Julie Greece 10 Comments

Mykonos is one of the most popular islands to visit in Greece. This island is famous for shopping, beach parties, and the very photogenic Mykonos town. Whether you visit Mykonos to party, to go shopping, or just to see what this island is all about, here are the best things to do in Mykonos, with suggestions on how to plan your visit here.

Best Things to Do in Mykonos

1. Explore Mykonos Town

Mykonos town is fantasyland of whitewashed buildings, narrow streets, colorful doorways, upscale shops, and small blue and red domed churches. Exploring this maze of walkways is one of the best things to do in Mykonos.

Best Things to do in Mykonos

Mykonos town is also called the Chora, which is Greek for the town. On the Greek islands, its common practice for the main town to share the name with the island.

Mykonos town is small and it doesn’t take much time to walk from one end to the other. However, this literally is a maze of narrow streets that all look the same. I read that this was done on purpose, in order to confuse pirates who would come to Mykonos and raid the town. The labyrinth of streets and the dead-ends were one way the town could protect itself against these invaders.

Matogianni Street, located near the center of the Mykonos town, is one of the picturesque parts of town.

On this 3-hour walking tour, stroll through the streets of Mykonos town with a local guide.

Shopping in Mykonos

Shops in Mykonos

 

Walking through Mykonos

Mykonos Greece

Through the Doorway

Mykonos Souvenirs | Best Things to Do in Mykonos

Postcards & Mykonos artwork

 

Mykonos at Night

2. Panagia Paraportiani

Paraportiani Church, also known as the Church of Our Lady, is one of the most photographed churches in Greece (so I have read). It sits at the entrance into the Kastro neighborhood and it is actually five churches built on top of each other.

Panagia Paraportiani

Panagia Paraportiani

3. Little Venice

Little Venice is a row of fishing houses with balconies that jut out over the water. Built in the 18th century, these houses were used by merchants since they could have direct access to the sea. Now, some of these houses have been converted into cafes and restaurants.

Little Venice is another popular photo spot in Myknonos. Get here in the early evening, grab a seat at a café, and watch the sunset.

Little Venice Mykonos

Little Venice

 

Little Venice in April | Best Things to Do in Mykonos

Little Venice

 

Little Venice View

PRO TRAVEL TIP:  Want to avoid the cruise ship crowds? Find out when the cruise ships will be in port by clicking here. You can get the cruise ship schedule not only for Mykonos but also Athens and the other Greek Islands. 

4. The Kato Mili Windmills

If you venture out beyond Mykonos town, you will see windmills all over the island. However, the most famous windmills sit right next to Little Venice.

Kato Mili Windmills | Best Things to Do in Mykonos

Kato Mili Windmills | Best Things to Do in Mykonos

Taking advantage of the island’s windy conditions, the windmills were used by the Venetians for grinding grain. Now, the windmills have been converted into homes, storage facilities, and accommodations for travelers.

From the windmills you get a very nice view over Little Venice. This is another great spot to watch the sunset (or the crazy line of storms that pounded the island during our visit).

View from Windmills

View from the Kato Mili Windmills

5. Explore the Old Harbor

Just around the corner from Little Venice is the old harbor of Mykonos. Restaurants line the beach, a tiny church sits at the entrance to the main dock, daily cruises to Delos leave from here, and colorful fishing boats bob in the water.

Old Harbor and Beach

Old Harbor

 

Fishing Boats | Best Things to Do in Mykonos

Old Harbor | Best Things to Do in Mykonos

View of Mykonos from the Old Harbor

 

Old Harbor Church

6. Take a Day Trip to Delos

Delos is a small island in Cyclades and it is one of the most important archeological and mythical sites in Greece. The island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stone huts that date back 5,000 years have been found here. The island is literally filled with ancient archeological sites.

According to Greek mythology, this island is the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.

Delos is uninhabited but it is a very popular day trip destination from Mykonos. From Mykonos, it takes roughly 30 minutes by ferry to get to Delos. Once on the island, you can take a self-guided tour that lasts 90 minutes or longer, depending on your interest level. Return to Myknonos by ferry.

You can book your ferry tickets at the small ticket booth in the harbor at Mykonos town. Ferries sale roughly about every hour, starting at 9 am. A round trip ferry ticket costs €20. Entrance tickets to Delos are €8. Learn more here.

If you don’t want to arrange transportation and tickets on your own, you can tour Delos with a guide and your transportation is also included. Depending on how it fits into your schedule, you can take a morning tour or an evening tour of Delos from Mykonos.

