2 days to discover Mykonos

Windmills, white houses and beautiful beaches: the symbols of Mykonos in one day

One of the great advantages of Mykonos for those who don't stay long is that distances are short and the main points of interest are well connected, making for a great day out.

Start your day in Chora, the capital of Mykonos. The earlier you start the day, the more chance you have of exploring the narrow streets of the historic centre in absolute peace and quiet, a rarity on Mykonos.

Head for the Kastro district, named after the ruins of an ancient Venetian fortress: fantastic views over the Aegean Sea, which always displays its magnificent colours in the morning sunlight.

The morning continues on a terrace, right on the water, in one of the cafés in Little Venice: you're in the middle of a postcard of Mykonos! The tour of the most beautiful shots of Chora continues with the famous windmills, true symbols of the island, for a panorama encompassing Little Venice, the yachts and cruise ships at anchor.

The sun is rising fast and it's high time to hit the road. Our goal: the beaches to the south of Mykonos. On the way, stop off at Ano Mera, a village in the heart of Mykonos, for lunch on the terrace of a typical taverna, and to take a look at the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary at the Panagia Tourliani monastery.

From Ano Mera, the small country roads lead straight down to the south coast and its beautiful sandy beaches. If the sun is scorching and the mercury rising, don't panic: all these beaches have beach bars, deckchairs and parasols. Shade and refreshment all afternoon, interspersed with plenty of swimming in crystal-clear waters. All the magic of Mykonos...

The hardest part will be choosing the beach that suits you best: if in doubt, Elia Beach is always a good choice. It's one of the most beautiful bays in Mykonos, and it's possible to take a short stroll along the rocks to another nice beach, Agrari. Ideal for a lazy session into the evening.

There is plenty of accommodation in the area where you can spend the night and have dinner while admiring the colours of the sea under the fading sun, for a quiet evening. For party-goers, the legendary beach of Super Paradise, home of the Mykonos beach parties, is not far away: another version of the evening, much more lively!

After the first morning bath that always heralds an excellent day, and a hearty breakfast on the beach, it's already time to leave the south coast to discover the other, more cultural, treasures of Mykonos. But don't forget to indulge yourself on this island devoted to hedonism, body and soul!

It's time to set off on an organised day trip, departing from the old port of Chora or the new port of Mykonos at Tourlos, depending on the guidebook: make a note of the address! In both cases, your main concern will be to be on time, as departures are punctual. Then a 30-minute to 1-hour crossing begins, bound for the island of Delos.

Delos is one of Greece's major archaeological sites. Follow your guide on the tour, always invaluable as the explanations are rather succinct when it comes to the ruins. Highlights include the remains that give an idea of the size of the ancient city, the sanctuary dedicated to Apollo and Artemis and its temples, the Terrace of the Lions, the countless sculptures, the mosaics in the House of the Dolphins and, of course, the ancient theatre of Delos. The natural setting of the site, which is as Cycladic as it gets, is splendid!

The tour then continues, with a long detour to the magnificent beaches of Rhenaeus (Rinia), the neighbouring island of Delos, which is virtually deserted (only bathers and goats can be seen). The best excursions always include a stop for a swim on the edge of the magnificent sandy shores, free of any construction, for a change from Mykonos!

The return crossing takes place in the afternoon, after lunch on the boat. The return journey is a very different Chora from the previous day. At the end of the day, the city is fully awake, the streets are full of people and the shops are in full swing. It's time for a shopping spree, then a seat on a terrace to admire the splendid sunset over Mykonos...

The evening is off to a great start! In Chora, it's up to you to give your programme the twist you want: the capital is full of trendy restaurants, lively bars and trendy clubs to extend your last night on Mykonos, before setting off again.