Mykonos windmills

What makes it special

Kato Mili is the row of mills on the hill just south of Little Venice, standing over the Aegean. They were placed there to catch the strong wind blowing in from the sea, which drove the mills that ground the island's grain.

Little Venice lies just below the hill. Its houses with coloured wooden balconies are built against the sea, and the waves lap against their walls.

One more mill stands apart, higher up on Ano Mili hill above Chora. Boni's windmill is a stone mill of the 16th century, named for George Bonis, its last owner, who also worked it.

Inside Boni's windmill the complete mechanism is on display with the tools used to run it. Around it stand the miller's house, a thresher, a grape stomping tank, a well, a pigeon house, a pigsty and twin churches, all part of the open-air museum.

Visiting

Walk to Little Venice first, then take the path at its southern end up onto Kato Mili hill, where the mills stand in a line.

Coming down, head back through Little Venice and on to Panagia Paraportiani Church, another easy sight on the same walk through town.

For the inside of a mill, climb instead to Boni's windmill on the hilltop above the town. The Agricultural Museum there overlooks Chora from the hilltop and keeps its own opening hours, listed below.

Tips

For the classic photograph of the whole row, walk to the Kastro district and shoot the mills from there rather than from the hill itself. The row shows best under a bright blue sky with the wind blowing.

Little Venice below is one of the most popular sunset spots on the island. For a second evening view over the town and the sea, watch the sunset from Boni's windmill instead.