New Year dawning in Mykonos

Visiting Mykonos between early November and late March is becoming a growing trend for tourists who wish to combine lower prices with the tranquility of this amazingly beautiful island and mingle with the openhearted islanders, who appreciate good food, drinking, dancing and having a lot of “kefi” (fun). Don’t be surprised if they ask you to join them and treat you with pure homemade wine and delicacies like fine local cheeses, rich winter salads, homemade sausages and savory soups. And while it is great to visit Mykonos at the peak of the high season, when its energy is skyrocketing, nothing compares to the warmth and coziness one gets from having the island’s natural beauties almost to himself!

One of the main reasons why Mykonos can be a winter paradise is its climate. January is considered one of the coldest months, and yet the average temperature is 11°C! Some rain is expected between October and March, but the dryness of the island’s landscape proves that the rainfall is rather poor. Snow is extremely rare and the only thing that can affect Mykonos’s mild winter climate is the cold northern winds.

As for the transport, there are daily flights from the Athens airport to Mykonos and there are also ferries from Rafina port to the island, travelling to and from, all year round.

If you decide to spend Christmas and New Year holidays in Mykonos, you will be lucky to enjoy celebrations that extend until early February. Upon your arrival you will be greeted by illuminated fishing boats adorning the port, Town squares, and even behind shop windows. In other areas of Greece people follow the European tradition of decorating trees, but the islanders prefer to put colorful lamps and flags on small boat models.

On Christmas and New Year’s Eves, children flood the narrow alleys, singing beautiful carols, often accompanied by musical instruments, and getting money or home sweets in return. There are light shows and fireworks all over the place, while local bands invite the crowd to dance to Cycladic rhythms.

One of the most common New Year customs is the Vasilopita; a special sweet cake in which a coin, called “Flouri”, is secretly hidden. At midnight, the head of the family blesses the cake by making the sign of the cross, then offers a piece to every family member and to the guests. It is said that whoever gets the Flouri will be blessed by good luck for the whole New Year! And when you get home after the celebrations, be sure to step in with your right foot, as this will bring you prosperity, wealth, and good health!

Wishing you all a wonderful 2024!