Outdoors · Mykonos · Greece
8 best outdoor things to do in Mykonos
Parks, viewpoints and open-air sights for the dry, bright days.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Zde, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Delos, Paradise and Super Paradise beaches and Platis Gialos and Psarou. Together the 8 picks below take roughly 26–35 hours across 6 areas; 2 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 8
- Free entry
- 2
- Time to see them all
- 26–35 hours
- Areas
- Delos, South coast and Platis Gialos and Psarou
Outdoors in Mykonos
Historic site · Delos
1.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.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Iconic
- Kids
- Outdoors
Beach · South coast
2.Paradise and Super Paradise beaches
Take a sea taxi from Platis Gialos instead of driving; parking is scarce in July and August.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- After dark
- Outdoors
Beach · Platis Gialos and Psarou
3.Platis Gialos and Psarou
Swim at Platis Gialos for easy family facilities, then walk over the headland to see the scene at Psarou.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Outdoors
Beach · North coast
4.Agios Sostis
Bring an umbrella and water, and come on a day when the meltemi wind is light.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
- Nature
Beach · North coast
5.Ftelia
Watch the windsurfers from the beach on windy days, or swim when the wind drops in the morning.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Active
- Outdoors
- History
- Free
Beach · Agios Ioannis
6.Agios Ioannis beach
Stay for sunset; it is one of the few beaches where the sun drops into the sea opposite you.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Couples
- Kids
- Views
- Outdoors
Beach · South coast
7.Elia beach
Arrive by sea taxi for the scenic route along the south coast's bays.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Couples
Island · Rhenia
8.Rhenia boat trip
Choose a small-group boat and check the forecast; trips are cancelled when the wind is strong.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Active
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Delos | Delos | Half a day |
| South coast | Paradise and Super Paradise beaches and Elia beach | Half a day + Half a day |
| Platis Gialos and Psarou | Platis Gialos and Psarou | Half a day |
| North coast | Agios Sostis and Ftelia | Half a day + 2–3 hours |
| Agios Ioannis | Agios Ioannis beach | Half a day |
| Rhenia | Rhenia boat trip | Full day |
Booking and timing
Of these 8, 2 free, 2 low cost, 3 mid-priced, 1 expensive. Book ahead for Delos. The longest visit is Rhenia boat trip; 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 8 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Delos): Delos, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 2 (South coast): Paradise and Super Paradise beaches, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 3 (South coast): Elia beach, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Platis Gialos and Psarou): Platis Gialos and Psarou, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 5 (North coast): Agios Sostis, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 6 (North coast): Ftelia, at least 2 hours.
- Half-day 7 (Agios Ioannis): Agios Ioannis beach, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 8 (Rhenia): Rhenia boat trip, at least 6 hours.
The best months to be outside
- September: highs of 25°C (77°F), about 1 rainy days, busy crowds. Warm sea, calmer winds and slightly lower prices; one of the best months to visit.
- May: highs of 22°C (72°F), about 2 rainy days, moderate crowds. Warm and sunny with most places open and prices below summer levels; the sea is still fresh.
- June: highs of 26°C (79°F), about 1 rainy days, busy crowds. Long, hot days, warm enough sea and the season in full swing before the August peak.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Platis Gialos and Psarou — Neighbouring south-coast bays with upmarket resorts and beach clubs
- Agios Ioannis — West-facing beach with sunset views across to Delos
- 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?
Agios Sostis and Ftelia.