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Ano Mera
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
city · GR

Ano Mera

Recommended stay: 1 day
Getting around: Ano Mera sits inland on Mykonos, about 7-8 km from Mykonos Town, and is really only visited as part of a wider Mykonos stay rather than somewhere people base themselves. A rental car, ATV, or taxi is the practical way to get there; local buses run from Mykonos Town but on a limited schedule. Once in the village, everything is within a short walk of the central square.
Hours: The Panagia Tourliani monastery is generally open through the day but, like most Greek monasteries, closes for a couple of hours around midday and expects modest dress (shoulders and knees covered) to enter.

Ano Mera is Mykonos's actual inland village, and it's a useful reminder that the island isn't only whitewashed cocktail bars and beach clubs. The village center is a real, functioning Cycladic square with older residents, tavernas serving grilled meat rather than sushi, and noticeably lower prices than the coast.

The main sight is the Panagia Tourliani Monastery, an 18th-century monastery with an ornately carved marble bell tower and a small museum of ecclesiastical artifacts and vestments. Ano Mera is also the access point for some of Mykonos's quieter east-coast beaches, like Kalafatis and Lia, making it a reasonable lunch stop when exploring that side of the island.

Ano Mera FAQs

Is Ano Mera worth a special trip from Mykonos Town?

It's worth an hour or two if you're already driving toward the east-coast beaches (Kalafatis, Lia) or want a quieter, cheaper lunch away from the coast, but it's not a standalone destination.

How do I get from Mykonos Town to Ano Mera?

By rental car or ATV it's about 15 minutes; there's also a local bus a few times a day, though a car gives you much more flexibility to combine it with the east-coast beaches.

What is there to actually see in Ano Mera?

The main sight is the Panagia Tourliani Monastery with its carved bell tower and small museum; beyond that it's mostly about the village atmosphere and a quiet taverna meal.

Are prices cheaper in Ano Mera than Mykonos Town?

Generally yes, tavernas around the square cater more to locals and are noticeably less expensive than anywhere near the Mykonos Town waterfront.

Can I combine Ano Mera with beach time in one day?

Yes, this is the most common way to visit: stop in the village on the way to or from Kalafatis or Lia beach on the east coast.

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