Where to stay · Mykonos · Greece
Where to stay in Mykonos
7 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Zde, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Mykonos Town (Chora). The island's whitewashed main town of lanes, chapels, shops and bars. Best alternatives — families: Ornos; budget: Agios Stefanos.
Key facts
- First visit
- Mykonos Town (Chora)
- Families
- Ornos
- Budget
- Agios Stefanos
- Nightlife
- Mykonos Town (Chora)
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Mykonos Town (Chora) | The island's whitewashed main town of lanes, chapels, shops and bars |
| Families | Ornos | Sheltered sandy bay with family hotels, 3 km south of Chora |
| Couples | Mykonos Town (Chora) | The island's whitewashed main town of lanes, chapels, shops and bars |
| Budget | Agios Stefanos | Small beach resort north of the New Port, 3 km from Chora |
| Luxury | Platis Gialos and Psarou | Neighbouring south-coast bays with upmarket resorts and beach clubs |
| Nightlife | Mykonos Town (Chora) | The island's whitewashed main town of lanes, chapels, shops and bars |
| Food lovers | Ano Mera | The island's inland village, with a monastery and tavernas on a square |
| Shopping | Mykonos Town (Chora) | The island's whitewashed main town of lanes, chapels, shops and bars |
| Quiet stays | Agios Stefanos | Small beach resort north of the New Port, 3 km from Chora |
| Beach | Ornos | Sheltered sandy bay with family hotels, 3 km south of Chora |
Mykonos neighbourhoods in detail
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, couples and shopping
Mykonos Town (Chora)
Chora wraps around the Old Port, with Matoyianni street, Little Venice, the windmills and the Kastro quarter around Panagia Paraportiani. Staying here puts restaurants, nightlife, the Delos boats and both bus stations within walking distance, but rooms are small and lanes can be noisy late at night.
- Good
- Walk to restaurants, bars and sights; Boats to Delos from the Old Port; Bus links to the beaches
- Watch out
- Noisy late into the night in summer; No beach in town; Small, expensive rooms
- Nearby
- Little Venice, Kato Mili windmills, Old Port, Matoyianni street
$$$ · Best for families, beach and couples
Ornos
Ornos is a curving sandy bay on the south coast, sheltered from the summer meltemi wind, with shallow water, tavernas and a mix of family hotels and apartments. Buses and taxis reach Chora in about ten minutes, and boats from here serve the south-coast beaches.
- Good
- Calm, shallow water; Close to Chora; Good choice of family hotels
- Watch out
- Beach crowded in August; Limited parking
- Nearby
- Ornos beach, Agios Ioannis, Platis Gialos
$$$$ · Best for beach, luxury and families
Platis Gialos and Psarou
Platis Gialos is a long, organised beach lined with hotels and tavernas, and the departure point for sea taxis to Paradise, Super Paradise and Elia. Next door, Psarou is a small, sheltered cove with some of the island's most exclusive beach clubs and luxury hotels.
- Good
- Beach on the doorstep; Sea taxis along the south coast; Frequent buses to Chora
- Watch out
- Very expensive sunbeds and dining in season; Busy and built-up
- Nearby
- Psarou beach, Paradise, Ornos
$$ · Best for quiet stays, budget and couples
Agios Stefanos
Agios Stefanos is a quieter beach area near the New Port at Tourlos, with small hotels and apartments, a sandy beach and sunset views. Buses run into Chora, and it is convenient for early ferries.
- Good
- Quieter than the south coast; Close to the New Port; Sunset views
- Watch out
- Exposed to the north wind in summer; Fewer restaurants
- Nearby
- New Port, Agios Stefanos beach, Armenistis Lighthouse
$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays and families
Agios Ioannis
Agios Ioannis lies on the southwest tip of the island, with a sandy beach, small hotels and views across to Delos and Rhenia. It is calm and good for sunsets, about ten minutes by car or bus from Chora.
- Good
- Sunset over Delos; Calmer atmosphere; Close to Ornos and Chora
- Watch out
- Limited nightlife; Some hillside hotels need a car
- Nearby
- Agios Ioannis beach, Ornos, Kapari beach
$$ · Best for quiet stays, budget and food lovers
Ano Mera
Ano Mera, about 8 km east of Chora, is the island's second village and feels far more local, with the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani and a square of tavernas. Guesthouses here are better value and it is central for the north and east beaches, though a car or scooter helps.
- Good
- Authentic village life; Better value; Close to quieter beaches
- Watch out
- Needs a car or scooter; Few evening options
- Nearby
- Panagia Tourliani Monastery, Ftelia, Kalafatis, Elia
$$$ · Best for beach, quiet stays and families
Kalafatis
Kalafatis is a long sandy beach on the east coast with a windsurfing and kitesurfing centre, small hotels and tavernas. It feels removed from the Chora scene and suits active travellers and families who want space.
- Good
- Water sports; Spacious sandy beach; Quieter than the south coast
- Watch out
- About 25 minutes from Chora; Windy at times
- Nearby
- Kalafatis beach, Ano Mera, Lia beach
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Mykonos Town (Chora) | $$$$ | Little Venice, Kato Mili windmills, Old Port, Matoyianni street |
| Ornos | $$$ | Ornos beach, Agios Ioannis, Platis Gialos |
| Platis Gialos and Psarou | $$$$ | Psarou beach, Paradise, Ornos |
| Agios Stefanos | $$ | New Port, Agios Stefanos beach, Armenistis Lighthouse |
| Agios Ioannis | $$$ | Agios Ioannis beach, Ornos, Kapari beach |
| Ano Mera | $$ | Panagia Tourliani Monastery, Ftelia, Kalafatis, Elia |
| Kalafatis | $$$ | Kalafatis beach, Ano Mera, Lia beach |
Getting to your hotel
Mykonos Airport is about 4 km southeast of Chora, a 10-minute drive. Taxis and pre-booked transfers meet flights; queues can be long in summer. Ferries use the Old Port in Chora or the New Port at Tourlos about 2 km north, so check which port your ticket names.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Mykonos for first-time visitors?
Mykonos Town (Chora). Chora wraps around the Old Port, with Matoyianni street, Little Venice, the windmills and the Kastro quarter around Panagia Paraportiani.
+Where should families stay in Mykonos?
Ornos: Calm, shallow water.
+Which area of Mykonos is best for a budget stay?
Agios Stefanos ($$): Small beach resort north of the New Port, 3 km from Chora.