Mykonos

The Chora, or main island town on Mykonos, is without question the most glamorous of any town in the Greek islands. The whiteness of the two-story cube-shaped houses and buildings of Chora is the very embodiment of that classic Cycladic island “look”: one short stroll along the little streets lined with posh shops and upscale bars and you won’t be mistaking Mykonos town for anyplace else in the world. Bustling byways like cobblestone Matoyianni Street radiate Cycladic sophistication and it’s a rare urban island joy; you don’t even have to buy anything to feel unique energy, made more intense by the convergence of visitors from all around the world who come here to enjoy the visual pageantry. You can start at the Old Harbor promenade, lined with the old mansions that once belonged to wealthy merchants and sea captains. In the Alefkandra neighborhood, also called Little Venice, there is a colorful row of tall 18th-century houses with corbelled wooden loggias built right over the sea. Agia Kyriaki square with its little white church is a nice spot for a coffee break. One of the most photographed churches in the world is the dreamlike Panagia Paraportiani, a complex of five churches from the 1600s by the town’s old medieval walls and perfect in its imperfection—the most beautiful part is flowing, all-white pyramid-style chapel. Paraportiani gets its name from the paraporti, or small gate in the medieval castle. And that famous lineup of five whitewashed, north-facing Cycladic-style windmills perched by the sea? That vision of Aegean island magic is just an easy-breezy stroll south from Paraportiani.

Trendier beaches tend to be found on the south coast of Mykonos and less crowded beaches on the north side, where it tends to be windier. You can take a kitesurfing lesson at Ornos Bay, close to Chora while just east of Paraga and Paradise beaches Super Paradise is one of the most famous gay beaches in the world. Elia beach is another good bet for seaside indulgence, while east of that there’s the sandy curve of Kalo Livadi and beyond that, the beautiful beach of Agia Anna which is ideal for windsurfing or simply sunbathing and swimming, at the village of Kalafati. In the north, Panormos is great for windsurfing and Ftelia and Agios Sostis for swimming and relaxing. The rocky cove of Fokos has an off-radar but high-end beachside taverna, popular with locals.

Mykonos is perhaps the world capital of the trendy luxe beach club, where cosmopolitan menus, drinks and DJs make for a heady mix with the turquoise sea for a front yard. The beach clubs are mainly on the south coast of the island and one of the best is Nammos, located on Psarou beach. There’s also Jackie O at Super Paradise, while Principote ups the glam quotient at Agios Sostis. And whether you opt for simple or swanky, dining out in Mykonos rarely disappoints: Bakalo, Salparo, Bill & Coo Coast Taverna, Beefbar, Bao’s and Cavo Paradiso (the latter at Paradise beach) are just a few of a myriad of great spots to enjoy a leisurely island meal.