We did not visit Delos although it sounds amazing. Kara got seasick on our ferry ride from Athens to Mykonos, so the last thing we wanted to do was to put her through the misery of two more ferry rides on the same day. Delos is on our to-do list on a future visit to Greece.

7. Paradise and Super Paradise Beaches

Paradise and Super Paradise Beaches are Mykonos’ famous party spots. These small stretches of beach are lined with restaurants and clubs. From the afternoon into the early morning hours, this is the most lively spot on Mykonos.

Paradise Beach Mykonos

Paradise Beach | Best Things to Do in Mykonos

During our visit in mid-April, Paradise Beach was rather tranquil. The bars and restaurants were open, but there were only a handful of people here, curious people like ourselves. Not big into the party scene, we weren’t disappointed that we didn’t get to see Paradise Beach filled with bikini clad beachgoers and the craziness that makes this spot so famous. However, between the months of June through August, Paradise Beach has a much different vibe from what we witnessed.

8. Go Beach Hopping

If you are not into the beach party scene, there are a bunch of quieter beaches where you can relax and soak up the sun. We visited several of these beaches, getting around by car, but with only one day on the island, could not visit all of them.

Kapari Beach is a tiny beach located about 15 minutes away from Mykonos town. Since the last stretch of road to get here is a very narrow, rough dirt road, you will have to park in Agios Ioannis and walk the last little bit (or get here by ATV).

Road to Kapari Beach

Road to Kapari Beach

 

Kapari Beach Mykonos | Best Things to Do in Mykonos

Kapari Beach

Other beaches to try include Agia Anna Beach, Elia Beach, Fokos Beach, Agrari Beach, and Lia Beach.

Agios Ioannis Mykonos

Agios Ioannis and its small beach

 

Agia Anna Beach

Agia Anna Beach

9. Armenistis Lighthouse

Armenistis Lighthouse

Armenistis Lighthouse

 

Mykonos Lighthouse View

View from the lighthouse

The lady who ran our hotel recommended the Armenistis Lighthouse as a spot to get a great view over the island of Mykonos. To get here, is a winding, narrow road, and once here, the views are rather mediocre, in my opinion. However, during the drive back towards Mykonos town, the views opened up and this is what we saw.

View over Mykonos | Best Things to Do in Mykonos

Driving to the lighthouse is only worth it if you have a rental car, time to spare, and don’t mind driving on narrow, rough, winding roads.

Greece Travel Guide

Things to Do in Mykonos: On a Map

How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers. You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each point of interest.
 
If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.

Interesting Facts about Mykonos

According to Greek mythology, the island is named after Mykonos, the grandson of Apollo.

Also according to Greek Mythology, Mykonos was formed when Hercules defeated the Giants. The petrified bodies of the Giants became the rocks that formed Mykonos island.

Mykonos is called “The Island of the Winds,” since it tends to be breezy on a daily basis.

Mykonos is located in the Cyclades, an archipelago that also includes Naxos, Santorini, Delos, Ios, and Milos, just to name a few (there are over 200 islands in the Cyclades, but many of these are tiny and uninhabited).

Petros the Pelican was a famous celebrity in Mykonos town. This pelican was the official mascot of Mykonos for 60 years. Now, another pelican roams the town of Mykonos. Peter the Pelican is a large, coral pink pelican that wanders the restaurants and waterfront. We briefly saw him before he ducked into a restaurant at the harbor of Mykonos. Keep your eye out for Peter!

Mykonos Greece

Old Harbor | Best Things to Do in Mykonos

How to Get to Mykonos

By Ferry

Blue Star, Seajet, and Hellenic Seaways all operate ferries to Mykonos.

From Athens, it takes 3 to 5 hours by ferry to get to Mykonos. Seajet offers the quickest ride on their smaller catamarans, but these are also the bumpiest ride, since the ferries are smaller.

We used Seajet, leaving Athens at 7 am and arriving in Mykonos at 10 am. Kara got seasick on this journey. If you tend to get seasick, consider using Blue Star or Hellenic Seaways. Their boats are bigger and more stable in the water but the journey will take longer (5 hours vs. 3 hours).

To book our ferry tickets, we used Ferryhopper.com

PRO TRAVEL TIP: No matter what you read online, I recommend booking your ferry tickets in advance, especially if you plan to use Seajet. Since Seajet operates smaller ferries and offers the fastest travel times, they can sell out in advance. Even during our visit in the off-season, the ferries were filled to capacity (we rode Seajet 3 times). In fact, they overbooked one ferry, and the unlucky ones who did not make it on board had to be rerouted to a different ferry.

