10 Amazing Things to Do and See in Mykonos, Greece

Peter the pelican was an emblematic figure of Mykonos and a symbol of the island during the 30 years of his life. A local fisherman found him wounded in 1958, and afterwards, he was nursed and supported by the locals who named him Petros, from petra, which means “rock” in Greek – petra being the dominant architectural element of Mykonos and the Cyclades in general. Thousands of tourists used to run after the island’s mascot every summer for a picture. To the disappointment of locals and tourists, Petros was killed by a car in 1985 and was mummified in Thessaloniki, according to the decision of the Municipality of Mykonos. Nowadays, three pelicans live on the island of Mykonos, one of which is named Petros to honour the island’s symbol.

Lena’s House is located in Chora, near the area of Tria Pigadia. It is an authentic sample of a Mykonian middle-class family house of the 19th century. It hosts a collection of European and local furniture of the 19th century, as well as a wide range of useful or decorative objects, from mirrors to gravures and embroideries. From April until October, it is open to visitors on a daily basis except for Sundays from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

The island’s Folklore Museum is located in Kastro, just some minutes away from the famous Paraportiani, in a two-floor traditional building. It hosts interesting collections of classic furniture, handmade ceramics, Byzantine pictures, and important manuscripts and photographs. You have to visit this museum in order to get in touch with the deeper cultural identity of the island, which is so much more than the vivid beach bars.

The Monastery of Paleokastro is a women’s monastery north of the settlement of Ano Mera. Dating back to the 18th century, it was named after the homonymous nearby hill and is a typical example of Cycladic monastery architecture.

Famous for its rich collection of vases, some of which date back to the 17th century, the Archeological Museum of Mykonos is located in the heart of the island, close to the port. Except for the vases, it also hosts a unique collection of sculptures, ceramics and jewels. It is open to visitors every day except for Mondays, from 8.30am until 3pm.

The Mykonos Town Hall is a two-floor building that dominates in the Chora of Mykonos. It was initially constructed to become the residency of a Russian earl during the Russo-Turkish war (1770-1774) and was afterwards used as the island’s Town Hall, maintaining its initial, classic architectural form. Next to the Town Hall is an equally important and historical building, the first school of Mykonos.

The island of Mykonos hosts more than 70 Christian Greek Orthodox churches, following the tradition of the Greek islands. A large amount of them was constructed after the Byzantine period by rich families of the island in order to thank God or honour one of their relatives. You don’t need to be religious to visit some of those beautiful churches. The most famous Mykonian churches, known for their architecture, include Zoodochos Pigi, Agia Kyriaki, Saint Nicolas, Paraportiani and Agia Eleni.