Mykonos

Understand

Mykonos is famed as a cosmopolitan destination amongst the Greek islands and widely recognised as one of the great travel meccas. It is one of the most visited islands in the Aegean. This means that visitors should be prepared for loud dance clubs, English breakfasts and overpriced merchandise. Mykonos, along with Santorini, is more expensive than other Greek islands. Mykonos tends to be extremely crowded with visitors in July and August. The best time to visit Mykonos is mid-May through June (early season, when accommodations are much cheaper and it's not too hot), or September through mid-October (post-season). While travelling pre-season, March-April, has its perks in the form of cheaper hotels and easier navigability in the absence of crowds, visitors will likely be disappointed by limited choice of restaurants and shops, most of which close for renovation until May, as well as the dearth of out-of-season public transport and sea routes. Mykonos is a gay-friendly island, featuring a vibrant gay nightlife, ranking among the most popular holiday destinations in Europe among gay travellers. While there are many other destinations around the Mediterranean that see sizeable gay tourist traffic, Mykonos managed to remain refined and romantic rather than rowdy. The most popular beaches with gay visitors are Super Paradise and Elia. These are not strictly gay, but they have parts where gay men and women congregate. The only gay beach deserving of the title is the small beach between Elia and Agrari.

Orientation

Mykonos' main communities are Chora, the island's port town and capital, and Ano Mera.

Mykonos Town (Chora) is a stunningly picturesque Cycladic town with a maze of tiny, whitewashed streets, houses and churches, gathered around its harbour in the middle of a wide bay. It is one of the most cosmopolitan and crowded towns of the Aegean. Although the streets are lined with little shops, boutiques, art galleries, cafes, stylish bars and restaurants, Mykonos Town has not completely lost its identity. Despite the island's rapid growth and development, the town's traditional Cycladic architectural style and character has remained firmly intact.

Getting there

By boat

From the Greek mainland ferries and high speed catamaran services run daily from Piraeus and Rafina. The highspeeds take half the time but cost twice as much. The journey between the port of Piraeus (Athens) and Mykonos takes between 3 hr 30 min and 5 hr 15 min, depending on the type of ferry you are taking. On a slow ferry a seat in economy class will cost €32; on a highspeed service expect to pay €54.50. In Piraeus all the highspeed ferries to Mykonos depart from Port Gate Ε7; the conventional ferries leave from Port Gate Ε1. Most of the ferries connecting Piraeus to Mykonos stop working by end of October and resume by April. Many travelers probably don't even consider Rafina a possible departure port if they are heading to one of the Cyclades, but if you are arriving at the airport of Athens you are often better off taking a ferry from Rafina than traveling to Athens and get a ferry from Piraeus. The journey between Rafina and Mykonos takes between 2 hr 10 min and 5 hr 30 min, depending on the type of ferry you are taking. On a regular ferry expect to pay €23.50 per person for a seat in economy class; on a high speed catamaran service expect to pay €52.50. Most of the ferries connecting Rafina to Mykonos stop working by end of October and resume by April. Mykonos can also be reached directly from other islands in the Cyclades. More than once a day there is a boat connection from Syros, Andros, Tinos and Paros. There are daily boat connections from Naxos, Ios, Santorini and Crete. There's a daily overnight ferry, the 'Nissos Mykonos', from Samos (Vathi and Karlovassi) and Ikaria. There are less frequent boat connections from Serifos, Sifnos, Kimolos, Milos, Folegandros, Sikinos, Thirassia and Anafi. Ferry companies:

