It is unfortunate that so many of the photographs potential visitors to Mykonos see are actually limited to sites in one small area of the island. Mykonos Town and Little Venice are amazingly picturesque, and if you were to look at 100 images of the island, a huge number of them would have been snapped there. However, as someone about to enjoy a luxurious villa stay somewhere on the island, you will want to get out and see a lot more of this photogenic destination. To help you capture some remarkable images, we are going to review a list of the best places to take your camera and yourself to really enhance a visit to Mykonos.
Mykonos Town
Yes, we did say that this is a heavily photographed spot, and for good reason. It is truly beautiful and a very popular place to snap some images is right along the waterfront that wraps the harbor. However, at almost any time of the day or night, the area is rather crowded, but you can dodge all of the clutter in your images by paying a visit to Mykonos Town and Little Venice around sunrise. Not only will it be empty, but the light will create amazing effects on the front of the lovely white houses, the waters and the stones.
Don’t forget to snap images of Agios Nikolaos and the Paraportiani while no one is in town.
Old Port
The old port is the ultimate spot for fishing boat photography, and yet it is the same here as Mykonos Town in general – very busy during the day. Get in early to see the fishermen and sponge boats heading out, or wait to late in the afternoon when the cruise ships go and the fishing boats return. If you are lucky, you will find some fishermen sitting along the port walls at dawn as they try and catch octopus.
Super Paradise Beach
Popular and crowded, it sits at the bottom of a winding road. This offers you a wonderful way to capture an image of the beach and really make the most of the unusual assortment of sun chairs that seem to fill the sands. Try to do a sunrise or sunset visit if possible as the light of midday tends to washout the entire setting.
The Windmills
While in Little Venice, make a point of heading up the hill to the windmills. The one known as Boni’s (near the Agricultural Museum) is charming on its own, but it also provides you with an amazing perspective over the town and down into the harbor.
Lesser Known Beaches
While the famous beaches of Psarou, Paradise, and Super Paradise are nice to photograph as well as visit, those like Lia, Fokos, and Agios Sostis are so private and peaceful, not to mention surrounded by gorgeous scenery, they are worth a trip.
A Day in Delos
If you are looking for the ultimate photographic destination in or near Mykonos, but not just limited to the town itself, pay a visit to Delos. A neighboring island and UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has fantastic scenery and historic sites. It is a living museum, but also a remarkable spot as it was sacred to ancient Greeks and still retains a very mysterious air easily captured at sunrise or sunset (or any time) with your camera.
Ano Mera
The only other actual town on Mykonos, it is a short distance inland, features a charming square and a monastery and is an ideal spot for a more authentic set of images from the island.
The key to good images in Mykonos is to remember that so much of the architecture is painted a bold white, and this can be tricky to photograph in the midday sunlight. Instead, wait until early or late hours to get good shadows and more subdued lighting. Midday is ideal for hiking adventures where utterly unique images are possible and the trip from Ano Mear to the beach at Lia is one to try.