Mykonos is one of the most popular Greek islands and for a good reason. While nightlife and party scene are what makes most people throng to this island, every corner of this island is just so picturesque that you will be pulling out your phone and camera at every turn!
In this guide you will find everything from the best photo spots, to logistics on how to get there and things to do to make the most of your time in Mykonos.
I visited Mykonos as part of my two-week island-hopping trip in May 2025. Click on individual links for detailed guides on Santorini and Athens. Paros and Crete will be up on the blog shortly (but in the meantime you can check Highlights section on Instagram here).
How Many Days Required
At least 2 days. If you like to party, then definitely add another day. Looking to visit near-by islands like Delos, Paros, Naxos on a day trip? Then add another day.
Best Way to Reach
Flight is, of course, the most convenient way to reach Mykonos. You will find direct flights from Athens and a few European cities. But if you are doing island hopping, check the baggage requirements. While the airfare cost may sound reasonable, if you add in extra baggage cost, it may turn out to be expensive.
Ferries are the most commonly used mode of transport to get to the Greek islands. From Athens, it takes around 2.5 hours to reach Mykonos on a high-speed ferry. If you choose a regular ferry, it takes around 4.5-5.5 hours. Slower the ferry, cheaper the price.
We booked our ferry tickets via Ferryscanner website. On this website, you will find a list of different ferry operators. Select the one that fits your schedule and budget. Book your tickets in advance specially if you are traveling in summer months.
Once you reach the ferry port, you can either take the bus or taxi. A bus ride to Fabrika Square (near Little Venice) costs Euros 3 per person whereas a taxi ride costs Euros 20.
If you are taking the bus, sit on the right side for some spectacular views.
How to Get Around the island
The island is pretty small and to get from one place to another can take a maximum of 20 minutes. Public buses are fairly convenient. The only downside is that sometimes there may not be a direct bus connection and you may need to change buses to get from Point A to Point B.
You can take a taxi to get around but they don’t run by meter. Their prices are fixed price and there is zero room for negotiation.
If you plan to rent a car, expect to spend Euros 60-80 per day. Yes, Mykonos is an expensive island ☹️. You can even explore the island on an ATV – costs around Euros 60-80 for the day.
Best Time to Visit
Mykonos is one of the most popular islands in Greece. I would say avoid summer at all costs. Not only are the islands brimming with tourists, prices are high everywhere. I would suggest visiting in shoulder season, May or September or even first week of October. When we visited in first week of May, we had most alleys all to ourselves even in the middle of the day and it was peaceful overall.
The water may not be ideal for swimming so if swimming is your primary purpose, then summer is the best time to visit.
If you have no option but to visit in summer months, be prepared to wake up early – once the cruise ships dock, the number of day-trippers increase.
Where to Stay
Depending on what you plan to see and do, pick an accommodation accordingly. Little Venice is where most restaurants, shops, bars and cute alleys are! Beach bars are slightly farther away. But even if you stay at one spot, it is easier to get around the islands via bus/ taxi/ car/ ATV.
Since we were in Mykonos for just 2 N, we didn’t want to spend too much time commuting between places. We stayed at Fabrica Square (a 5-minute walk to Little Venice area). The location was FABULOUS!! Here is the link to the Airbnb.
For beach lovers and party seekers, south side of the island has the best beach clubs and beachfront hotels. If your idea of the perfect Mykonos holiday is spending almost the entire time relaxing by the sea, book your accommodation here.
Top Instagrammable Places
Little Venice
This is the most iconic spot in Mykonos and probably the prettiest. There are a ton of bars, charming cafes and restaurants in this area. You can grab a seat at one of the several bars or restaurants, which provide uninterrupted views of the waterfront and the iconic windmills.
It gets very crowded at sunset since it is a popular sunset spot as well. Even though crowded, this place is spread out and you can easily find a quiet corner to soak in the lovely views all by yourself.