Hellenic Seaways provide a fast hydrofoil connection and regular ferries from Piraeus (Highspeed 5 and Highspeed 6) and Rafina (Flying Cat 3). Seajets have a regular schedule in the summer from Piraeus (SuperJet) and Rafina (Seajet 2). Blue Star Ferries have a regular daily schedules from Piraeus throughout the year (Blue Star Ithaki). Aegean Speed Lines have a daily high speed ferry operating from Piraeus (Speedrunner 3). Pre-booking of ferries and highspeeds is only necessary from mid-July to late August or just before or after a Greek holiday. Beware that every year at the 15th of August the island of Tinos is a goal for thousands of orthodox pilgrims. Most ferries and highspeeds from Piraeus and Rafina to Mykonos make a stop at Tinos. This means that around this period it is recommended to buy tickets well in advance. Also expect a lot of Greek tourist to visit Mykonos around the weekend of Pentecost, in late May or early June. Keep in mind that if you book your ticket online, you may still need to collect the ticket from a travel agency once you get to Greece. Boat services can be cancelled due to strong wind and rough seas during the irregular winter sailings; seasickness sufferers beware, the Cyclades can get notoriously choppy. Weather cancellations are very rare, though, only a few days over the course of a summer. Mykonos has two ports: the old port in Mykonos Town, and the new port at Tourlos, about 2 km north of Mykonos Town. Check before you travel which port your boat will use. Most of the ferries use the new port. The highspeed catamaran services still use the old port in Mykonos Town.

From the port to Mykonos Town

The best option is the SeaBus that will get you into town for €2. It leaves every half hour and the entire journey (2 stops at the new port and 2 stops in Mykonos town) takes 12 min. During high season there is an infrequent public bus service from the new port in Tourlos to Mykonos Town. It is best to take a taxi. It is possible to walk from the new port into town, but it will take around 45 minutes along a busy main road without a sidewalk. From the old port it is a short and easy walk along the coast into town.

Getting around

With a length of 12 to 15 km and a width of 10 km, Mykonos is one of the smallest of the Cyclades islands. On Mykonos you can get around by bus, taxi, car, scooter, ATV or boat.

By bus

There is a bus network that takes you around the island. There are two bus stations in Mykonos Town, each on different sides of Mykonos Town. From the main southern bus station, Fabrica, buses can be taken for departures to Platys Gialos (every half hour), Paraga (every hour), Paradise (every half hour), Ornos and Agios Ioannis. There are also night buses from Mykonos to Platys Gialos and Paradise leaving every hour. From the northern bus station which is not very far from the old port ferry quay, buses can be taken for departures to Ano Mera, Elia (departing at 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 and 19:00, returning 30 minutes later) and Kalafatis. Departure times are clearly marked at the two bus stations and the end of the bus routes. Bus schedules change a bit about every two weeks. Frequencies of buses are higher in high season. There is no bus connection between the two bus stations. From one bus station to the other will take about 20 minutes of walking through the streets of Mykonos Town. It is possible to buy your bus ticket from the bus driver (have exact change ready), but you can also buy your bus tickets before boarding the bus. Bus tickets can be bought in advance from a bus ticket vending machine (euro coins necessary) and can be purchased at kiosks, mini-markets and tourist shops as well. There are no return tickets available; for a return trip you simply need two single tickets. Hand over your ticket to the bus driver and he will "validate" it by simply tearing your ticket. There are ticket stamping machines in the bus, but they simply don't function. Don't be surprised if a man that is already on the bus near the bus driver will check your "validated" ticket a few minutes later. Even though your ticket is just torn and not stamped, he will inspect your ticket thoroughly, looking for counterfeit tickets. Bus tickets are between €1 and €3. Tickets for night buses are €2. Buses in Mykonos are almost always full during the busy parts of the day; the bus driver will squeeze in as many passengers as he can.

By taxi

On the entire island there are only about 30 taxis, which means that depending on taxis for transport can be an exercise of great patience. In Mykonos Town the main location for taxis is in Manto Square (also called Town Square or Taxi Square), on the harbour front near the statue. You have to wait in line and sometimes you can wait for hours in the taxi queue. In the evening it can be very difficult to find a taxi. Taxis do not use meters, but there's a notice board giving rates for each destination. Fares are quite reasonable. Calling for a radio taxi costs €1.30 extra, and an appointment €5 in addition to the fare. Contact telephone numbers are 22400 and 23700.

See

Mykonos has a startling lack of Cycladic Bronze Age, Archaic and Classical archaeological sites for an island so crucially close to a cultural centre as historically important as Delos; this is in large part due to decades-long uncontrolled property development all over the island which has frequently meant ancient sites being razed in favour of luxury villas and hotels. This is in stark contrast to mainland Greece, where the state exhibits overall excellent control over the preservation of archaeological sites. For those wanting to learn more about the island's history through sites, however, a few post-16th century sites remain, primarily Byzantine churches, as well as the 13th century 'Mykonos Castle'.

