The ever-popular Greek islands type some of the spectacular archipelagos on earth. Alongside Santorini, the Mykonos Islands are the star of the present. It’s a must-see vacation spot that mixes sunshine, electrical blue water, superb meals, and interesting historical past.
Mykonos is a romantic vacation spot, a spot for honeymoons and rendezvous. Likewise, it attracts party-goers and weekenders trying to blow off some steam. You gained’t be shocked to search out the crowds at Mykonos, particularly within the excessive season. But it surely’s one thing that shouldn’t scare you off, for it’s a vacation spot you’ll be able to method from many angles. As you’ll be able to nonetheless discover the quieter seashores and the charming cities that, regardless of Mykonos’ small dimension, nonetheless stay off the vacationer path.
Prime Issues to do in Mykonos
1. Mykonos City
After arriving on among the finest Greek islands, make a beeline for Mykonos City. Exploring its slim streets lined by whitewashed homes is likely one of the first issues to do in Mykonos, Greece. Not solely will it offer you an awesome style of what Mykonos island life has to supply, however you’ll start to get your bearings.
Domestically often called Chora (Greek for the city), Mykonos City is every part you’d hope it to be. As you wander down the cobblestone streets, you’ll see the attractive white facades and doorways as blue because the Aegean Sea. It’s a small city and one which gained’t take lengthy to discover. That’s for those who don’t get misplaced within the city’s maze-like structure or distracted by the various boutique shops.
You’ll discover many of those shops alongside Matogianni Road, which additionally occurs to be one of many prettiest streets on the island.
We advocate these excursions!
2. Paradise Seashore
Together with your steps full, it’s time to indulge within the unimaginable splendor of Mykonos Island. For a comparatively small island, Mykonos has no scarcity of gorgeous seashores, and selecting one of the best one is an unenviable process. With that stated, Paradise Seashore is the right place to start out.
Paradise and Tremendous Paradise Seashore mix to create a shocking location that additionally occurs to be one of many island’s most beloved social gathering spots. Within the peak of summer time, the seashore floods with scantily clad women and men bathing within the Aegean solar. Come dusk, the social gathering scene goes up a notch with music and tropical cocktails at seashore bars like Jackie O’ and Paradise Seashore.
Outdoors of the excessive season, you’ll discover glowing white sand devoid of huge crowds. Add on some beachfront eating places and it’s a pristine spot to get pleasure from a day trip. Make certain to guide your sunbed upfront so you’ve got one of the best seat in the home.
3. Monastery of Panagia Tourliani
A short drive from the guts of Mykonos City, a go to to the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani is likely one of the prime issues to do in Mykonos, Greece. Just like the seashores, there may be stiff competitors for probably the most attractive monasteries and church buildings on the tiny island. However Panagia Tourliani isn’t one to overlook.
Nearly 5 centuries previous, the monastery is a sight for sore eyes. The clear stone facade full with a trio of bells and an adjoining bell tower is a formidable sight. To not point out the arresting marble fountain that options embellished decorations.
Equally transcendent is the inside that has been painstakingly restored to its former glory. Guests will be capable of see the hand-painted altar display screen and iconography from the late 18th century.
4. The Kato Mili Windmills
One of the spectacular sights in Mykonos is the Kato Mili Windmills backed by the pink sky at golden hour. A short journey from Little Venice, a row of white and brown windmills dots the shoreline and are a glimpse into the island’s previous wheat trade.
Again within the day, there have been 20 of those well-known windmills. Whereas solely seven stay, they’re now some of the widespread sights on Mykonos. Every windmill is an ideal cylinder that rises out of the bottom with brown thatched roofs. They’re easy but past elegant, a memorable instance of 18th century Greek structure.
They’re free to go to and make for superb images. However remember to return at nightfall for among the finest sundown spots on Mykonos.
5. Agrari Seashore
Agrari Seashore contrasts tremendously with Paradise Seashore. The recognition of Mykonos brings in hearty crowds and seashore events, one thing that may be exhausting to flee in the summertime. However Agrari Seashore is the place to go to expertise the pristine seashores and crystal clear waters of Mykonos with out rubbing shoulders with strangers.
