Mykonos
Mykonos is a whitewashed Cycladic island in the middle of the Aegean, known for its lively town, its windmills and its southern beaches. Mykonos is a good place to wander the lanes of Chora, watch the sunset from the windmills and swim at a beach. Many visitors combine that with a morning boat trip to the ancient site of Delos.
The most reviewed first. Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
Delos
Delos is an archaeological island about 3.5 km southwest of Mykonos, reached by boat. Its ruins, temples and museum are one of the great ancient sites of the Aegean.
Mykonos Town
Mykonos Town, called Chora locally, is the island's port town and capital. It is a whitewashed maze of tiny streets around the harbor, and wandering it is the main thing to do here.
Little Venice
Little Venice is a waterfront district of old houses with colorful wooden balconies, on the western edge of Mykonos Town. People come for the walk down to it and a drink as the sun goes down.
Windmills of Mykonos
The windmills on the western edge of Mykonos Town, a landmark for watching the sunset over Little Venice. You walk up, find a spot on the ridge, and watch the light fall over the harbor below.
Panagia Paraportiani
Panagia Paraportiani is a whitewashed Byzantine church in the Kastro district of Mykonos Town. It is the most photographed church on the island, with its white walls and stacked forms.
Ano Mera
Ano Mera is the island's only inland village, built around a large square lined with tavernas. It is the place to see village life on Mykonos away from the beaches.
Archaeological Museum of Mykonos
The Archaeological Museum of Mykonos sits in Mykonos Town and holds pottery, funerary urns and sculpture from the Cycladic, Geometric and Classical periods. It is the island's main collection of its ancient past.
Aegean Maritime Museum
The Aegean Maritime Museum is a non-profit museum on Mykonos that tells the story of Greek seafaring. Its garden holds reproductions of ancient gravestones for sailors lost at sea.
Super Paradise Beach
Super Paradise is a lively beach club on the south coast of Mykonos, known for summer parties, sun loungers, drinks on the sand and water sports.
Elia Beach
Elia Beach is a long stretch of soft, powdery white sand on Mykonos's southern coast. Visitors come for plush loungers, umbrellas and a calm, quiet swim.
Fokos Beach
Fokos Beach is a secluded volcanic beach on Mykonos, reached by horseback. Riders can let their horses roll in the golden sand during a long beach stop.
Mykonian Farm
Mykonian Farm is a working farm in Messaria where you taste Greek wine and cook Greek food. Visits are booked sessions, not walk-in stops.
Rhenia Island
Rhenia is a small uninhabited island near Delos, reached by boat from Mykonos. Visitors come here to swim and snorkel in clear blue water and to find secluded coves.
Dragonisi caverns
Dragonisi is a dive site off Mykonos with a set of caverns under the water. Divers reach them by boat, and the caverns are visited on dives rather than walked into.
Good to know
Ancient sites
Delos is the island's main ancient site, a UNESCO sanctuary about 30 minutes by boat from the harbor. It gives access to the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Theater and the mosaic Houses of Dionysos, Masks and Dolphins. Mykonos itself has few ancient sites, mostly Byzantine churches and the 13th century castle.
Old town and historic sights
Chora, the town around the harbor, is a maze of tiny whitewashed lanes, houses and churches. Its shops and cafes sit inside the traditional Cycladic layout. Panagia Paraportiani, in the Kastro district, is the church most often photographed, and its chapel is open from early morning until sunset.
Sightseeing and scenic rides
The windmills above the town are the classic place to watch the sunset over the Aegean. Little Venice, the row of waterside houses below them, is a good spot for a drink afterwards. The stairs down from the windmills lead to it on foot.
When to go
Mid-May through June and September to mid-October suit a visit best. July and August are extremely crowded, and the meltemi wind softens the heat in those months. Many boats and the Delos site run from March or April to November.
Good to know
- Buses in town are often full in busy hours, and taxis have no meters, so ask the posted rate first.
- Plan the Delos visit for the morning, since the site closes mid-afternoon and is shut on Mondays.
Coming by ship
Ships usually stay about 10 hours in Mykonos, and most arrive between 7 and 9 am.
Getting ashore and around
Once in town, most sights are within walking distance. Taxis are scarce on the island. Buses leave from the southern station, Fabrika, for the southern beaches and Agios Ioannis, and from the northern station for Ano Mera and Elia. Delos boats leave from the pier on the west side of the harbor.
Questions people ask
Can I see Mykonos on my own without a tour?
Yes. Mykonos Town is easy to explore on foot, and buses reach the southern beaches and Ano Mera. Delos can be visited by boat from the harbor pier, either guided or on your own.
Is Delos open every day?
No. The Delos archaeological site is closed on Mondays. It opens in the morning and closes mid-afternoon, so an early start helps.
These places share what it's known for.