Attractions in Mykonos Town

1 The Windmills, Mykonos Town (western part of town). From as early as the 16th century, the windmills are one of the most recognized landmarks of Mykonos. Once this island was a great producer of wheat and bread. The area of the windmills has a splendid view on Little Venice and is the most popular place in Mykonos to watch the sunset. Little Venice (Alefkandra), Mykonos Town (most western part of town). A district located at the sea, famous for its picturesque medieval two and three storey houses, which stand like a wall above the sea, and their colourful wooden balconies. Little Venice is one of the most beautiful and romantic places in the whole of Mykonos and offers a fantastic sunset. A favourite activity is drinking a cocktail in one of the many bars and cafes while watching the sunset on the seashore. You will reach Little Venice walking from the windmills down the stairs. It is only a five minute walk from Fabrika bus station and there is a sign for it on the other side of the square. 2 Panagia Paraportiani, Mykonos Town (most western part of town). Of all the churches on Mykonos, the most impressive is Panagia Paraportianí, a true Byzantine jewel. This whitewashed church, which building dates back to 1425 and was not completed until the 17th century, is the most popular and most photographed of the 400 churches on the whole island of Mykonos. It is made up of four chapels at ground level with another one above. Only one of the chapels on the ground floor is open to visitors, from early morning until sunset. The church is located in the Kastro district, the oldest section of Mykonos Town. Petros the Pelican, the island's mascot, can sometimes be found at the waterfront or even up in town. The pelican was found wounded off the coast of Paranga shore after a storm back in the 1950s by a local fisherman. The pelican was nursed to health and remained on the island supported by locals. It soon adopted the name “Petros”. To great disappointment by locals and tourists alike, Petros was hit by a car on 2 December 1985 and failed to recover. After Petros died in 1986 he was so popular that a new pelican was introduced as a successor. Now there are three pelicans inhabiting the island. This means that the Petros you meet, can be a Petra. Well, this is Mykonos.

Museums

All museums are open from April to October, except the Archaeological Museum which is open year-round. Most people keep the museums for a rainy day, but the Archaeological Museum is worth a visit.

Do

Delos, a small uninhabited island close to Mykonos, is a UNESCO world heritage area known for its important archaeological sites. There are daily excursions from Mykonos Town except Monday, when the archaeological site is closed. During high season, boats leave at 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00 from the pier at the west side of the harbour, right behind the little church of Agios Nikolaos. The boat trip takes about 30 minutes. Boats return at 12:15, 13:30 and 15:00. In the off-season, boats leave only once a day, at either 09:30 or 10:30; check in-person at the kiosk as online information is often unreliable. Cost is €25 return as of April 2025. The excavations are open from 08:30 to 15:00, so have an early start if you really want to see it all. Boat trips to Delos are also organized from Platys Gialos and Paranga Beach. The cost is €17 for the boat trip plus €5 for entrance (though free for students and €3 for those over 65). A guided tour, departing at 10:00 from the pier in Mykonos, will cost €40 (including boat trip and entrance fee). Delos is a must for all visitors. From Platys Gialos you can take a cruise on a GlassBottom Discover Boat, a boat with a glass floor at the bottom through which you can view underwater life. There are beach-to-beach cruises (€35), sunset cruises (€25) and cruises to Delos and Rhenia (€35). Check the ferry schedules well, but it is possible to make daytrips to the islands of Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos.

Shopping

You can go shopping or window shopping in the fabulous little boutiques which carry exclusive name brands, among them outstanding Greek jewelers, souvenirs as well as works of art. Bring money and credit cards. Most shops are open seven days a week, but will be closed from 14:00 to 17:00. Many tourist shops will remain open late into the evening. In case you are looking for department stores, as some cruise tourists do, there aren't any. Mykonos is home to a large artists' colony, so there are a number of fine galleries offering original works. Of course, you will also find the shops you need to fill all your basic needs and comforts. There are mini-markets, green grocers, butchers, kiosks, bakeries, liquor stores, a few small supermarkets (and bigger supermarkets out of town), many pharmacies, a dry goods shop, bookstores, photo and electronics shops. ATMs are available throughout town. There's a concentration of ATMs near the southern bus station.

