History · Mykonos · Greece
6 historic sites to see in Mykonos
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sgroey, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Delos, Panagia Paraportiani and Archaeological Museum of Mykonos. Together the 6 picks below take roughly 9–11 hours across 4 areas; 3 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 6
- Free entry
- 3
- Time to see them all
- 9–11 hours
- Areas
- Delos, Mykonos Town (Chora) and Ano Mera
Historic sites in Mykonos
Historic site · Delos
1.Delos
Today it is an open-air archaeological site with the Terrace of the Lions, mosaic-floored houses, temples and a theatre, plus a museum holding the original lion statues.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Iconic
- Kids
- Outdoors
Religious site · Mykonos Town (Chora)
2.Panagia Paraportiani
Its asymmetrical, rounded shape makes it one of the most photographed churches in Greece.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- History
Museum · Mykonos Town (Chora)
3.Archaeological Museum of Mykonos
Its prize is a 7th-century BC storage jar decorated with one of the earliest known depictions of the Trojan Horse.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
Museum · Mykonos Town (Chora)
4.Aegean Maritime Museum
The old lantern mechanism from the Armenistis lighthouse stands in the garden.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Religious site · Ano Mera
5.Ano Mera and Panagia Tourliani Monastery
It shows the island's everyday side away from the beaches.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Food
- Off the beaten path
- Free
Beach · North coast
6.Ftelia
On the hill behind the beach are the remains of a Neolithic settlement, the oldest known on the island.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Active
- Outdoors
- History
- Free
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Delos | Delos | Half a day |
| Mykonos Town (Chora) | Panagia Paraportiani, Archaeological Museum of Mykonos and Aegean Maritime Museum | 20 minutes + 45 minutes + 45 minutes |
| Ano Mera | Ano Mera and Panagia Tourliani Monastery | 2 hours |
| North coast | Ftelia | 2–3 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 6, 3 free, 2 low cost, 1 mid-priced. Book ahead for Delos. The longest visit is Delos; group the rest by area to save travel time.
- Delos: Boats leave from Mykonos Old Port and can be cancelled in strong wind; buy boat and site tickets in advance in high season.
How to fit them into 3 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Delos and Mykonos Town (Chora)): Delos → Panagia Paraportiani, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Mykonos Town (Chora) and Ano Mera): Archaeological Museum of Mykonos → Aegean Maritime Museum → Ano Mera and Panagia Tourliani Monastery, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 3 (North coast): Ftelia, at least 2 hours.
The quietest months for queues
- March: highs of 16°C (61°F), about 6 rainy days, very quiet crowds. Greener hills and fewer storms, but the tourist season has not started and the sea is cold.
- November: highs of 18°C (64°F), about 6 rainy days, very quiet crowds. Off-season begins; most tourist businesses are closed and rain returns.
- February: highs of 14°C (57°F), about 8 rainy days, very quiet crowds. Off-season and quiet, with only a few year-round tavernas and hotels open.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Mykonos Town (Chora) — The island's whitewashed main town of lanes, chapels, shops and bars
- Ano Mera — The island's inland village, with a monastery and tavernas on a square
More of Mykonos
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Mykonos?
Delos. The tiny island where Apollo and Artemis were said to be born was a major sanctuary and later a busy trading port.
+Which of these are free in Mykonos?
Panagia Paraportiani, Ano Mera and Panagia Tourliani Monastery and Ftelia.