the island has been ravaged and occupied by numerous invasions and pirates, but in the 1930s its tourism industry began to thrive. The island has since been a getaway for upscale travellers who enjoy its free-spirited attitude, 300+ days of sunshine, beautiful beaches, jagged terrain and breathtaking views.
What to know before visiting Mykonos?
While Mykonos is not a large city, getting there is still no problem. When booking a flight from London to Mykonos or a flight from Manchester to Mykonos, you'll want to search for Mykonos Island National Airport (JMK). On a flight to Mykonos, you'll likely have a layover in Athens. Citizens of the United Kingdom can travel to Mykonos, or anywhere in Greece for that matter, for up to 90 days without a visa. Should you want to stay longer than 90 days, you'll need a residence permit. Even non-EU citizens can book a flight and hotel in Mykonos as long as they're in the European Union legally. Like many other countries in the EU, the accepted currency in Mykonos is the euro. The official language in Mykonos is Greek, but with it being such a hotspot for tourism, you can get by easily with English. Keep in mind when perusing potential city breaks in Mykonos that its time zone is two hours ahead of the UK.
When is the best time to visit Mykonos?
The island of Mykonos has a year-round good climate, but October to March is considered the rainy season. There is still the potential for sunny days though, even in the "dead of winter". The average high during the summer hovers around 28 C and the average highs are, generally, about 15 C. The interesting thing about Mykonos in autumn and winter is that the vegetation returns with the rainfall which makes for much greener scenery.
If you're into intense parties and revelry, you'll want to book a weekend in Mykonos for the annual summer festival. For the LGBTQ community, there is the annual XLSIOR Gay Festival held in August, and visitors from all over the world come to party and enjoy the island's laid back attitude. In September there is even a harvest festival held at the Mykonos Agricultural Museum within the Boni Windmill, where you can join in on grape pressing and dancing to traditional music.
What should I do while in Mykonos
Many travellers find that booking city breaks in Mykonos are best done via package holidays. Arranging your Mykonos itinerary utilising the package holidays option gives you the opportunity to combine airfare and lodging, and even activities. That being said, one of the most exciting things to do while spending a weekend in Mykonos is the catamaran sailing tour. This tour provides a wonderful chance to cruise the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea to other islands close by. Swim and snorkel in secluded island coves and even take pictures of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
It is not a secret that Mediterranean cuisine is good for you, so why not learn to cook some of it? You and your significant other can have the option of a daytime or evening class where you will learn to create traditional Mykonos recipes from experts on the island's delectable dishes.
Some points of interest on Mykonos
Paradise beach: If you are looking for a party, then this is the place to be. Bars and restaurants line the beach and it can be quite crowded during the summer.
Super Paradise Beach: The best way to get to this open-minded beach is by one of the regularly running taxi-boat services. It's only about a fifteen minute ride and once you are there, it's a non-stop party.
Archaeological Museum of Mykonos: With relics and exhibits from the Prehistoric period up to the Hellenistic period, this museum is a must-see for history enthusiasts and those looking for a more subdued time away from the beach crowds.
If you also have time to explore the surrounding area, you can also rent a car in Mykonos.
What to eat in Mykonos
Mykonos is a food lovers' paradise. From land to sea to garden, the focus of cuisine on Mykonos is fresh, local and organic. Here are just a few mouth-watering selections:
Kalita: Classic Greek offerings such as grouper filet with mussels in a saffron sauce, cold octopus with Kalamata olive sauce and citrus olive oil are just two items from a truly spectacular menu.
Ftelia: Set alongside Ftelia beach on the north side of the island, it offers a more extensive menu ranging from Greek classics to pizza and pasta.
Jackie O' Beach Club & Restaurant: Award-winning cuisine from Chef Christoforos Peskias blends old and new traditions from the east and the west.
What to back from Mykonos
The island has no shortage of beaches, all of which are easily explored with a flight to and hotel in Mykonos. Shells are obviously the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of souvenirs from your island holiday, but the island is also known for its windy days and pelicans. You can find stuffed pelican dolls and tiny windmills to bring back to friends and family back home in the UK at gift shops all over the island.
Explore other destinations
Planning on flying to Greece? If a city break in Mykonos doesn't quite convince you, why not explore other exciting cities in Greece ? Check out our amazing flight and hotel packages for your next holiday adventure!