Mykonos island guide

Mykonos Town is one of the most beautiful towns in the Cyclades, a labyrinth of whitewashed lanes with blue doors, bougainvillea and chapels, packed with designer boutiques, galleries, bars and restaurants. Pelican mascot Petros wanders the old port, and the evening passeggiata is a spectacle in itself.

• Maze of white lanes
• Boutiques and galleries
• Bars and restaurants

Little Venice is the most romantic corner of Mykonos Town, where 18th-century captains’ houses rise straight from the waves. Today their balconies hold cocktail bars, and at sunset the whole waterfront fills with people watching the sky turn gold behind the windmills. Wander without a plan: the joy of the Cyclades is in the lanes, the little squares and the views that open up around every corner.

• Houses over the water
• Sunset bars
• Views to the windmills

Ano Mera shows the quieter, traditional side of Mykonos, with a big village square lined with tavernas where local families eat, and the beautiful Monastery of Panagia Tourliani. It is close to the beaches of Kalafatis and Agia Anna on the east coast. Wander without a plan: the joy of the Cyclades is in the lanes, the little squares and the views that open up around every corner.

• Village square tavernas
• Panagia Tourliani monastery
• Near the east-coast beaches

Ornos is a relaxed beach resort a short ride from town, with calm water ideal for children, a choice of restaurants and hotels, and water taxis that hop along the south coast to Paradise and Super Paradise. Wander without a plan: the joy of the Cyclades is in the lanes, the little squares and the views that open up around every corner.

• Calm, sandy bay
• Close to town
• Water taxis along the coast

Platis Gialos is one of the busiest and best-equipped resorts on Mykonos, with a long sandy beach, sunbeds, restaurants and hotels, and the departure point for boats to Paradise, Super Paradise and Elia. Wander without a plan: the joy of the Cyclades is in the lanes, the little squares and the views that open up around every corner.

• Long sandy beach
• Hotels and restaurants
• Boats to Paradise

Psarou is the most glamorous beach on Mykonos, a sheltered bay with fine white sand, turquoise water and yachts anchored offshore. Much of it is taken up by luxury sunbeds, but it is a beautiful place to swim. Bring water and sun protection, as shade can be scarce, and arrive early in July and August for the best spot.

• Turquoise water
• Glamorous crowd
• Sheltered bay

Paradise is the beach that made Mykonos famous for nightlife. By day there is golden sand and clear water; from late afternoon, DJs take over the beach clubs and the party goes on until late. Bring water and sun protection, as shade can be scarce, and arrive early in July and August for the best spot.

• Clear water by day
• Parties from the afternoon
• Water taxi from Platis Gialos

Super Paradise sits in a green, hilly bay with some of the clearest water on the island. Beach clubs and restaurants line the sand, and the atmosphere ranges from relaxed by day to lively in the late afternoon. Bring water and sun protection, as shade can be scarce, and arrive early in July and August for the best spot.

• Turquoise water
• Beach clubs
• Lively afternoons

Agios Sostis is one of the few beaches on Mykonos left in its natural state, with no sunbeds or bars on the sand, just clean water and peace. Bring an umbrella and lunch at Kiki’s taverna on the hill. Bring water and sun protection, as shade can be scarce, and arrive early in July and August for the best spot.

• No sunbeds
• Peaceful and natural
• Kiki’s taverna above

Kalafatis is a long, open beach on the east coast where the wind brings windsurfers and kitesurfers, with schools and rental centres. It is less crowded than the south coast and has tavernas and the famous Spilia restaurant nearby. Bring water and sun protection, as shade can be scarce, and arrive early in July and August for the best spot.

• Windsurfing and kitesurfing
• Less crowded
• Tavernas nearby

Elia is a long, wide beach at the end of the south coast, with soft sand, clear water and a more relaxed feel than Paradise. Water taxis from Platis Gialos make it easy to reach. Bring water and sun protection, as shade can be scarce, and arrive early in July and August for the best spot.

• Long sandy beach
• Relaxed feel
• Water taxis

Nammos is the place to see and be seen on Mykonos, with sunbeds and cabanas on the sand of Psarou, a seafood and sushi restaurant, champagne and a party atmosphere that builds through the afternoon. Expect high prices and book weeks ahead for July and August. Sunbeds usually cost extra, and the most popular clubs are worth booking at weekends in July and August.