You’ll discover this seashore on the quieter part of the island’s southern coast. The golden sand runs alongside the shore till it connects to Elia Seashore, making a spectacular 5-mile shoreline of nothing however powdery white sand and turquoise sea.
After strolling down a steep, slim path, you’ll step onto the mushy sand, the place you’ll uncover a small concession stand and some solar loungers that you should utilize to bask within the heat.
6. Little Venice
In Mykonos City, Little Venice is a neighborhood that can rapidly steal your coronary heart. It’s the waterfront part of city the place the white homes meet the Aegean Sea, making a imaginative and prescient straight out of your wildest goals. Just like the windmills, Little Venice is the place Mykonos’ pure magnificence and man-made opulence meet.
A lot of what you see in Little Venice was developed within the 18th century by retailers. Now they’re trip properties, eating places, and numerous stylish bars which can be good for sundown cocktails. Simply remember to make a reservation forward of time. You can too wander all the way down to the ocean and let the water lap between your toes as you watch the solar contact the horizon with the windmills within the foreground.
7. Delos Island
Taking a ship journey to Delos Island is likely one of the finest issues to do in Mykonos, Greece. Departing from the Previous Harbor in Mykonos City, it can take vacationers round half-hour to succeed in the small Cycladic island.
The historical past of Delos Island goes again over 5,000 years. It’s teeming with outstanding archaeological websites, a lot of which type the crux of Greek myths and legends. Such is the array of historical past, that the whole thing of Delos Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
Native mythology tells of the start of Artemis and Apollo, which happened proper right here. However that’s not all. As you discover, you’ll discover columns which have stood in place for hundreds of years on the aspect of paths shared by pilgrims yr after yr. The island’s historical past, nonetheless, reaches its zeniths with Delos’ 5,000-year-old stone huts.
One of the simplest ways to expertise Delos is to take this guided boat journey. This is likely one of the hottest excursions in all of Mykonos.
8. Psarou Seashore
A few miles exterior of Mykonos City, Psarou Seashore is one other widespread spot for a day on the sand. Lined by upscale seashore bars, a sequence of opulent resorts, and a number of the finest meals on the island, Psarou is a spot to expertise the lap of luxurious.
The seashore is sort of totally made up of solar loungers and rows of seashore umbrellas. You’ll be able to neglect about laying down the towel right here. As a substitute, spend your day taking within the sights and sounds plus the odd movie star for those who’re fortunate. Preserving the summer time crowds in thoughts, chances are you’ll wish to guide a solar lounge forward of time.
On the water is the place the actual enjoyable is, nonetheless. When you’re settled, it’s time for water sports activities. Go on a scuba diving journey or bounce on board a jet ski. Afterward, dine on the iconic Nammos Seaside Restaurant.
9. Armenistis Lighthouse
Little Venice could also be one of the best sundown spot on Mykonos, nevertheless it’s not at all times budget-friendly. That is very true if you wish to drink at one of the best bars alongside the coast. For a very free sundown, make your strategy to the Armenistis Lighthouse.
The lighthouse is positioned on the island’s northwest coast the place you’ll have uninhibited views of the colourful horizon together with the even smaller island, Tinos. It’s straightforward to get right here additionally, being only a four-mile bus or taxi from Mykonos City.
It’s finest to present your self loads of time to discover the century-old lighthouse. Mykonos has a wealthy maritime historical past. The lighthouse is devoted to telling that story and remembering the lives misplaced in a shipwreck within the years previous to its creation.
10. The Previous Port
The event of a contemporary port on Mykonos has taken the main focus of its historic Previous Port. Many vacationers don’t even take the time to discover. However for those who’re like me, then that’s all of the extra motive so as to add the Previous Port to your Mykonos itinerary.
Like the primary city, Previous Port is surrounded by a maze of slim streets. Amongst them are perennially smiling locals and an genuine assortment of native retailers. With out the cruise ships, the water is left for small fishing boats that come out and in as in the event that they’ve traveled again to earlier than Mykonos was a vacationer mecca.
