Mykonos
Mykonos is world-famous. It is no coincidence that this, the most
cosmopolitan of all Greek islands, attracts so many visitors from
all over the globe, including large numbers of artists and intellectuals.
Here, the steep mountains to be encountered in most of the Cyclades
give way to low, rocky hills which combine with superb beaches to
make up the landscape of the island.
Mikonos is a busy island with all the amenities of a modern resort
and with plenty to do by day or night for those who want to have a
lively time. Yet visitors fond of more peaceful holidays will still
find quiet corners in which to relax.
Hora
The capital, Hora, with its colorful harbour in which little fishing-boats
nestle happily side by side with luxury yachts, presents quite a
different picture from the majority of Aegean island towns. While
it is usual for island villages to be built on naturally amphitheatrical
sites, Mikonos is spread out over a flat area and conveys an impression
of lid aesthetic cohesion.
Along the whitewashed streets stand brilliant white box-shaped houses
with stepped walls for sitting on, wooden doors and windows and
brightly-colored balconies. These are interspersed with small but
impressive churches, pretty little tavernas and shops selling souvenirs
and other goods, and the overall sense is of being inside a film
set.
On the low Kastro hill is the complex of churches known collectively
as Our Lady 'Paraportiani', a superb arrangement of whitewashed
masses created over the centuries and now recognized as a national
cultural monument.
Of particular historical and aesthetic interest are the medieval
houses in this district of the town, which stand like a wall above
the sea protecting the west side of Hora.
The Archaeological Museum of Hora contains finds from tombs on the
nearby island of Rhenia, sculptures, vases and figurines. The Folklore
Museum brings together a number of collections of furniture, icons,
pieces of sculpture and folk musical instruments. Mikonos is also
the home of the Nautical Museum of the Aegean, which has interest
all of its own.
Countryside
The countryside of Mikonos is a mixture of gray-green rocks ringed
by prickly pear plants and little fertile areas carpeted with wild
flowers. Here and there are tiny whitewashed chapels and windmills.
Ano Mera
After Hora, it is the most important of the older villages on the
island. Standing 8 km. to the east of the town, Ano Mera has the
interesting monastery of Our Lady Tourliani, ornamented with fine
woodcarvings. The church has a collection of valuable ecclesiastical
vessels, vestments and embroideries. The courtyard contains an interesting
bell-tower and a marble fountain.
Beaches
Here lovers of the sea will find outstanding golden beaches such
as Agios Stefanos, Psarou, Kalafatis, Platis Gialos, Ornos, Elia
and Panormos.
Getting there
By ferry from Piraeus
Information: Piraeus Port Authority, Tel:
01-422-6000
From Rafina
Information: Rafina Port Authority, Tel:
0294-22300
By air from Athens
Information: Olympic Airways, Athens, Tel:
01-966-6666
Flights from Mykonos to Santorini, Iraklio and Rhodes
Information: Olympic Airways, Mykonos, Tel: 0289-22490 (ticket office),
22327 (airport).
Useful telephone numbers:
Automatic dialing code: 0289
Mykonos Police Station: 22235
Tourist Police: 22482
Municipal Information Bureau: 23990
Port Authority: 22218
Archaeological Museum: 22325
Folklore Museum: 25591
Nautical Museum of the Aegean: 22700
Things to buy
Woven goods, jewelry, folk art
Local specialties
· Salted white cheese - 'kopanisti'
· Almond confectionery - 'amygdalota'
· Fermented almond cordial - 'soumada'
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