Make your trip to Mykonos more sustainable by traveling in shoulder seasons like autumn and you will be rewarded with an experience of the real, wild side of the island.
Experience the true beauty of Mykonos by traveling in the shoulder seasons like autumn and you will be rewarded with an unforgettable experience of the real, wild side of the island.
Mykonos: Trade beaches for a sacred archaeological site
Mykonos made the news summer due to the soaring prices of sunbeds and other services on the island. The inhabitants also began to protest against the inaccessibility of the beaches illegally closed to the public by the owners of the premises.
Avoid the beaches – the clubs are mostly closed in October anyway – and head for the archaeological attraction that, ironically, brought the island tourism fame first.
The island of Delos, accessible via a 30-minute ferry from Mykonos, is the mythological birthplace of the twin gods Apollo and Artemis and was an important sacred site in ancient Greek culture.
Visit the UNESCO today and you’ll find a rocky island filled with the remains of luxurious homes and large public buildings dating back to when the island became an important trading port in the 2nd century BC
You’ll find graceful statues, ornate temples and mosaic floors – and a large colony of cats.
Mykonos: Swap crowded city centers for quiet villages
The old town of Mykonos (Chora) is nice, but has been whitewashed and taken over by expensive bars and luxury chain stores.
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and head to the inland village of Ano Mera instead. Life here centers around a large square with a handful of reasonably priced tavernas where it’s much easier to find a table in the sun.
In the afternoon, explore the 16th century monastery of Panagia Tourliani with its elegant light stone facade and decorated arched bell tower. Step inside and you’ll find an interior full of golden icons and religious artifacts.
Mykonos: swap sunbathing for a horseback ride in the countryside
Many visitors to Mykonos stick to its famous coastline, but venture into the heart of the island and find wild mountainous landscapes and flora-rich trails.
Experience the beauty of the island on horseback with the IPPOS riding stables. For a couple of hours on a sunny September day, wander gently along rocky, windswept paths, lined with wildflowers and wild grasses.
The hilly landscape is carved into irregular fields by low dry stone walls and you’ll pass flocks of goats and chicken coops.
Small, old white churches crown hillocks and occasionally there is the pigeon tower with stone decorations.
It feels like you’ve had a look at the island before mass tourism which, while bringing economic benefits, has led to the decline and partial cancellation of traditional lifestyles and land use.
Mykonos: Swap beach bars for a farm-to-table cooking class
At Rizes, a working farm with the IPPOS stable, you can be transported back in time to how the inhabitants of Mykonos once lived.
The owners have restored several buildings to replicate their grandparents’ lifestyle. The thick stone-walled structures remain cool even during the scorching summer, and recesses in the walls serve as refrigerators.
Underfoot there is a large stone vat for pressed grapes and an outdoor cellar.
Rizes hosts cooking classes using ingredients from their abundant garden. Prepare a fresh salad with peppers, onion and cherry tomatoes and some lamb meatballs with freshly picked oregano.
Enjoy your meal outside, under a canopy of bougainvillea, without an overpriced cocktail or DJ booth in sight.
Image:Getty Images