Eat

In Mykonos Town you will find most of the restaurants and eateries. All over town there are various gyros and souvlaki shops and creperies where you can eat quite well for just a few euros. Mykonos offers dining options catering to a range of tastes and budgets. You can have good Greek food at reasonable prices, but it also easy to spend a fortune. Almost all restaurants (and many bars) post their prices on menus at the entrance, so as you walk around you can take a look to see which places offer appealing food in your budget range. Restaurants facing the harbour or the sea (especially in Little Venice) tend to have significantly higher prices, because you are also paying for the location and the view. Restaurants in the streets deeper in the heart of town tend to be more reasonably priced.

Mykonos Town

Appaloosa Bar & Restaurant, 11 Mavrogenous, Plateia Goumenio, Mykonos Town (centre of town), ☏ +30 22890 27086, appaloosamykonos@yahoo.gr. Mexican-European food, relaxed atmosphere and also a great place for cocktails. As of April 2025, closed temporarily, moving to a pop-up at 'El burro'. Artisti Prozymi, Ano Mera Country Road (in the main square), ☏ +30 22890 71007. 05:00-22:00 daily. Advertised as a bakery -- there is a bakery with very good pastries in the front but also a broad menu priced very reasonably for Mykonos, as well as a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available. Well-situated (updated Apr 2025) Bakalo, 84 Lakka, Mykonos Town (150m down from the southern bus station), ☏ +30 22890 78121, info@bakalo.gr. Moderately priced Greek eatery. Eva's Garden, Plateia Goumenio, Mykonos Town (centre of town), ☏ +30 22890 22160, fax: +30 22890 27060, evas.myconos@yahoo.gr. Daily 18:00-01:00. Home cooked Greek and international dishes in a beautiful garden and roof setting. Dining room inside for windy nights. Excellent service and good atmosphere. }} Kounelas Fish Tavern, Svoronou, Mykonos Town (near the harbour, next to Porta Bar), ☏ +30 22890 28220. Open from 20:00. A small fish tavern in a garden setting. Fresh fish accompanied by Greek salads at a reasonable price. You can select your dish from the limited menu or choose your seafood from the catch of the day. Often full. La Maison de Katrin Restaurant, Ayios Gerasimos, Mykonos Town (corner of Gerasimos & Nikou, off Matogianni Street), ☏ +30 22890 22169. Daily 18:00-02:00. One of the most famous and oldest restaurants on the island, with classic French and Greek cuisine and excellent service. Stylish and expensive. The average price for a meat or fish entree is €100, and small starter plates start from €20. Lotus, 47 Matogianni, Mykonos Town (halfway along main street), ☏ +30 22890 22881. Small, romantic spot, seating under a canopy of vines. Good food and full bar. Check prices and bill carefully since they are known for overcharging unwary tourists. Marco Polo, Lakka Square, Mykonos Town, ☏ +30 22890 22126. Greek tavern. Niko's Taverna, Ag. Ioanninou, Agias Monis Square, Mykonos Town (one block off the harbour towards Little Venice, near Paraportiani), ☏ +30 22890 24320. Daily 12:00-01:00. A very popular restaurant which is always packed. An extensive menu of good, authentic Greek food at very reasonable prices, albeit lower quality than average for the town. Oregano Cook & Grill, Ring road, Evagelistraki, Mykonos, 84600, ☏ +30 22890 27410. Daily 12:00-01:00. Traditional Mykonian food, offers stamnagatha (a local wild vegetable) when in season, many other meze and a variety of meat stews, gyros etc. Food as cheap as anywhere on the Western side of the island, and better quality than most. Always full, mostly of Greeks; servers speak a little English but there is no menu, so some basic knowledge of Greek food is needed. To Ma'ereio (Maerion), 16 Kalogera Street, Mykonos Town (behind the Alpha Bank on Matogianni Street (main street)), ☏ +30 22890 28825. Open from 19:00. A small reasonably-priced tavern serving excellent traditional Greek dishes and Mykonian specialties. Almost always full.

