Mykonos: Little Venice (or Little Italy) lies between the old harbour and the windmills
Add Mykonos to your yacht charter itinerary if you are looking for a good dose of nightlife and people watching during your sailing trip. This tiny jewel of a town is a wonderfully twee tourist haven that positively hums with activity during the summer.
Mykonos is often portrayed by the tourist board as little Venice, with pictures of colourful houses being gently lapped by sparkling water. But to me, Mykonos is more like the Ibiza of Greece. Arguably already overrun with tourists, cruise ship after cruise ship arrives to disgorge yet more people to add to the melee. However, somehow, Mykonos absorbs the shock of it all and remains at peace with itself.
Ask any sailor about Mykonos and you are bound to raise a good debate. Yachts are, unfortunately, low on the list of priorities for the town and as a result the harbour/marina can prove somewhat less than user friendly! Efforts are being made to rectify this but progress has been slow due to the downturn in the economy.
Mykonos: The Island’s mascot does some window shopping
Late 2015 saw some improvements so there is light at the end of the tunnel perhaps. Yachts are directed to make for the new port north of Mykonos town. Yachts are no longer allowed to dock in the old harbour.
Once inside, the new port offers excellent protection from the swell generated by the meltemi but not necessarily the wind itself. If it is gusting outside try to have everything organised before you enter and have a bailout strategy should things start to go sideways.
Mooring is stern-to or bows-to the southwest quay inside the cruise ship quay and sometimes lazy lines are available.
If you have to drop an anchor, do so as close to the far side as possible to avoid picking up the heavy mooring chain and blocks in the middle of the harbour. The harbour was dredged a few years ago so holding can be poor; the more chain you have out the better.
It is sometimes possible to moor to the northeast side which can make for an easier approach and exit with the predominantly northeast wind. It is also the more protected side in the meltemi. The harbour can be very windy so deploy all the fenders you have and stay as far off the quay as possible. If you are forced to go alongside be aware you may have to wait for a lull in the weather to leave the harbour or move very early in the morning before the wind gets up.
Mykonos: The windmills are just south of the old harbour
A minimal fee is charged for the harbour (around 6€ per night plus water and power) and there is an excellent shower and toilet block located at the end of the harbour near the causeway. Buses to Mykonos town leave from the shore side of the causeway or you can take the Sea Bus from the harbour (2€ each way 2015).
There are a couple of cafes and restaurants near the marina but for a better selection head into town.
Provisioning is possible on Mykonos but be prepared for a long trek or a taxi ride if you are after a good supermarket.
Mykonos town is a delightful hotchpotch of narrow and confusing cobbled lanes and blindingly white roughcast buildings. Getting lost here is a given but all the more fun for the adventure of it.
Amply endowed with knick-knack shops, bars, cafés and restaurants you will have no trouble finding things to amuse yourself while you try and work out where you are but prices do reflect the popularity of the place. Don’t forget to take a walk to the famous windmills on the ridge-line above the town and be sure to visit the quirkily colourful “Little Venice” on the waterfront.
Mykonos: Shopping opportunities galore in the narrow alleys
Mykonos is not known for its archaeological sites but close at hand is the island of Delos; once considered the centre, or navel, of the world. If you didn’t get a chance to anchor up and visit the ruins of Delos directly, Mykonos is a good place to catch a trip boat from to visit the birthplace and Sanctuary of Apollo.
Boat trips are about 20€ and run several times a day. The entrance fee to the ruins is a very reasonable 5€ per person (2015). Bring your lunch and after you have ambled about the ruins make for the highest point on the island. The spectacular view from Mount Kythnos will remind you where the Cyclades got its name as the rocky islands circle (kyklos) Delos against an azure backdrop.
Mykonos is a must see on your bareboat sailing holiday or cabin charter. For some it will be the high point of the trip, others will be happy to move on to quieter places. Either way, it’s a place you’ll remember.