Mykonos Villages

Mykonos town is just the right size to keep you interested -- perhaps at times lost, yet always comfortable. The residents seem to really enjoy sharing their town with the visitors. You may see an old man greeting suntanned vacationers as he leads a donkey laden with vegetables or flowers. You’ll see fishermen leaving the harbor in the morning and returning in the afternoon. In the cool of the evening the residents will promenade down the esplanade to meet their friends at the numerous cafes.

The variety of Mykonos shops, restaurants, cafes, tavernas, and night clubs is incredible. Even in the midst of a quiet area of back streets you’ll come across a restaurant, candy shop, or boutique. If you find one that warrants a return visit, your challenge is to decode the labyrinthine maze again. Intermingled with the streets of homes and shops are a large number of churches and chapels. One of the most interesting is the Church of Paraportiani, with its conglomeration of four Byzantine chapels on a promontory facing the sea. Mykonos Island has reportedly 365 churches and chapels. They display the signature Greek Cyclades Islands cubic architecture with white-washed facades and blue domes.

One of the delights of our wanderings was coming upon the sea on the opposite side of the peninsula which forms the main harbor. From the small bay we gazed north to look upon the wall of homes and shops called Little Venice. Then we gazed south to view the landmark Mykonos windmills, echoes of the time when wind power was used to grind the island’s grain. We decided to take an espresso break at one of the cafes in this area and enjoy the bay, windmills, and sunny ambiance.

While Mykonos Town is action central for tiny Mykonos island, its numerous bays and beaches were designed for the vacationer. Places such as Agios Stefanos, Platis Gialos, and Psarou have resort villas with quiet beaches. We were fortunate to stay at the Kivotos Clubhotel on Ornos Bay. At this 30-room villa the relaxation is non-stop, with a private beach, swimming pool, and kayaks to explore the rocky coast line. This environment quickly spoiled us, starting with the complementary breakfast. The nearby village of Ornos has a great sandy beach and four tavernas which serve excellent Greek lunches and dinners.