Mykonos holidays

Mykonos cuisine reflects the rich culinary heritage of wider Greece, with dishes based on seafood, local meats, olive oil, cheese and fresh vegetables. We recommend you try some of our favourites, listed below.

Kopanisti is a thick, pink spreadable cheese made from sheep's or goat's milk, often served with freshly baked bread. Kremidopita is a pie made with onion and creamy Tirovolia cheese mixed with herbs and spices, giving a pleasing combination of crispy crust and soft, flavoursome filling.

Sun-dried rather than smoked, Mykonos sausages have a very distinctive flavour. Made from pork meat and fat, seasoned with aromatic herbs and pepper, these sausages are a source of pride for many of the island's butchers.

Finally, you should buy some Rafiolia during your stay. This is a sweet dish made from fried dough, sprinkled with orange and cinnamon and drizzled with honey - delicious.

Mykonos is a party island, so of course you'll find all the internationally renowned beers and spirits. But dig a little deeper and you'll soon discover a rich collection of local drinks. The most obvious is Ouzo, Greece's national drink. This potent spirit comes in many varieties across the island.

The climate and soil of Mykonos are perfect for growing the grapes used to produce wine. Numerous vineyards can be visited, and you can discover some excellent examples of red and white wines.

Beer is also brewed locally and on neighbouring islands. The most popular is the award-winning FIX, which is a top-quality, mild-tasting lager ideal for hot days. Other favourites include Mythos and Peiraiki.

While international sports, particularly football, are shown on TV in many Mykonos bars, the most popular sporting activities take place on or in the water. Mykonos, like many Greek islands, has a strong sailing culture and many companies offer crewed boats to take you around the islands.

The almost constant breezes make Mykonos a paradise for wind and kite surfers, as evidenced by the large number of people who practice this sport every day. Clear seas and an abundance of interesting marine life make scuba diving another popular pastime, supported by numerous diving schools. Mykonos is also ideal for many other water sports, such as jet skiing and water skiing.

Of course, most visitors to Mykonos will find their fill of music and dance in the many bars and nightclubs. But it's worth seeking out some examples of traditional Greek music that will really bring you closer to the rich culture and heritage of this fascinating island.

Most of the music on Mykonos dates back to the Byzantine era and has a melodic, folkloric resonance. They usually feature ancient instruments such as the lyre or the kithara, both stringed, or the aulos, a combination of double-reed wind instruments. Traditional dances include the Zeibekiko, a difficult solo dance depicting a displaced nation and a lost homeland. The Hasapiko, which translates as the butcher's dance, is based on battle movements. Mykonos has its own version, which is particularly difficult to perform as it includes some very complex movements.

The final dance to look out for is the Sirtaki, a modern and refined version of the Hasapiko. It's a group dance that you'll be familiar with from films such as Zorba the Greek.

Despite first impressions, Mykonos is actually a great place to shop and it's not uncommon to find a tiny boutique selling designer brands tucked away at the end of a shady alley. Mykonos town is home to most of the shops and, while they close at the hottest times of the day, they come alive at sunset and many stay open until the early hours of the morning. In the town, you'll find jewellery and souvenir shops, as well as upmarket fashion shops, often aimed at attracting the Mykonos jet-set. Polikandriotis Street is the best place for jewellery, while the village of Nammos, around 5km from the town, is a paradise for designer brands, where you'll find all the world-famous products.