Sightseeing in Mykonos

The narrow streets of Mykonos town are one of the main attractions, provided you can visit out of season and see them when they're quiet and pretty. Whitewashed walls and blue doors and windows make up the typical Cycladic scene, which you'll see on many postcards. Be sure to peek inside a few of the red-domed chapels scattered around the island. Most are tiny, peaceful places.

Mykonos, the most touristy of all the Cyclades, is not just boozy bars and busy beaches. The island has a lovely old monastery and a whopping 300-odd churches; locals say that Mykonos has 365 churches, one for every day of the year. Among the more well-known churches are the white, half-Byzantine, half-local Church of Paraportiani; the Cathedral at Hora; and the churches of St Kyriaki and St Eleni.

The Monastery of the Panayia Tourliani, with its ornate decorations, gilding and woodwork, is a bit fantastical, but worth a visit nevertheless. It also houses a rather good museum of embroideries, religious clothing, woodcuts and similar artefacts.

A trip to the neighboring island of Delos is the must-see excursion for those interested in history. Try to get there early so you'll have plenty of time to look around. The entire island of Delos constitutes the Archaeological Museum of Delos; Delos artifacts at the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos; traditional arts and crafts at the Folklore Museum of Mykonos. Miniature lighthouses and model ships at The Aegean Maritime Museum are worth a watch especially for kids.