3 days in Mykonos

Day by day

1. Day 1: Little Venice and Kato Mili windmills

   Little Venice, Kato Mili windmills and Panagia Paraportiani, then Paradise and Super Paradise beaches in the evening.

   1. Morning

      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.

   2. Late morning

      Kato Mili windmills

      Visit early in the morning for photos without crowds, or at golden hour from the Little Venice side.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Kopanisti

      Traditional tavernas in Chora and Ano Mera; delicatessens sell it in tubs.

   4. Afternoon

      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.

   5. Evening

      Paradise and Super Paradise beaches

      Take a sea taxi from Platis Gialos instead of driving; parking is scarce in July and August.

2. Day 2: Delos and Archaeological Museum of Mykonos

   Delos, Archaeological Museum of Mykonos and Aegean Maritime Museum, then Chora's lanes and Matoyianni street in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Delos

      Take an early boat, bring water and a hat, and climb Mount Kynthos for the view over the ruins; there is very little shade.

   2. Late morning

      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.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Louza

      Taverna meze platters and local delicatessens.

   4. Afternoon

      Aegean Maritime Museum

      Children who like boats enjoy the ship models; it is a good stop during the heat of the day.

   5. Evening

      Chora's lanes and Matoyianni street

      Get deliberately lost in the early morning, when lanes are empty and freshly whitewashed steps catch the light.

3. Day 3: Armenistis Lighthouse and Ano Mera and Panagia Tourliani Monastery

   Armenistis Lighthouse, Ano Mera and Panagia Tourliani Monastery and Platis Gialos and Psarou, then Little Venice in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Armenistis Lighthouse

      A late-19th-century stone lighthouse on the island's northwest cape, about 6 km from Chora, looking across the strait to Tinos.

   2. Late morning

      Ano Mera and Panagia Tourliani Monastery

      Visit in the late morning, then stay for a long taverna lunch on the square.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Mostra

      Tavernas and beach restaurants across the island.

   4. Afternoon

      Platis Gialos and Psarou

      Two neighbouring sheltered bays on the south coast with shallow, clear water.

   5. Evening

      Little Venice

      Sunset cocktail bars right on the water.

Before you go

• Delos: Boats leave from Mykonos Old Port and can be cancelled in strong wind; buy boat and site tickets in advance in high season.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Mykonos Town (Chora) keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Ornos ($$$) suits families, beach and couples. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 16–21 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.7 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Mykonos
• 2 days in Mykonos
• 5 days in Mykonos

Questions travellers ask