The Greek island of Mykonos in the Cyclades has good nightlife, boutique hotels, fine dining, and good visitor attractions like the nearby archaeological site of Delos.

The island of Mykonos (or Mikonos) in the Cyclades is one of the most popular holiday spots in all the Greek islands. The best things to do there include enjoying its nightlife, its beaches, its fine dining (and fine diving too), top hotels, and boutique shopping – Tom Hanks has shopped here. The archaeological site on the nearby island of Delos is also a must-see.

Ten of the best things to do if taking a vacation on Mykonos are:

The Agean Maritime Museum

Tells the story of the shipping history not just of Mykonos but of the Aegean, with beautiful models of ships, old maps, photos, and a genuine pride and enthusiasm.

Archaelogical Museum

Mykonos's Archaeological Museum near the harbor is only small but worth seeing before going to Delos, to get some background on the ruins there and to see its main exhibit: a 7th-century BC storage jar decoratred with scenes of the Trojan Wars.

Beaches

The best and busiest beaches are on the south coast – some are party beaches, some gay, some family beaches and some for those who like to throw caution, and their costumes, to the wind. So check locally to find the best beach for you. North coast beaches are quieter, and just as beautiful, but you'll need transport to get tere.

Belvedere Hotel

One of the chicest hotels on the island (and there are several to choose from), the Belvedere has the edge for some visitors for its views, reasonably central location, luxury services, poolside partying, and Nobu Matsuhisa's Matsuhisa Mykonos restaurant.

Cavo Tagoo

Another of Mykonos's top hotels, the Cavo Tagoo with its cliffside setting and views across Mykonos Town is hard to beat. Its fine dining Tagoo restaurant has exceptional cuisine, a superb wine list and stunning views – hard to beat in any of the Greek islands.

Delos

The neighboring island of Delos is given over entirely to the archaeological site, and can only be visited by boat. It's one of the most unusual and memorable historical sites in the Mediterranean, covered in white marble, and it rivals Delphi and Olympia in mainland Greece. Absolutely not to be missed.

Diving

Mykonos is one of the best dive sites in Greece, a country where scuba diving is strictly controlled to protect its underwater antiquities. There are several excellent dive centers around the island, so if you're a keen scuba fan, don't miss this rare opportunity.

Little Venice and Nightlife

You want nightlife in the Greek islands, head for Mykonos. And in Mykonos Town head for Little Venice. Wherever you turn there are clubs and bars catering for every taste – every taste – and then later people head out to the beaches where places like the spectacular Cava Paradiso party through the night, and into the next morning.

La Maison de Catherine

At Nikiou 1 (tel: 22890-22169) this romantic restaurant seems to have been around forever, and it remains one of the best dining experiences on Mykonos. It combines French flair with fresh Greek ingedients, and the house speciality of tarte tatin is to die for.

Shopping

While there are plenty of souvenir shops in Mykonos Town there are also some top shops, especially for fashion and jewellery. The star Greek jewelry designer Ilias Lalaounis has a branch of his Athens shops here, and there are many Greek designer clothes shops and boutiques here too.

These are just some of the best things to do on Mykonos. It's an exceptional Greek island. Just go.