The Wandering Adventurer

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Mykonos is the most glamorous island in Greece — a dazzling white-washed Cycladic labyrinth of windmills, bougainvillea, and brilliant blue skies, surrounded by some of the finest beaches in the Mediterranean. Famous for its style and its extraordinary light, Mykonos rewards every visitor who explores beyond Little Venice and discovers its quieter charms.

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🚢 Port Overview

Ships either tender to the Old Port — right in the heart of Mykonos Town — or dock at the New Port about 2 km north (taxi €8–10). Mykonos Town is immediately accessible and a joy to explore on foot. The island’s famous beaches are spread along the south coast, 4–10 km from town, reachable by bus, taxi, or water taxi.

💡 Insider Tip: Mykonos Town is a deliberate labyrinth — the lanes were designed to confuse pirates. Getting lost is part of the charm. Keep your phone’s GPS on and don’t panic when you can’t find your way out — every lane eventually leads to the waterfront or one of the main squares.

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1. 🏛️ Delos — Sacred Island of Apollo

⏱ Time needed: 3–4 hours  |  💵 Cost: €12 entry + €20 ferry return; guided tours from ~$55  |  📍 Distance: 20-min ferry from Old Port

The tiny uninhabited island of Delos, just 20 minutes from Mykonos by ferry, is one of the most important archaeological sites in the entire Mediterranean. According to Greek mythology it was the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, making it the most sacred site in the ancient Greek world. At its height, Delos was the commercial and religious hub of the Aegean — home to tens of thousands of people, extraordinary temples, sanctuaries, and some of the finest mosaic floors in antiquity. The Terrace of the Lions — a row of archaic marble lions guarding the Sacred Lake — is one of the most iconic images of ancient Greece.

💡 Insider Tip: Delos is entirely unshaded and extremely hot in summer — bring water and a hat. Daily visitor numbers are capped and ferry tickets can sell out in high season. Always book your Delos tour before your cruise. The Delos Museum on the island houses extraordinary sculptures and mosaics.

🎟 Book a Delos Archaeological Tour via Viator | Klook

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2. 🏙️ Mykonos Town — Windmills, Little Venice & Chora

⏱ Time needed: 2–3 hours  |  💵 Cost: Free to explore; guided tours from ~$30  |  📍 Distance: Steps from the Old Port

Mykonos Town (Chora) is one of the most beautiful towns in Greece — a dazzling white labyrinth of cube-shaped buildings, blue-domed churches, geranium-filled balconies, and narrow lanes lined with boutiques and tavernas. The iconic windmills stand on the Kato Mili hill above the town, offering the classic Mykonos panorama. Little Venice — the row of medieval sea captains’ houses built directly above the water, their wooden balconies hanging over the Aegean — is one of the most photographed spots in the Cyclades.

💡 Insider Tip: The windmills are at their most beautiful at sunset when the light turns golden on the white walls. A glass of local wine from one of the balcony bars at Little Venice overlooking the Aegean at dusk is one of the great simple pleasures of the Greek islands. Get there early to secure a seat.

🎟 Book a Mykonos Town Walking Tour via Viator | Klook

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3. 🏖️ Mykonos Beaches — Paradise, Super Paradise & Elia

⏱ Time needed: 3–5 hours  |  💵 Cost: Free entry; beach club sunbeds from €20–40  |  📍 Distance: Paradise Beach ~6 km, 15 min taxi

Mykonos has some of the finest beaches in the Mediterranean. Paradise Beach and Super Paradise Beach are the party beaches — beautiful bays with beach clubs, DJ sets, and a festive atmosphere. Elia Beach is the longest beach on the island, more relaxed and family-friendly. Agios Ioannis is a quieter, more traditional bay. All have water so clear and a colour so extraordinary that the swimming alone is worth the visit.

💡 Insider Tip: Beach clubs require reservations for sunbeds in high summer — book in advance or arrive early. Water taxis run from the Old Port to the southern beaches — more scenic and often faster than taxis or buses.

