If you haven't been to Mykonos (pop. 15,000) for a number of years, you'll probably wander around muttering "ruined" when you arrive. But once you're away from the shops, bars, and restaurants along the harbor, many of the twisting back streets seem familiar. You might even admit that it's not half bad to have such a wide choice of restaurants, shops, and bars. If this is your first visit, you'll find lots to enjoy-especially if you avoid July and August, when it seems that every one of the island's 800,000 annual visitors is here.

What makes this small (about 16km/ 10 miles long), arid island so popular? At least initially, it was the exceptionally handsome Cycladic architecture-and the willingness of many homeowners to rent their houses to visitors. First came the jet-setters, artists, and expatriates (including many sophisticated gay visitors), as well as the mainland Greeks who opened many of the chic shops and restaurants. This wave of visitors was followed by a curious mixture of jet-set wannabes and backpackers. Now, with cruise ships lined up in the harbor all summer and as many as 10 flights each day from Athens, it's easier to say who doesn't come to Mykonos than who does.
During high season, the overcrowding is truly overwhelming. The best way to avoid the crowds is to get up early, visit the beaches before noon, and explore the streets of Flora in the late afternoon, when almost everyone in town wakes up and heads for the beach. Mykonos is one of the only islands in the Aegean where scuba diving is permitted; several dive centers rent equipment and offer instruction.

It's very important not to arrive here without reservations in the high season, unless you enjoy sleeping outdoors and don't mind being moved from your sleeping spot by the police, who are not always charmed to find foreigners alfresco. If you come here in September or October, you'll find a quieter Mykonos, with a pleasant buzz of activity, and streets and restaurants that are less clogged. Unlike many of the islands, Mykonos remains active year-round. In winter it hosts numerous cultural events, including a small film festival. Many who are scared off by the summer crowds find a different, tranquil Mykonos during this off season, demonstrating Hora's deserved reputation as one of the most beautiful towns in the Cyclades.

Dionysos Hotel
Ornos, Mykonos (Cyclades)
Dionysos Hotel is a traditional Mykonian style hotel situated just 50 metres from Ornos Beach, only 2.5 km from Mykonos Town center and 2.3 km from the airport. More…

Apsenti Hotel - Couples Only
Apsenti is a unique property beautifully situated in the sunset side of Mykonos island, overlooking the Aegean sea, Delos island and Ag.Ioannis beach. Less than 4Km from Mykonos downtown, 5Km from the Airport and 250m downhill walk to the very quiet sandy beach of Ag.Ioannis.

Mykonos Bay Hotel
To offer our customers service and comfort, our 31 fully equipped rooms feature: Air-condition, Private bathroom & shower, Direct dial phone, TV, Refrigerator, Wake up service, Daily cleaning service The rooms are ranging from 16 sq. meters (for 2 persons), to 35 sq. meters (for 4 persons).

Skios Hotel Mykonos
Skios Hotel is a small family owned hotel on the road between Mykonos Town and Platys Gialos, about 1.5 km from town. The location is ideal for those who wish to experience the charming country side of Mykonos without being in a far away distance from the nightlife and the cosmopolitan beaches of the island.

Cavo Tagoo Hotel
Cavo Tagoo sits nested in a converted quarry overlooking the deep blue Aegean Sea, with Delos Island, birthplace of Apollo, in the distance. Designed with meticulous respect for breathtaking natural surroundings, Cavo Tagoo embodies the beauty of authentic Mykonian architecture.

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UNDERSTAND MYKONOS ISLAND:
Mykonos island is famed as a cosmopolitan destination amongst the Greek islands and widely recognised as one of the great travel meccas. Mykonos is a grand example of unique cycladic architecture set around a picturesque fishing-village bay. Totally whitewashed organic cube-like buildings fit closely together to form a kind of haphazard maze of narrow alley ways and streets. The earthen colors of the bare hills which surround the town's gleaming whiteness is set between the aura of an incredibly blue sky and even deeper blue sparkling sea.
Its many well preserved windmills and hundreds of tiny red-roofed churches adds a flavor of culture and custom to the scene, enhanced even further by many museums and the historical ancient site of nearby Delos. Together with being friendly and open people, the locals have a healthy understanding of what it means to have a good time. Put this together with all the island's other qualities and it is no wonder Mykonos has been often named the jewel of the Aegean Sea.

WHAT TO SEE IN MYKONOS ISLAND:
- The Windmills - The windmills are the landmark of Mykonos.
- Little Venice - a district in Chora (Mykonos City), famous for its colourful balconies.
- Petros the Pelican - Originally the pelican was found after a storm back in the 1950s. After Petros died he was so popular that a new pelican was introduced as a successor.
- The Archaeological Museum - The exhibition of the museum includes a large number of vases, ranging from the prehistoric to the late Hellenistic period (25th-1st century B.C.), grave statues, stelae and funerary urns from Rheneia, and very few finds from Mykonos.