Windmills of Mykonos
After Little Venice, windmills of Mykonos (Kato Mili) are probably the most photographed on this island.
Currently, there are 16 windmills scattered across the island and you can find 5 of them standing in a row near Little Venice.
Just a little head’s up – the windmills are here for a reason. It gets very windy in this place, so forget to get that perfect instagrammable shot. I have hair on my face in most photos and even had a Marilyn Monroe moment here – oops
They are beautiful during the day but also recommend stopping by during golden hour – good thing is that they are right next to Little Venice so you can visit them both for sunset.
Happiness Store
After Little Venice and the windmills, this is probably the most iconic photo spot on this island. After having seen countless photos of this place, I was glad to finally see this in person 😊
It is actually a clothing store owned by a local family so if you’re planning to do a little shopping, take a little peek inside!
As this spot is located between two alleys, you may need to be patient to snap a photo here without people photobombing. Or wake up early in the morning when the streets are still empty!
We passed by this store at least 3-4 times and managed to get a photo without people most times. We just had to wait 2-5 minutes for the people to disperse and viola, there you go! Perks of traveling in off-season 😊
The Bougainvillea at Publico Restaurant
This gorgeous bougainvillea-filled street is right in front of Publico restaurant, located in one of the alleys of Chora, aka Mykonos town.
The bougainvillea really add to the beauty here. Don’t you agree !
A few steps away is MSpace Boutique, which is yet another lovely spot filled with bougainvillea. Sadly, when I visited in early May, there were hardly any bougainvillea.
Cute Souvenir Shops
While you will find plenty of stores are you are wandering around the alleys of Chora, Pelagos Mykonos and Chora store have become quite insta-famous. Even if you aren’t a shopper, recommend stopping by and browsing through the stores. They have some amazing items – certainly not cheap, but hey, browsing doesn’t burn a hole in the pocket 😊
Restaurants with a View in Little Venice area
This little strip is lined with bars and restaurants overlooking the water. This area is lively throughout the day and bars stay open well past midnight.
We tried a couple of spots here and loved them
Kastro’s – The seaside tables next to the crashing waves in Little Venice make for a lovely setting! While the little alley is iconic, check out the view from inside the restaurant and be prepared to have your jaw dropped.
Negritas – the bougainvillea here is definitely worth snapping 😊 This is also the most crowded bar in Little Venice area.
Bao’s Cocktail Bar – my favorite place in Mykonos! Unlike the other spots, it isn’t very loud or crowded and you can really enjoy the views peacefully. Grab a seat outside and soak in the vibe of Little Venice and the views. Don’t forget to peek inside as well – those windows offer fantastic views. And did I mention there is a swing as well?
Cerise – This was the most happening spot in the area and people were really dancing like there is no one’s watching 😉
Nice N Easy – While most of the above places offer only drinks and a few nibbles, this is place to visit if you want to grab a bite.
Rhapsody Bar – A place that I randomly walked in and the views totally blew me away! Perfect spot to sip on a glass of wine with view.
All the above places are popular sunset spots, but the colors of the water are at their best during mid-day or early afternoons.
Another key point to note is that you may want to reserve a spot in advance if you want a front-row table. Some places have a minimum spend of Euros 40 per person if you visit after 4 pm. If you want to avoid that, visit earlier in the day.
Anywhere you go, keep in mind that cocktails here are NOT cheap ! On an average, cocktails cost between €20-25. A glass of wine or beer is of course, cheaper.
Old Port / harbor
Here you will spot colorful boats, a small sandy beach, souvenir stores and lots of restaurants. It is a lively area and makes for a lovely stroll. You will also find Agios Nikolaos Church here. It is one of the tiniest churches but looks lovely.
The white-washed houses and the boats and yachts on the water create an amazing backdrop for photos! But keep in mind, since it is by the harbor, it can get VERY windy. I literally had to use all my force to hold on to my hat and sunglasses.
