Things to Do in Mykonos: Beyond the Beaches and Parties

Mykonos splits between two very different experiences: the well-documented party and beach scene, and an island with genuine Cycladic architecture, an important UNESCO archaeological site, and a traditional village interior. Both sides are real. Prices listed here are approximate as of 2026.

Watch Sunset from Little Venice

Little Venice is the most picturesque quarter of Mykonos Town — a row of Venetian-style houses built directly on the water’s edge, their balconies overhanging the sea. At sunset, the light on the white and coloured facades is exceptional. The bars along the waterfront are set into the old houses, with tables at the water’s edge.

It is deservedly one of the most photographed spots in the Cyclades. Go 45 minutes before sunset for a seat; arriving just before means standing. Cocktails here cost approximately €14–20 — par for Mykonos.

Visit Paraportiani Church

Paraportiani is the most distinctive church in the Cyclades — a compound of five separate chapels built against and on top of each other between the 14th and 17th centuries, creating an asymmetric, organic whitewashed mass that looks like no other building in Greece. It stands at the edge of the Kastro (castle) quarter near Little Venice.

The church is most photogenic in early morning light before the tour groups arrive. It is occasionally open for visitors, but the exterior is the main event.

See the Windmills

The row of white windmills on the Kato Mili ridge above the waterfront is the defining image of Mykonos. Built by the Venetians in the 16th century to process grain, they now function as a landmark and viewpoint. The windmills are a short walk from the town centre and Little Venice. One windmill (Bonis Windmill) has been restored with original machinery and is occasionally open as a small museum — entry approximately free to €2. Best photographed from the waterfront below.

Day Trip to Delos

Delos is one of the most important archaeological sites in the entire Greek world — a tiny island 30 minutes by boat from Mykonos that served as the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and as the religious and commercial centre of the Aegean for several centuries. At its height it had a population of 30,000. Now entirely uninhabited and protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The site is large and requires 3 to 4 hours to do justice. Highlights include the Terrace of the Lions (five Archaic marble lions remaining out of an original nine), the House of Dionysus mosaics, the Temple of Apollo, and the museum. Boat tickets cost approximately €20 return as of 2026 from the Old Port; site entry is approximately €12. Book boat tickets ahead in summer — the boats fill up, particularly the earlier morning departures. The site is open Tuesday to Sunday; check the latest hours before visiting.

Beach Hopping: Paradise, Super Paradise, and Elia

The south coast beaches are Mykonos’s most famous and most crowded. Paradise Beach is the most developed — beach clubs, international DJs in summer, and a consistently lively atmosphere. Super Paradise is smaller, LGBTQ+-friendly, and has a similar club atmosphere with slightly more seclusion. Elia is the longest beach on the island — more space, calmer in the morning, with a family section at one end and a nudist section at the other.

Local buses connect Mykonos Town to Paradise and Elia (approximately €2 each way); water taxis link the south coast beaches. Sunbeds at all three cost approximately €15–20 per set in peak season. If you want a beach without amplified music, Elia’s northern section and the beaches of the north coast (Agios Stefanos, Panormos) are quieter alternatives.

Explore Ano Mera Village

Ano Mera, in the centre of the island, is the only village of any size outside Mykonos Town. It has a large plateia (central square), a cluster of traditional kafeneions and tavernas, and the Panagia Tourliani Monastery — founded in 1580 and containing an ornate carved marble iconostasis inside an otherwise plain white exterior. Entry to the monastery is free.

This is the most authentic slice of Cycladic village life on the island — away from the tourist circuit, with locals who actually live here rather than seasonally. A meal on the plateia costs roughly half the price of Mykonos Town.

Walk the Lanes of Mykonos Town

Mykonos Town was deliberately built as a maze to confuse pirates — the narrow, winding lanes look identical and getting lost is essentially compulsory. This is best treated as an attraction in itself rather than an inconvenience. The lanes are lined with whitewashed buildings, bougainvillea, small shops, and cafes. The Kastro (old castle) area at the top is the most historic quarter; the shopping lanes running inland from the port are the liveliest.

The Archaeological Museum of Mykonos, near the old port, contains finds from Delos and the local island cemeteries, including the famous Mykonos amphora depicting the Trojan Horse — one of the earliest known depictions of the myth. Entry approximately €4.

Water Sports at Kalafatis

Kalafatis Bay on the east coast is the water sports hub of Mykonos — the bay is sheltered, the water relatively calm, and a well-established centre offers windsurfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding, and paddleboarding. Prices vary by activity but an hour of windsurfing instruction costs approximately €50–70 as of 2026. The beach at Kalafatis is also quieter than the south coast party beaches, with a more relaxed atmosphere.

For Delos day trip info, see our Delos history guide.

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For the complete Mykonos island guide including where to stay and getting around, see our Mykonos travel guide. For the best beaches including Paradise, Super Paradise, Elia, and Psarou, see best beaches in Mykonos. For restaurants across all price points, see best restaurants in Mykonos. Comparing islands? See Santorini vs Mykonos and Mykonos vs Ios. Book tours and boat trips with our Mykonos tours guide.

See Also

• Mykonos Travel Guide — island overview with where to stay, nightlife, and getting there
• Best Beaches in Mykonos — Paradise, Super Paradise, Elia, Ornos, and the calm east coast
• Restaurants in Mykonos — where to eat well without overpaying on the island
• Best Tours in Mykonos — Delos boat trips, sunset cruises, and food tours
• Where to Stay in Mykonos — Mykonos Town vs. beach areas by budget
• Santorini vs Mykonos — choosing between the two most-visited Cycladic islands
• Delos History Guide — the sacred island accessible by boat from Mykonos