Discover Cyclades
Discover Cyclades
Plan your trip to Mykonos, Greece: 25+ things to do, best beaches, Little Venice, the Delos day trip, nightlife & how to get there by ferry. Local guide.
Glamorous beach clubs, legendary nightlife, and the timeless charm of Little Venice and the Windmills
Free · Touristas AI Planner
Pick a vibe and Touristas AI builds your island-hopping plan — islands, ferries and stays.
Mykonos is a popular destination in the Cyclades group of Greek islands, famous for its whitewashed windmills, busy nightlife, and sandy beaches. It's about 150 km from Athens. You can get here via a 2.5-hour high-speed ferry or a 40-minute flight. Ferry from Athens to Mykonos: 2.5–3.5h high-speed; Rafina can be faster for some sailings.
Mykonos mixes ancient Aegean tradition with modern Mediterranean luxury. Its iconic Kato Mili windmills have stood above the harbor since the 16th century. Today they look out over a busy playground of designer boutiques, upscale restaurants, and beach clubs that draw crowds from around the world. But under the glittering surface, you'll still find the island's quiet soul. Pelicans waddle through whitewashed alleys, fishermen mend nets at the old port, and tiny chapels sit under a brilliant blue sky.
People have traveled to the "Island of the Winds" for thousands of years. Sitting near the center of the Cyclades made it an important trading post in antiquity. It sits right next to the sacred island of Delos, the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. This proximity gave Mykonos an ancient religious importance that you can still feel today. The modern rush started in the 1960s. That's when Jackie Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, and other elite travelers fell in love with its open spirit.
Now, the island fits almost any travel style. The south coast beaches are packed with energy. Places like Psarou and Nammos offer high-end beach club comfort, while Super Paradise keeps its legendary party reputation. If you head north, you'll find quiet, windswept coves where the only sound is the meltemi breeze. The local food scene is excellent too, mixing Cycladic staples like kopanisti cheese with global culinary trends. You don't have to stay out until dawn to enjoy it, watching the sunrise from a quiet church is just as memorable.
On Mykonos, every stone path leads to the sea, and every sunset brings a new story.
Mykonos Town (Chora) for nightlife; Ornos and Platis Gialos for families. Mykonos hotels.
Handpicked hotels with exceptional reviews and local character.
Detailed breakdowns of every neighborhood and village.
Expert Recommendation
For the first-time visitor, staying in the main Chora provides the best balance of accessibility and atmosphere.
Mykonos owed its early survival to neighboring Delos, one of the most sacred sites in ancient Greece. As the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, Delos attracted thousands of pilgrims. Mykonos became the essential gateway and supply base, housing the merchants and food supplies that kept the sacred sanctuary running.
When Delos declined, Mykonos faced centuries of pirate raids, Venetian rule, and Ottoman control. Chora's maze-like streets were built to confuse invaders. Even the whitewashed walls had a practical origin: lime wash acted as a disinfectant during cholera and plague outbreaks.
During the 1821 Greek War of Independence, a local noblewoman named Manto Mavrogenous spent her personal fortune funding warships to fight the Ottoman fleet. Today, a statue of this national heroine stands in Chora's main square, looking out over the harbor she defended.
Artists and writers rediscovered Mykonos in the 1950s. By the 1960s, it was a playground for figures like Jackie Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, and Jean-Paul Gaultier. Its open-minded, free-spirited vibe made it a safe haven for LGBTQ+ travelers. Over the decades, that bohemian energy evolved into the high-end luxury resort scene we see today, attracting modern stars like Lady Gaga and Lionel Messi.
Explore the heart of Mykonos
This whitewashed maze of alleys, balconies overflowing with bougainvillea, and blue-doored houses is the iconic face of the island. Chora contains several historical landmarks, including the 1780 Russian-built Town Hall on the harbor front. Walk past the cafes of the old harbor, the bars of Little Venice, and the Kato Mili windmills to Matoyianni Street's famous boutiques.
This is one of the most famous spots in the Cyclades. Little Venice is a row of 18th-century captains' houses built right at the water's edge, their wooden balconies hanging over the sea. Today, they house lively cocktail bars and restaurants with perfect sunset views.
Mykonos's only inland village shows you what the island was like before the tourist rush. It's centered on the 16th-century Monastery of Panagia Tourliani, which features a beautiful marble fountain and a baroque iconostasis. The quiet square has excellent tavernas serving traditional food far from the busy beach scene.
A sheltered south-coast bay with a wide sandy beach, Ornos is the top choice for families. The shallow, calm water is perfect for kids. A line of restaurants and cafes along the shore offers relaxed dining right on the sand. It's also the main terminal for the local water taxi service.
Tourlos is home to the island's new port, where all major ferries and cruise ships arrive. It's a busy transit hub with a helpful selection of hotels, tavernas, and car rental agencies. If you have time before your boat, the nearby Agios Stefanos beach offers a nice sandy stretch with views across to Delos.
Boutique villas, cave hotels, and sea-view suites — all in one place.