🎟 Book a Mykonos Beach Tour via Viator | Klook

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4. 🍽️ Mykonos Food & Culture Tour

⏱ Time needed: 2.5–3.5 hours  |  💵 Cost: ~$55–80 per person including tastings  |  📍 Distance: Mykonos Town — steps from Old Port

Mykonos has a surprisingly rich food culture behind its glamorous surface. A food tour introduces you to Kopanisti — Mykonos’s iconic spicy fermented cheese, a PDO product made only on the island; loukoumades (honey doughnuts); fresh seafood from the morning’s catch; and local spirits including Rakomelo (warm honey spirit). The tour winds through the town’s best bakeries, delis, and tavernas exploring the island’s culinary traditions.

💡 Insider Tip: Kopanisti cheese — aged, spicy, intensely flavoured — is one of the great Greek cheeses and can only be made legally on Mykonos. Extraordinary spread on fresh bread with olive oil. Bring some home vacuum-packed if you can.

🎟 Book a Mykonos Food Tour via Viator

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5. ⛵ Catamaran Sailing & Snorkelling Tour

⏱ Time needed: 4–6 hours  |  💵 Cost: ~$75–110 per person including food & drinks  |  📍 Distance: Departs Old Port or New Port

Sailing around Mykonos on a catamaran is one of the finest ways to spend a day in the Aegean. The island’s coastline from the sea — the white villages, the sea caves, the hidden beaches accessible only by boat — is extraordinary. Most tours include stops for snorkelling in crystal-clear water, swimming at secluded bays, and a BBQ lunch with Greek wines on board. Some tours include a brief visit to the offshore islet of Rhenia adjacent to Delos.

💡 Insider Tip: Book a smaller catamaran (8–12 passengers maximum) for the best experience. The large party boats are crowded — a semi-private sailing tour gives you far better snorkelling access, quieter bays, and a more personal experience of the Aegean.

🎟 Book a Mykonos Catamaran Sailing Tour via Viator | Klook

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💚 Going It Alone: Independent Explorer Tips

Mykonos Town is walkable from the Old Port in minutes. Local buses run from the main bus station (Fabrika) to the southern beaches every 20–30 minutes in summer. Water taxis from the Old Port reach Paradise Beach in about 15 minutes (€7–10 each way). Scooter and ATV rentals are available throughout town. For Delos, the ferry departs Old Port at 9am and 10am daily — book tickets at the port kiosk the morning of your visit.

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🍽️ What to Eat & Drink Ashore in Mykonos

• Kopanisti cheese — Mykonos’s iconic PDO spicy fermented cheese. Unique to this island. Spread on fresh bread with olive oil.
• Loukoumades — honey-drenched fried dough balls from street stalls throughout Mykonos Town.
• Grilled octopus — dried in the Cycladic sun and grilled over charcoal. A staple of every waterfront taverna.
• Fresh fish at the harbour — the tavernas along the Old Port serve the morning’s catch. Simple grilled fish with lemon and olive oil.
• Assyrtiko wine — crisp, mineral Aegean white wine. Perfect with seafood.
• Cocktails at Little Venice — sitting on a balcony above the Aegean at sunset with a cold drink is one of the great experiences of the Greek islands.

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💡 Practical Tips for Mykonos

• Book Delos in advance. Daily visitor numbers are capped and ferry tickets sell out in July–August.
• Getting lost in Mykonos Town is normal. Use your phone’s GPS and embrace the wandering.
• Everything is expensive. Mykonos is one of the priciest islands in Greece. Budget accordingly.
• Beach clubs require reservations at the famous beaches in high summer. Book sunbeds in advance or go early.
• The Meltemi wind can be strong in July–August. Sea conditions can affect tenders and water taxis — have a plan B.

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This post contains affiliate links to Viator and Klook. The Wandering Adventurer may earn a small commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting independent travel content!