Mykonos is well known as a party island along with the luxury it provides. Nevertheless, the inner personality of the island is defined by its own trademarks, nowhere else to be seen. Take a closer look to the most iconic distinctive characteristics  of Mykonos and indulge in the island’s unique spirit.

Petros the Pelican

Petros, the Great White Pelican, is the official mascot of Mykonos. The story begins in 1958, when a local fisherman found a wounded pelican off the coast of Mykonos shore. The pelican was nursed to health and stayed on the island ever since. Soon, it adopted the name “Petros”, after the hero of Mykonos during the years of the German Possession, Petros Drakopoulos. In 1963 Jacky Kennedy gifted two white pelicans to the island, for joining Petros. With their arrival in the island a real feast began; Petros, dressed as a groom with a bow-tie was led to the harbor in order to receive the brides. This is how Mykonos was connected with the pelicans, although these birds never bred on the island/

Windmills

The windmills are a characteristic feature of the Mykonian landscape. Scattered around the island and facing the North, they stand still overlooking the Aegean Sea and is the first thing seen while approaching to the harbor of Alefkandra. There are currently 16 windmills on Mykonos, seven of which are positioned on the famous landmak hill in Chora. Most of them were built by the Venetians in the 16th century, but construction continued into the early 20th century. They were primarily used to mill wheat and were an important source of income for the inhabitants. Their use gradually declined until they ceased production in the middle of the 20th century. The windmills are no longer operational but some of them have been renovated and converted into museums.

Little Venice

A miniature Cycladic version of Italian Venice, located in the southwest end of the harbor in Chora is inviting you to see a multicolored neighborhood that gives the impression of floating on water, since the houses stand on the very waterfront and get hit by the waves. The whitewashed narrow streets shape up a maze, originally designed to confuse pirates if they attacked the town, open up a new world to explore and, why not, let yourself get lost in it!

Architecture

Houses in Mykonos feature the distinguished Cycladic architecture, built in a cubic scheme and whitewashed, with wooden windows and doors painted in intense colours, flat roofs and flowered balconies. The narrow alleys are also lime washed, so they have a bright white colour. The special characteristic of the architecture in Mykonos, which slightly differentiates from the rest of Cyclades, is that the houses have a smooth and asymmetrical shape on their corners, attributing a perfect harmony to the whole form.

Delos

Delos island lies near Mykonos and is one of the most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites in Greece. It is considered as the birthplace of Apollo, the god of light and music, and his twin sister Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and wilderness. Boats from Mykonos arrive on the west coast of Delos Island, in the Commercial Harbor near the south end of the ancient ruins.