Ano Mera Village Mykonos

The Mykonos island, is not only parties and glamor, it also has to offer small pearls where the classic slow pace of Greece is still present.

One of these places is the characteristic Ano Mera village, which is located about eight kilometers east of Mykonos Town.

From the typical Cycladic style with its low and whitewashed houses, the windows or the colored doors, bougainvillea and flowers with a thousand shades that give that postcard touch and with its paved alleys that give peace and relaxation, it is a real gem and you must necessarily mark it as one of the things to see in Mykonos.

Quiet and not yet besieged by mass tourism, it has a couple of luxury hotels and well kept studios or apartments to rent if you want to spend your holidays in Greece on the Mykonos island without being overwhelmed by the nightlife or by the hectic and sparkling life that usually sets it apart from other Greek islands.

A large central square where all life is concentrated with four taverns where you can taste excellent fresh fish dishes or classic cuisine which also have excellent value for money compared to Mykonos Tow and where you can feel almost at home maybe having a chat with the locals in the company of a typical glass of Ouzo the Greek national liqueur.

The Ano Mera village is also a strategic base for exploring and discovering the beautiful beaches of the north and east coast of the  Mykonos island such as Kalafatis beach, Kalo Livadi beach and Elia beach.

Interesting to visit in Ano Mera is the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani located on the main promontory of the Mykonos island where the characteristic village developed afterwards. Built in 1542 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it was founded by the monks of the Katapoliani Monastery of Paros right where there was once the ancient church of Eisodia tis Panaghia. In the mid 1700s the church that is seen today is brought to life. A very scenic architecture for its high bell tower, for the marble fountain embellished with sculptures in the external courtyard of the church and for its red dome. The interior is certainly no less, where you will find a precious iconostasis by Florentine artists with small icons set in red and green colored wood with a riot of flowers and golden leaves. The upper part is characterized by figures of apostles and large icons carved with scenes from the New Testament. Also worth seeing is the internal collection of icons, original monastery bells, sacred vestments and religious vestments of the Byzantine culture. The Panagia Tourliani Church took this name after the discovery of an icon of the Virgin near the Tourlos area and legend has it that it is blessed and that it has miraculous powers. On August 15th a big and heartfelt celebration is celebrated. The monastery can be visited every day from 9.00 to 13.00 and from 15.30 to 19.00.

Another sacred place to visit north of the Ano Mera village is the Paleokastro Monastery. Dating from the 18th century, it is a classic Cycladic church that takes its name from the nearby hill which houses a medieval castle occupied by the early Byzantines in the past. Paleokastro Monastery was built over the remains of an ancient fortress and the area is considered to be one of the two oldest cities on the Mykonos island. Just opposite the main door of the old castle is the picturesque Agios Vlassis church with a red roof and blue door. Near the church two stone remains of buildings that during the period of Venetian domination housed the castle guards.

If you have your own vehicle simply following the road signs, if you are on foot, from Mykonos Town there are buses that will take you to Ano Mera in about twenty minutes. The cost of the ticket is around € 2, if you want to opt for a taxi to avoid being bound by the timetables the cost is around € 10.