But why is Mykonos windy? The answer is Meltemi, a dry northern wind that blows over the Aegean during summer, mainly in July and August (the high season on Mykonos). It is created by the differences in atmospheric pressure between north Africa and the Balkans.

Mykonos is famously known as the "Island of the Winds" primarily due to the Meltemi, a strong, dry northerly wind that blows across the Aegean Sea. These winds are a seasonal phenomenon occurring from May to October, but they reach their peak intensity in July and August. The Meltemi is caused by a high-pressure system over the Balkans and a low-pressure system over Turkey; as the air moves between these systems, it is funneled through the Cycladic islands, gaining speed as it passes Mykonos. While the wind can be frustrating for tourists—occasionally blowing away beach umbrellas or causing ferry cancellations—it is actually welcomed by locals because it provides a natural "air conditioning" that keeps temperatures manageable and humidity low during the scorching Greek summer. The island's iconic 16th-century windmills were strategically built to harness this constant energy for grinding grain, standing today as a historic testament to the fact that Mykonos has been defined by its gusty climate for hundreds of years.