Mykonos, or Myconcos, lies at the heart of the Cyclades group and was once a byword for trendy and chic holidays in the Med. Even by Greek standards it is an island of extremes, little more than a treeless block of granite, assaulted by the fierce summer meltemi wind and dotted with sugar cube houses bathed in a dazzling white light. Some describe Mykonos as the archetypal Greek island. It was once notorious as a hangout for the young, narcissistic and gay who paraded nightly around the main town's harbour. The island's light has somewhat dimmed over the years and it now attracts a more sedate clientele, mostly young couples, many on honeymoon or here to get married through one of the many Mykonos-based wedding agencies. Mykonos may have shed its more outrageous reputation but it is still very cosmopolitan, noisy and immoderate, and the cost of living is not far off horrendous. No one goes here for a cheerful, quiet holiday. It is the beaches, the nightlife and the bodies that count. Mykonos is a place to parade and pose; a place to switch on rather than off. The basic ingredients are an outstandingly beautiful main port, a succession of sandy beaches and the attraction of the nearby sacred island of Delos

The island of Mykonos is considered one of the most upbeat places in the world. This is mainly due to the feel-good atmosphere and the amazing Mykonos nightlife venues, which make it a one-of-a-kind holiday destination. Many Mykonos restaurants serve delicious traditional dishes with a contemporary twist, offering unique flavors to their guests. Some of the best restaurants in Mykonos are located on the beaches of Panormos and Paradise. Mykonos bars and beach bars are famous for their fantastic cocktails and drinks, that really hit the spot in the warm evenings, while at Mykonos clubs, visitors can dance and party to the wee hours of the morning. The island of Mykonos provides bars and clubs for all types of visitors - whether gay or straight - and caters to all musical preferences. Parties at Mykonos clubs and on Mykonos beaches are common practice and offer visitors a taste of the incomparable fun atmosphere of the island, as Mykonos parties last from morning till late at night.

The bright sun of Mykonos makes it the ideal place for those who want to bask in the sun, work on their tan and swim in the shimmering blue waters. Mykonos beaches, the main attraction on the island, are many and varied. If you like cosmopolitan beaches, we suggest going to the popular Mykonos beaches, which are: Paradise Beach, Super Paradise Beach, Platis Gialos Beach and Psarou Beach. Much frequented are the small Paranga Beach and Agios Ioannis Beach, the latter of which offers a stunning view of Delos Island. For those who visit Mykonos with children, there are family beaches, with fewer people and a wide variety of facilities, such as Agrari Beach, Ornos Beach, Agios Stefanos Beach and Tourlos Beach. If nudism is your thing, there are several wonderful nudist beaches on Mykonos. The Mykonos nude crowd frequent Elia, Panormos, Paradise Beach and Super Paradise Beach. Windsurfing aficionados prefer going to quieter beaches on Mykonos, where weather conditions are suitable for their favorite sport, such as Agia Anna Beach, Kalafati Beach and Ftelia Beach

Mykonos Island is the most popular island for gay and lesbian holidays, as it offers an extensive variety of gay friendly hotels in Mykonos Town, as well as the areas surrounding Super Paradise and Paradise beach. Mykonos is the ideal holiday destination for both gay couples and gay singles who want to have a fun and relaxing gay vacation, without being under scrutiny, as fellow tourists and locals are discreet and respectful of other people's sexual orientation, be it gay or straight. There are exciting gay bars and gay clubs that cater to the specific crowd that are mainly located in Mykonos Town, close to Mykonos port. You can find out about them by word of mouth or from special gay entertainment leaflets that are distributed around the island.