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One Day in Mykonos—A Travel Guide.
What a choice! Explore Mykonos Town or Delos?
One Day in Mykonos. The first time we arrived in Mykonos on a cruise ship, we had an excursion scheduled for the Delos Archaeological Site but thinking we had had enough of ruins for a while, I canceled that excursion, and what we discovered in Mykonos Town (known to the locals as Chora) made us so glad we did.
In Europe, we love to wander and explore, and Mykonos Town is just perfect for that. The whitewashed alleyways are perfect for shoppers and photographers alike.
What to do in Mykonos? Start your Day at a Bakery.
I suggest Giora’s Wood Bakery (Complete Name: Giora’s Wood Medieval Mykonian Bakery). Agiou Efthimiou.
This authentic family-run business (in the same family for over 200 years) offers sweets and savories in the traditional Greek style. Pastries and coffee for breakfast and spanakopita (spinach pie) for lunch. The baklava comes highly rated as well.
One Day in Mykonos. Find a Pelican.
If you’re lucky, you will find a pelican lounging in the sun while strolling through the streets of Mykonos, especially near the harbor.
History tells us that a pelican, nicknamed Petros (Peter), was found by a fisherman and he was nursed back to health by the people of Mykonos, and he that he became their mascot. When he died, the entire island went into mourning.
Hearing of this, Jackie Kennedy Onassis donated another bird to the island. Now it is said that there are three pelicans on Mykonos, one named Petros, one named Irene, and one named Nikolas.
What to do in One Day in Mykonos – Visit the Windmills.
The iconic white-washed windmills which overlook the harbor are the landmarks of Mykonos. Used to grind grain into flour from the 1700s to the Twentieth Century, they stand watching over the island they served.
Wander up the hill to view them more closely, and you will be rewarded with a great view of Mykonos Town, especially by the Boni Windmill, which serves as an agricultural museum as well.
What to do in One Day in Mykonos. Visit Little Venice.
Following the path to the windmills along the seashore you will find the colorful and romantic Little Venice, so named because the cafes and restaurants overlook the sea. (There are no canals or gondolas here, however.)
This is a great place for a beverage or an authentic Greek lunch. Remember you are in Greece and you need to sample some authentic cuisine. Because prices may be high, try a Greek salad or an appetizer.
The atmosphere becomes more lively at night, and the sunsets are worth the wait.
What to do in One Day in Mykonos. Lunch in Little Venice.
Okay, you’re in Mykonos. Mykonos. One day. Try the local cuisine in Little Venice. Yes, the prices are more here, but where better in the world to have lunch? You don’t need to buy a whole meal, try an appetizer, a drink, and a salad. Choose any of the open seats along the sea and relish the scene.
Kastro’s is located in Little Venice and comes highly rated. Check out their lunch or dinner menu online and book a reservation up to 2 weeks ahead.
What to do in One Day in Mykonos. Churches of Mykonos Town.
Church of Panagia Paraportiani.
Dating back to the 14th Century, the Church of Panagia Paraportiani (The Church of Our Lady of the Side Door) stands on a small cliff overlooking the sea, not far from the windmills.
This church is known as anarchitectural wonder, being the combination of five churches, parts of which surround the existing church and parts of which form the foundation for the most recent church, on top. Rarely open, this national monument is one of the most photographed churches in the world.
Hint: Here is where you are most apt to find a pelican.
Agios Nikolaos Church.
Right on the port in Mykonos Town, this tiny church has a charm all its own.
Whitewashed with a blue-domed top, venture inside to see the black and white tiled floor and the starlike ceiling. The church was built in the 4th century, to honor St. Nicholas, protector of sailors and fishermen.
What to do in One Day in Mykonos. Shopping in Mykonos.
The beauty of shopping in Mykonos is the fun of wandering the whitewashed alleyways and cobblestone streets and discovering on your own. With that said, here are a few recommendations.
Since 1948, this shop has been handcrafting sandals in all kinds of designs. See an assortment of them but enjoy trying them on at the shop in Little Venice, near the Veranda Bar. Sandals start at under 20 Euros.
With over 50 years of experience, grocer Grandpa Savvas’ marketplace exudes his dedication to quality products and his clientele. Here you will find local Greek products to sample and take home. A great and inexpensive gift would be the orange-flavored olive oil salad dressing or the mix of Greek herbs, each under 10 Euros. Xenias Street, just two streets towards the windmills from the Wood Bakery.
Unique handcrafted jewelry at reasonable prices, many of which have a story. Take your time and enjoy. Petrou Drakopoulou 6.
Many jewelry and art galleries abound in Mykonos. Enjoy your stroll.
Beaches Close to Mykonos Town, The Beaches Guide
You are on Mykonos for one day and you probably want to see some of the town or go to Delos for part of that day. Want to get in some time at the beach as well? What beaches are recommended that are close to Mykonos Town or the new port?
Ornos Beach.
Ornos Beach is the closest beach to Mykonos Town and is child-friendly. The bus will cost you under 2 Euros one way, and the trip will take 10-15 minutes each way, so budget your time. Umbrellas and loungers are available for rent and food vendors are present.
Ornos Beach Stefanos.
Agios Stefanos is the closest to the new port, so if you return to the cruise ship and still have time, this beach features chairs that are cheaper than at other beaches.
Food is available as is a bus from Mykonos Town (which runs every hour). If you care to walk to this beach from the port, allocate about 10 minutes each way along the road.
Agios Ioannis.
Beautiful water for snorkeling. Buses run to and from Mykonos Town in summer. Some rocks, may not be the best for families.
What to do in One Day in Mykonos. A Day at Delos Archaeological Site.
For those who love learning about mythology and archaeological ruins, spending a day at Delos is for you. Since even most cruise ship shore excursions last half a day, you may have time to visit the site and also wander a beach or visit Mykonos Town.
Greek mythology proclaims that Delos is the birthplace of Apollo and Artemus, son and daughter of Zeus. In the three centuries before Christ, Delos became an affluent city, with mosaiced multi-storied mansions inviting a diverse community of well-to-do inhabitants. Excavations of the ruins of this city were begun in the 1870s and today are a World Heritage Site. A small museum accompanies the site.
Some of the interesting landmarks include the Terrace of Lions, the ruins of extravagant homes, including Dionysus House and the House with the Dolphins, the Temple of Hera, and the ancient theater of Delos.
Practical facts:
Open hours: Delos is open from April 1 until November 30. 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Ticket Price: 12 Euros (Included in some tours).
How to get to Delos from Mykonos:
Ferry. If you would like to visit Delos on your own, ferries at the old port are waiting to take you. You may buy your ticket at the booth near the Agios Nikolaos Church in Mykonos Town. The round trip (without a guide) is about 20 Euros and you will need about 3 hours in Delos. Be sure to find out when the return ferries leave Delos and arrive back in Mykonos. The trip itself will take 30-40 minutes.
Tour. If you are traveling on a cruise, you may choose to book the ship’s excursion or book one of your own. Either way, you will get the most out of Delos with a guided tour.
This one offers a round-trip ferry with a certified guide. You will pay for tickets when you arrive at Delos in cash but will skip the lines. Check it out here.
One Day in Mykonos! We found everything there is to do in Mykonos
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