Mykonos

The Aegean's party island, with white windmills, a sunset at Little Venice and famous beach clubs. Paired with UNESCO-listed Delos, it is Greece's top island choice after Santorini.

Mykonos lies in the Cyclades in the central Aegean and covers about 86 sq km. It is roughly 2.5–5 hours by high-speed ferry from Piraeus or Rafina near Athens, and is also served by domestic flights (about 40 minutes) and many direct European flights in summer. Along with Santorini, it is one of Greece's two most popular islands. Santorini is known for its volcanic cliffs and sunsets, while Mykonos is famed for its white windmills, labyrinthine whitewashed lanes, beach parties and international nightlife. It is also the only gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Delos.

Key areas: The main town, Chora (Mykonos Town), holds the windmills, Little Venice, Paraportiani Church and most of the restaurants and bars, and can be explored on foot. The south coast is the beach belt: Paradise and Super Paradise lean towards partying, while Psarou, Platis Gialos and Ornos are more family-oriented or upscale. The village of Ano Mera and Armenistis Lighthouse in the north and interior are quieter and less developed. We suggest 2–3 days, including half a day on Delos.

Getting around: Buses (KTEL) run from the town's two stations to the beaches, and in summer water taxis also shuttle to the south-coast beaches. Taxis are few and hard to find at peak times, so many visitors rent ATVs or small cars; an international driving permit is required, and take care on mountain roads. The best seasons are May–Jun and Sep–Oct, when temperatures are pleasant and prices lower. Jul–Aug is the peak party season, with very high room and dining prices, and the strong summer "meltemi" north wind in the Aegean can delay ferries. From November to March most hotels and restaurants close. Prices in town are high, and sunbeds at beach clubs can cost well over €100, so ask the price before you sit down.

Top sights

• Kato Mili Windmills – A row of white windmills on a small hillside, the most iconic landmark and sunset viewpoint on Mykonos.
• Little Venice – A row of 18th-century captains’ mansions built right at the water’s edge, with colorful wooden balconies hanging over the sea, a famous spo…
• Mykonos Town (Chora) – A maze of whitewashed houses and narrow lanes with blue doors and windows, flowers, and small chapels, where shopping, dining, and nightlif…
• Delos – The birthplace of Apollo and Artemis in Greek mythology; the entire island is an open-air archaeological site and has been a UNESCO World H…
• Church of Panagia Paraportiani – A pure white church made of five small chapels stacked together in an irregular form, often regarded as a sculptural masterpiece of Cycladi…
• Paradise Beach – Mykonos' most famous party beach, with sunbathing on sun loungers by day, DJ music from the afternoon, and beach parties lasting late into…
• Psarou Beach – A small, elegant bay on the south coast with calm, emerald-green water. Its upscale beach clubs and celebrity yachts have made it synonymou…
• Armenistis Lighthouse – A 19th-century stone lighthouse on the cliffs at the island's northwest tip, a quiet spot away from the crowds for watching the sunset and…
• Ano Mera & Panagia Tourliani Monastery – The island's only traditional inland village, where a 16th-century monastery and small tavernas around the square reveal a quieter side of…
• Archaeological Museum of Mykonos – The island's oldest museum, built in 1905, famous for its pottery from Rhenia and a relief amphora decorated with the earliest known image…
• Aegean Maritime Museum – A small maritime museum in the center of the old town, where ship models, navigational instruments, and a 19th-century lighthouse lens in t…
• Folklore Museum of Mykonos – A captain's 18th-century house beside Panagia Paraportiani, displaying traditional island household items, embroidery, musical instruments…
• Matoyianni Street – Mykonos Town's busiest shopping street, where narrow white-walled lanes are lined with designer boutiques, jewelry shops, bars, and dessert…
• Old Port of Mykonos – A crescent-shaped harbor in front of the old town, where fishing boats, seaside restaurants, and the island's mascot pelican Petros create…
• Super Paradise Beach – A party beach in a south coast valley, with a bright blue bay and beach clubs that start playing music in the afternoon. It is one of the i…
• Elia Beach – One of Mykonos' longest sandy beaches, with a curving bay of fine sand, clear water, and a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for a full day of loun…
• Platis Gialos – The most convenient family beach on the south coast, lined with hotels and well-equipped facilities, and the departure point for water taxi…
• Ornos Beach – The sheltered sandy bay closest to town, with small waves, shallow water, and many restaurants, ideal for families and anyone who wants to…
• Agios Sostis Beach – An undeveloped natural sandy cove on the north coast with no sun loungers or clubs, just a long-established small tavern and clear water.
• Kalafatis Beach – A long sandy beach on the southeast coast and a water sports center, home to windsurfing, kitesurfing, and diving lessons.
• Agios Ioannis Beach – The filming location of the film Shirley Valentine, facing the southwest bay across from Delos. It is a good spot for watching the sunset a…
• Fokos Beach – A remote, quiet bay on the northeast coast with only one small tavern. It is one of the best places on the island to experience an almost d…
• Panormos Beach – A fine-sand beach in a deep bay on the north coast that combines stylish beach clubs with natural scenery, and is less crowded than the sou…
• Agrari Beach – A small bay between Elia and Super Paradise, with clear water, fine sand, few people, and a quiet atmosphere. It can be reached by water ta…
• Kalo Livadi Beach – A wide sandy beach about one kilometer long on the eastern part of the south coast, with clear water and good facilities. It is a high-qual…
• Ftelia Beach – A wide bay on the north coast where the steady north wind makes it a windsurfing destination, with dunes and archaeological sites adding a…
• Lia Beach – A remote small bay at the southeast corner, with emerald-green water and white sand, where a single seafood restaurant guards a stretch of…
• Boni Windmill – A 16th-century windmill and agricultural museum on the hillside above the old town. Visitors can see the mill's internal machinery and enjo…
• Kastro (Gyzi Castle) – The Venetian-era castle quarter at the western end of the old town. Its white house walls incorporate the old city walls, and it connects t…
• Rhenia – An uninhabited island west of Delos, with clear blue bays reachable only by boat. Day cruises often combine it with a visit to Delos.

Where to eat

• Kiki's Tavern – A signless tavern perched above Agios Sostis Beach, open only for lunch and highly acclaimed for its charcoal-grilled m…
• M-eating – A garden restaurant in an old house run by a local Mykonian chef, famous for creative Mediterranean cuisine and local h…
• Nikos Taverna – A Mykonos Town institution opened in 1976, located on a small square next to the Church of Panagia Paraportiani.
• Sakis Grill House – A budget-friendly grill house in Mykonos Town opened in 1986, serving large pita wraps and souvlaki late into the night.
• To Maereio – A tiny tavern on Kalogera Street where two brothers cook Mykonian home-style dishes using family recipes and local ingr…
• Nikolas Taverna – A family-run tavern on Agia Anna Beach founded in 1967, specializing in seafood and traditional Greek dishes.

Itineraries

• Greece: Athens, Mykonos, Santorini & Meteora – The classic combination for first-time visitors: Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini, plus Delphi and Meteora.