As you discover the Previous Port, hold your eye out for the well-known Peter the Pelican. This pelican has taken on legendary standing amongst locals and seeing him wherever he’s is a giant tick in your Mykonos bingo card.
11. Scuba Diving
A couple of days on the shore of the Aegean Sea can have you excited to discover life beneath the floor. The glistening child blue water is each bit as spectacular because the Mediterranean Sea, with as many marine treasures awaiting your arrival.
There are a lot of nice scuba diving spots round Mykonos, together with from Psarou Seashore. However for newcomers, Lia Seashore is the right place to start. Inside the protected bay you’ll discover calm swimming circumstances with wonderful readability as you be taught the important expertise alongside your instructors.
When you’ve accomplished your first dive, you’ll be able to assault some extra websites round Mykonos. Paradise Reef is one for the books. Right here, you’ll discover a prismatic array of coral, starfish, barracuda, and octopus. If you wish to swim round a shipwreck, you can even try this at Dragonissi.
Mykonos is the right place to be taught to Scuba Dive because the water is crystal clear and actually calm. This tour is ideal for newcomers!
12. Ano Mera Village
Just like the Previous Port, Ano Mera Village is one other superb a part of Mykonos that sees a disproportionately meager quantity of tourists. However whereas most are having fun with the Mykonos seashores, you’ll be able to take the time to discover one of many oldest cities on the island, in peace.
The old-time village is centered on a city sq. and boasts Greek’s patented whitewashed properties. Ano Mera offers vacationers with a novel and genuine expertise inside an enthralling Cycladic village. The streets are simply as skinny, but with out the bustle. This leaves you with a tranquil townscape that boasts a number of main landmarks, together with Panagia Tourlani, the Paleokastro Monastery, and the Gyzi Citadel.
Discover on a whim and don’t be afraid to get misplaced while you go to Ano Mera Village. That’s precisely the way you’ll find yourself on a gorgeous cafe patio, sipping wine and overlooking the Aegean Sea.
13. Church of Panagia Paraportiani
Admiring the beautiful Church of Panagia Paraportiani is likely one of the finest issues to do in Mykonos, Greece. On the shore of the Aegean Sea, the church is a photographer’s dream. It’s an unimaginable mixture of traditional white Greek structure, cobblestones, and the intense blue sea.
The church is, in actual fact, a a lot bigger complicated that options 5 distinct chapels. Every has its personal peculiar design and domed roof. The oldest, Agios Anargyros, was constructed within the fifteenth century full with a beautiful bell tower.
Arriving on the complicated is straightforward. Vacationers can merely bounce on a bus and get off at Fabrika Central. It’s additionally attainable to stroll from Little Venice.
14. Elia Seashore
On the southern coast, Elia Seashore is the opposite half of a sandy shore shared with Agrari Seashore. Elia Seashore is a mixture of facilities and tranquility. Right here, you’ll be able to benefit from the solar lounges and water sports activities with out dense crowds, with ample further sand to put down the towel.
Through the summer time months, there are sometimes seashore events that includes DJs, booze, and loads of dancing. However that apart, it’s a relaxed spot that’s beloved among the many LGBTQ group and even the odd nudist.
While you depart the sand and go for a swim, you’ll uncover crystal clear waters and an excellent mixture of blue shades. Other than swimming, you’ll be able to enterprise out on a jet ski, get a view as you para-sail and you can even strive your hand at windsurfing when the breeze picks up.
15. Wine Tasting
No time in Mykonos can be full with out exploring the island’s vineyards and sampling the native tipple. In any case, Mykonos is likely one of the oldest wine-growing areas on earth.
A beautiful place to do exactly that’s at Mykonos Vioma Natural Farm. Out of your elevated place on Mykonos, you’ll bask within the wondrous views of the vineyards and the coast from the patio. You can too join a winery tour that can take you behind the scenes of this stunning farm.
