Posted by Mykonos (10,000 inhabitants, size just under 100 km²) has Chora, one of the most beautiful places in the Cyclades. Hardly any other island has more and better beaches. This together makes Mykonos one of the islands with the most tourists in Greece.
The beautiful and rich, as well as homosexuals, also come to the island. The price level is very high, as are the demands of the wealthy tourists.
Tip: Our favorite guesthouse on the island of Mykonos: Hotel Milena
Our opinion: Mykonos is undoubtedly a hotspot for party and luxury vacationers, with a lively atmosphere that attracts many. The island offers beautiful beaches and a great culinary scene, but the heavy mass tourism can make some places overcrowded and seem less authentic. Those looking for peace and quiet might have trouble escaping the hustle and bustle here. Nevertheless, Mykonos remains a fascinating destination for many with lots of charm and unforgettable experiences.
Tip: You can book many hotels on Mykonos cheaply at Booking.com
Great day tours MykonosMany tourists on Mykonos want to go on an excursion during their vacation. We have selected some very good offers for you with a link to the booking website with further information. The following offers have been rated positively by previous participants of the tour. 1. Excursion to Delos (neighboring island, ancient excavation) by boat with a guided tour of Delos and pick-up from the hotel in Mykonos: >>> More information and booking 2. Simple, inexpensive boat trip to Delos without a guide: >>> More information and booking 3. Tour of Mykonos (city tour, 3 hours): >>> More information and booking 4. Good tour of the island of Mykonos 4 hours: >>> More information and booking |
Mykonos Town (Chora)
This is the only larger town on the island and probably the most beautiful place in the Cyclades. In Greece, Chora is known as the Venice of Greece. White, cube-shaped houses with blue shutters, narrow streets, a multitude of small churches – Cyclades like in a picture book. The whole place is a single sight.
Short film overview Mykonos (3 min)
Orientation
If you arrive by ferry, you have to be careful which port you arrive at. The old port in the town is more conveniently located than the new port of Mykonos about three kilometres outside. From there there are about two buses every hour (in season) or of course taxis to the Chora. The old port is right in the beautiful centre of Mykonos town. Around it are the expensive nightclubs and discos for the international audience.
If you continue north of the harbor along the sea, after a few minutes you will reach Little Venice, probably the most architecturally impressive district of Mykonos. Behind Little Venice are the famous windmills of Mykonos. If you walk away from the sea at the harbor, you will come to the old town – a maze of small alleys – in which vacationers quickly get lost, even if they have already spent a few days in Mykonos. The whole of Mykonos Town is largely car-free.
Harbor district and waterfront promenade
The waterfront in the center couldn’t be more romantic: small fishing boats in the harbor, fine restaurants, chic cafes, a small chapel at the harbor and, last but not least, a beautiful pedestrian promenade along which the famous pelicans of Mykonos stroll.
To the left of the harbor, small tourist ferries leave every morning for the nearby island of Delos. A day trip to ancient Greece is definitely worth it. Otherwise, there are two well-kept sandy beaches in the harbor basin (Gilaos and Agia Anna). Mykonos’ world-famous nightlife is also concentrated here. The Scandinavian Bar and the Yacht Club are absolute favorites.
Little Venice
One of the flagships of Mykonos is the Little Venice district. White houses with blue shutters, interspersed with narrow streets with expensive jewelers and souvenir shops. Some of the best restaurants in Greece are here. In summer, Little Venice is clogged with pedestrians.
The windmills of Mykonos
This sight is the most famous photo and postcard motif of Mykonos. In front of the windmills you will find dozens of holidaymakers taking photos. The windmills have become a symbol of Cycladic romance.
The old town of Mykonos
The large old town is the most exciting part of the city. You just walk in without paying attention to your orientation. The snow-white cube-shaped houses with the colorful shutters and the cobbled streets with the even whiter joints are an experience. Around every corner you come across new shops, taverns, small bakeries…
There are quite a few top restaurants hidden in the old town of Mykonos. Here you can easily spend €100 or more on lunch. The many small churches and chapels that you come across are also impressive.
Great day tours MykonosMany tourists on Mykonos want to go on an excursion during their vacation. We have selected some very good offers for you with a link to the booking website with further information. The following offers have been rated positively by previous participants of the tour. 1. Excursion to Delos (neighboring island, ancient excavation) by boat with a guided tour of Delos and pick-up from the hotel in Mykonos: >>> More information and booking 2. Simple, inexpensive boat trip to Delos without a guide: >>> More information and booking 3. Tour of Mykonos (city tour, 3 hours): >>> More information and booking 4. Good tour of the island of Mykonos 4 hours: >>> More information and booking |
Film Highlights Mykonos (English, Youtube)
Where is Mykonos most beautiful?
