Upon hearing the word “Mykonos” many things cross our minds. Endless parties, unique nightlife moments, drinks, beach clubs, and many more. However, there is another side of this multi-dimensional island that few people or the most committed explorers of the island know.
For those who love exploring new destinations and places when on vacation and for those who seek to discover new spots but don’t know from where to start, we have the best suggestions! This collection of local spots will not only surprise you but will make you reconsider everything you knew about Mykonos. Let’s start!
Bonis Windmill: The famous 16th-century windmill, is open to the public as a museum. On the ground floor, you can see where the flour was weighed, whereas upstairs there is a room where supplies were stored. Above that there is the actual mill. If you want to visit Bonis Windmill, you have to climb up the hill from the old port. It only opens in the afternoon from July to September, usually at 4 pm.
Lena’s House: A 19th-century, Mykonian house located at Tria Pigadia in the town of Mykonos. Lena’s House is an authentic middle-class Mykonian residence, representing a typical internal arrangement of space. Named after the last owner of the house, Lena Skrivanou, it contains a spacious drawing room, two bedrooms, and two courtyards, and a dovecote. The rich antique furnishings - such as large frames containing splendid prints - the tapestries, the wood carvings, the old mirrors the painted plates, and many more are quite popular amongst the visitors.
Paraportiani: The church dates back to the middle of the 15th century A.D. Its name means inner or secondary door, which was built right next to the entrance of the Medieval castle in Mykonos (unfortunately it has been completed destroyed). The first buildings where built in 1475, Paraportiani is a group of five smaller churches that were constructed over the years and were not completed until the 17th century. What makes this church so unique is its construction which is an asymmetrical amalgamation of four churches into one. The four different architectural styles are a mix of Byzantine, vernacular, traditional and western styles. As a building of great architectural value, it consists of four ground-floor temples and one on the first floor, which is the main church. The churches around it (Aghios Sozontas, Aghii Anargyri, Aghia Anastasia, and Aghios Efstathios) comprise the whole of the church of Paraportiani.
Giora’s Woodbakery: a traditional wood-fired bakery in the heart of Mykonos. Rumors have it that the Woodbakery is housed in one of Mykonos oldest buildings. The Woodbakery has been in operation since the 18th century. The vibe inside is decidedly cozy. You can even watch the bakers knead their masterpieces right in front of you. For a truly local experience, you should order a Freddo cappuccino and an amigdaloto, a delicious almond cookie.
The isle of Aghios Georgios: a tiny island that belongs to Mykonos. Located 670km northwest of Mykonos town, Aghios Georgios isle has a few houses and a chapel. The latter was built in honor of George Baos, a Myconian pirate that used the islet as an attack base during the Orlov revolt. According to local legends, Aghios Georgios is where they used to exile “vrykolakas” (Greek vampires) from Mykonos. Having them in a remote isle surrounded by saltwater, meant that they couldn’t escape. A must-visit destination (the isle can be reached by boat) where one can spend his or her day wandering around history and legends.
