Magical Mykonos – a guide to Greece’s most glamorous isle

Search #Mykonos on Instagram and you’re bombarded with an array of dreamy images of crystal clear waters, uber luxurious hotels, whitewashed buildings, stunning sunsets, trendy clubs, and glamorous travellers soaking it all up. 

A whitewashed paradise in the heart of the Cycladic region of the Aegean Sea, Mykonos has retained a wild, natural beauty while evolving into one of the world’s most desirable destinations. According to mythology, Mykonos was formed from the petrified bodies of giants killed by Hercules and the island also takes its name from the grandson of Apollo, “Mykonos”.

 An island for all tastes

Mykonos is one of the most famous Greek islands – a place where glamour meets simplicity, where you can dine and party in style while indulging in a bit of celebrity-spotting or kick back and enjoy life’s simpler pleasures.

Often described as Greece’s answer to Ibiza, Mykonos is world-renowned for its nightlife, but the island offers so much more. It really does have something for everyone, from gastronomes, who will delight in dining in the wide array of eateries on offer from gourmet restaurants to simple seaside taverns, to water sports enthusiasts keen to catch a wave or explore the underwater magic of Mykonos, and shopaholics who want to hit the island’s designer boutiques.

This makes it the perfect destination for hosting events and incentives of all kinds. Indeed the island was name-checked as an in-demand destination by many international event planners surveyed for our inVOYAGE 2020 Annual Trends Report. And attendees at inVOYAGE Mykonos 2021, taking place on 27-30 September, will get to experience first-hand what the island has to offer meeting and incentive groups.

Explore

The island’s capital Chora, also known as Hora and Mykonos Town, is one of the best examples of Cycladic architecture and a mesmerising attraction for visitors. Stroll around its narrow marble streets and admire whitewashed houses with colourful doors and window frames, bougainvillea trees in purple bloom and hidden churches. 

Pay a visit to the church of Panayia Paraportiani, the Town hall and the castle situated above the harbour, soak up the atmosphere along the lively waterfront and admire a fleet of fishing boats casting colourful reflections in the azure waters, or dance the night away in one of the many trendy bars or clubs.

One of the most scenic corners of the island is Alefkántra or “Little Venice”, an 18th century district, dominated by grand captains’ mansions with colourful balconies and stylish windows. Relax at a waterfront café and admire the view of the quaint windmills standing imposingly on the hillside above, set against a luminous blue backdrop. It’s the perfect spot for a sundowner or pre-dinner drinks reception.

 Beach life

Outside of the capital are bountiful beaches – plenty enough to explore a different one every day or find your favourite and get settled. The best beaches are on the southern coast of the island, as they’re the most protected from the winds. However, those in the north are also beautiful, and are usually less crowded. All offer crystal clear waters.

Along the southern coast – Paradise and Super Paradise are among the most famous and the place to party, both day and night, while Platis Gialos, Ornos and Elia – one of the longest – are all popular. Psarrou beach, with the renowned Nammos restaurant and beach bar, is favoured by luxury jet setters and celebrities, while Kalafatis beach is ideal for windsurfing and other water sports.

To escape the crowds, head to Panormos, a calm, peaceful sandy beach resort on the northern side of Mykonos or Pano and Kato Tigani, two isolated beaches with crystal-clear waters and coarse golden sand situated in the northeast part of Mykonos.

Endless Possibilities

Mykonos is a paradise for luxury event planners. There are endless possibilities for memorable experiences – think lounging on a luxury yacht, island hopping to explore neighbouring islands, 4x4 drives to explore the islands’ hidden coves and treasures, sunset drinks receptions on a trendy bar terrace, cooking authentic Greek cuisine on a local farm and sumptuous dinners and celebrations in stunning surrounds.

We can’t wait to showcase this dreamy destination to our community of inVOYAGERs. To celebrate the fact we are hosting inVOYAGE in Mykonos next October, we have dedicated an entire edition of our inSPIRE bulletin to the destination and our event partners Myconian Collection and Horizon DMC Greece.

Read more about the gourmet dining scene in Mykonos Town, luxury hotel options in Elia Beach and top incentive ideas in Mykonos.