If you have decided to spend your vacation in Mykonos then you need to know a few things. The island of Mykonos has become famous for youth tourism, as is well known Mykonos offers the opportunity for many young people to spend unforgettable evenings in beautiful places and with world-famous DJ sets. In fact, its strong point for many is precisely this, that is, the nightlife and nightlife. But an island as beautiful and fascinating as Mykonos, do you really believe that it hosts only this? The answer is absolutely not. Mykonos is actually famous for a thousand other facets, one of these are its mills. Works that occur in every corner of the island to remind many of the predominantly rural economy of the past.
Where can I find the mills and how do they look?
The mills are mainly located on the hills of the island of Mykonos and in the old district of Kastro. They have a classic Greek style, the roofs are thatched and the walls stand out with their bright white. These mills are one of the most picturesque and suggestive attractions of the island of Mykonos and over time they have become the symbol of Mykonos, but for the most part it is not possible to visit their interior, their immense beauty can only be admired from the outside.
The mills of Kato Myli
Kato Myli is located on a promontory overlooking the sea, on the southern coast of the island of Mykonos. From here, in addition to enjoying a breathtaking view, you can find five beautiful mills that are still intact. In ancient times the mills were ten and gave a sort of welcome to the ships that landed on the opposite coast, which were several since the port was once very busy and enjoyed a center crowded with inhabitants.
To date, some of the remaining mills have been renovated and others have become hotels for visitors who want to stay in characteristic places. Certainly, however, the beauty and peculiarity of these mills will never die! If you should visit them, which we absolutely recommend you do, also admire the beaches of the area and its narrow alleys, where getting lost is one of the best things you could do on the island of Mykonos.
The Alefkandra mills
Alefkandra is located on the west coast of Mykonos Town and also offers a visit to the most famous mills of the island of Mykonos. Alefkandra is located close to the sea and its hills dominate the city of Mykonos, giving a spectacular panorama that thousands of visitors admire and appreciate every year more and more! To reach it just start from the port of the city and take the roads located south of the capital, in a few minutes walk you will find yourself in front of these fantastic works.
These mills worked thanks to the strong wind blowing in the areas where they are located, these milled the cereals from the other islands and the wheat and flour originating from the island of Mykonos. The mills were essential to maintain the economic balance of the island during the sixteenth century, because thanks to the excellent work that took place the products were exported all over the world. Then the financial situation of Mykonos grew thanks to the arrival of tourism, so the mills actually no longer served much, but why destroy them or leave them in a state of neglect? So instead of demolishing these works that made the island of Mykonos what we see today, it was decided to restructure and reuse it, obviously not in agriculture, but always purely tourist.
For example, one of the mills that we can admire to date has become the museum of the mills, called "Boni", which displays photographs of the current mills still active, tells the story of their construction and their commercial role, also explaining the work that it is carried out with these for about 400 years, or until the arrival of tourism on the island of Mykonos; everything is provided in English or Greek and access to the museum is free and free, being open every day.
How to reach the mills?
Reaching Alefkandra is very easy both by car and scooter, once you arrive you will also find a parking lot where you can leave your vehicle, without wasting time or worries. If, on the other hand, you don't feel like driving, you can use the bus, whose stops are located in the streets near the mills.
Finally, one thing we suggest you to do in Alefkandra is to admire the sunset, the colors of the sunset are reflected on the mills and on the colorful houses creating extraordinary colors! You decide whether to enjoy it near the mills or in a local restaurant, perhaps while sipping a good aperitif, but don't miss it for any reason. It will surely be one of the best memories you can take home!