Chapter 1

The Hill & the View

Tharroe of Mykonos is built on a small hill just 900 meters above Mykonos Town, offering uninterrupted panoramic views of the Aegean Sea, the iconic windmills, and the sunset.

The elevated position of the hotel provides a rare combination of privacy, open horizon, and immediate proximity to the island’s center. Guests enjoy the calm and openness of a hilltop setting while remaining within walking distance or a short drive from Mykonos Town.

From this vantage point, the view extends across the sea and towards nearby Cycladic islands, including Tinos, Syros, Paros, and Naxos. The orientation of the hill allows clear sunset views, with the light changing gradually throughout the day, shaping the atmosphere of the hotel from morning to evening.

The hill has long served as a natural lookout point. During the British Admiralty era, the rock formation was used as a reference point on naval maps, while local history associates the location with the pirate Barbarossa, who is believed to have used the hill as an observatory over the sea routes.

Today, the same elevated position defines the experience of staying at Tharroe of Mykonos: open views, natural light, visual connection to the island, and a strong sense of place.

Chapter 2

A Place of Historical Significance

The hill on which Tharroe of Mykonos stands is not only a vantage point, but a site of historical
and archaeological significance.

During construction works in 1994, a Mycenaean tholos tomb was uncovered at the summit of the hill, known locally as Angelika. The discovery led to a rescue excavation conducted by the Greek Archaeological Service.

The tomb dates to approximately the 15th century BC and belongs to the Mycenaean period (circa 1600–1400 BC). It originally featured a vaulted structure and a dromos, or entrance passage, typical of Royal Mycenaean tholos tombs. Although the vault has collapsed, the circular structure of the tomb remains preserved on site under protective coverings.

Archaeological finds from the excavation include gold necklaces, amphorae, kylikes, and other pottery vessels. These objects are now housed in the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos, offering tangible evidence of Mycenaean presence in the Cyclades and the importance of the site during the Bronze Age.

Local historical accounts describe the tomb as having been built by a very powerful Mycenaean ruler for a woman believed to have been of high status, often referred to as a Queen. While this interpretation belongs to historical narrative rather than confirmed identity, it reflects the cultural significance attributed to the site over time.

The name “Tharroe” derives from the Greek verb θαρρώ, meaning “I believe” or “I presume,” combined with the feminine article ”η”, referring to “the queen that is believed to have lived here.” The name was chosen as a tribute to the history of the hill and to the enduring presence of memory, belief, and continuity tied to the place.

Today, the ancient monument remains visible within the hotel grounds, carefully preserved and acknowledged as part of the site’s identity. It stands as a quiet reminder that Tharroe of Mykonos is built on layers of history spanning more than three millennia.

Chapter 3

A Place Chosen for a Reason

Long before it became a hotel, this hill was a point of observation. Its elevation offered visibility, orientation and protection, qualities that defined its importance through time.

When Tharroe was founded in 1997, the location was not selected for convenience, but for perspective. The same height that once served strategy now shapes experience.

From here, Mykonos unfolds openly. Close to town, yet above it. Connected, yet undisturbed.

Since its beginning as a family-run boutique hotel, Tharroe has grown without abandoning its position, either physically or philosophically. The hill remains constant. The hospitality evolves around it.