Sunset View with a Little History on the Side

The windmills are white, rounded structures that fit the style of the rest of Mykonos architecture.

The Windmills of Chora, as they are called, can be seen standing proudly at the edge of the town as you pull into the harbor of Mykonos. South of the town of Chora, there are seven lining the cliffs’ edge, overlooking the sea. With a long history of agricultural production, and boasting the best view of the sunset on the island, these mills are one of the most celebrated features of Mykonos.

Visitors can experience not only the sunset from the vantage point of the Windmills of Chora, but also the glow the sun casts onto the rest of the island.

The islands’ windmills are not in use today, but were an integral part of processing wheat in Mykonos during the 16th century. The wind coming from the sea powered the massive white mills to produce thousands of pounds of grain. There was originally over 20 windmills around the island that contributed to the growing economy.

The windmills are so well-known, much of the paintings and ceramics on the island include depictions of them for tourists to bring home.

Use eventually declined, and these days, the windmills remain a reminder of the past. My friends and I ventured to the mills the first night we got to Mykonos. There were hundreds of people lining the shore and perched on the cliff to see the sunset and take photos with the famous mills. One couple even had a drone, flying high above the crowd to capture the beauty. It is an unforgettable sight.