Mykonos Island is one of the most famous islands in the Mediterranean. It has two major reputations: the reputation of having a sophisticated night life and the reputation of being one of Europe's gay capitals.

But, the island can offer much more to the visitors and that makes it the most complete of all islands: beautiful landscapes, small white painted houses in picturesque villages, hundreds of little family churches and many golden sandy beaches with transparent waters.

Mykonos has multiple personalities. It can be a place for partygoers, sophisticated travelers, students and traditional Greece, depending on the season. In July and August, the island is the party destination for legions of young people. May and June, on weekends, nightlife is active, but not overwhelming. September is a good month to visit it you like some peace and quiet. The sea is warm and the hustle and bustle of summer has disappeared. Wintertime is also good as the island hosts numerous cultural events then, including a small film festival. The island is also one of the few that allow scuba diving and has several dive centers where you can rent equipment and get instruction.

The capital, Hora, with its colourful harbour in which little fishing-boats nestle happily side by side with luxury yachts, presents quite a different picture from the majority of Aegean island towns. While it is usual for island villages to be built on naturally amphitheatrical sites, Mykonos is spread out over a flat area and conveys an impression of solid aesthetic cohesion.

Along the whitewashed streets standbrilliant white box-shaped houses with stepped walls for sitting on, wooden doors and windows and brightly-coloured balconies. These are interspersed with small but impressivre churches, pretty little tavernas and shops selling souvenirs and other goods, and the overall sense is of being inside a film set.

On the Kastro hill is the complex of churches known collectively as Our Lady’ ‘Paraportiani’, a superb arrangement of whitewashed masses created over the centuries and now recognised as a national cultural monument.

Of particular historical and aesthetic interest are the medieval houses in this district of the town, which stand like a wall above the sea protecring the west side of Hora.

The Archaeological Museum of Hora contains finds from tombs on the nearby island of Rhenia, sculptures, vases and figurines. The Folklore Museum brings together a number of collections of furniture, icons, pieces of sculpture and folk musical instruments. Mykonos is also the home of the Nautical Museum of the Aegean, which has interest all of its own.

The countryside of Mykonos is a mixture of grey-green rocks ringed by prickly pear plants and little fertile areas carpeted with wild flowers. Here and there are tiny whitewashed chapels and windmills.

Ano Mera is, after Hora the most important of the older villages on the island. Standing 8 km. to the east of the town, Ano Mera has the interesting monastery of Our Lady Tourliani, ornamented with one wood-carvings. The church has a collection of valuable ecclesiastical vessels, vestments and embroideries. The courtyard contains an interesting bell-tower and a marble fountain.

Here lovers of the sea will find outstanding golden beaches such as Agios Stefanos, Psarou, Kalafatis, Platis Gialos, Ornos, Elia and Panormos.

Mykonos is a busy island with all the amenities of a modern resort and with plenty to do -by day or night - for those who wants to have a lively time. Yet visitors fond of more peaceful holidays will still find quiet corners in which to relax.

The windmill is a symbol of Mykonos. They can be seen everywhere. Once used to grind grain and wheat, some are now used as renovated residents. Some such as the Bonis mill now house a museum. They are pure-white, circular with a conical wooden roof. Just look at the skyline and you are sure to spot one.

The beaches of Mykonos are hard to beat. Enjoy the golden sands of Super Paradise, Agios Stefanos, Psarou, Kalafatis, Platys Yialos, Ornos, Elia and Panormos.