1.Mykonos Town (Chora) – The famous old town with its narrow streets, white houses, colorful windows and many cafes and shops. The windmills and the harbor are particularly beautiful.
2.Psarou Beach – An elegant beach, known for clear water and luxurious beach clubs. Ideal for a relaxing day.
3.Elia Beach – One of the largest and quieter beaches on the island, perfect for relaxation and water sports.
4.Agios Sostis Beach – A secluded, quiet beach that is not so crowded and offers a relaxed atmosphere.
Mykonos Food
(one of the cheapest offers in the old town)
The taverns are not exactly cheap. The great economic crisis in Greece has not changed that much. The price level is probably about the same as in Venice. In quite a few taverns you pay 15 euros for a simple moussaka without drinks. A large number of taverns offer very high-quality French or Italian cuisine. However, you can still find something without a thick wallet: a gyros pita for around 3.50 euros or good and affordable pastries in some of the traditional bakeries. The Nikos tavern behind the town hall at the harbor is in the lower price range. But here too you have to expect 50% or more than on other islands. Among the many expensive top restaurants, “La Maison de Katarines” (French cuisine) or the not quite as expensive Bourazza (high-quality Greek cuisine) are recommended. Both are hidden in the old town of Mykonos. A little outside the center it is much cheaper.
Mykonos at night
Most of the clubs are around the harbor and in the area immediately behind it. A little outside behind the windmills on Xenias Street near the bus station for the buses heading south is another focal point of nightlife. Many of the bars and clubs have exclusively gay clientele, others are mixed. Due to the fast pace of the discos and clubs, I would like to refrain from making recommendations here. Every year different ones are “in”. The nightlife in Mykonos is gigantic. In summer tens of thousands of people are out and about every night.
Mykonos Accommodation
If you have little money, you will hardly find anything suitable. Mykonos is as popular among the rich of Europe as Sant Tropez. In summer, finding a double room in Mykonos Town for under 100 euros is virtually impossible (as of 2024).
You can book accommodation very cheaply and clearly on Booking.com. For those on a tighter budget, the great Hotel Milena is recommended. It is about a 15-minute walk outside the city, but much cheaper than the more centrally located accommodations. Vista Apartments has good and inexpensive studios in the old town.
There are hardly any limits to how much you can spend. Even in the absolute off-season, at least 60 euros are charged, although hardly anything is occupied. When you arrive at the harbor, many locals will loudly and sometimes aggressively offer you private rooms. You should pay particular attention to the location. Many affordable rooms are kilometers away. Often, even a luxury apartment turns out to be a dump. Among the hotels, the Hotel Elena in the old town is not bad either. A double room with breakfast costs slightly more or less than 100 euros, depending on the season.
➔ Book cheap hotels for 2025 now
In our experience, the best chance of finding something affordable is on the website Booking.com. If you don’t want to spend 100 euros or more on an overnight stay, you can try to find a room a little away from the sights and the old town.
If you want to stay cheaply, you can also do so on the beaches outside the town of Mykonos. The large Paradise Beach Resort in particular is a little cheaper. It is a campsite with cabins, rooms and also rental tents. You can rent a car or moped there or take the bus to Chora.
Beaches on Mykonos
There are no larger towns outside of Chora. However, the beaches are popular.
The most famous of the dream beaches are in the south of the island. Super Paradise beach is the most popular beach among gay tourists. Other well-known beaches on Mykonos are Paradise Beach and Agrari Paradise in the south, as well as Ormos Panormos in the north. All beaches have mid-range and upscale taverns as well as hotels and guesthouses. Prices here are also high in summer, although not as extreme as in the main town of Greece’s most expensive island.
Top 10 sights and attractions in Mykonos
1. Explore Mykonos Town (Chora)
The island’s capital is a labyrinth of narrow, whitewashed streets with charming houses, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. The iconic windmills near Little Venice and the traditional architecture offer great photo opportunities.
2. Relax on the beaches
Mykonos is known for its stunning beaches, ranging from party spots like Paradise and Super Paradise to quieter beaches like Agios Sostis, Elia and Ornos, all offering crystal clear waters and beautiful views.
3. Visit Little Venice
This picturesque area of Chora has houses and cafes right on the water. It’s famous for its romantic sunsets, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a drink overlooking the water.
4. Experience the nightlife
Mykonos is famous for its nightlife, with beach clubs, bars and nightclubs partying until dawn. Cavo Paradiso, Scorpios and Tropicana are among the most popular spots.
