Beaches
The beaches on the south shore of the island have the best sand, views and wind protection, and a few, including the famous Paradise Beach, are known as party beaches. Others, such as Platis Gialos and Ornos, are quieter and more popular with families, whilst Agios Ioannis lies in a dramatic bay and featured in the film, ‘Shirley Valentine'.
Culture
For a true taste of Mykonos, stroll around the picturesque waterside area of 'Little Venice' in Mykonos Town, famous for its medieval two and three-storey houses. Boasting colourful wooden balconies and built quite literally over the sea, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the whole of Mykonos and a delightful spot to relax with a drink and some mouth-watering Greek food as you enjoy the sea breeze and watch traditional fishing boats drift in to the bay. Afterwards, spot the 18th century whitewashed Church of the Paraportiana, a symbol of the island, or the iconic windmills, as the beautiful sun sets behind them.
Wildlife
Urban legends tell of Petros, the wounded pelican found by a local fisherman who took him home and nursed him to health; supported by the locals, he remained on the island and became its mascot until his sad demise in the 1980s. Happily, his mantle has been taken up by several other pelicans.
Cuisine
Enjoy the bounty of Mykonos in traditional local dishes, including thick, Greek yoghurt drizzled with honey, traditional Mykonian cheese pies, platters heaped with a variety of grilled meats and assortments of ‘meze'. Try horta (cooked greens gathered from the countryside), gemista (usually, rice stuffed tomatoes and green peppers) and briam (a stew).
History
With a rich and fascinating past said to date back to Ancient Greece, Mykonos is a perfect destination for history enthusiasts. Take a scenic boat trip to the nearby island of Delos -believed by the ancients to have been the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and home to an archaeological site with sanctuaries and temples - before marveling at sacred statues from the site in Mykonos’ Archaeological Museum. For some more recent history, the beautiful 16th century Monastery of Panagia Touliani is home to a collection of fascinating Cretan icons.
Flight Time
From London Heathrow to Mykonos: 3 hours, 45 minutes.
Travelling With Children or Without an Adult
Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.
Visa and Advance Passenger Information
All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.
Passengers not travelling on a British Passport are advised to contact their relevant Foreign & Commonwealth office for individual Visa requirements.
For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit Insect and tick bite avoidance.
In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations i.e, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling.
Visit the FCDO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: Foreign Travel Advice. Additional sources of information include: Public Health England, The National Travel Health And Network Centre, Foreign And Commonwealth Office and your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.