Tinos
CultureAuthentic
Mykonos
Travelers seeking glamour, nightlife and beach clubs
Fitting Mykonos into your route
- Suggested stay
- 2 to 3 nights
About Mykonos
Mykonos combines a picturesque harbour town full of windmills with one of the most lavish nightlife scenes in the Mediterranean. By day it's all about beach clubs at Paradise and Super Paradise; by night, cocktail bars fill the narrow streets of Chora, home to the famous pelican Petros.
The island attracts an international, well-heeled crowd, which shows in prices noticeably higher than elsewhere in the Cyclades. Mykonos isn't the best choice for anyone seeking peace and quiet, but it works well as a lively opening stop on a route.
Weather on Mykonos
Right now °C (°F)
Average temperature by month: Cyclades
| April | May | June | July | August | September | October |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17°C / 63°F | 21°C / 70°F | 25°C / 77°F | 27°C / 81°F | 27°C / 81°F | 25°C / 77°F | 21°C / 70°F |
Average afternoon temperature in °C across the Cyclades group, not measured on this island alone. Useful for spotting when it actually turns summer-warm.
Tips
- Book beach club loungers at Paradise or Super Paradise ahead in high season.
- Little Venice is loveliest at sunset, with houses right on the water.
- Expect noticeably higher prices than on other Cycladic islands.
- Ornos and Agios Ioannis are quieter alternatives close to Chora.
Full guide
Mykonos is the Cyclades’ party island, and its beach clubs and late nights deserve the reputation, but that’s only half the story. It also has some of the best sandy beaches in the Cyclades, one of the prettiest towns in Greece and a world-class archaeological site just offshore. Two or three nights, a well-chosen base and a plan for the wind make the difference between a great stop and an expensive one.
Where to stay
| Base | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Chora (Mykonos Town) | Restaurants, nightlife, walking everywhere | Lively and loud until late |
| Ornos / Agios Ioannis | Calm sandy beach close to town, families | Quieter evenings, bus or taxi to Chora |
| Platis Gialos / Psarou | South-coast beaches, boats to other beaches | Busy beaches in high season |
| Agios Stefanos | Near the new port, quieter | Less to do in the evening |
Chora is the obvious base if you want restaurants and bars on your doorstep and an easy walk to the ferry. Ornos and Agios Ioannis, just south of town, have calm, sandy bays and suit families and anyone who wants to sleep. Platis Gialos and Psarou put you on the south coast, where boats run along the shore to the beaches further east. Note that Mykonos has two ports, the old port by Chora and the new port at Tourlos to the north, so check which one your ferry uses.
What to do
- Get lost in Chora. The main town is a maze of whitewashed lanes, little churches and boutiques. Go early in the morning to see it before the crowds.
- Watch the sunset from Little Venice. Houses with balconies hang right over the water, and the windmills on the hill above are a short walk away.
- Take a boat to Delos. The island next door was one of the most important religious centres of ancient Greece and is now a vast archaeological site. Boats leave from Mykonos’s old port; go in the morning, bring water and a hat, and allow at least half a day.
- Visit Ano Mera. The island’s inland village is calm, with a monastery on its main square and tavernas where locals eat.
- Try a beach club, or don’t. Paradise and Super Paradise are the best known. If that’s not your scene, there are plenty of beaches without one.
Beaches
Mykonos’s beaches are its strongest card: sandy, with clear water and a beach for every kind of traveller.
- Close to town: Ornos and Agios Ioannis are calm and family-friendly; Psarou and Platis Gialos are organised and stylish.
- The party beaches: Paradise and Super Paradise on the south coast are where the beach clubs are.
- Quieter and wilder: Agios Sostis in the north has no sunbeds and a more natural feel; Ftelia, also in the north, is popular with windsurfers.
The wind
Mykonos is one of the windiest islands in the Cyclades. In summer the meltemi blows from the north, sometimes for days at a time. It keeps the heat down, but it can make north-facing beaches rough. On windy days, head for the south coast, which is sheltered from the north wind.
Season and budget
Mykonos runs on the summer season. A large share of its hotels, restaurants and beach clubs closes in the winter months, and the island is busiest and most expensive in July and August. The shoulder months of May, June and September are warm enough for the beach and noticeably calmer. Prices are high across the board, but staying outside Chora and eating away from the most famous beaches helps.
Getting there and moving on
Mykonos has an airport with summer flights from many European cities, and ferries from both Piraeus and Rafina on the Athens coast. It sits in the middle of the Cyclades ferry network, so it combines easily with Paros, Naxos and Tinos. A lively stop like Mykonos works well at the start of a route, followed by a calmer island. If you’re deciding between the island’s famous rival and Mykonos, read our Santorini vs Mykonos comparison, or see how it compares with Paros.
By Nino
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need on Mykonos?
Two to three nights works for most island-hoppers: time for Chora and Little Venice, a morning trip to Delos and a couple of beach days. Stay longer only if beaches and nightlife are the main point of your trip, because Mykonos is one of the most expensive islands in Greece.
Where should you stay on Mykonos?
Chora if you want to walk to restaurants, bars and the ferries. Ornos or Agios Ioannis for calmer beaches close to town, which also suit families. Platis Gialos or Psarou for the south-coast beaches, with boats to the beaches further east.
Is Mykonos good for families or couples who don't party?
Yes, if you choose your base well. The nightlife is concentrated in Chora and at a few beach clubs. Beaches like Ornos and Agios Ioannis are calm and sandy, and day trips to Delos and the inland village of Ano Mera have nothing to do with the party scene.
What is the best beach on Mykonos?
It depends on what you want. Psarou and Platis Gialos for organised beaches close to town, Paradise and Super Paradise for beach clubs, Ornos for families, and Agios Sostis in the north for a wilder beach without sunbeds.
