9 Best Things to do in Mykonos

Explore the streets of Mykonos Chora

Chora is a Greek term that means town, and refers to the old part of the main town on an island. This often has the same name as the island itself (for example: Mykonos, Naxos, or Ios). A walk through the narrow alleys of the Mykonos Chora will reveal many nice photo oportunities. And while it may have lost some of its charm to overpriced eateries and pretentious boutiques, it still remains one of the nicest old towns in the Cyclades.

As you walk around the old town, make sure not to miss some notable landmarks such as Little Venice and the Panagia Paraportiani church.

Little Venice is a small neighbourhood in the old town of Mykonos. Not only does it have the Italian look, but it was actually built by the Venetians, who ruled over the island of Mykonos some centuries ago. Due to its prime location on the waterfront facing east, this is another popular spot for food and drinks at sunset time. The narrow walkway on the edge of the water is absolutely packed with tables and sees a lot of traffic - to the point that you’re walking inches away from someone’s dinner.

Panagia Paraportiani is a small picturesque church found in the old port of Mykonos - a short stop and quick photo opportunity. And there are many others around Mykonos. Greek towns are known for their photogenic churches dotted around the old towns. Their rooftops are often blue (think Santorini which is so famous for its blue domed churches), while those in Mykonos tend to have red rooftops.

And, if you are lucky, you may come across some local celebrities: the resident pelicans of Mykonos. Petros the Pelican has long been the official mascot of Mykonos, however the original Petros unfortunately passed away in 1985 at the age of 33. But there is good news, there are supposedly still at least three resident pelicans roaming around the old town - Irene (donated by Jackie Kenedy Onassis), Petros (donated by the zoo of Hamburg and not to be confused with the original Petros), and Nikolas (a wounded pelican who somehow ended up in the island).

See the best view in Mykonos

180º Sunset Bar is famously known for this beautiful postcard view of the Mykonos waterfront and, of course, the sunset.

If you want to sit down for a meal during the most popular time of day, a reservation is most definitely needed. It’s worth noting though that there is a minimum spend per person. It’s a common practice for popular restaurants and beach clubs in Mykonos to divide their venue into many different areas, all of which are quite similar, but come with different amounts for minimum spend - at 180º Sunset Bar, this ranges from €70 to €250, per person. I’m really not a fan of this practice, it makes the whole experience feel very transactional, especially when everything is overpriced. You are not paying for the food and drinks, and you are not even paying for the view, you are paying for the luxury of dining at a popular venue in Mykonos.

That said, the place is otherwise quite nice, and if you want to have the ultimate sunset experience and end your day in Mykonos in a special way, it’s worth going there for a drink or two. The good news is they have a special area reserved for walk-in’s and you can also walk around. This option doesn’t have a minimum spend, and comes with a view that is just as good as anywhere else. That is what we did, we actually had an early dinner nearby, then headed to 180º Sunset Bar for a drink at sunset. Expect to pay 25€ for a cocktail, 15€ for a beer or a glass of wine, or 10€ for a soft drink.

In addition to the beautiful view of the old town, there is also the actual sunset, which gets a special treatment here. Tourists of the Greek islands are obsessed with sunsets, and this place takes the experience to the next level, by syncing it to Time to Say Goodbye - it's all very dramatic.

This is probably the best view in Mykonos, but 180º Sunset Bar is not the only place you can admire it from.

In case you may be wondering, you won’t be able to see much of the old town on the way to the sunset bar and from anywhere outside the venue, because of the trees and other buildings. So it may seem that the only way to see this view is by going in. However, there is a street just a little farther north, and you get an unobstructed view of the city from pretty much anywhere along that road. Because this doesn’t really have a name and there are no viewpoints clearly marked on Google Maps, I’m using St. Vasileios Church, the only landmark on that street, as the reference point.

While it’s very easily accessible, coming across this viewpoint isn’t obvious at all, because the street is accessed from an entirely different side that doesn’t really lead anywhere. Unless your accommodation is in that general direction, or you know of this place, it’s unlikely that you would ever end up here during your stay in Mykonos. And because 180º Sunset Bar gets all the attention, this viewpoint is very unpopular and not known as an attraction. But the view is just as good, plus it’s free. And it’s only a 10min walk from the old port, which is even closer than the sunset bar.

Visit the iconic Kato Mili windmills

Windmills have become synonymous with the island of Mykonos. They are an undisputed symbol of the town and island, and you’ll find them on most postcards and artworks depicting Mykonos. You can see the iconic windmills from pretty much any viewpoint around the town and you can also visit them up close. It’s a large open area with free entrance. One of the windmills is occasionally open for visiting for a small fee, but there isn’t really much to see inside.

There are about 16 remaining windmills around the town of Mykonos, and six of them are found in a cluster on a small hill by the sea, just a short walk from the old town streets. This popular landmark is known locally as Kato Mili, which means lower windmills in Greek. They are very easy to reach and offer nice panoramic views of the whitewashed houses of the Chora and the surrounding landscape. Little Venice looks particularly nice from this angle.

Historically, the windmills played an important role in the island's economy. Built in the 16th century by the Venetians, they were used to grind wheat and other grains, as Mykonos was an important trading and agricultural hub at the time. Their strategic location allowed them to harness the strong winds that blow across the island of Mykonos. These winds can be really strong - there is a reason Mykonos has earned itself the title of “Islands of the Winds”. Over time, as technology evolved, the windmills became less vital for agricultural purposes. Today, they have either been converted into small museums or private residences, or left abandoned. However, their exterior appearance remains largely unchanged, preserving the island's cultural heritage and offering a coveted photo opportunity for tourists from all around the world.

