Old Port, Mykonos (must see)
Long before Mykonos became a magnet for yachts and selfie sticks, its Old Port鈥攁lso known as the Venetian Port鈥攚as the island鈥檚 lifeline to the rest of the world. Back in the 18th and 19th centuries, this crescent-shaped harbor was one of the busiest stops in the Mediterranean, hosting merchant ships sailing between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. If crates could talk, they'd have stories in at least five languages.
The port itself dates to the 16th century, built under Venetian rule with some strategic thinking. Set into the island鈥檚 western side, it stayed protected from Mykonos鈥檚 famously unruly winds鈥攁 practical feature when your cargo includes silk, spices, and maybe a barrel or two of wine. The semi-circular layout made docking and unloading a breeze, and the place quickly earned its reputation as a merchant鈥檚 paradise.
These days, the Old Port has swapped goods for good vibes. The heavy maritime traffic has moved to the New Port, leaving this historic harbor in a much calmer state鈥攎ore sailboats and strolling than shipping and shouting. It鈥檚 an ideal place to wander, with the Aegean on one side and whitewashed buildings on the other. The waterfront is lined with small shops, cozy restaurants, and boutique hotels鈥攅ach with just enough charm to make you think about canceling tomorrow鈥檚 plans.
The area isn鈥檛 just for admiring the view. Scattered around the neighborhood are a few gems, like the Church of Saint Nicholas, the Church of Saint Basil, and the beautifully named Holy Temple of the Unwithering Rose. For a deep dive into Mykonos鈥檚 past, the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos offers a fascinating collection of ancient Cycladic artifacts, some dating all the way back to the 25th century BCE.
Step just beyond the pier, and you鈥檒l find narrow alleys winding quietly through the old quarter. It鈥檚 here that the island slows down鈥攍ess buzz, more breeze. Locals go about their day, cats sunbathe with purpose, and visitors get a glimpse of Mykonos before the beach clubs and champagne buckets.
The Old Port isn鈥檛 flashy. That鈥檚 exactly the point. It鈥檚 a slice of Mykonos that still breathes in time with the tides.
The port itself dates to the 16th century, built under Venetian rule with some strategic thinking. Set into the island鈥檚 western side, it stayed protected from Mykonos鈥檚 famously unruly winds鈥攁 practical feature when your cargo includes silk, spices, and maybe a barrel or two of wine. The semi-circular layout made docking and unloading a breeze, and the place quickly earned its reputation as a merchant鈥檚 paradise.
These days, the Old Port has swapped goods for good vibes. The heavy maritime traffic has moved to the New Port, leaving this historic harbor in a much calmer state鈥攎ore sailboats and strolling than shipping and shouting. It鈥檚 an ideal place to wander, with the Aegean on one side and whitewashed buildings on the other. The waterfront is lined with small shops, cozy restaurants, and boutique hotels鈥攅ach with just enough charm to make you think about canceling tomorrow鈥檚 plans.
The area isn鈥檛 just for admiring the view. Scattered around the neighborhood are a few gems, like the Church of Saint Nicholas, the Church of Saint Basil, and the beautifully named Holy Temple of the Unwithering Rose. For a deep dive into Mykonos鈥檚 past, the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos offers a fascinating collection of ancient Cycladic artifacts, some dating all the way back to the 25th century BCE.
Step just beyond the pier, and you鈥檒l find narrow alleys winding quietly through the old quarter. It鈥檚 here that the island slows down鈥攍ess buzz, more breeze. Locals go about their day, cats sunbathe with purpose, and visitors get a glimpse of Mykonos before the beach clubs and champagne buckets.
The Old Port isn鈥檛 flashy. That鈥檚 exactly the point. It鈥檚 a slice of Mykonos that still breathes in time with the tides.
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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Old Port on Map
Sight Name: Old Port
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