However Vioma is not only about distinctive wine tasting. Because the identify suggests, there’s far more to this natural farm. Take your time exploring to find conventional Mykonian delicacies comparable to rusks, hams, genuine Greek salad, and artisan cheese.
If you wish to take a guided wine tour, this one which goes to a locals house is a good way to pattern the wines of the area and have an genuine Mykonos expertise.
16. Mykonos Maritime Museum
The Greeks have a storied relationship with the ocean. In centuries previous, they found new islands and expanded properly past the mainland. Now, out of the two,000 islands within the nation, round 170 are inhabited.
At this time, the nation nonetheless depends upon the ocean to get from A to B. As you journey round Greece, water taxis and ferries are widespread, not simply to switch locals and vacationers, however cargo too.
To find out about Greece and Mykonos’ oceangoing historical past, each historic and modern pay a go to to the Aegean Maritime Museum. Journey again so far as the Neolithic period as you uncover historic paperwork, historic maps, treasures, and reproduction ships from the Minoan interval. Full the expertise by studying about moments that modified the course of native historical past and the tales of ships which have sunk to the underside of the ocean.
17. Kayak
You’ve explored the charming villages, seen the sundown from the coast, and swum beneath the ocean. However for a recent perspective, it’s time to seize your paddle and kayak round Mykonos.
As you float alongside the crystal clear sea, you’ll be capable of obtain a spectacular vantage level from which to admire the island. A lot of Mykonos is accessible, however there are a lot of nooks and crannies alongside the coast that you simply’ll solely be capable of see and attain from the water. With the assistance of a guided kayak tour, you’ll be capable of.
Mykonos Kayak has quite a lot of journeys on provide, relying on the time and expertise you’ve got. Their traditional tour takes you to wild rock formations the place you’ll paddle into grottos strewn throughout the northern shoreline whereas maintaining your eye out for marine life.
18. Rhenia Island
Rhenia Island is one other of the close by islands it is best to add to your itinerary. Within the shadows of Mykonos, Rhenia Island is a well-kept secret. Though it has a wealthy human historical past that dates again 1000’s of years, right now, nobody lives right here. It’s now an untouched paradise.
With zero ferry infrastructure, the one strategy to make it right here is on a guided tour or personal boat. However when you’ve arrived, you’ll don’t have any scarcity of fantastic adventures. Right here, the seashores are clear, with none footsteps and the ocean is a dream to swim in.
The island’s human historical past is on full show. Centuries in the past, the island was abandoned and its historic temples have been left to outlive by themselves. Add on some quaint Twentieth-century church buildings and you may see why Rhenia Island is likely one of the finest day journeys from Mykonos.
19. Boat Tour
Most of the finest seashores on Mykonos might be discovered on the breathtaking southern coast. You might spend a day at every, however for a memorable expertise, be a part of this full-day south coast cruise.
Starting at Ornos Seashore, for eight hours, you’ll be able to sit back and slowly make your approach alongside the spectacular coast whereas sipping one Greek wine and sampling ouzo. After visiting a few seashores, you’ll enterprise additional offshore to find Dragonissi Island. Upon arrival, you’ll spot the ocean caves that glisten towards the water.
Afterward, dive into the calm waters of Frangias Bay and have lunch at a seaside restaurant on Kalafatis Seashore. Final up is the colourful Tremendous Paradise Seashore earlier than getting dropped off proper again at your lodge.
20. Mykonos Archaeological Museum
The Cyclades are akin to an open-air museum, such are the variety of historic websites. However with out having to journey to Delos or Rhenia, you’ll be able to go to the Mykonos Archaeological Museum.
Historical past lovers and architectural buffs can have a blast as they discover the unimaginable assortment. Guests will be capable of rise up near historic vases, vessels, artistic endeavors, and columns.
The museum could also be small nevertheless it’s been masterfully curated. Additional highlights embody a shocking mortuary urn that explores the story of the Trojan Struggle. For individuals who missed out on exploring Rhenia, try the museum’s Purification Pit. This was found in 1898 and included a whole lot of urns and vessels that harbored choices to the gods.