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See the view from Boni’s Windmill

Also standing as a testament to Mykonos' agricultural past, Boni’s windmill is another one of the surviving windmills. Located higher up a hill, it is one of the best viewpoints in Mykonos and provides a unique angle over the old town buildings against the blue sea.

The windmill is apparently also a small museum, though this must have been closed when we visited. In any case, it is the view that is the main attraction here. We were there mid-day, but I think this would make for a great place to watch the sunset over the old town. It’s a 5-10min walk from the old port to get to the viewpoint. You can see the other windmills from up there too!

Party at one of the many clubs

The island of Mykonos is world renowned for its buzzing nightlife and is known as a haven for party enthusiasts. From traditional nightclubs to overly sophisticated beach clubs and exclusive events, Mykonos has it all, so get ready to let loose, dance and immerse yourself in the vibrant party scene that has made Mykonos a global hotspot for clubbing.

The island’s clubs are mainly centred around two areas, the old town of Mykonos and some of the beaches along the Southern Coast. In the old town, Skandinavian Bar is a popular disco with reasonable prices, attracting a younger crowd. In the south, there are two types of places. Some, like the clubs at Paradise Beach or Super Paradise Beach, feel unassuming and easily accessible for any type of crowd. Others, like Cavo Paradiso and especially SantAnna and Scorpios, attract a much more exclusive clientele.

After having been to Paradise Beach Club, we thought our experience in Mykonos would be incomplete without seeing how the rich and famous like to party, so we booked a table at Scorpios on our second evening. We had a lovely dinner at a local taverna nearby, then headed to Scorpios. After passing through the reception, we were pretty much ignored and not escorted to any table, which worked in our favour, because we only really wanted to get a drink and have a look around. Every travel blog says that this is the hottest spot as far as Mykonos nightlife goes, so here’s my unpopular opinion. The venue itself is beautiful, very Tulum-vibes boho-chic, but otherwise to me it felt like an Instagram playground where the rich can get together and splurge. It’s the kind of place that sells 6L bottles of Dom Pérignon at 26,000€ a piece. Everything from the 20€+ cocktails to the food is overpriced, and the music was weird and pretentious. But maybe that’s just me.

Experience the Greek cuisine

Indulge in the delicious Greek cuisine that Mykonos has to offer. Try traditional dishes like moussaka, souvlaki, and fresh seafood, at one of the many local tavernas and waterfront restaurants.

There is no shortage of dining options around Mykonos, but it’s worth keeping in mind that this is the go-to Greek island for some of the richest people in the world. Many places will choose to cater to this demographic, so things are generally overpriced and occasionally extortionate. Drinking and eating out around Mykonos can be very expensive, though it really doesn’t have to be - there is something for everyone. But between many great options, lie a few too many tourist traps. All too often, any menus found online won’t show any prices. In addition to this, some places have dodgy practices in place, involving minimum spend or various hidden costs. If ever in doubt, ask or check reviews.

Here are some places we tried and liked:

Captain's - Food for Sharing | great for seafood and good value, which is unexpected for such a prime location in the old port
Oregano Cook and Grill | Greek tavern in Mykonos town, good value
D'Angelo Restaurant | not Greek, but a great option for Italian food
Il Forno di Gerasimo | Greek pastries, good for take-away
Nikolas Tavern | Greek tavern on the beach in southern Mykonos, good value

Road trip around the island

Taxis in Mykonos are very few - about 30 on the entire island - and very, very expensive. You’ll most likely be based either near the old town or on the southern coast, and it would be difficult to navigate between the two or visit any other parts of the island without a car. On one hand, the old town and the beaches in the south are the best that Mykonos has to offer. But on the other hand, a road trip around the island gives you a chance to see much more and experience some quiet time away from the crowds. A road trip around Mykonos Island allows you to set your own pace and stop whenever you desire.

Your road trip adventure can take you to the charming village of Ano Mera, nestled in the heart of the island. There, you can visit the Panagia Tourliani Monastery and savor authentic Greek cuisine at local tavernas. The southern coast is lined with some of the best beaches on the island and getting from one place to the other would be so much easier with a car. In the north, you can head to Armenistis Lighthouse and admire sweeping views of the dramatic coastline and the Aegean Sea.

Spend the day at the beach

There are some smaller beaches north and south of Mykonos town, but the best ones are found along the southern coast. It’s definitely worth spending a day, or two, or even more, in that part of Mykonos. Some beaches you can easily walk between, like from Elia to Agrari. With others (getting between Agrari - Super Paradise - Paradise - Paralia), doing this by foot is quite tricky though not impossible. There are no marked paths and figuring out the shortest way even with the aid of Google Maps can be a real challenge. Public transport links some of the beaches, by boat or by bus.

We went to Paralia, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari and Elia, but there are many others - I’ve marked them on my map of Mykonos.

Most of the popular Mykonos beaches have become packed with overpriced sun-beds belonging to the various resorts and beach clubs. They usually come in pairs and have to be rented for the day, which can cost anything between 60-150€ or even higher for more sophisticated setups. Sometimes they also come with minimum consumption on top of that, based on their proximity to the sea. But locals go to the beach too, so know that there is always a public area where you can bring your own towel (this isn’t always obvious).

Take a day trip to Delos

The island of Delos lies about half an hour boat trip away from Mykonos. The entire island is an archaeological site, one of the most important of its kind in Europe, and is also considered to be the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.

A visit to Delos is an opportunity to embrace the culture of ancient Greeks and add a layer of history to your stay in Mykonos, by walking freely through the remains of an ancient city. It is also a change of scenery and pace from Mykonos’s party and beach offering - a good way to balance out your holiday for a well-rounded experience of the Cyclades.

Read more about this popular day trip from Mykonos here.