Paraportiani Orthodox Church
Just a two-minute walk from Kastro’s restaurant is this completely white-washed church. The architecture of this church is quite unique. It’s actually a complex of five churches, with four on the ground level and one on top.
Construction started in 1425 but it was finished sometime in 17th century. Unlike other churches in Greece, this one is fully white and doesn’t have a red or blue dome. It’s a unique and beautiful sight to see.
Metropolitan Church in Little Venice
Located close to Nice N Easy restaurant, this church with colorful flags all around, makes for a lovely photo.
Agia Anna Church
Agia Anna Church, with its red dome, also makes for lovely photos.
Hibiscus Fruit Parlor
If you’re looking for a cute cafe in the town, add this one to your list. Hibiscus not only sells delicious sweets (crepes, gelato, pastries) and sandwiches but its front is so cute that you just can’t walk by without snapping a photo here. See? Isn’t it just the cutest?
Boni’s Windmill
Boni’s Windmill is a hidden gem compared to the windmills located near Little Venice. Not many people visit Boni’s windmill, so you are likely to find fewer people here. It is only a 15-minute walk from Old Town.
Boni’s windmill also provides a fantastic view of Mykonos town and the harbor. It is also one of the best spots to watch the sunset – you can even see the windmills of Kato Mili from up there. Definitely a must-see!
While I had seen photos of people from inside the windmill, sadly, access to this one has been closed off. While you can’t get up close to this windmill, you can still visit the windmill and get some great shots from outside!
Streets of Little Venice
Simply wandering around the streets of Mykonos town was one of my favorite things to do.
I recommend wandering through Mykonos town without a map and getting lost in the charming alleys. It’s the best way to explore the old town and you will stumble upon so many beautiful alleyways to photograph. I loved getting lost and finding hidden gems and beautiful corners around every turn
Like this lovely cute flag-covered courtyard near church next to the Louis Vuitton Mykonos store!
And this bougainvillea covered spot near Amades restaurant. Isn’t it just breathtaking?
Here are some more
180 Sunset Bar
This bar has one of the best sunset views in all of Mykonos. Here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the island whilst sipping a cocktail. However, there is a minimum spend of around €70-€200 depending on the area you choose to sit at. The bar is incredibly popular, especially around sunset, so worth booking a table in advance to secure your preferred seating area.
Alternatively, you can visit without a reservation, pay for what you consume, but you’ll need to arrive before it opens and wait for your turn.
We were planning to visit on our second day in Mykonos however, this bar was shut due to bad weather (it was insanely windy that day).
Beaches of Mykonos
Mykonos has some lovely beaches worth checking out –Paradise Beach, Psarou Beach, Super Paradise Beach, Paraga Beach, Agari Beach, Ornos Beach.
Super Paradise Beach is known as one of the hottest party spots on the island so you’ll find many beach clubs around. However, if you go early in the morning, the atmosphere is quite relaxing and quiet which is perfect for chilling on sunbeds.
It was super windy when we visited plus with the water being cold in early May, we didn’t bother to visit any beaches here.
Beach Clubs
Mykonos beach clubs have a reputation of their own. There are a bunch of cool beach clubs here worth checking out:
- Paradise Beach Club
- Scorpios
- Alemagou
- Nammos
Most of these places are closed in winter and open around 1st / 2nd week of May. Sadly, they were all closed when we visited Mykonos, so couldn’t visit.
While not a beach club, Cavoo Tagoo and Zuma are worth checking out as well.
Armenistis Lighthouse
This lighthouse, located in the north-western part of the island, offers incredible views of the Aegean Sea. It is a great photo spot to take pictures during the day as well as at sunset.
You can reach the lighthouse within a 20-minute drive from Mykonos Town. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to get to the lighthouse without a car so if you don’t want to rent a car, you’ll have to skip this.
Delos Island
If you have additional time on hand, check out Delos Island. It is one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites and filled with tons of history. You can do an easy boat tour from Mykonos to Delos. You can find more information around Old Port area.
*Prices as of May 2025