Mykonos, Greece – Sunday, October 11 – tendered 7am – 5pm
National language: Greek Currency accepted: Euro
Greek Islands & Cyprus Cruise itinerary
Our Cruise Landings/stopovers
Each place our cruise ship will be stopping will have a separate posting on this blog, including each Greek island; Bodrum, Turkey; and Cyprus. This posting is specifically for the stopover on the island of Mykonos
Introducing the island of Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos is one of the most famous Cyclades Islands in the southern Aegean Sea. The main town of Hora (Mykonos Town) is enjoyed for its colorful harbor, inviting cafes, windmills, whitewashed cobblestone streets which form a labyrinth, and boutique shops. The island is awash with white, sandy beaches.
History of Mykonos
Mykonos started as a transit stop near sacred Delos Island. Venetians turned it into a naval base. It became a trading hub during the Ottoman-era. The island joined the newly independent Greek state around 1830. By the late 20th century it became the famous cosmopolitan island destination it is today.
(See Helpful Links below for websites with detailed history)
Introducing the nearby, sacred island of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Delos Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece, is a short 30-minute boat ride from Old Port, Mykonos. Delos was the mythical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis and was first inhabited in the 3rd millennium BC. The oldest temples on the uninhabited island date from the 8th century BC. Delos reached the height of its power in Hellenistic times, becoming one of the three most important religious centers in Greece and a flourishing center of commerce. Today it is an outstanding open-air museum.
We suggest visiting Delos with a guide. If guided tour isn’t purchased in advance, licensed guides may be available when disembarking the boat on arrival on the island.
(See transportation & guide suggestions below)
Highlights of Mykonos Island
Highlights of Hora (Mykonos Town)
Aegean Maritime Museum – preserves Aegean maritime history – http://www.aegean-maritime-museum.com/en
Archaeological Museum – http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/1/eh155.jsp?obj_id=3301
Little Venice – picturesque waterfront area in Hora with 16th and 17th century pirates’ houses on the water’s edge
The windmills – constructed in the middle 16th century by Venetians for the milling of wheat
Panagia Paraportiani church – A whitewashed,15th century church which is located on a medieval fortress gate. The church and the surrounding Kastro quarter mark the medieval castle district
Mykonos Folklore Museum – rare traditional textiles, ceramics, and furnishings www.greeka.com/cyclades/mykonos/sightseeing/folklore-museum-mykonos
Matoyianni Street – main, cobblestone winding walking street dominated by designer stores, souvenir shops, and cafes – www.incredible-greece.com/mykonos/discover-matogiannia. Take a tour! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZF9cCk5JJQ
Other island highlights
Ano Mera and the Panagia Touriani Monastery – Mykonos’ second village with stone houses and a 16th century monastery. Take a tour of the monastery here – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrXEP8ehw7o
Beaches of Mykonos
There is good diving around Mykonos with wrecks, caves, and walls. Scuba diving operators are on Paradise Beach and remote Lia beach. At Platys Gialos try fly boarding, stand up paddle board, or kayaking. Note that nudity is fairly commonplace on some beaches. There is an excellent guide to island beaches on http://www.Mykonos-accommodation.com
Elia & Agrari – These two beaches form the island’s longest sand beaches. Elia is more organized than Agrari and full of cafes
Platys Gialos – package-holiday resort – location of operator of same name offering diverse water sports
Ornos (south coast) – closest beach to Hora, but often packed – ten minute bus ride
Agios Stefanos (4km), within sight of docking cruise ships
Agios Ioannis & Kapari (4 km south)
Paradise – famous for party people – expect some nudity
See map of Mykonos below for location of beaches
See Helpful Links below for companies offering water activities
Suggested activities and companies offering them
Mykonos Island tour & Hora (Mykonos Town) walking tour – around $60 – 4 hours
Includes stops at the Lighthouse, Ano Mera, Elia Beach, and a walking tour of Hora, the Windmills, and Little Venice. Island tours are organized by the following companies:
– Mykonos Tour & Excursions www.Mykonos-web.com
– Mykonos Accommodations Center www.mykonos-accodation.com
– www.getyourguide.com/en-au/elia-mykonos-l165329/mykonos-is
Mykonos Accommodation Center (located in Hora) – helpful company for guided tours and island information, especially for tours to Delos and island tours www.mykonos-accodation.com
Mykonos on board sailing – yachting excursions around Mykonos and the island of Delos – www.Mykonosonboard.com
Viator.com – Various tours to choose from with good prices – http://www.viator.com/Mykonos/d958-ttd
Delos Island round trip boat transfer from Mykonos Island – $35 – 40 minute boat ride
A recommended excursion on Myconos which is being offered by our cruise ship
Ano Mera and scenic island drive – 3/1/2 hours – $69 – includes a stop at Eila Beach and a visit to the Panagia Tourliani Monastery, founded in 1542, in Ano Mera village
Public Transportation
Caique (little boat) services go between some of the best beaches through mid October
Mykonos Cruises www.mykonos-cruises.gr An association of sea-taxi operators offering services to the islands best beaches. See the timetables online. The main departure point is Platys Gialos, with drop-offs and pick-ups at Oros
Sea Bus www.Mokonos-seabus.gr. This water taxi service connects the New Port with Hora, running more frequently when a cruise ship is in port
Taxi – Find many at Hora’s Lateia Manto Mavrogenous (Taxi Square), bus stations and ports
Helpful Links
Rick Steves on YouTube: 3 Greek Islands – Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZOuDhwzsq0
Rick Steves on YouTube: Delos (Mykonos) – 1.0 starts – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkYDL_frEXw&t=9s
Travel guide to Mykonos – http://www.greeka.com/cyclades/mykonos/
Exploring the town of Hora (Mykonos Town) http://www.greeka.com/cyclades/mykonos/villages/town/
Mykonos history – www.greeka.com/cyclades/mykonos/history/
Mykonos history – https://mygreecetours.org/mykonos-history
Platys Gialos Water sports – specialists in water sports, located at Playts Gialos beach – www.mykonoswatersports.gr
GoDive Mykonos – Located on remote Lia beach, this company offers a full range of water activities including snorkeling trips – www.godivemykonos.com
For the other stopovers on our cruise, visit separate postings which are listed in the column to the right