Ano Mera

The town square offers several traditional restaurants.

Drink

Mykonos is famous for its intense nightlife as evidenced by a vast number of bars and nightclubs. Drinking can be quite expensive in Mykonos.

Bars in Mykonos Town

Argo Bar, Manto Square (1st floor), Mykonos Town ('taxi square', above Camares restaurant), ☏ +30 22890 28766, argobarmykonos@gmail.com. Open from 22:00 till late. Friendly club with loud dance music. Astra Bar, Tria Pigadia, Mykonos Town (heart of town), ☏ +30 22890 24767, info@astra.org.gr. Caprice, Agion Anargyron Street, Mykonos Town (Little Venice), ☏ +30 22890 23541. Located on the edge of the sea wall in Little Venice, with entrances at the front and back, Caprice Bar can be packed wall to wall. Here you can enjoy the music, cocktails and a trendy party atmosphere. Katerina's Bar, Agion Anargyron Street, Mykonos Town (Little Venice), ☏ +30 22890 23804. Open from 22:00 to 03:30. Katerina's Cocktail Bar is built on two levels and each level has a balcony that hangs over the sea in Little Venice, making it good spot to view the sunset over a cocktail. Skandinavian Bars-Disco, Agion Ioannis Barkia, Mykonos Town (near Nikos Taverna), ☏ +30 22890 22669, info@skandinavianbar.com. Skandinavian Bar is one of the 'landmark' party places on Mykonos since 1978. Comprised of an outdoor square with seating all around, two smaller downstairs bars and the upstairs disco overseeing it all. Friendly atmosphere, excellent service and - not unimportant - drinks at the best prices (large beer €5). Thalami, Mykonos Town (old port, under Mykonos' Town Hall and next to Nikos tavern). Open from 22:00 till late. Popular bar with Greek music.

Gay bars and nightclubs

Babylon, Paraportiani waterfront, Mykonos Town (old harbour, next to Jacky O'), ☏ +30 22890 25152. Open from 10:00 till late. A new gay dance club, opened in 2009. There's a dance floor and drag shows. Babylon is less crowded than its neighbour Jacky O'. Beer €6. Jacky O', Paraportiani waterfront, Mykonos Town (old harbour), ☏ +30 22890 79167. Open from 10AM till late. The most popular gay dance club, opened in 2009. The party goes wild at about 02:00 till sometimes 07:00. Inside there's a really crowded dance floor and shows by drag queens. During peak summer nights, hundreds of people are hanging out outside at the waterfront. Recommended. Beer €6. Kastro Bar, Agion Anargyron Street, Mykonos Town (Little Venice, next to Paraportiani), ☏ +30 22890 23072. Open from 19:00 till late. Kastro offers a magnificent sunset view in a relaxed and romantic atmosphere with classical music. It is a cocktail bar, but their most notorious drink is the Kastro Coffee (secret recipe, but you will taste some Metaxa). The arrangement of tables and benches is such that it’s almost impossible not to get engaged in conversation with strangers. Only busy early in the evening, till about 22:00. Recommended. Cocktails €10-12. Lola, 4 Zani Pitaraki, Mykonos Town (between Limni Square & Little Venice), ☏ +30 22890 23072, magicgilles@yahoo.com. Open from 19:00 till late. A very cabaret, theatrical feel. Porta Bar, Ionni Voinovich, Mykonos Town (in an alley just a few meters back from the blue-domed church at the harbour front, next to Kounelas Fish Tavern), ☏ +30 22890 27087. Open from 20:00 to 03:30. Busy 23:30-02:00. Porta Bar in Mykonos is in one of the backstreets of Mykonos Town, so you may have to ask around to locate it. Otherwise use the back entrance, easy to find between Nikos Taverna and Skandinavian Bar. Beer €4.