• Seafood and sushi
• Jet-set crowd
• Book weeks ahead

Scorpios has become one of the most famous sunset venues in the Mediterranean, with a natural, bohemian design, a Mediterranean restaurant and DJ sessions that turn into a celebration as the sun goes down. Reservations are essential. Sunbeds usually cost extra, and the most popular clubs are worth booking at weekends in July and August.

• Famous sunset sessions
• Bohemian design
• Reservations essential

SantAnna is a big, glamorous beach club with a huge pool, sunbeds by the water, restaurants and parties with visiting DJs. Sunbeds usually cost extra, and the most popular clubs are worth booking at weekends in July and August. Arrive by late morning for the best sunbeds, and check whether there is a minimum spend.

• Huge pool
• Restaurants and sushi
• DJ parties

Alemagou is a calmer, more bohemian alternative to the south-coast clubs, set on the windswept beach of Ftelia, with a laid-back lounge vibe, fresh Mediterranean food and sunset music. Sunbeds usually cost extra, and the most popular clubs are worth booking at weekends in July and August.

• Bohemian design
• Relaxed atmosphere
• Sunset music

Jackie O’ at Super Paradise brings the fun and colour of the famous Mykonos Town bar to the beach, with a pool, sunbeds, a restaurant and an inclusive, celebratory atmosphere. Sunbeds usually cost extra, and the most popular clubs are worth booking at weekends in July and August.

• Pool and sunbeds
• Inclusive party vibe
• On Super Paradise

Kiki’s is the most famous taverna on Mykonos: a small terrace above Agios Sostis beach with a charcoal grill and a counter of salads, where people happily queue for a table. It is cash only with no reservations, and the queue starts around midday, so arrive early and swim while you wait.

• Cash only, no reservations
• Charcoal grill
• Queue from midday

Spilia is one of the most unusual places to eat on Mykonos, set in a natural cave on the water’s edge, with tables on the rocks, fresh seafood and lobster, and swimming between courses. In high season it is wise to book a table, especially for sunset or for a terrace with a view.

• Inside a natural cave
• Fresh seafood
• Tables by the water

Hippie Fish sits right on the beach at Agios Ioannis, looking across to the sacred island of Delos, and serves fresh seafood and Mediterranean dishes. The beach was the setting for the 1989 film Shirley Valentine. In high season it is wise to book a table, especially for sunset or for a terrace with a view.

• Views to Delos
• Fresh seafood
• Sunset tables

Rizes, meaning roots, celebrates the island’s farming traditions with Mykonian recipes and local produce in a farmhouse setting outside the village of Ano Mera. In high season it is wise to book a table, especially for sunset or for a terrace with a view. Ask about the dish of the day and the local wine: kitchens on Mykonos cook with what the island produces each season.

• Mykonian recipes
• Farmhouse setting
• Away from the crowds

Nikolas is a simple, family-style taverna by the water at Agia Anna, with tables almost on the beach and honest Greek cooking, a refreshing change from the island’s glamorous scene. In high season it is wise to book a table, especially for sunset or for a terrace with a view. Ask about the dish of the day and the local wine: kitchens on Mykonos cook with what the island produces each season.

• By the water
• Mykonian recipes
• Honest prices

Fokos Taverna stands alone above a wild, empty beach on the north coast, reached by a dirt road. It is the perfect lunch after a swim far from the crowds of the south. In high season it is wise to book a table, especially for sunset or for a terrace with a view. Ask about the dish of the day and the local wine: kitchens on Mykonos cook with what the island produces each season.

• Secluded beach
• Only building on the shore
• Peaceful lunch

Zuma brings its contemporary Japanese izakaya style to Mykonos, with a robata grill, sushi and sashimi and a terrace with Aegean views just outside town. In high season it is wise to book a table, especially for sunset or for a terrace with a view. Ask about the dish of the day and the local wine: kitchens on Mykonos cook with what the island produces each season.

• Robata grill and sushi
• Aegean views
• Close to town

Caprice is one of the legendary bars of Little Venice, where people pack the terrace and the rocks by the water to watch the sun go down, and the music builds as night falls. Island evenings start late: most bars fill up after dinner and stay lively well past midnight in summer. Opening times change with the season, so check before you go early or late in the year.