By Plane

During the summer months, there are daily flights between Athens and Mykonos. Flight time averages 25 minutes.

Getting Around Mykonos

You can get around Mykonos by car, bus, taxi, water taxi, ATV, scooter, and by foot.

We rented a car for a few hours to explore the island. We were rather shocked at the condition of the roads. The roads are pockmarked with tons of potholes and the roads that lead to the beaches are either dirt roads or narrow, paved roughs in rough condition.

Driving in Mykonos | Best Things to Do in Mykonos

The view while driving in Mykonos | Best Things to Do in Mykonos

 

Mykonos Street Signs

When in doubt, just follow the street signs.

Despite the condition of the roads, we loved having the freedom to explore the island on our own. We rented our car from Avis, located right next to the old harbor.

Our experience with Avis was not great. On their website, they listed their hours of operation from 9 am to 10 pm. When we picked up the car, they told us that they are only open until 8 pm, but today, they were closing at 6:30 pm. I think it’s just because they felt like it. When we returned the car at our agreed upon time, no one was at the office. Tim called them and the agent was at the beach. We had to wait 10 minutes for the agent to arrive so we could complete the rental.

To learn more about the different ways to get around Mykonos, here is an article that does a great job explaining your options.

If you don’t plan on renting a car, this highly-rated half-day tour hits all of the highlights of Mykonos. If you want to get off-of-the-beaten path, this 4-hour tour visits remote villages, hidden harbors, and secret beaches. And if you want to get out on the water, this sunset cruise includes great views of Mykonos town and Little Venice, as well as drinks.

Best Time to Visit Mykonos

June through August is peak season. Expect hot temperatures and large crowds. May and September are your best bets for decent weather and a less crowded experience. Despite the crazy weather conditions we experienced during our visit, mid to late April is a great time to visit Mykonos to see it relatively crowd free. It will still be a little bit too chilly to swim at the beaches, but it’s worth it if you like to avoid the crowds. From November through March, expect chilly, sometimes wet weather and there will be fewer restaurants and hotels open for business.

How Much Time Should You Spend in Mykonos?

One full day and one night gives you just enough time to wander Mykonos town and spend some time at the beach or day trip to Delos. If you want to go beach hopping or explore the island outside of Mykonos town, you can add another day or two.

For us, one day was enough time. Knowing what I know now, I would have rather spent our afternoon at Delos than beach hopping and driving up to the lighthouse, but then again, we didn’t want to put Kara on another boat.

Mykonos View | Best Things to Do in Mykonos

Where to Eat

Unfortunately, most of the restaurants I had on my list were still closed for the winter season. If you want Italian, the place to go is D’Angelo Mykonos, located right in Mykonos town. We had a wonderful experience at Raya Restaurant for dinner, a Mediterranean seafood restaurant. Other great restaurants in Mykonos town include Captain’s, and M-Eating.

Blue Myth Restaurant and Avli Tou Thodori are highly-rated restaurants located in Platys Gialos which is a small, beachfront town on the southern part of the island.

If you plan to visit Mykonos during the busy summer months, make your dinner reservations in advance.

Where to Stay

LUXURY:  Myconian Korali Relais & Chateaux. This 5-star hotel is located just outside of Mykonos town. Some rooms offer a private plunge pool and terraces with views over Mykonos town. If you are looking to splurge, check out the Era Junior Suite with private pool.

UPSCALE:  Boho Suites. This is where we stayed. Rooms are large and come with a small living area and kitchenette. On the terrace is another seating area and private hot tub. There is not much of a view from the terraces at this property. We stayed in suites #1 and #2, which are on the lowest level. We had no view but loved having access to a hot tub. From Boho Suites, it takes just 5 minutes to walk to the Old Harbor.

Boho Suites hot tub

Boho Suites | Best Things to Do in Mykonos

MID-RANGE:  Chill Out Studio. This property offers studio rooms and apartments, so if you want some extra space or the ability to cook your own meals, this makes a nice option. Chill Out Studio is located within walking distance of Little Venice and it offers a terrace with a small pool.

MID-RANGE:  Aeolos Hotel. Located within walking distance of Mykonos town, this property offers modernly decorated rooms, a large outdoor swimming pool, and free airport and ferry port transfers.

BUDGET:  MyCocoon Hostel. Located just a few steps from the harbor, dorm rooms have a creative layout where the beds are tucked away into “cocoons,” giving you some privacy even though you are in a large dorm room. They also offer several private rooms as well.

