Village of Ano Mera

The island of Mykonos is not just fun and social life; for those who want to discover the true essence of the island, away from the chaos of mass tourism, we recommend visiting the village of Ano Mera. It is a pretty village located 8 kilometers from the city of Mykonos.

The peaceful village of Ano Mera is built in the typical Cycladic style and is the second largest and most important after the city of Mykonos. It is positioned in the center of the island in a strategic position for those wishing to explore this beautiful island.

What to do in Ano Mera

With a pleasant walk through the cobbled streets and whitewashed houses you can look around and discover the hidden treasures of Ano Mera. The main activities of the village are concentrated around the large central square, opposite the monastery of Panaghia Tourliani. The village of Ano Mera is topped by two windmills, a constant of the island that we have already encountered in the city of Mykonos.

The Panaghia Tourliani monastery was built in 1542 on the main plateau of the island, in perfect Cycladic style, and it was around this sacred building that the first settlement of Ano Mera developed. The building initially built by two priests was dedicated to the Presentation of the Virgin Mary. The monastery was restored in 1767 and took its current name after an icon of the Virgin found in the nearby area of Tourlos. Since then, Panagia Tourliani has become the patroness of the island and her feast is celebrated on August 15th.

The architecture of the monastery is quite striking, with a whitewashed exterior, as in the classic Cycladic style and a colored dome. To complete the landscape we find the beautiful marble fountain located in the courtyard outside the church. Inside the church, we can see an imposing wooden iconostasis (altarpiece) made in 1775 by Florentine artists. On the iconostasis there are icons of apostles and saints and scenes from the New Testament. The wooden altarpiece is decorated with green, red and golden flowers. The hanging incense holders are decorated with silver dragons with red eggs in the mouth and demonstrate oriental influence. The monastery also has a small museum which houses wooden sculptures, embroidery, vestments, sacred icons and the first bells of the monastery.

The monastery of Panaghia Tourliani is open every day from 09.00 to 13.00 and from 15.30 to 19.00.

To the southeast of the Panagia Tourliani Monastery, about 1 km away, is the Paleokastro Monastery, built in the 12th century and the remains of a Byzantine castle, as well as some tombs from the geometric period.

If after a long tour there is an appetite in Ano Mera there is no shortage of restaurants and taverns of excellent quality where you can have some refreshment. Such as the To Steki tou Proedrou, which is located in the village square and serves Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. Or even the Fisherman - Giorgos & Marina Taverna, always located in the square of Ano Mera, which, as the name suggests, offers tasty fish dishes, but also meat and traditional mouth-watering dishes!

How to get to Ano Mera

If you have not rented a car or a scooter, you can take one of the scheduled buses that leave from the port of Mykonos and in about 20 minutes you will arrive in Ano Mera. The cost of the ticket is € 2. The taxi is certainly the fastest way if you don't have your own vehicle and it costs from € 7 to € 10.

Excursions from Ano Mera

The country is an excellent starting point if you want to visit the beaches of Mykonos along the north or east coast, such as those of Kalafatis, Kalo Livadi and Elia. Above the village of Ano Mera you can admire two ancient windmills placed on top of a hill, a place that will make you go back in time.

After dinner stop in Ano Mera for a romantic walk at sunset, we are sure that you will fall in love with its typically Greek tranquility and maybe you will decide to come back again next year and to stay in one of the two elegant hotels in the town, or to rent a nice apartment.

What is important is that you come to visit this enchanting village on the island of Mykonos.