What to do once you land inMykonosFind your bearings
Mykonos is two islands in one: the glamorous party scene of beach clubs and designer shops, and the quieter Cycladic charm of whitewashed alleys, hilltop chapels, and family-run tavernas. Skip the hype and find both. The island is small enough to scooter end-to-end in 30 minutes.
Neighborhoods
Mykonos Town (Chora) — The iconic white-and-blue labyrinth with windmills, Little Venice, and boutique shopping
Little Venice — Waterfront houses built on the sea wall with sunset cocktail bars and crashing waves below
Ornos & Platis Gialos — Family-friendly south coast beaches with tavernas and water taxi connections to other beaches
Ano Mera — The quiet inland village with a monastery, local tavernas, and none of the tourist crowds
Best time to visit
June and September for perfect weather without peak-season prices and crowds. July-August is peak party season (expensive and packed). May and October are warm enough for beaches with bargain rates.
Getting around
Rent an ATV or scooter ($25/day) the best way to reach hidden beaches and coves
Local KTEL buses connect Chora to major beaches for $2 every 30 minutes in summer
Water taxis hop between south coast beaches for $5-10 per trip
Taxis are scarce in peak season. Book through the Mykonos Taxi app or your hotel
Key areas
Mykonos TownLittle VeniceOrnosParadise BeachAno Mera
Zero-dollar wins
1
Windmills of Kato MiliThe iconic 16th-century windmills above Little Venice. Best at sunset when they glow golden
2
Little Venice sunsetWatch the sun drop into the sea from the waterfront bars free if you grab a spot on the rocks
3
Chora labyrinth walkGet deliberately lost in the whitewashed maze. Every turn reveals bougainvillea, blue doors, and cats
4
Agios Sostis beachRemote north beach with no development, no sunbeds, no noise just turquoise water and sand
5
Paraportiani ChurchThe most photographed church in Greece five chapels stacked together over centuries
6
Fokos BeachDirt road to reach it keeps crowds away. Wild, unspoiled, with a single rustic taverna
7
Armenistis Lighthouse hikeWalk to the northern tip for dramatic cliff views and the 19th-century lighthouse at sunset
Treat yourself
(we think it's worth it)
Nammos Beach Club$150 to $300
The world-famous beach club at Psarou. Champagne, sushi, celebrity-spotting, and gorgeous waterInterni Restaurant$80 to $130
Garden dining under olive trees with creative Greek cuisine and an A-list crowdScorpios sunset ritual$60 to $100
Bohemian beach club at Paraga with DJ sets, sunset ceremonies, and craft cocktailsPrivate sailing trip$120 to $200
Half-day catamaran to Delos (UNESCO site) and nearby islands with lunch and drinks includedMatsuhisa Mykonos (Nobu)$90 to $150
Nobu Matsuhisa's Greek outpost with Aegean-Japanese fusion and killer cocktailsThe legendary bites
The dishes this city perfected
Kiki's Tavern$20 to $35
No-reservations beach taverna on Agios Sostis. Grilled meats and salads with zero pretenseGrilled lamb chops with lemon and oreganoJoanna's Nikos Place$18 to $30
Megali Ammos beachfront taverna with the island's best traditional Greek cookingLobster spaghetti with fresh tomatoM-eating$40 to $65
Creative Greek fine dining in Chora with locally-sourced ingredients and wine pairingsSlow-cooked octopus with fava pureRaya$30 to $50
Romantic courtyard in Chora serving elevated Cycladic dishes under fairy lightsSea urchin crostini with Greek caviarTa Kioupia$15 to $25
Rustic taverna in Ano Mera village the place locals eat when they want traditional foodClay pot lamb kleftiko slow-cooked overnightNice n Easy$22 to $38
Organic farm-to-table on the Chora waterfront with healthy Greek twistsOrganic chicken souvlaki with tzatziki and warm pitaWhere locals eat
Where residents actually go
Gioras Bakery$2 to $5
Wood-fired bakery in Chora operating since 1420. Fresh bread and pies from 6amPepper Mykonos$4 to $7
Quick gyros and souvlaki wraps on the go. The best cheap eat in Chora's mazeTo Maereio$10 to $16
Tiny local eatery in the backstreets with daily-changing traditional dishes at honest pricesAltro Seaside Trattoria$15 to $22
Hidden Italian-Greek spot away from the main drag with fresh pasta and harbor viewsSouvlaki Story$5 to $8
Late-night souvlaki counter near the bus station. The pork gyros with hand-cut fries are perfectAno Mera village bakery$2 to $4
Freshly baked bougatsa (custard pie) and spinach pies. Walk from the monasteryGo off-script
1
Delos island day tripBirthplace of Apollo and one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. Boats leave at 9am and 10am
2
Sunrise at Armenistis LighthouseDrive the dirt road to the northern tip before dawn. Watch the Aegean turn gold from the cliff edge
3
Ano Mera monastery visitThe 16th-century Panagia Tourliani monastery in the quiet village offers a different side of the island
4
Scooter to hidden covesRent a scooter and follow dirt tracks to Kapari and Merchia secret beaches locals keep quiet about
Insider intel + tourist traps
Tips
- ✓Wind is constant June-September (the meltemi). North beaches get battered south coast is calmer for swimming
- ✓Restaurant prices in Chora are 30-40% higher than Ano Mera or beach tavernas. Worth the drive for savings
- ✓Book accommodation 3+ months ahead for July-August. Prices triple in peak season
- ✓The Mykonos Town port area gets loud until 5am. Stay in Ornos or Ano Mera for sleep
“We skipped Nammos and found Kiki's Tavern on a dirt road. Ate the best lamb of our lives on a secret beach for a third of the price.”
Skip
- ✗Paradise Beach 'free' sunbeds that come with $50 minimum spend requirements
- ✗Chora jewelry shops with 'handmade' items actually mass-produced buy from actual studio artisans
- ✗Overpriced cocktails at tourist bars in the main drag Little Venice rocks have the same sunset, free