OVERVIEW
The island of Mykonos is among the most popular Greek islands famous for its unspoiled beaches and amazing nightlife. From the iconic whitewashed streets and houses to the historic windmills in Little Venice, to great food, to some of the best clubs in the country, this island is the perfect holiday destination. Here is the list of the most amazing things to do in Mykonos.
GETTING AROUND
1. Getting around by bus
- The entire island is very well connected by bus. Each area has a bus stop.
- There are two major bus stops in the city center (also known as Chora). The one on the south side of the center is known as Fabrica, and one on the northern side is known as Old Port. Both these stops are around 20 mins apart on foot.
- From Fabrica, you can take the bus to some areas like Platis Gialos, Paraga, Paradise and more. From the old port ferry quay, you can take the bus to other areas like
- Bus schedules keep changing depending on the season or sometimes even month wise. We suggest you get an updated bus schedule from the Mykonos Bus website or get a copy from your hotel reception before stepping out on the island.
- Bus tickets can be bought from the bus driver (have exact change ready) or you can also buy in advance from a vending machine, kiosks, mini-markets and tourist shops.
- On a separate note, if you plan on going around a lot, select an accommodation near a bus stop for good connectivity.
2. Getting around by taxi
- There are very few taxis on this island. In fact, till 2019 they had only 30 taxis in total. Thus, spotting a taxi is most likely only at major spots like city center or famous clubs etc. But in peak season, you may end up waiting for hours.
- Thus, if you wish to book a cab, install apps like Aegean Taxi or iMove on your phone. They work not only in Mykonos but various other popular destinations in Greece. You can also ask your hotel reception or the desk at any bar/restaurant to call for a cab for you. In peak season telling them in advance save you from waiting. Just remember that calling a cab may incur an additional cost.
- Taxis use meters and there’s also a notice board giving rates for each destination, but we would still recommend you ask the rate/extra cost (for luggage etc.) before you get into the cab.
3. Getting around by foot
- If you aren’t exploring this island on foot, are you even exploring? Not the entire island of Mykonos, but the best way to get around in the city center is on foot.
- The entire center is filled with white washed buildings, blue windows and gates, churches, and narrow eye pleasing streets with quaint cafes and local shops.
- We suggest you take a bus to the center and then explore on foot.
4. Getting around by water taxi
- There are two types of water taxi on this island: Sea taxi and Sea bus.
- Sea taxi is available from Ornos Beach to the famous Platis Gialos beach and other nearby beaches like Paraside, Elia, Super Paradise and more. In the peak season it operates from 10 am to 10 pm. Schedule and booking is only available through the sea port station.
- Sea bus is available from the Old port in the center to the New Port. Ticket price is 2 Euros. For booking and updated schedule, visit the Mykonos Sea Bus website.
LIST
1. Discover the Windmills in city center
- The windmills in Mykonos is the the most iconic site of the island. In total there are 16 windmills on the island out of which 7(the famous ones) stand on the hill in Chora area.
- These windmills were built in the 16th century to mill wheat. That stopped in the 20th century. Now they are just used as a tourist site. One of the windmills on the island, known as Boni Windmill is converted into a museum, which we highly recommend to visit if you are into history.
2. Have a drink in little Venice
- The Little Venice neighborhood is the most famous area in Mykonos. The area has a array of colorful houses touching the shoreline. Nowadays all these houses have been converted into elegant cafe, bars and restaurants. So this is perfect place to sip your drink at sunset!
- Obvious enough, the prices are extravagant! But still getting a drink here is super worth it. All these cafes are located such that the waves kiss the walls. The vibe and views from the place and simple spectacular.
- This area is right next to the windmills, so ideally you should club both.
3. Stroll around Mykonos town
- Iconic whitewashed streets and houses with blue doors, white churches with blue domes, quaint roadside cafes, Mykonos is the place to get lost in the alleys!
- Most of the streets are vehicle free zone. So walking these streets is pleasant experience.
4. Enjoy the nightlife
The island of Mykonos is the party capital of Greece. There are numerous beach clubs and bars on offer. Gay friendly and family clubs are also there. The options are basically endless. Said to be the Ibiza of Greece, this island is known for its lively nightlife and beach parties. Refer to our Mykonos party guide article for the list of best clubs and bars on the island along with their highlights and other important information.
5. Explore the island’s pristine beaches
This island has a beach for every taste and mood. It is famous for its crystal clear waters and golden sandy beaches. Below is the list of the most famous beaches on the island along with its highlight:- Paradise beach and Super Paradise beach: Most popular beach for partying and night out in Mykonos.
- Kalo Livadi, Elia, Ornos, and Lia: Family-friendly beaches with beautiful golden sands
- Kapari or Agios Sostis: Secluded beach
- Kapari Beach: Beautiful beach
- Psarou beach: Trendy beach where all the celebrities go. This beach is home to Nammos, which is one of the best beach bars in the world.
6. Take a boat trip to the archaeological site of Delos and Rhenia
- The UNESCO World Heritage island, Delos, is a 30-minute boat ride from Mykonos. This island is a very important archaeological and historical site. The first inhabitants on this island dates back to the Bronze age.
- This island was considered as a holy sanctuary for more than 100 years. It is the birthplace of the Apollo (Greek god) and the Armetis (Greek goddess). Having such a large history, there are many historic sights on the island like the famous house of Dionysus, Stoa of Phillipe, Colossus of the Naxians, Temple of Apollo and many more. You can take a tour of all these sites. Since this island is all about history, it is highly recommended to take a guide tour (booking link given below the image).
- Then you can cruise to the uninhabited island of Rhenia and truly let go! You can swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters. Discover sandy coves and unwind at the uncrowded beaches.
- You can choose between the different boats and time slots. The tour will cost you around 90 €
7. Day trip to Tino Island
- Tino island is a hidden gem 30 mins ferry ride away from Mykonos. Imagine a charming traditional Greece island, minus the crowd. This is the place!
- It’s a fantastic day trip from Mykonos. You can experience the authentic Greek culture, explore churches, monasteries and climb the mountains to get stunning view of the surroundings.
- The island is also home to a traditional village names Volax which is famous for basket weaving.
- There are a lot of tour operators to book your day trip. The approximate cost of the trip should be around 75-80 € per adult.
8. Cruise along the southern coast
- If you love spending time in the sea, this is one of the best idea to spend your holiday in Mykonos. The southern coast of this island is home to the most famous and picturesque beaches like Ornos Beach, Platys Gyalos, Elia, Psarou Beach and Super Paradise.
- Some of the cruises even visit the nearby Dragonisi island where you can experience its caves and beautiful colors.
- You could either choose a private boat and sail on your own (expensive option) or opt for an organised tour.
- This tour is available through various vendors with a variety of options. You will need to choose the duration of your cruise, the kind of boat, the number of spots it covers,etc. The tours start at around 80€ per person.
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