Mykonos Windmills

The windmills of Mykonos are among the best-known sights in Greece. A row of whitewashed mills stands on the Kato Mili ridge above the harbour of Chora, the island’s main town, looking down on the waterfront houses of Little Venice.

Built for the island’s strong winds

Most of the mills were built during the Venetian period, from the 16th century, and construction continued into the early 20th century. Mykonos sat on sea routes between Europe and the East, and passing ships needed flour and hard biscuits. The steady northern winds of the Cyclades made the island perfect for wind power, and milling wheat became an important source of income for the islanders.

A different design

Cycladic mills look very different from Dutch ones. They are round, white stone towers with small windows and a pointed thatched roof. Instead of four lattice sails, they carry a wheel of wooden spokes with triangular cloth sails, tied together with ropes. Most face north to catch the prevailing wind. Production stopped in the middle of the 20th century, and today sixteen windmills survive on the island. One of them has been turned into a small museum.

Visiting tips

• Walk up from Little Venice: it takes only a few minutes to reach the mills from the waterfront.
• Sunset is beautiful but crowded. Come in the early morning for an almost empty ridge.
• In July and August the meltemi wind can be very strong, so hold on to hats and cameras.

Key facts