• Sunset over the water
• Lively crowd
• A Mykonos classic

Galleraki has a funky, informal style and a terrace right on the water in Little Venice, serving coffee by day and creative cocktails as the sun sets. Island evenings start late: most bars fill up after dinner and stay lively well past midnight in summer. Opening times change with the season, so check before you go early or late in the year.

• Terrace on the water
• Creative cocktails
• Open all day

180° Sunset Bar is set high above town with views right across the old port, the windmills and the Aegean, with cocktails and DJ sets at sunset. Book in advance for the best spot. Island evenings start late: most bars fill up after dinner and stay lively well past midnight in summer.

• Panoramic views
• Sunset DJ sets
• Book ahead

Jackie O’ is one of the best-known bars in Mykonos, on the west side of the old harbour, where everyone is welcome for sunset drinks, shows and a fabulous evening. Island evenings start late: most bars fill up after dinner and stay lively well past midnight in summer. Opening times change with the season, so check before you go early or late in the year.

• Everyone welcome
• Drag shows
• Old harbour

Astra is a long-time favourite of a stylish crowd, with strong house cocktails and music that gets people dancing as the night goes on. Dress up a little. Island evenings start late: most bars fill up after dinner and stay lively well past midnight in summer. Opening times change with the season, so check before you go early or late in the year.

• Night-sky ceiling
• Strong cocktails
• Dress up a little

Skandinavian is one of the old institutions of Mykonos nightlife, a lively, unpretentious place with bars, a courtyard and a dance floor that fills late. Island evenings start late: most bars fill up after dinner and stay lively well past midnight in summer. Opening times change with the season, so check before you go early or late in the year.

• Several bars
• Open-air courtyard
• Late dancing

Cavo Tagoo is one of the most photographed hotels in Greece, with sculptural white architecture, infinity pools, private-pool suites and sunset views over Mykonos Town, a short walk away. Book early for July and August, when the best rooms on the islands sell out months ahead. Many hotels on Mykonos open from spring to autumn only, so check the season dates if you travel early or late in the year.

• Iconic design
• Infinity pools
• Walk to town

Belvedere is a favourite of fashionable travellers, with a pool scene, a top Japanese restaurant and an easy walk to the bars and boutiques of town. Book early for July and August, when the best rooms on the islands sell out months ahead. Many hotels on Mykonos open from spring to autumn only, so check the season dates if you travel early or late in the year.

• In town
• Matsuhisa restaurant
• Pool scene

Bill & Coo is a small, elegant hotel a short walk from Mykonos Town, with white suites, a pool facing the sunset and a highly regarded restaurant. Book early for July and August, when the best rooms on the islands sell out months ahead. Many hotels on Mykonos open from spring to autumn only, so check the season dates if you travel early or late in the year.

• Small and elegant
• Sunset pool
• Gastronomic restaurant

Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection resort, sits on a hillside above Ornos with its own private beach, villas with pools and a spa, close to town but in a world of its own. Book early for July and August, when the best rooms on the islands sell out months ahead. Many hotels on Mykonos open from spring to autumn only, so check the season dates if you travel early or late in the year.

• Private beach
• Villas with pools
• Luxury Collection

Mykonos Grand stands above the beach of Agios Ioannis with sweeping views to Delos, pools, a spa and spacious rooms, a calm, sunny place to stay away from the busy resorts. Book early for July and August, when the best rooms on the islands sell out months ahead. Many hotels on Mykonos open from spring to autumn only, so check the season dates if you travel early or late in the year.

• Views to Delos
• Pools and spa
• Calm setting

Airbnb lists hundreds of places to stay on Mykonos, from whitewashed village houses to modern villas with private pools, and many are run by local families. It suits families and groups who want a kitchen and more space than a hotel room. Read the reviews and check how far the property is from the beaches and the main town.

• Villas with pools
• Village houses
• Good for families and groups

Vrbo specialises in renting whole properties rather than rooms, so it is a good place to find a house or villa on Mykonos for a family or a group of friends. Compare the total price, including cleaning and service fees, with the same property on other sites. Check the exact location on a map before you book, as island roads can be steep and villages are spread out.

• Whole houses and villas
• Good for longer stays
• Compare total prices

Many of the friendliest places to stay on Mykonos are small, family-run studios and rooms, and most of them can be booked on Booking.com, often with free cancellation if your plans change. Filter by village and read recent reviews for cleanliness and the welcome. Check the exact location on a map before you book, as island roads can be steep and villages are spread out.

