(Area 85 sq. km. Distance from Piraeus 94 nautical miles).Mikonos is world-famous. It is no coincidence that this, the most cosmopolitan of all Greek islands, attracts so many visitors from all over the globe, including large numbers of artists and intellectuals. Here, the steep mountains to be encountered in most of the Cyclades give way to low, rocky hills which combine with superb beaches to make up the landscape of the island. The capital, Hora, with its colourful harbour in which little fishing boats nestle happily side by side with luxury yachts, presents quite a different picture from the majority of Aegean island towns. While it is usual for island villages to be built on naturally amphitheatrical sites, Mikonos is spread out over a flat area and conveys an impression of solid aesthetic cohesion. Along the whitewashed streets stand brilliant white box-shaped houses with stepped walls for sitting on, wooden doors and windows and brightly coloured balconies. These are interspersed with small but impressive churches, pretty little tavernas and shops selling souvenirs and other goods, and the overall sense is of being inside a film set. On the low Kastro hill is the complex of churches known collectively as Our Lady 'Paraportiani', a superb arrangement of whitewashed masses created over the centuries and now recognised as a national cultural monument. Of particular historical and
aesthetic interest are the medieval houses in this district of
the town, which stand like a wall above the sea protecting the
west side of Hora. The Archeological Museuum of Hora contains
finds from tombs on the nearby island of Rhenia, sculptures,
vases and figurines. The Folklore Muceum brings together a
number of collections of furniture, icons, pieces of sculpture
and folk musical instruments. Mikonos is also the home of the
Nauticnl Museum of the Aegean, which has interest all of its
own. The countryside of Mikonos is a mixture of grey-green
rocks ringed by prickly pear plants and little fertile areas
carpeted with wild flowers. Here and there are tiny whitewashed
chapels and windmills. Ano Mera is, after Hora, the most
important of the older villages on the island. Standing 8 km. to
the east of the town, Ano Mera has the interesting monastery of
Our Lady Tourliani, ornamented with fine wood-carvings. The
church has a collection of valuable ecclesiastical vessels,
vestments and embroideries. The courtyard contains an
interesting bell-tower and a marble fountain. Here lovers of
the sea will find outstanding golden beaches such as Agios
Stefanos, Psarou, Kalafatis, Platis Gialos, Ornos, Llia and
Panormos. Mikonos is a busy island with all the amenities of a
modern resort and with plenty to do - by day or night for those
who want to have a lively time. Yet visitors fond of more
peaceful holidays will still find quiet corners in which to
relax.
How to get there: By ferry from Pireus Information: Piraeus Port
Authority, tel.: 01/422 6000. From Rafina Infonnation: Rafina
Port Authority, tel.: 0294/22300. By air from Athens
Information: Olympic Airways, Athens, tel.: 01 /966.6666.
Flights on from Mikonos to Santorini, Iraklio and Rhodes.
Information: Olympic Airways, Mikonos, tel.: 0289/22490 (ticket
office),22327 (airport).Useful telephone numbers Automatic dialling code: 0289. Mikonos Police Station:22235 Tourist Police: 22482 Municipal Information Bureau: 23990- Olympic Airways ticket office: 22490 Airport: 22327 Port Authority: 22218 Archaeological Museum: 22325 Folklore Museum:25591 Nautical Museum of the Aegean: 22700.
Things to buy: Woven goods jewellery folk art. Local specialities Salted white cheese ('kopanisti') almond confectionery ('amygdalota') fermented almond cordial ('soumada').