5. Visit the Windmills (Kato Mili)
The row of windmills that overlooks Mykonos Town is one of the island’s iconic landmarks. They were once used for grinding grain, but today they are a great place to watch the sunset and take photos.
6. Take a trip to the island of Delos
Just a short boat ride from Mykonos is Delos, one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites. It is the mythical birthplace of the gods Apollo and Artemis, and the ruins include temples, statues and mosaics.
7. Explore the village of Ano Mera
Located inland, Ano Mera is a quiet, traditional village that offers a glimpse into authentic Mykonian life. Built in the 16th century, the Panagia Tourliani Monastery is one of the main attractions, with its beautiful architecture and artifacts.
8. Shopping on Matogianni Street
The island is known for its upscale shopping, and Matogianni Street in Chora is the heart of it. Here you’ll find everything from designer boutiques to local craft shops, ideal for picking up unique souvenirs.
9. Sample the local cuisine
Mykonos offers a variety of traditional dishes and local specialties such as kopanisti (a spicy cheese), louza (cured pork) and amigdalota (almond pastries). Enjoy fresh seafood at a waterfront taverna or a fine dining restaurant.
10. Enjoy water sports
Many beaches offer water sports such as windsurfing, jet skiing and snorkelling. Kalafatis Beach is particularly popular for windsurfing due to its favourable conditions, while Paradise Beach offers diving and other activities.
Buses on Mykonos
In high and low season there are frequent bus connections from Chora to all the well-known beaches. However, Super Paradise Beach is more difficult to reach by public transport. The bus station for the beaches in the north is in Mykonos town, right by the old ferry port. The bus station for the southern beaches is behind the old town and is not easy to find without a map. In summer, the buses run at least every hour and until late at night. Many of the night owls live outside the beaches. Even late in the evening, the buses are often overcrowded. A lot of foreigners also use taxis. Driving a taxi is still a good business on Mykonos, and there is hardly any sign of the crisis in Greece here. Holidaymakers on the island still have plenty of money.
Ferries to Mykonos
Along with the islands of Paros and Santorini, Mykonos has the largest ferry port in the Cyclades. Direct connections at least once a day to Paros, Naxos, Ios, Santorini, Crete, Delos and of course to Athens. There are also numerous ferries to the smaller Cyclades islands. However, only expensive catamarans (over 50 euros one way) travel to Crete. Since Mykonos is particularly popular with wealthier tourists, there are a particularly large number of catamaran ferries to Mykonos, which are more expensive but faster.
Excursion ferries to Delos leave several times in the morning from the old harbor in Mykonos Town. Currently (2020) the crossing costs a good 20 euros there and back. It is obligatory to book a return trip, as it is not permitted to stay overnight on Delos.
Great day tours MykonosMany tourists on Mykonos want to go on an excursion during their vacation. We have selected some very good offers for you with a link to the booking website with further information. The following offers have been rated positively by previous participants of the tour. 1. Excursion to Delos (neighboring island, ancient excavation) by boat with a guided tour of Delos and pick-up from the hotel in Mykonos: >>> More information and booking 2. Simple, inexpensive boat trip to Delos without a guide: >>> More information and booking 3. Tour of Mykonos (city tour, 3 hours): >>> More information and booking 4. Good tour of the island of Mykonos 4 hours: >>> More information and booking |
Flights to Mykonos
Alongside Santorini, Mykonos has the largest airport in the Cyclades. In the high and low season, numerous direct flights land from the major German airports and of course several times a day from Athens and other cities in Greece.
The airport is a few kilometers south of the capital. There are public buses that connect the airport with the main town on the island. Of course, you can also take a taxi to the hotel. Most taxi drivers are honest, but we have also been told a few rip-off stories. Our tip for a safe and stress-free journey is the hourly minibuses, which reliably take tourists directly from the airport to the hotel. This shuttle bus transfer can be booked in advance online: More information
Snakes Mykonos
We have not found any reports of poisonous snakes on Mykonos. But poisonous snakes do live on some other nearby Cyclades islands, such as the island of Milos or the island of Sifnos.
Sharks around Mykonos: Dangerous sharks are rare around Mykonos, and shark attacks on people are even rarer. We have compiled all the information about sharks in Greece on this page.
Books and maps
The Merian Live! travel guide about Mykonos is not bad. Lots of tips about beaches, all the places, nightlife, etc. A removable island map is included. More information
A day trip to the nearby island Delos is almost a must during a holiday on Mykonos.
The airport is just a few kilometers outside the capital towards the southeast. There are some good beaches in the south of the island of Mykonos.
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