Why go to Mykonos
Mykonos has a reputation for yachts, DJs and eye-watering sunbed prices, and all of that is real. But the island is also a tidy Cycladic town of whitewashed lanes, a dry and wind-scoured landscape, and a handful of beaches that are still lovely at 8 a.m. before anyone has put down a towel. It is small enough that you can see the best of it in three days, and close enough to Athens that cheap flights make it an easy add-on to a Greece trip.
Go knowing what you want. If you want nightlife and a beach club, it delivers. If you want quiet, it takes some planning, but it is doable.
What to see in Mykonos
Chora (Mykonos Town)
The island's main town is a maze built to confuse pirates, and it still confuses visitors. Get lost on purpose. The quietest hour is just after sunrise, when you will share the lanes with shopkeepers hosing down their doorsteps. Matoyianni Street is the busy shopping spine; step one lane off it and the crowd disappears.
Little Venice
Old sea captains' houses with balconies hanging over the water. It is the classic sunset spot, and the bars here fill up early, so arrive an hour before the light goes if you want a table on the edge. The waves really do splash the terraces when the wind is up.
The Windmills (Kato Mili)
A row of windmills on a low ridge above Little Venice. They are photogenic, and that is mostly the point. Go in the morning or late afternoon, and don't expect to be alone.
Paraportiani Church
A cluster of small chapels fused into one lumpy white structure by the sea. Odd, sculptural, and free to admire from outside. It looks best in late light.
Delos
A short boat ride from the Old Port, Delos is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece: the mythical birthplace of Apollo, with mosaics, the Terrace of the Lions and a ridge climb up Mount Kynthos for a great view across the Cyclades. There is almost no shade, so take water and a hat. Check opening days before you book, as the site closes on certain days.
Armenistis Lighthouse
On the north coast, this is a wind-battered spot that feels far from the party. Come for sunset when the meltemi is not too fierce.
Ano Mera and Panagia Tourliani
The island's only real inland village, with a calm square and a 16th-century monastery. It shows you a version of Mykonos that has nothing to do with champagne.
Aegean Maritime Museum and the Archaeological Museum
Both are small and worth an hour on a hot afternoon or a windy day. Not essential, but pleasant and cool.
Things to do
- Beach hop. Psarou and Platis Gialos are polished and expensive. Paradise and Super Paradise are party beaches. Elia is longer and calmer. Agrari is quieter still. Agios Sostis, on the north coast, is simple and often wind-exposed, while Fokos is rugged and has a taverna with a good reputation.
- Take a water taxi from Platis Gialos to the southern beaches if you don't want to deal with buses or parking.
- Do a sunset walk through Chora, ending in Little Venice for a drink.
- Join a boat trip to Rhenia (the small island next to Delos) for swimming in calmer water.
- Go out late. Chora's bars start around 11 p.m., and the big clubs run till dawn in peak season.
- Look for Petros the pelican, the island's mascot, wandering around the harbour. He has been a local fixture for decades, and a pelican has long held the title.
How many days and a suggested route
Three full days is the sweet spot. Two works if you are focused on the town and one beach day. Four or five makes sense only if you plan to relax a lot.
- Day 1: Early walk through Chora, then Paraportiani, the windmills and lunch. Afternoon at a nearby beach such as Ornos or Agios Stefanos. Sunset in Little Venice, dinner in the old town.
- Day 2: Morning ferry to Delos, back by early afternoon. Late lunch, then a swim and a slow evening.
- Day 3: Rent a car or take a water taxi to the south coast, pick one or two beaches, then end the day at the Armenistis Lighthouse or in Ano Mera.
When to go
July and August are hot, crowded and the most expensive, and the meltemi wind can be strong, making some north-coast beaches unpleasant. It also keeps the heat bearable. Late May, June and September are the best compromise: warm sea, open venues, fewer people, and lower prices than the summer peak. October can still be mild, but many places begin to close. Between November and April, much of the island shuts down, ferries thin out and the weather is windy and unpredictable. It is not a winter destination.
Where to stay
Chora: best for first-timers
Walk to restaurants, bars and the port. Noisy at night, so ask for a room away from the main drag. Budget options exist but sell out early.
Ornos and Platis Gialos: families and beach lovers
Calm bays with sand, a bus link to Chora and a good choice if you want to base yourself by the water. More resort-like than Chora.
Paradise and Super Paradise: party seekers
Stay here only if you want the nightlife next door. Sleep is optional.
Agios Stefanos and Ano Mera: quieter and often cheaper
Good for a calmer base. Agios Stefanos has a bus link and a quiet beach with views of Delos; Ano Mera is inland and less convenient without a vehicle.
Budget
Expect simple rooms and guesthouses in Chora to start around €80–120 a night in summer, mid-range hotels at €150–300, and luxury properties far above that. Prices drop sharply outside July and August.
What to eat and where
Mykonian food is less famous than its nightlife, but it is good. Look for kopanisti, a sharp, peppery cheese; louza, thinly sliced cured pork; local sausages; and amygdalota, almond sweets. Fresh fish and grilled octopus are everywhere, though the price per kilo rises quickly, so ask before you order.
- Sakis Grill House in Chora is the reliable cheap option for gyros and souvlaki.
- Niko's Taverna and Joanna's Nikos Place are classic Chora tavernas with traditional dishes.
- Kounelas near the Old Port is known for fish.
- Kiki's Tavern, near Agios Sostis, is famous for grilled meat and fish. It does not take reservations, so expect a queue at peak lunch.
Cheap and cheerful: bakeries for cheese pies, gyros stands and a Greek salad at a beach taverna. Fancy: anything with a sea view in Chora after dark.
Getting from the airport and getting around
Mykonos Airport (JMK) is about 3 to 4 kilometres from Chora. Taxis are the main way into town, but they can be scarce at busy times and fares are higher than on most Greek islands. Many hotels offer transfers, which are worth arranging in advance. Ferries from Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio arrive at the Old Port or the New Port (Tourlos), depending on the service, and the crossing takes from around two and a half hours on fast boats to five or more on conventional ones.
The local buses run from Chora's two stations (Fabrika and the Old Port) to the major beaches and to Ano Mera. They are cheap but crowded and less frequent late at night. Many travellers rent a car or quad, which gives freedom but demands care: roads are narrow, winding and windy, and parking in Chora is limited. Water taxis connect the southern beaches in summer. In Chora itself, walk.
Rough daily budget
- Budget: around €100–150 per person, with a simple room, street food, buses and free beaches.
- Mid-range: around €200–300, with a decent hotel, taverna dinners, a sunbed and a few drinks.
- High end: €400 and well beyond, particularly with beach clubs, cocktails and private transfers.
Sunbeds at the famous beaches can be very expensive; quieter beaches are cheaper, and some are free if you bring your own towel.
FAQs
Is Mykonos worth visiting if I am not into partying?
Yes, but choose your area and season carefully. Stay away from Paradise, visit in June or September, and spend time at Agrari, Fokos, Ano Mera and Delos.
How many days do I need?
Three days is enough to see Chora, visit Delos and enjoy the beaches without rushing.
Is Mykonos expensive?
It is one of the pricier Greek islands, especially in July and August. You can limit costs with gyros, public buses and quieter beaches.
Do I need to rent a car?
Not necessarily. Buses and water taxis cover the main places. A car or quad helps if you want to reach remote beaches, but drive carefully.
What is the best month to go?
September is a strong choice: warm sea, lighter crowds and open venues. Late May and June are also good.
Photo: Roberto Faccenda · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Guide updated 21 Oct 2026