Mykonos Windmills, Mykonos (must see)
The Mykonos Windmills, or Kato Mili, aren鈥檛 just part of the skyline鈥攖hey are the skyline. Perched on a breezy hill above Alefkandra Harbor, these whitewashed towers have been keeping an eye on Chora for centuries. Their round shapes, tiny windows, and pointed wooden roofs make them look like something out of a Cycladic fairytale鈥攎inus the dragons, plus a lot of wind.
Back in the day, Mykonos had 28 windmills scattered across the island. Today, only 16 remain, and seven of those stand proudly on this iconic hill overlooking the sea. You鈥檒l spot them from just about anywhere in town. And no, that鈥檚 not your camera lens playing tricks鈥攎ost of them really do face north to catch the island鈥檚 famously strong winds.
The Venetians kicked off windmill construction in the 16th century, using them to grind wheat and keep the local economy spinning鈥攍iterally. These three-story stone structures were workhorses of island life until the mid-20th century, when electricity made flour-making a whole lot less impressive.
These days, the windmills have traded wheat for nostalgia. Some have been transformed into cozy homes, others into storage, and a couple have taken on new lives as museums. But all of them remain powerful symbols of Mykonos鈥檚 past鈥攑roof that function and beauty can, in fact, coexist.
If you鈥檙e up for a closer look, two of the windmills near the harbor are open to visitors. Geronymos Mill is the oldest of the bunch, with original grinding gear still intact鈥攁nd still impressive. Then there鈥檚 Bonis Mill, which is part of the Mykonos Agricultural Museum. It opens from 4 to 8 PM during summer and hosts a lively festival each September, complete with dancing, storytelling, food, and local wine. Think of it as a love letter to simpler times鈥攚ith better snacks.
So if you鈥檙e wandering Mykonos and see white towers catching the wind, don鈥檛 just snap a photo and move on. Climb the hill, take in the view, and let these gentle giants remind you of the island鈥檚 quieter, wheatier past.
Back in the day, Mykonos had 28 windmills scattered across the island. Today, only 16 remain, and seven of those stand proudly on this iconic hill overlooking the sea. You鈥檒l spot them from just about anywhere in town. And no, that鈥檚 not your camera lens playing tricks鈥攎ost of them really do face north to catch the island鈥檚 famously strong winds.
The Venetians kicked off windmill construction in the 16th century, using them to grind wheat and keep the local economy spinning鈥攍iterally. These three-story stone structures were workhorses of island life until the mid-20th century, when electricity made flour-making a whole lot less impressive.
These days, the windmills have traded wheat for nostalgia. Some have been transformed into cozy homes, others into storage, and a couple have taken on new lives as museums. But all of them remain powerful symbols of Mykonos鈥檚 past鈥攑roof that function and beauty can, in fact, coexist.
If you鈥檙e up for a closer look, two of the windmills near the harbor are open to visitors. Geronymos Mill is the oldest of the bunch, with original grinding gear still intact鈥攁nd still impressive. Then there鈥檚 Bonis Mill, which is part of the Mykonos Agricultural Museum. It opens from 4 to 8 PM during summer and hosts a lively festival each September, complete with dancing, storytelling, food, and local wine. Think of it as a love letter to simpler times鈥攚ith better snacks.
So if you鈥檙e wandering Mykonos and see white towers catching the wind, don鈥檛 just snap a photo and move on. Climb the hill, take in the view, and let these gentle giants remind you of the island鈥檚 quieter, wheatier past.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Mykonos. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Mykonos Windmills on Map
Sight Name: Mykonos Windmills
Sight Location: Mykonos, Greece (See walking tours in Mykonos)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Mykonos, Greece (See walking tours in Mykonos)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Mykonos, Greece
Create Your Own Walk in Mykonos
Creating your own self-guided walk in Mykonos is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Mykonos Introduction Walking Tour
Welcome to Mykonos鈥攁 Cycladic island where mythology, marble, and mojitos live in perfect harmony. Sure, it鈥檚 known today for its beaches and nightlife, but scratch the surface and you鈥檒l find a past that鈥檚 been busy for over 3,000 years. According to ancient tales, Mykonos was named after Mykons, a grandson of Apollo. Legend says Hercules once battled giants here鈥攁nd tossed a few across... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles