Ano Mera is the island’s inland village — a short drive east of Mykonos Town, gathered around a plane-shaded square and a historic whitewashed monastery. It is the counterweight to the glamour of Chora: slower, quieter, more local. If you want to see how Mykonos lives when it isn’t performing, this is where you go.
Key Takeaways
- Ano Mera is the main village of the island’s interior, an easy drive from Mykonos Town.
- Its centrepiece is the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani, one of the island’s most important churches.
- The village square is ringed with traditional tavernas — a favourite for long, unhurried lunches.
- Combine it with the beaches of the island’s east coast for a relaxed day away from the crowds.
Where is Ano Mera and how do I get there?
Ano Mera sits near the centre of the island, a straightforward drive from Mykonos Town along the main cross-island road. By car or ATV it’s a short hop; local buses also connect the village with town in season. Because it’s inland, most visitors pass nearby on the way to the eastern beaches without ever stopping — which is precisely why it has kept its character.
Getting there is half the pleasure: once you leave the coast, the landscape turns to dry-stone walls, small chapels and farmland — the older, agricultural face of the Cyclades.
What is the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani?
The monastery is the village’s heart and one of the island’s most treasured landmarks. Founded centuries ago and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, protector of the island, it presents a classic Cycladic picture: brilliant whitewashed walls, a carved bell tower, a peaceful courtyard and an interior rich with woodcarving and icons.
It remains a living place of worship, so visit respectfully — modest dress, quiet voices. Opening hours vary with the season and services; if the gate is closed, the square and its tavernas make waiting easy. Even from the outside, the bell tower against a deep blue sky is one of the finest sights on Mykonos.
Why do people love the village square?
Because it does what village squares are supposed to do. Ano Mera’s plateia is ringed with traditional tavernas whose tables spill into the open air, and it runs at a rhythm Chora abandoned decades ago: long lunches, local families, nobody checking the time. The cooking leans classic — slow-baked and grilled meats, local cheeses, honest island dishes — the kind of food we explore in our guide to Greek cuisine in Mykonos.
It’s a different register from a polished dinner in town — and that’s the point. Many visitors do both in a day: a lazy village lunch in Ano Mera, then a fine dining evening back in Chora. The contrast is the best possible introduction to the island’s two speeds.
What else is near Ano Mera?
The village makes a natural base for exploring the island’s quieter east. Within a short drive you’ll find some of Mykonos’ most relaxed coastline — beaches that face away from the busy south-coast scene. The countryside around the village is scattered with chapels and old farmsteads, and the drives themselves are worth taking slowly.
It also slots neatly into a bigger day of exploring: monastery and lunch in Ano Mera, an afternoon swim on the east coast, then back to town for the evening. For the full picture of how to structure days like this, see our local guide to things to do in Mykonos.
Is Ano Mera worth visiting?
If you value authenticity, absolutely. Ano Mera won’t give you boutiques or beach clubs — it gives you a working village with a beautiful monastery, real tavernas and an unhurried afternoon. On an island famous for spectacle, that has become the rarer experience.
It’s especially worth it for food-minded travellers: tasting the traditional, village end of Mykonian cooking at lunch makes the island’s modern, refined end — the tasting plates and fresh-off-the-boat seafood of town, like the dishes on our menu at Nautilus — land with much more meaning at dinner. Two ends of one tradition, one delicious day. Reserve the evening half here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I spend in Ano Mera?
Half a day is the sweet spot: an hour or so for the monastery and a wander, then a long taverna lunch. Add an east-coast beach and it becomes a full, satisfying day out.
Is Ano Mera good for lunch or dinner?
Lunch is the classic move — the square is at its best in the afternoon light with the tavernas in full swing. Evenings are pleasant but much quieter; most visitors head back to Mykonos Town for dinner and nightlife.
Can I visit Ano Mera without a car?
Yes — seasonal buses link the village with Mykonos Town, and taxis make the trip quickly. A car or ATV gives you the freedom to pair the village with the eastern beaches, which is the ideal combination.
Is Ano Mera crowded?
Rarely, and never like Chora. Tour groups pass through the monastery at times, but the village absorbs them easily. Even in August it remains one of the calmest corners of the island.
