Travel guide · Greece
Mykonos travel guide
Whitewashed lanes, windmills, beach clubs and the sacred island of Delos
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Vijinn, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Mykonos is a small, dry Cycladic island whose main town, Chora, is a maze of whitewashed lanes, blue-shuttered houses and chapels around an old harbour. Its row of windmills and the balconied seafront of Little Venice are among the most photographed sights in Greece. The south coast is lined with sandy beaches and well-known beach clubs, the north with wilder, windier bays, and the UNESCO-listed island of Delos is a 30-minute boat ride away. The island is expensive in high season and very quiet in winter. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are June and September.
Key facts
- Country
- Greece
- Best time to visit
- June and September
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- JMK
- Mid-range daily budget
- $250–$450 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Little Venice, Windmills of Kato Mili, Beach clubs and Delos
Why visit Mykonos
- Chora's lanes, Little Venice and the Kato Mili windmills make one of the most distinctive townscapes in the Aegean, all within a 15-minute walk.
- Delos, birthplace of Apollo in Greek myth and one of the great archaeological sites of the Mediterranean, is a short boat trip from the Old Port.
- Sandy south-coast beaches such as Platis Gialos, Psarou and Elia have clear water, with quieter bays like Agios Sostis in the north.
- Nightlife runs from sunset cocktails in Little Venice to beach clubs at Paradise and Super Paradise and late bars in Chora.
- Ferries link the island with Tinos, Naxos, Paros and Santorini for island-hopping.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 16 things to do.
Waterfront · Mykonos Town (Chora)
Little Venice
A row of 18th- and 19th-century captains' houses in the Alefkandra quarter built right on the water, with painted wooden balconies hanging over the sea.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Couples
- After dark
- Views
- Photo spot
Landmark · Mykonos Town (Chora)
Kato Mili windmills
A row of whitewashed, thatched windmills stands on a low ridge above Little Venice, built from the 16th century onwards to grind grain using the Aegean's strong winds.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- Kids
Historic site · Delos
Delos
The tiny island where Apollo and Artemis were said to be born was a major sanctuary and later a busy trading port.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Iconic
- Kids
- Outdoors
Beach · South coast
Paradise and Super Paradise beaches
Two sandy south-coast bays famous for beach bars and parties that start in the afternoon and run late in high season.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- After dark
- Outdoors
Religious site · Mykonos Town (Chora)
Panagia Paraportiani
Five chapels built between the 15th and 17th centuries merge into one sculptural white church in the Kastro quarter, on the site of the old castle gate.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- History
Museum · Mykonos Town (Chora)
Archaeological Museum of Mykonos
A small museum near the New Port road displaying finds from the burial pit on neighbouring Rhenia, where graves from Delos were moved during its purification.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
Where to stay
Mykonos Town (Chora) is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, couples and shopping
Mykonos Town (Chora)
The island's whitewashed main town of lanes, chapels, shops and bars
$$$ · Best for families, beach and couples
Ornos
Sheltered sandy bay with family hotels, 3 km south of Chora
$$$$ · Best for beach, luxury and families
Platis Gialos and Psarou
Neighbouring south-coast bays with upmarket resorts and beach clubs
$$ · Best for quiet stays, budget and couples
Agios Stefanos
Small beach resort north of the New Port, 3 km from Chora
What to eat
- Kopanisti — Mykonos's protected peppery, fermented soft cheese, salty and sharp, spread on rusks or bread with a glass of wine or ouzo.
- Louza — Air-dried pork fillet cured with salt, pepper and spices, sliced thin as a meze; a Mykonian and Cycladic speciality.
- Mostra — The island's version of a rusk salad: barley rusk topped with grated tomato, kopanisti cheese, olive oil and oregano.
- Mykonian onion pie — A pie of onions, local cheeses and dill, made with or without pastry; a traditional island recipe.
- Grilled octopus — Octopus sun-dried on lines by the harbour, then grilled over charcoal and dressed with olive oil, vinegar and oregano.
- Lobster spaghetti — Half or whole lobster cooked in a rich tomato sauce over spaghetti, a celebration dish sold by weight in island fish tavernas.
When to go
The best months for Mykonos are June and September, when the sea is warm, everything is open and prices and crowds are below the July–August peak. May and October are calmer and cheaper but the sea is cooler and some places are still closed. From November to March most hotels, restaurants and beach clubs close.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | April–May | The island reopens around Easter; sunny, mild and quiet, with sea temperatures still cool for swimming. |
| Summer | June–August | Hot, dry and lively, with warm sea, packed beach clubs and peak prices; the meltemi blows strongly in July and August. |
| Autumn | September–October | Warm sea and calmer winds in September; by late October many businesses close for winter. |
| Winter | November–March | Mild but wet and windy; most tourist services are closed and ferry links are reduced. |
Getting there and around
Mykonos Airport is about 4 km southeast of Chora, a 10-minute drive. Taxis and pre-booked transfers meet flights; queues can be long in summer. Ferries use the Old Port in Chora or the New Port at Tourlos about 2 km north, so check which port your ticket names.
Mykonos is small, about 15 km end to end, but its beaches are spread around the coast. KTEL buses link Chora with the main beaches, sea taxis run along the south coast, and many visitors hire a car, scooter or ATV. Taxis are limited in high season.
Plan your days
Two days cover Chora, Little Venice, the windmills and Delos. Four days add a mix of south-coast and north-coast beaches, Ano Mera and a boat trip to Rhenia; a week suits combining Mykonos with Tinos, Naxos or Paros.
Practical information
- Currency
- EUR
- Language
- Greek
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is mostly desalinated and not recommended for drinking; buy bottled water.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Tipping
- Service is usually not included.
Mykonos is generally relaxed, but scooter and ATV accidents on narrow roads are common, and the summer meltemi can create strong currents on north-coast beaches. Drink plenty of water in the heat, and confirm prices before ordering at beach clubs.
Flights to Mykonos
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Mykonos?
Two days cover Chora, Little Venice, the windmills and Delos. Four days add a mix of south-coast and north-coast beaches, Ano Mera and a boat trip to Rhenia; a week suits combining Mykonos with Tinos, Naxos or Paros. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Mykonos?
The best months for Mykonos are June and September, when the sea is warm, everything is open and prices and crowds are below the July–August peak. May and October are calmer and cheaper but the sea is cooler and some places are still closed. From November to March most hotels, restaurants and beach clubs close.
+What is Mykonos known for?
Little Venice, Windmills of Kato Mili, Beach clubs, Delos, Nightlife, Whitewashed Chora and LGBTQ+-friendly scene. Chora's lanes, Little Venice and the Kato Mili windmills make one of the most distinctive townscapes in the Aegean, all within a 15-minute walk.
+Is Mykonos expensive?
Mykonos is very expensive for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $250–$450 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Mykonos?
Not essential if you stay in Chora or on a bus-served beach, but a car or scooter makes the north-coast beaches, Ano Mera and the lighthouse much easier to reach.