Read ten facts you might not have known about the free-spirited party island of Mykonos in Greece.
1. The doors are color coded
In Mykonos of white buildings, you will notice that the doors and shutters of the houses are painted blue, red or green. Each color has its own meaning: according to the old custom, sailors’ houses were identified by blue and farmers’ houses by green. Practitioners of other professions used the color red.
2. Taxis are rare
When vacationing in Mykonos, you should choose the location of the accommodation carefully. The small island is 15 kilometers long and ten kilometers wide, and it is said that only around 30 taxis operate there. In the summer months, this usually means long waiting times, but luckily there is a working bus service between the main destinations.
If you know you want to enjoy the nightlife of Mykonos, book accommodation near the places to go. The liveliest parties are concentrated in the areas of Mykonos Town and Paradise Beach. In the wee hours of the morning, it is difficult to go to sleep on the other side of the island.
3. The story of windmills
Windmills have become the symbol of Mykonos, which decorate postcards and tourism advertisements of the island. There are still 16 windmills on Mykonos, even though they are no longer in operation. The windmills that are of interest to tourists have been carefully restored, and some of them have even been converted into homes or guesthouses.
The most famous windmills in Mykonos are the Kato Mili windmills, which offer a sea view from the top of the hill. They are easily found in Mykonos town.
4. Kopanisti is the number one local delicacy
Travelers love Greek cuisine. If you want to try a local specialty on Mykonos, choose the island’s biggest pride. Kopanisti is a soft, spicy pepper cheese that can be eaten with bread as an appetizer, for example. Kopanist is also made into a dip.
5. Mykonos was an island of pirates
Pirates are an essential part of Mykonos’ past. It is said that pirates tormented Mykonos, enjoyed themselves on its coast and even had riotous parties there. Perhaps the long-claws of the seas already knew that the island would become one of the hottest party destinations in Europe.
The labyrinthine alleys of Mykonos Town are also associated with pirates. According to legend, the labyrinth-like small streets were designed to mislead pirates so that they would get lost in the middle of their raids.
6. Little Venice is the most photographed place in Mykonos
Little Venice is an area in the town of Mykonos known for its charming houses built right on the water’s edge. That is how it got its name, which refers to Venice. Little Venice is perhaps the most photographed place in Mykonos, where most tourists want to stop by to eat or watch the sunset.
The first part of the Jason Bourne film series was also filmed in Little Venice Medusa’s Web. The place is easily recognizable from the final scene of the film.
7. Island of Superstars
Mykonos has become one of the most popular jet set destinations in Greece, where international stars also enjoy themselves. Among other things, an actor Leonardo DiCapriosinger Ariana Grande and a soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo have vacationed in Mykonos. The reputation is also reflected in the price level: in summer, Mykonos is one of the most expensive destinations in Greece.
An actor known for many Hollywood blockbusters Lindsay Lohan has even opened its own beach club on Mykonos, where a reality TV series has been filmed. Lohan Beach House is located on the beach of Kalo Livadi.
8. Petros the pelican is the mascot of Mykonos
Who could resist a pelican roaming around Mykonos town? If you come across this creature, you’ve gotten to see the island’s beloved mascot, Petros. And yes, you can really manage to spot a pelican on the streets of Mykonos – we know from experience!
The story tells that a local fisherman found a wounded pelican in the 50s, which he decided to nurse back to health. However, after recovering, the pelican did not leave Mykonos.
The original Petros died in 1986, but the bird of the same name roams the streets of Mykonos Town even today. Today, there are said to be a total of three pelicans on the island.
9. The Secret of the Paraportian
One of the most iconic buildings in Mykonos is the Paraportian Church in Mykonos Town. The gleaming white building has interesting shapes that attract the attention of even a tourist who is not interested in churches.
Would you guess from the outside that Paraportiani is actually five separate churches joined together? The first part of the building was already completed in 1425.
10. As a neighbor, the Unesco island of Delos
The most popular day trip from Mykonos takes you to the neighboring island of Delos. Described as a floating archaeological treasure trove, Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant historical and archaeological sites in ancient Greece, which is also considered the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.
The ferry ride from Mykonos to Delos takes just under half an hour.
Source: www.rantapallo.fi
