Mykonos or Myconos is an island of Greece and one of the top international tourist destinations, famous largely for its cosmopolitan character and its intense nightlife. The island is part of the Cyclades, lying between Tinos, Siros, Paros and Naxos. It spans an area of 86 km˛ and rises at an elevation of 364m at its highest point. The island is composed primarily of granite. It has little natural fresh water and relies on the desalination of sea water in order to meet its needs. There are approximately 6200 inhabitants (2002). The largest town is Mykonos, also known as Chora (i.e. the Town in Greek, a common denomination in Greece when the name of the island itself is the same as the name of the principal town), which lies on the west coast. It is believed that the island was named after a local hero, who is considered an offspring of the god Apollo and was worshipped locally in antiquity.

Modern Mykonos

Today, Mykonos is one of the world's most cosmopolitan islands, having become increasingly popular especially during the last 50 years due to the numerous international jet set visitors that spend their holidays on the island. It is widely known for its extremely rich, diverse and often intense nightlife featured by a vast number of bars and nightclubs.

Mykonos is also distincted for its sandy beaches, offering everything from crystal-clear waters, windsurfing potential, sea-side tavernas, bars featuring 24-hour loud music and even full nudity in some cases. Many Greek and international celebrities have summer residences in Mykonos and can often be seen walking the white-washed roads or having dinner at a small street-side table of an expensive restaurant or a taverna. The island is also one of the most upscale areas of Greece, and its real estate is very expensive. The popularity of the island has given rise to a wave of real estate development with the construction of private homes, villas, and hotels. This has raised some concerns that the island may be gradually losing its character. In order to prevent this, the island's zoning requires all new buildings to abide by the rules of the Cycladic architectural style.

Nightlife

The nightlife of Mykonos is marketed as among the best in Europe. Mykonos is rated among the top clubbing destinations in the Mediterranean, along with Ibiza, Ayia Napa and Rimini[citation needed]. Mykonos also attracts world-famous DJs to its clubs and beach bars, the most well-known of which are Paradise, Super Paradise and Paranga. In addition, Mykonos is a gay-friendly resort area during the summer, featuring several gay clubs. Mykonos nightlife focuses mainly on bars rather than clubs, yet there are notable clubs also.