Mykonos Travel Guide: The Complete Island Guide

Mykonos built its international reputation in the 1960s when artists and wealthy Europeans discovered a remote Cycladic island with exceptional beaches. It has been trading on that reputation ever since, and the prices reflect it. The old town (Chora) remains genuinely beautiful — a labyrinth of whitewashed alleys designed to confuse pirate invaders. The beaches (Paradise, Super Paradise, Elia, Psarou) are among the best in Greece.

Mykonos Town (Chora)

The old town is a UNESCO-listed example of Cycladic architecture — narrow whitewashed alleys, colourful doors and shutters, pelicans wandering through the streets (the resident pelicans are an unofficial mascot). Getting lost in the alleys is the point; they were designed without logical layout to disorient attackers.

Windmills: The 16th-century windmills at the top of Chora are the most photographed feature — best at golden hour.

Little Venice (Alefkandra): The row of waterside houses is at its best around sunset when the bars fill up. Drinks approximately €14–22 per cocktail at the waterfront bars.

Beaches

Mykonos has excellent beaches at a range of crowd levels and prices.

Psarou: Small, protected bay, crystal-clear water, frequented by celebrities and yachts. Sunbeds from approximately €30–50 per pair at the main beach club (Nammos, one of the most expensive restaurants in Greece).

Paradise Beach: The legendary party beach, famous for daytime DJ sets. Beach clubs rent sunbeds from approximately €20–40 per pair.

Super Paradise: Less organised than Paradise, more mixed (LGBTQ+ friendly tradition). Sunbeds from approximately €15–30 per pair.

Elia: The longest beach on the island — quieter and more local-feeling than the party beaches. Sunbeds from approximately €15–20 per pair.

Agios Sostis: Small, no-development beach on the north coast — no umbrellas, no beach clubs. One of the few genuinely quiet beaches on the island.

Where to Stay in Mykonos

Prices are for peak season (July–August); shoulder season prices are 40–60% lower.

Budget: Mykonos has limited budget accommodation. Paradise Beach Camping (on-site camping and basic rooms, from approximately €20/person in summer) is the most affordable option. Most budget travellers stay in Mykonos Town in smaller, older guesthouses — expect to pay €100–150/night for a basic double in peak season.

Mid-range: Vencia Boutique Hotel (central Chora, from approximately €200/night peak), Hotel Carbonaki (old town, from approximately €180/night peak), Semeli Hotel (Chora, good value for location, from approximately €220/night peak).

Upmarket: Santa Marina (Ornos Bay, the island’s premier resort, from approximately €700/night peak), Bill & Coo (Megali Ammos, design hotel with outstanding reviews, from approximately €500/night peak), Cavo Tagoo (north coast, infinity pool, from approximately €600/night peak).

Where to Eat in Mykonos

Mykonos is expensive for food. Budget approximately €30–50 per person for a mid-range restaurant, and significantly more at the beach clubs.

M-eating (Mykonos Town): One of the island’s best restaurants — creative modern Greek food, approximately €50–80 per person.

Nikos’ Taverna (Chora): Reliable traditional taverna in the old town, reasonable prices relative to the island (approximately €25–40 per person), popular with locals.

Joanna’s Nikos Place (Megali Ammos): Unpretentious beach taverna, excellent for grilled fish at fair prices (approximately €20–35 per person), a short walk from Chora.

Souvlaki vendors: The best value eating on the island — look for the small souvlaki shops in the back streets of Chora, approximately €3–4 per wrap.

Delos

One of the most important ancient sites in the Aegean — the sacred island of Apollo and Artemis, uninhabited since antiquity and preserved by its deserted state. The entire island is an archaeological site: temples, a sacred lake, the famous Terrace of the Lions (marble lions guarding the sacred precinct), and the remains of a major Hellenistic trading city. Entry €12 adult, open 8am–3pm (closed Monday). Boats from Mykonos Old Port take 30 minutes and run from approximately 8am daily in season (return ticket approximately €20 — buy at the port).

Note: No accommodation or overnight stays are permitted on Delos. Arrive early (first boat, 8am) to have the site mostly to yourself before the mid-morning crowd arrives.

Getting Around Mykonos

Buses (KTEL Mykonos) run from the Old Port to the main beaches — approximately €2–3 per journey. The schedules are reliable but buses fill up completely in summer; allow extra time. Taxis are scarce and expensive — during peak season, you may wait 30–45 minutes for a taxi in town. Water taxis run from the Old Port to Paradise, Super Paradise, Ornos, and Platis Gialos (approximately €8–15 per journey depending on destination).

Budget Realities

Mykonos is genuinely expensive — more so than Santorini in July–August. A realistic daily budget:

• Budget traveller (hostel dorm, souvlaki meals, public buses): €90–120/day in peak season
• Mid-range (guesthouse, restaurant dinners, a beach club afternoon): €200–350/day in peak season
• Luxury (caldera-view suite, beach club tables, restaurant dinners): €500+/day in peak season

The gap between peak (July–August) and shoulder (May–June, September) is significant — a hotel that costs €200/night in August may cost €90–110 in May. If Mykonos is on your list, shoulder season is the rational choice.

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