Short answer
Give Mykonos two to three days: one for Chora (Mykonos Town) and Little Venice, one for the beaches of the south coast, and half a day for the ancient island of Delos. Go in June or September for warm sea and fewer people than in July and August. You can fly in, take a fast ferry from Rafina near Athens (from about 2 hours 30 minutes) or come from Santorini by ferry in about 2 to 4 hours.
- How long to stay
- 2–3 days
- Best months
- June and September
- Ferry from Santorini
- About 2–4 hours, April to October
- Delos entry
- €20 (2026)
Mykonos is small, about 15 kilometres end to end, and most of what visitors come for is in two places: Chora, the main town, and the beaches along the south coast. The rest of the island is dry hills, chapels and quieter bays, and just offshore is Delos, one of the most important ancient sites in Greece. Our crew at Vista Yachting sails out of Santorini, a short ferry ride away, and this is the island as we would describe it to a friend.
Chora and Little Venice
Chora (Mykonos Town) is a maze of white lanes, blue doors and small chapels built around the old harbour. Most guests spend at least one evening here.
- Little Venice: a row of old captains’ houses with balconies over the sea. The bars and restaurants here are the classic spot for sunset; arrive early in July and August to get a table.
- Kato Mili windmills: the line of windmills on the hill above Little Venice, a five-minute walk away.
- Panagia Paraportiani: a whitewashed church made of five chapels joined together, at the edge of the Kastro area.
- Matoyianni Street: the main shopping street, busiest in the evening.
Cars are not allowed in the centre, and the lanes are uneven: wear flat shoes.
The beaches
The south coast is sheltered from the summer meltemi wind, so that is where most of the organised beaches are. The north coast is wilder and quieter, but windy in July and August.
| Beach | Coast | Best for | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psarou | South | Calm water | Small, organised, with upscale beach clubs |
| Platis Gialos | South | Families | Long and sheltered; small boats to other beaches |
| Paraga | South | Beach bars | Lively bay with bars and a quieter end |
| Paradise | South | Parties | Known for its beach club and day parties |
| Super Paradise | South | Beach bars | Steep cove, busy and loud in summer |
| Elia | South | Space | One of the longest sandy beaches on the island |
| Kalo Livadi | South-east | Long swims | Long, organised, with shallow water |
| Agios Sostis | North | Quiet | Unorganised and natural; windy in summer |
Local buses run from Mykonos Town to the main beaches, and on the south coast small boats link the beaches from Platis Gialos. Many coves, such as Kalamia and Fragkia, are much easier to reach from the sea.
Delos and Rhenia
Delos, half an hour by boat from the old port of Mykonos Town, was a sacred island in ancient Greece and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. You walk among temples, houses with mosaic floors and the Terrace of the Lions. In summer the site is open 08:00–19:30 and entry is €20; nobody is allowed to stay overnight, and there is very little shade, so bring water and a hat. Check the opening hours on the Ministry of Culture page before you go.
Rhenia, the larger island next to Delos, is uninhabited and has some of the clearest water around Mykonos. You can only reach it by boat.
Mykonos from the sea
The easiest way to see the beaches without moving between sunbeds and taxis is a day on a boat. A typical south-coast boat day stops at Paraga and Super Paradise, passes Agrari and Elia, stops for lunch at Kalo Livadi or Agia Anna, then swims at Kalamia and Fragkia before heading back.
Ano Mera and the rest of the island
Ano Mera, the only other village of any size, is about 8 kilometres inland from Chora. Its square has tavernas around the Panagia Tourliani monastery and feels a long way from the beach clubs. In the north-west, the Armenistis lighthouse looks out over the channel towards Tinos and is a quiet spot for sunset.
Before you leave, try kopanisti (a sharp, spreadable local cheese), louza (cured pork with spices) and amygdalota (small almond sweets).
Getting to Mykonos
- By air: Mykonos airport has flights from Athens all year and direct flights from many European cities in summer.
- From Athens by ferry: fast ferries from Rafina take from about 2 hours 30 minutes; from Piraeus, about 2 hours 40 minutes on a fast boat.
- From Santorini: a few ferries a day in season, about 2 hours 10 minutes on the fastest boats and up to about 4 hours on the slower ones. There is no direct ferry after October. You can also cross by private yacht in a day: Mykonos from Santorini passes Naxos on the way.
Is Mykonos worth it?
For beaches, food and nightlife, yes. Be ready for the prices, though: in July and August Mykonos is one of the most expensive islands in Greece, the sunbeds at the best-known beach clubs cost more than many dinners elsewhere, and taxis are hard to find in the evening.
If that is not your style, you can still enjoy the island. Go in June or September, stay near the calmer beaches of the south coast or in Ano Mera rather than next to the party beaches, and give one day to Delos or to the sea, where Mykonos is at its quietest. If what you want most is views and sunsets rather than beaches, Santorini will suit you better.
Mykonos or Santorini?
Mykonos is beaches, nightlife and a lively town; Santorini is the caldera, the views and the sunsets. Many guests do both. If you are still choosing, see Mykonos vs Santorini, and if Santorini is next on your trip, all our boat tours in Santorini leave from Vlychada Marina: semi-private catamaran cruises for up to 20 guests, or a private boat tour for your group alone.
