Mykonos Iraklia Ferry

Mykonos Guide

Forming one of the Cyclades group of islands, the island of Mykonos lies between the islands of Tinos, Paros and Naxos. The main town on the island, also called Mykonos (or Chora to the locals), has typically Cycladic architecture on display with its white washed houses with painted blue windows, pretty narrow streets and pebble-stoned pavements and small white chapels with sky blue cupolas. Many visitors choose to simply take a stroll through Chora, the old port, Little Venice and the Castle to take in the charm of the town. The island in general has a lively nightlife and is sometimes referred to as the "Ibiza of Greece" as a result of its summer club scene which is a major draw for thousands of tourists each year.

The island has two ports. The old Mykonos harbour is where passenger ferries arrive and the New Port of Tourlos is where mostly cruise ships dock. Ferry services from Mykonos depart to Piraeus and Rafina on the Greek mainland and to the other islands in the Cyclades, the Dodecanese islands and to Crete. Conventional and high speed ferries operate to and from the island.

Iraklia Guide

The small Greek island of Iraklia is located at the western edge of the Small Eastern Cyclades group of islands and only has around 100 inhabitants. The island is characterised by hills, thick vegetation, clear waters with the od shipwreck on the sea floor, and scenic bays which all combine to make it one of the most unspoilt islands of the Cyclades. For nature lovers the island is home to the Mediterranean seal and the marine turtle, Caretta Caretta. The island only has two villages. Ayios Georgios, which is home to the island's harbour, and Panayia.

Perhaps because the island is so small its history remains largely unknown with speculation that is may have been a Minoan settlement in the 2nd century BC, as there is an similar city in Crete. Under Venetian and Ottoman rule, the island paid taxes but it seems that it was the only obligation the Iraklians had.

From the island's port there are ferries available that depart to the Port of Piraeus with a crossing time of between 8 and 10 hours, depending on itinerary. There are also ferry services to the other islands of the Small Cyclades and to Naxos and Amorgos.