• Family-run studios
• Free cancellation on many rooms
• Easy to compare

Action Mykonos Car Rental is a local company with strong reviews for its professional and convenient service. Parking in town is very limited, so a small car or a scooter is easiest. Book ahead in July and August, check the insurance carefully, and photograph the car when you collect it; a valid licence is needed and non-EU drivers may also need an International Driving Permit.

• Strong reviews
• Local company
• Small cars recommended

Mykonos is small, and a car or scooter makes it easy to reach the quieter north- and east-coast beaches. Parking near town is very limited, so many visitors leave the car outside and walk in. Helmets are compulsory on two wheels. Book ahead in July and August, check the insurance carefully, and photograph the car when you collect it; a valid licence is needed and non-EU drivers may also need an International Driving Permit.

• Port and airport offices
• Scooters and ATVs
• Limited town parking

Boats leave Mykonos old port in the morning for Delos, a short crossing away. The whole island is an open-air site of temples, mosaics and houses, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; there is little shade, so bring water, a hat and good shoes. Check the boat times and the site’s opening hours before you go.

• Short crossing
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Bring water and a hat

The easiest way to beach-hop along the south coast is by the little water taxis that run all day in summer from Ornos and Platis Gialos to the famous beaches. Trips depend on the weather and the wind, so keep a spare day in your plans in case of cancellations. Book ahead in July and August, when the best trips on Mykonos fill up quickly.

• Easy beach-hopping
• Runs all day in summer
• From Ornos and Platis Gialos

A day on a sailing boat or catamaran is a lovely escape from the crowds, with swimming stops in coves only reachable by boat, often around the uninhabited island of Rhenia, and lunch on board. Trips depend on the weather and the wind, so keep a spare day in your plans in case of cancellations.

• Swimming stops
• Lunch on board
• Rhenia’s coves

The windmills of Kato Mili once ground grain for the island, and today they are the most famous view on Mykonos, especially at sunset, looking across Little Venice. Come in the late afternoon, take your photos as the light turns golden, then walk down the steps to Little Venice for a sunset drink right on the water. The view of the windmills from the bars below is just as beautiful as the view from the ridge itself.

• Symbol of Mykonos
• Sunset views
• Next to Little Venice

Paraportiani is a sculptural cluster of chapels, softly whitewashed, and one of the most photographed churches in Greece. It is a few steps from Little Venice. Visit early in the morning for soft light and empty lanes, or in the evening when the walls glow pink and gold, then continue along the waterfront to the bars of Little Venice. It is one of the most rewarding short walks in Mykonos Town.

• Five chapels in one
• Near Little Venice
• Iconic architecture

Armenistis Lighthouse stands on a rugged headland north of town, a quiet alternative to the busy sunset bars, with views across to Tinos. It is a short drive or a longer walk from town along a quiet road. Bring a jumper, as the wind can be strong on the headland, and stay after the sun has gone down for the colours over the sea. On clear evenings, the outline of Tinos fills the horizon.

• Quiet sunset
• Wild coastline
• Views to Tinos

Mykonos Airport is very close to Mykonos Town, with short flights from Athens and seasonal direct flights from across Europe. Taxis can be scarce in peak season, so pre-book a transfer. For any emergency in Greece call 112. Ferry and flight times on Mykonos change with the season, so always check the latest timetable.

• Minutes from town
• Flights from Athens
• Pre-book transfers

Mykonos has two ports: the new port at Tourlos, where most ferries from Piraeus and Rafina arrive, and the old port in town. Check which one your ferry uses; a sea bus links the new port with town. For any emergency in Greece call 112. Ferry and flight times on Mykonos change with the season, so always check the latest timetable.

• Check your port
• Ferries to Piraeus and Rafina
• Sea bus to town

Buses leave from the bus stations at the edge of town for Ornos, Platis Gialos, Paradise, Kalafatis, Elia and the ports. They are cheap and frequent in summer. For any emergency in Greece call 112. Ferry and flight times on Mykonos change with the season, so always check the latest timetable.

• Cheap
• Frequent in summer
• To the main beaches

For emergencies call 112, or 166 for an ambulance. The health centre handles medical care on the island, and serious cases are transferred to larger hospitals. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. For any emergency in Greece call 112. Ferry and flight times on Mykonos change with the season, so always check the latest timetable.

• Emergency 112, ambulance 166
• Near town
• Pharmacies in town