GreeceMykonos wears two faces at once, and knowing both is the secret to enjoying it. By day it is a Cycladic island of whitewashed cubes, blue-domed chapels and dazzling beaches lapped by the Aegean; by night it is Greece's glossiest party island, where beach clubs charge fortunes and DJs play until dawn. The old town, Chora, is a deliberate maze, its lanes built narrow and twisting to confuse the pirates who once raided here, so simply getting lost is part of the pleasure. Spend mornings on the sand, late afternoons wandering to the Kato Mili windmills, and sunset with a drink in Little Venice as waves slap the balconies. Eat well and honestly: fresh fish sold by the kilo, kopanisti spicy cheese, louza cured pork and crisp barley rusks. Yes it is glamorous and pricey, but quieter corners survive, from sleepy Ano Mera to the wild sands of Fokos. Book beach clubs and dinners ahead in peak season, respect the fierce meltemi wind, and let the island's rhythm of sea, siesta and long lively evenings carry you.
Day plans
Pick your trip length. The full 1-day plan is free, members unlock the 3 and 7-day plans.
Grab a bougatsa or spanakopita to eat as you wander; the bakery opens early and the town is blissfully quiet at this hour.
The town was built to confuse pirates, so put the map away; aim roughly toward the sea and browse Matogianni before the cruise crowds arrive.
The five merged whitewashed chapels photograph best now in soft morning light, before the sun gets harsh and the crowds thicken.