The best shores of Mykonos
This sheltered cove of golden sand is home to Nammos. It's the island's most exclusive beach club, where champagne flows and VIPs lounge by the water.
The island's original party beach is famous for its afternoon DJ sets, loud crowds, and welcoming atmosphere.
The longest beach on the island has organized sunbeds at one end and a quiet, natural stretch of sand at the other.
A popular family option with fine sand and calm water. It serves as the main water taxi station for beach-hopping.
A remote northern beach reached by dirt road. There are no sunbeds or music here, just raw volcanic cliffs and a single taverna.
A pristine sandy beach with no sunbeds or cafes. It's one of the last natural spots on the island, backed by dry hills and a small chapel.
Explore every beach and hidden village at your own pace.
Explore every beach, village, and hidden corner with your own wheels
Mykonos largest verified fleet (4.9 stars, 500+ reviews): 40+ vehicles from compacts to convertibles, luxury SUVs, ATVs and buggies, with free airport and port delivery plus 24/7 support. Use code DISCOVER10 for 10% off.
From Michelin-starred fine dining to traditional home cooking, the island's food scene is the most varied in the Cyclades.
A spicy, spreadable cheese unique to Mykonos. It has PDO protection. Try it spread on barley rusks with ripe tomato and olive oil.
Air-cured pork loin spiced with cloves and pepper. It's sliced paper-thin as a local charcuterie staple.
Soft, chewy almond cookies scented with rosewater and dusted with sugar. They're traditionally served at weddings.
Fresh lobster grilled with olive oil and lemon. You'll find it served at waterfront tavernas in Little Venice.
A warm digestif made of raki, honey, and cinnamon. It's a great nightcap on windy evenings.
Linguine tossed with fresh sea urchin roe and olive oil. It's a favorite on upscale seaside menus.
From sunrise to sunset in Mykonos
Take the morning ferry to the uninhabited island of Delos. You'll walk through a massive UNESCO-listed ruin field containing ancient temples, the Terrace of the Lions, and well-preserved mosaics.
4-5 hoursWalk through Chora early in the morning. The narrow lanes are empty and glow in the early light. It's the best time to photograph the famous windmills before other visitors wake up.
2 hoursUse the local water taxi service from Platis Gialos to hop between south coast beaches. You can easily compare the family vibes of Platis Gialos with the loud party scene at Paradise.
5-6 hoursJoin a cooking class at a traditional family farm. You'll harvest fresh vegetables, make kopanisti cheese, and bake local pies before eating lunch with island wine.
4 hoursBook a table at a waterfront restaurant in Little Venice. You can eat fresh seafood while watching the waves crash directly below your balcony.
2 hoursWalk up to the Kato Mili windmills above Little Venice for sunset. These historic structures offer a panoramic view of the sea and the old town below.
1 hourStart with sunset drinks at a rooftop bar in town, then head to the harbor or the beach clubs at Paradise. Famous DJs play sets that go until sunrise — the full [Mykonos DJ scene and residency calendar](/blog/mykonos-dj-scene-2026) shows who is playing where each night.
4-6 hoursSailing trips, sunset cruises, diving, cooking classes and more.
Find the perfect time for your Mykonos trip
Ferry routes and travel connections
Ferry tickets
Search live ferry schedules from Piraeus (Athens) to Mykonos.
Loading live ferry search…
Fast booking, instant confirmation. Compare operators and prices.
Ferries, hotels, car rental and neighbourhood guides — everything you need after reading this Mykonos guide.
Mykonos connects to 10 nearby islands by ferry. These are the live island-hopping routes from Mykonos, with direct connections drawn from our full Cyclades ferry catalogue.
The largest Cycladic island: endless beaches, the Portara, and mountain villages with incredible food.
Charming Naoussa, world-class windsurfing, and a laid-back alternative to Mykonos.
The caldera, legendary sunsets in Oia, and volcanic wines, the most iconic hop.
The neoclassical capital of the Cyclades with year-round cultural life and authentic Greek city energy.
Sacred pilgrimage island with 1,000+ marble dovecotes and artisan villages, the closest hop from Mykonos.
Curated tours and activities
Guided tour of the sacred island of Delos with licensed archaeologist · includes boat transfer and museum entry.
Sail along the coast of Mykonos at golden hour with drinks, snacks, swimming stops, and views of Delos at sunset.
Water taxi day pass covering all south coast beaches with a welcome drink at a partner beach club.
Insider tips for your Mykonos trip
Hand-picked Cyclades photography — refreshed weekly from Pexels.
Photography via Pexels — credit shown per image.
Explore these beautiful Cyclades islands from mykonos
Romance & Views
Volcanic caldera and legendary sunsets
Architecture & History
Elegant capital and neoclassical architecture
Spiritual & Art
Pilgrimage site and traditional villages
Nature & Hiking
Green landscapes and hiking trails
Everything you need to know about Mykonos
Our AI travel assistant knows everything about Mykonos
One email every two weeks: new beaches, ferry changes, hotel deals. No spam.
From the Kato Mili windmills to the ruins of Delos, from beach club parties to quiet northern coves, Mykonos offers a style for every traveler.
