When I booked my trip to Mykonos, the plan was simple: sit still, soak up the sun, read for hours, and recharge after a long and unusually hectic summer. A proper pause. Of course, leave it to me to choose one of the most socially charged islands in the Aegean for a “quiet break.” The irony isn’t lost on me :)

Yes, this is the Mykonos you’ve heard about. The place where music pulses until dawn and rosé flows like water. But, if you let the town pull you in at its own pace, there’s more to it.

This is true especially in the early hours when you can have the town almost all to yourself. Wandering the narrow, winding white-washed alleys of Chora is its own kind of meditation. There’s a rhythm to it. Turning corners without direction, losing track of time, letting small shops and hidden courtyards pull your attention. And if you're anything like me, it doesn't take long before the eye starts to search for art.

Because yes, even here, in between beach clubs and boutique hotels, there are places for the design-minded. If you love contemporary art, thoughtful curation, and the occasional surprise around a quiet corner, Mykonos has something to offer. You just need to know where to look. And you know me, when it comes to art, I WILL look. And I WILL find it. Let’s go explore, shall we?

WHERE CONTEMPORARY ART HIDES IN PLAIN SIGHT

Rarity Gallery

This was the first gallery I visited, and if I only had time for one, it would’ve been this. Set inside a former Mykonian home, Rarity Gallery manages to feel both refined and approachable. Think museum-quality art in a space that still feels human in scale.

The artist lineup reads like a who’s who of contemporary icons and emerging names: Julian Opie, Ellen von Unwerth, David LaChapelle, Mel Ramos, Tony Cragg, Peter Halley... the list goes on. There’s photography, sculpture, and large-scale painting. And all is given room to breathe. It’s also blissfully air-conditioned, if you're looking for one more reason to step inside.

Outside Rarity Gallery – where Julian Opie and Ellen von Unwerth meet the Mykonian light.

Minima Gallery

Tucked into another whitewashed building not far from the buzz of town, Minima Gallery is a quieter counterpart to Rarity. It leans local and European, showcasing a mix of contemporary Greek and international artists across painting, sculpture, and photography.

There’s less of a blockbuster feel here, but that’s part of the appeal. It’s the kind of place where you can take your time, notice material, texture, line. You might walk away remembering one piece that held your attention longer than you expected.

THE POP ART PAUSE

Art & Soul Gallery

Pop art meets sculpture at Art & Soul—playful, bold, and just steps from the main street.

If Rarity and Minima are calm conversations, Art & Soul is the colorful friend who shows up ready to dance. The space is packed with pop art sculptures, vibrant canvases, and collectible design objects. Many of the artists here are Greek, which is always refreshing, but the work speaks in a language that’s global. Bold, playful, polished.

Kapopoulos Fine Arts

Part gallery, part auction house and somewhat reminiscent of the Gagliardi gallery in San Gimignano, Kapopoulos brings a more established presence to the island’s art scene. You’ll find both Greek and international artists here with a clear curatorial eye and staff who are happy to talk you through the collection.

It’s the kind of space that reminds you Mykonos isn't just for holiday-goers—it’s for pop art collectors, too.

I may have come to Mykonos with the best intentions of doing nothing. But as always, a bit of wandering and a little curiosity changed the course. Art does that. And this time, it was a welcome reminder that even the busiest destinations can hold quieter, artful moments, if you know where to look.