MYKONOS, or MYCONOS, lies at the heart of the central Cyclades islands and was once a byword for trendy and chic holidays. Some describe Mykonos as the archetypal Greek island, a treeless block of granite dotted with sugar cube houses and bathed in a dazzling white light.
Others dub Mykonos an island of extremes, a playground for the rich and a hangout for young, narcissistic gays who parade nightly through the main town harbour or strike stark poses on the island's nudist beaches.
But the Mykonos light has softened over the years. It now attracts a less louche clientele. Families have reclaimed the beaches and young couples now honeymoon here or even marry through one of the many Mykonos-based wedding agencies.
Independent travellers have always been attracted to Mykonos are keen seek out the very good deals on offer at Mykonos hostels.
The glamour may have faded, but the Mykonos magic still sparkles. Mykonos is still the place to see and be seen, in some of the most attractive scenery to be found anywhere in the Greek islands.
Mykonos is renowned for its magnificent mountainous backdrops, stunning sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Holidays to the Greek Islands are often most cherished for this combination of sunshine, warm waters and beaches set against truly wonderful scenery.
A photogenic port and a string of sandy beaches along the south coast are the main attractions of Mykonos while the nearby islet of Delos is one of the great sightseeing attractions of the Aegean and the Mykonos windmills are probably the most photographed in Greece.
The rich, famous and artistic may have moved on but Mykonos still attracts the young and colourful. Clubs and bars are everywhere, as are the up-market international restaurants.
Most of the accommodation has grown up around the hillside behind Mykonos Town and the residential area now covers a large expanse north to Agios Stefanos and south to Platis Yialos.
With little natural shelter Mykonos suffers more than most from the notorious meltemi wind that can blow fiercely in high summer.
Mykonos takes charter flights from major European cities throughout the summer and there are regular domestic flights from Athens, Crete and Rhodes.
Ferries arrive daily from Piraeus and Rafina on the Greece mainland. There are also regular sailings from Crete and Rhodes.
Roads are reasonably good and there are plenty of taxis and a regular bus service to most resorts as well as daily caique sea taxis.
A string of fine sheltered beaches along the south coast make Mykonos a popular beach holiday destination. A succession of sandy strips are linked by a long coastal path.
All-night beach parties are common on the more popular sands. There are a few large beaches in the north but they are windy and with few facilities.
An excellent network of buses serves most of the beaches as do daily boats that sail from Mykonos Town and Ornos Bay.
Mykonos is one of the central Cyclades group and about 150km south-east of Athens. It is small, about 88sq km with a coastline of 82km.
A barren granite landscape rises to two mountains. The nearby island of Delos was once the centre of the Greek world.
Mykonos is noted for sunshine and wind and has about 300 cloud-free days annually. High temperatures are tempered by frequent strong winds.
