2-level Villa Loom in Mykonos Town with 100 sqm. space

Essential information

Tourist board information: Visit Greece, 18-20 Dionysiou Areopagitou street, Athens. Tel.  00 30 210 33 10 529. OR local municipal website: mykonos.gr

Emergency fire and ambulance: Health Centre: 00 30 22890 23 994 / 23 998

Emergency police: 00 30 22890 22 716 / 22 235

Tourist Police: 00 30 22890 22 482

British Embassy: Ploutarchou 1, Athens 106 75, Greece. 00 30 21 0727 2600; gov.uk/world/british-embassy-athens

The basics

Flight time: Around three hours and fifty minutes from London

Currency: Euros 

Time difference: GMT +2

International dialling code: 00 30 22890

Local laws and etiquette: Similar to most countries in Western Europe.

Tipping culture: Tips are not generally expected but definitely appreciated. Tip taxis as you would at home; most restaurant bills don’t include service (though many do include a €1/90p or €2/£1.80 cover charge for bread) so a suggested 10-12 per cent is welcome. 

Public transport: Buses – running from two main stations, one in the Old Port, one in Fabrika Square – are the only mode of public transportation on the island, often running until at least 1am or 2am, and are clean, safe, cheap and punctual. Bus station: 00 30 22890 23 360; timetables: mykonosbus.com

Taxis: Uber does not operate on the island, but there are a couple of local taxi apps –mykonostaxis.com and mytaximykonos.gr – both available to download from the Apple app store or Google Play. There are usually dozens of general cabs available at the airport, where it will cost around €10-€15 (£9-14) to get to Fabrika square in Chora (the main town). 

Etiquette when self-driving: It’s tempting to say it’s every driver for himself, but here, especially the closer you get to Chora, you have to drive slowly and with care as the roads can be fiendishly narrow, and those big, wide public buses lumber along them regularly.

Greetings: Handshakes are standard, or hugs between friends.

Any atypical laws/customs (for British readers) that one should note when visiting: Smoking is still prevalent throughout Greece, both indoors in public areas (eg bars, restaurants, clubs) and outdoors. And while several areas on some of the public beaches are specifically designated nudist, if they are not, it’s unwise to strip off in front of families.

General points of safety: Mykonos is one of the most liberal parts of Greece, and, perhaps due to its higher prices, doesn’t attract much of a criminal element. There are, however, several beggars who populate the streets so you may want to keep a close eye on your wallet.