Mykonos
Ano Mera
Chloé Lefleur / Unsplash
The only non-tourist part of Mykonos — inland village life, the Panagia Tourliani monastery, and local tavernas.
Ano Mera sits at the geographic centre of Mykonos, 7km from Chora, and is the island's only village that exists independently of tourism. The 16th-century Panagia Tourliani Monastery dominates the main square with its ornate marble belfry — one of the most significant religious sites in the Cyclades. The tavernas around the plateia serve grilled meats and village salads at prices that would be impossible in Chora, and the pace of life reflects what Mykonos was before it became the most famous party island in Europe. As a base it's unusual, but as a half-day excursion from Chora it's the most authentic experience the island offers.
Scores
Walkability
Transit
Price
Local feel
Nightlife
Family-friendly
Centrality
What you gain
- ↑Panagia Tourliani Monastery — built in 1542, with a remarkable hand-carved marble iconostasis and a small museum of religious artefacts; the most genuinely historic site on the island and free to visit
- ↑Tavernas around the village square serve the most affordable and authentic Greek food on Mykonos — grilled fish, local cheeses, and village wine at prices that would be extraordinary value even on a mainland Greek island
- ↑Ano Mera gives access to the island's quieter northern and eastern beaches — Kalafatis, Lia, and Ftelia — which are less known and significantly less crowded than the southern beaches, with the same Aegean water
What you sacrifice
- ↓No nightlife and no beach — Ano Mera is an inland village; staying here as a base means taxi rides to the beach and to Chora for every activity, which adds up significantly over a week
- ↓The bus connection to Chora exists but is infrequent; the village operates on a different rhythm from the island's tourist infrastructure and services can be limited outside core hours
- ↓Not the reason anyone visits Mykonos — staying in Ano Mera rather than visiting it for a half-day means deliberately opting out of the island's famous appeal rather than complementing it
Best for
Avoid if
Other Mykonos neighbourhoods
The iconic whitewashed heart of Mykonos — windmills, Little Venice, and the Matoyianni luxury strip.
The quieter, more upscale south coast — family-friendly beaches, boutique hotels, and a calmer take on the island.
The party beach — open-air clubs running until dawn, DJ sets, and the most hedonistic scene in Greece.
Know where to stay — now find when to go.
Best time to visit Mykonos →