Jan

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Mykonos Holiday & Sightseeing Guide

January 10, 2008 |

A trip to Mykonos

Mykonos sports establishments and activities in the vain of exactly what you’d expect from a mass-tourism location. A saturation of football jerseys and late night, boozy twenty-somethings is most prominent in July and August, but at quieter times of the year visitors can see the real Mykonos, replete with fascinating culture and history. The Aegean turquoise waters are, however, worth coming for at any time of the year.

Flights to Mykonos
Mykonos is easily accessible from other Greek cities, with several daily flights operated by Olympic Airways arriving from Athens and to a lesser extent Thessaloniki. International flights mostly land in Athens, from where a smaller plane will bring you to Mykonos. In peak tourist season there are direct charter flights available from European cities. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Mykonos try Expedia.

There are also some good options for inter-island travel, with ferries connecting the island with Paros and Athens’ port, the Piraeus. There are also high-speed catamarans from Santorini. As far as getting around the island after you arrive, there are scooters and cars for rent, or if you’d rather take in the scenery the island is equipped with a well-operating bus system. Even in Hora, the main city on the island, taxis can be scarce at night, so having your own wheels can save you some frustration.
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Sightseeing in Mykonos
The first bit of sightseeing you’ll do on Mykonos is look at the beautiful sea and the other islands in the distance. The idyllic Greek isles hit hard, in a nice way of course, and you may find it hard to pull yourself away from these views and the beach.

There are two cities on the island, Hora and Ano Mera. Smaller than Hora but containing more sights of historical interest, Ano Mera is a quieter alternative. Buildings of note include the Panayia Tourliani Monastery and the Monastery of Paleokastro. Both places will take you back in time, and with the water lapping on the shore they are great place to just sit and be. The windmills on the island are straight out of a picture book.

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Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
All of the above are what you get in Hora, especially if you arrive during the busy summer season. Being an international place, you’ll smell English breakfasts before anything else, meaning there are possibly more international food options than places serving traditional Greek fare. The pubs, taverns and discos are what many come to the island for, and those looking for a party will not be disappointed.

Fun by day – shopping and activities
Unless you’re shopping for your next beer, you probably won’t find anything of great interest on Mykonos besides the standard set of tourist wares. If shopping for booze and dancing the night away wears you out, don’t despair. There are many good beaches dotted around the coastline, historical buildings to see and if you’re feeling guilty for your hedonism, check out the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos to remind yourself that you are still in possession of a functional intellect.


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