21. Island Hop
There’s way more to the world round Mykonos than simply Delos and Rhenia islands. The Cyclades are residence to over 200 islands and you may entry all the main ones comparable to Santorini, Tinos, and Naxos from the native port.
Frequent ferry crossings will provide you with loads of choices on the subject of exploring the encircling islands by yourself. Likewise, there may be an abundance of native excursions that can showcase the great thing about the Cyclades on a yacht.
Santorini is one other well-known vacation spot within the Cyclades and is just a few hours away from Mykonos. You’ll be able to simply take a make a day journey of it with 5 ferry crossing every day. An alternative choice is Tinos, which is simply half-hour by boat and boasts some stunning conventional villages.
Thinking about Santorini? Try our information on the superb island.
22. Bike Tour
Exploring stunning Mykonos on two wheels guarantees to be as memorable an journey as any on the island. At the same time as you develop increasingly more accustomed to the mountainous, sun-soaked Mykonos, there’s at all times extra to see. On a motorbike, you are able to do simply that with out losing any time.
Becoming a member of a neighborhood knowledgeable on a motorbike tour will make it easier to get off the overwhelmed path and away from the island’s most iconic locations. Take the again streets by charming villages and seize coastal and city views that you simply wouldn’t have in any other case seen. As you discover the countryside, you’ll get to know Mykonos on a deeper degree.
The hilly nature of the island has compelled some bike operators to offer quite a lot of excursions for various health ranges. So there’s no entry barrier for vacationers.
get to Mykonos
There are two methods to get to Mykonos. Probably the most scenic is by boat. A number of firms, comparable to Hellenic Seaways, Blue Star, and Sea Jet, function commonly between Mykonos and varied Greek locations.
It could possibly take between three and 5 hours to go between Athens and Mykonos. Blue Star and Hellenic take round 5 hours however have a tendency to offer a extra sturdy trip.
Sea Jet on their smaller catamarans can get you there the quickest. Nevertheless, for those who get seasick, remember this trip can get bumpy. We advocate reserving upfront for all three, particularly Sea Jet.
You’ll be able to fly to Mykonos throughout the summer time months. This isn’t the budget-friendly choice however will make it easier to get to the island quite a bit quicker. The each day flights from Athens final solely 25 minutes.
Finest time to go to Mykonos
Mykonos has a protracted span of superb climate. This lengthens the time frame vacationers ought to be trying to go to the island. The climate is heat by Might and lasts all the best way to October.
Mykonos’ excessive season begins in June and ends in September. Throughout this era, the climate is at its peak, the water is balmy, and the ambiance is electrical. In fact, this era comes with crowds and better lodge charges. But it surely’s the quintessential Mykonos expertise.
It can save you on room charges whereas having fun with good climate in Might and October, however some eating places and excursions might not be working.
Outdoors of this sixth-month span, Mykonos is quiet and with out the hotter climate, it can unlikely be the journey you’re anticipating.
The place to remain
With one of the best sights coated and a few key questions answered, let’s try some locations to remain in Mykonos that swimsuit all budgets.
Funds – Elena Resort Mykonos
Within the coronary heart of Mykonos City and simply 6 minutes from the seashore, Elena Resort Mykonos affords comfort and luxury. Every room has a TV and Wi-Fi, whereas company will benefit from the each day buffet breakfast and airport transfers.
Mid-range – Concord Boutique Resort
Subsequent to the Previous Port in Mykonos City, Concord Boutique Resort balances luxurious and value. Simply two minutes from the seashore, company will get pleasure from trendy lodging with sea and sundown views. There are additionally spa and health facilities and an onsite restaurant.
Luxurious – Cavo Tagoo
Additionally in Mykonos City, Cavo Tagoo has a shocking infinity pool with views out to the ocean. Every room options the peak of luxurious, with distinct decor and a few include both a spa bathtub or personal pool. To pamper your self, join their vary of spa remedies earlier than eating at their onsite restaurant.