About Our Experience

We visited Mykonos in mid-April. During our stay in Greece, whether we were in Mykonos, Naxos, or in Athens, we kept hearing that the weather this year was unusually wet, chilly, and windy.

On the day that we visited Mykonos, four thunderstorms rolled through, each one stronger than the one before it. The final storm of the day was strong enough to briefly knock out the power to Mykonos town.

The weather added a lot of drama to our day, and to our photos. Despite stormy conditions, we still got to do everything we wanted to do, so the weather had very little impact on our experience, other than occasionally soaking our clothes and shoes.

In April, Mykonos is just coming out of hibernation mode. Restaurants are just beginning to open their doors and work is still being done to open up hotels. Our visit coincided with the Easter holiday week, so even though it was the off-season, there were more people than you would expect for this time of year. Even so, Mykonos felt rather empty (which was wonderful!).

To be completely honest, Mykonos did not live up to our expectations. Yes, it’s gorgeous, especially the town of Mykonos and the beaches that dot the shores of the island. But for all of the hype it receives, it failed to “wow” us. We enjoyed our visit and I’m glad we saw it, but this was not the island that stole our hearts (out of the three islands we visited, Naxos was by far the family favorite).


Are you planning a visit to Mykonos? Comment below if you have any questions or feel free to share your experience.

More Information for Your Trip to Greece

GREECE ITINERARY: Learn how to visit Athens, Santorini, Naxos and Mykonos in our 10 Day Greece Itinerary.

SANTORINI: For a full list of things to do, read our article Best Things to Do in Santorini. In our Santorini Itinerary, learn how to plan your visit, whether you have 1, 2 or 3 days. In our Santorini Hotel Guide, we list the best hotels in Santorini, organized by location and budget.

NAXOS: Learn how to plan your visit to Naxos in our article Best Things to Do in Naxos. We also have information on hiking to Mount Zas, how to hike to Apano Kastro, and a detailed guide to hiking the Village Trail to Melanes, Myli, and the Kouroi.

PLACES TO GO ATHENS: For a full list of things to do, read our article Best Things to Do in Athens. And don’t miss our guide to the Best Views of Athens & the Acropolis.

GREECE TRAVEL ADVICE: First time in Greece? Here are essential things to know about Greece, from SIM cards to booking the ferries to renting a car.

TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Here are 15 fairytale destinations to visit around the world. For more great travel destinations, check out our article 10 Cool Travel Spots to Put on Your Wish List.

Planning a trip to Greece? Read all of our articles in our Greece Travel Guide.

 

 

Mykonos Greece Travel Guide

 

Best things to do in Mykonos Greece

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Comments 10

  1. Avatar for Jim
    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
  2. Avatar for Archana
    Archana

    Hello, I am planning for my Greece trip & your blogs are just so good. In my trip i have already planned 3 days in Santorini. And what i wanted to check with you is – as you have visited both Santorini & Mykonos – Is Mykonos is similar to Santorini ? As you mentioned it did not the WOW factor, I am also bit skeptical in visiting Mykonos.

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      They are very different. Santorini is much more scenic, with the caldera and sunset views and the towns located on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. Mykonos is a flatter island, so you don’t get the same views as you do from Santorini. Mykonos is more about the beaches and nightlife. Santorini is great for sunsets, hikes, scenic walks, wine tasting, boat tours, beaches, and visiting the small towns. If you have time in your schedule, one day in Mykonos is nice, to visit its iconic sights and have a nice dinner, but if you aren’t into nightlife and partying, I don’t think you miss a whole lot by skipping it. Have a great time in Greece! Cheers, Julie

  3. Avatar for fotini
  4. Avatar for Coco
    Coco

    Planning a trip for October, wanting to fly into Mykonos and take ferry to Santorini…. does the ferry run directly to Santorini multiple times daily? Im having a hard time finding a ferry that doesnt backtrack before going to Santorini. I dont want to get to Mykonos and somewhat feel ‘stuck’ there and not find a ferry.

    Thank you

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      The best place to look up ferry routes in Ferryhopper.com. There are direct ferries between Mykonos and Santorini and you can see how many there are and the times that they run for your dates of travel by clicking the link above. Cheers, Julie

  5. Avatar for kevin
    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      Our favorite thing to do in Mykonos was to explore Mykonos town. It’s a lovely town to walk through, go shopping, and hop from cafe to cafe. Cheers, Julie

  6. Avatar for Nick @ GreekBoston.com

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