Sleep

Mykonos has well developed tourist infrastructure with countless hotels, studios, apartments and rooms for rent. Accommodation can be found in and around Mykonos Town and nearby the beaches. Compared to other Greek islands, accommodation in Mykonos is expensive. The price of accommodation varies greatly according to season. Mentioned from-prices are for low season. Expect prices to double in high season. Mykonos becomes overcrowded from mid July to the end of August, so be sure you have a room waiting if you go during that period. Every year a lot of Greek tourists visit Mykonos around the weekend of Pentecost (usually late May or early June). Most of the hotels will close at the end of October and will open again at the end of April or the beginning of May. A lot of the locals rent rooms and they will be waiting for you when you arrive at the port or the airport, waving pictures of their rooms. They will be there in peak season as well. Most of them are from small establishments that aren't listed on the internet. If approached to let a room, make sure you don't end up in an isolated apartment up on the hills around the town. Outside high season it is also easy enough to look around in Mykonos Town for yourself. There are 'rooms' signs everywhere. Wandering around with a suitcase or backpack you will be approached.

Mykonos Hoteliers Association, Mykonos Town (near the old port, a white building with a sign 'hotel info reservations' above the entrance), ☏ +30 22890 24540, fax: +30 22890 24760, mykhotels@otenet.gr. Daily 08:00-00:00. At the Mykonos Hoteliers Association you can book a room on the spot (no bookings in advance). The association also operates a Tourist Information and Accommodation Desk at the airport. Mykonos Association of Rooms, Studios & Apartments, Mykonos Town (near the old port, same building as the Mykonos Hoteliers Association), ☏ +30 22890 24860. Daily 09:00-22:00. Booking of a room on the spot (no bookings in advance). (updated May 2018) Mykonos Accommodation Center, 10 Enoplon Dynameon (upper floor), Mykonos Town (end of Matogianni Street (main street)), ☏ +30 22890 23160, fax: +30 22890 24137, info@mykonos-accommodation.com. Daily 09:00-21:00. Helps visitors finding mid-range and top-end accommodation and also functions as a tourist information center. Gay friendly. Mykonos Villas Greece (Mykonos Villas Rentals), Omvrodektis, ☏ +30 694 148 3601, info@mykonosvillasgreece.com. Villas and apartment rentals in Mykonos Greece, all locations in Mykonos, and various beach locations. (updated Oct 2022)

Camping

For the young and most budget conscious travelers, there are two campgrounds, both at popular beaches:

Stay safe

Mykonos is generally a safe island, with the only problem of dangerous and drunk driving. Be aware in case you want to rent a motorbike or quadbike, because its roads are sometimes narrow with sudden twists that need driving experience and extra care.

Police, ☏ +30 22890 22235. Mykonos Hospital, Mykonos Town (uphill from town, about 1km along the road to Ano Mera), ☏ +30 22890 23998. The public hospital in Mykonos has a 24-hour emergency service with pathologists, surgeons, pediatricians, dentists, and X-ray technicians. Sea Dialysis Mykonos, Aggelika, 84 600 (outside the town centre on the road towards Ornos Beach), ☏ +30 22890 27350, fax: +30 22890 28580, info@seadialysis.com. M-Sa 07:30-17:00. Clinic for dialysis patients with private and semi-private stations for both HD and HDF dialysis. European Health Insurance Cards (EEIC) accepted. (updated May 2023) Mykonian Health Private Medical Centre, Dexamenes, Mykonos Town (outside the town centre), ☏ +30 22890 27407, +30 22890 27464, +30 22890 24211, fax: +30 22890 27407, enquiry@mykonos-health.com. Daily 08:00-23:30. Sea Medical Private Health Clinic, Aggelika, 84 600 (outside the town centre on the road towards Ornos Beach), ☏ +30 22890 27350, fax: +30 22890 28580, info@seamedical.gr. M-Sa 08:00-20:00. Private health clinic offering outpatient therapeutic and diagnostic services including PCR tests. (updated Jun 2021)

Go next

Return to Athens or move on by boat to Paros, Naxos, Ios or Santorini. The nearby islands of Syros and Paros can be used as transport hubs to other Greek Islands. Day trips are possible to Delos and Tinos.

More pictures of Mykonos

From this destination's category on Wikimedia Commons. Each photograph is credited to its own author under its own licence.