5 Things to do in Mykonos, Greece, and the Best Ways to do Them

The first time I stepped onto Mykonos was a decade ago for a friend’s wedding and oh my, was it fabulous! I’d been to quite a few Greek islands before but nothing prepared me for the Mykonos brand of glamour and its visitors’ sheer capacity to party.

I have since visited the island several times to update the Lonely Planet Greece guidebook and love witnessing Mykonos metamorphose from a small and conservative Cycladic island in the off-season, into the port of call for people who travel with entourages (that’s not me!) and the LGBTQ+ party crowd, who give the island much of its hyper summer energy.

Personally, I love Mykonos best in its off-season (November to Easter), when many of the tourist-related businesses close and you can just enjoy the views of the red church roofs and watch village life unfold. Here are the best things to experience on your travels in Mykonos.

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Explore Hora Day and Night

The unmissable: partying in a medieval maze

Hora (aka Mykonos Town) is all narrow lanes and whitewashed buildings, intentionally designed in medieval times to baffle pirates. In its midst are tiny, flower-bedecked churches, which now jostle with luxe boutiques; there’s a cascade of bougainvillea around every corner.

This "Greek-island village by central casting" scenario means that Hora is overcrowded. In the high season, multiple cruise ships disgorge slow-moving phalanxes of flag followers, joining the cast of wannabe influencers, celebrity spotters and party people squeezing past the chic shops, cafes and bars. 

Hora is the center of all nightlife – everything kicks off at sunset when the bars in Little Venice get packed out. After the glow’s gone people move on to bars that dot the whitewashed streets. Often a modest entrance hides an opulent interior. After 11pm, people move on to clubs – some huge – that are also sequestered away off the lanes. Mykonos is a major stop on the circuit of A-list DJs. 

On Hora’s west side, a narrow lane zigzags through the tightly packed bars and shops of Little Venice, a picturesque row of houses with balconies and arcades jutting over the water. The only place in Hora more heaving than this area at sunset is atop a nearby knoll where the island’s iconic row of 6.5 windmills draws in the masses come dusk.

When to go: Morning and daytime for a stroll and shopping, evening and night for drinks and clubbing. 
Getting there: Walking is best, and getting a bit lost in the maze is obligatory. 
Pair with: Skandinavian Bar, a legendary club that fills an entire block in Hora and gets top DJs.

Party on Mykonos’ Beaches

The unmissable: dress up or undress for sandy hedonism

The beaches on Mykonos’s south coast are all stylish clubs, all-day party bars, loungers jammed together and moods from snotty to promiscuous, creating an unparalleled scene. Join the party by starting at Psarou, the sort of beach you might want to dress up for. It has a luxe club and a high-end shopping mall; the people-watching is unmatched. 

Moving east of here, one of Mykonos’ most popular beaches, Platys Gialos, is so packed you may need to step on someone to reach the water. Next up is Paraga Beach, on a crescent-shaped cove, renowned for its parties in three beach clubs. Just a bit further east is Paradise, completely lined with thumping beach bars and tight rows of loungers and umbrellas. The partying barely pauses during through the early morning hours. 

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Most people venture to the clubs around midnight, and will often go to one or three clubs, as fancy takes them. The action is split between the glitzy and expensive JackieO’ Beach Club and Super Paradise Beach Club beach bar. Especially popular with gay men is Elia, backed by a large resort and rows of loungers. Head further west for the nude area and an intimate cove.

When to go: May to October, from midnight until you drop. 
Getting there: Take taxis to/from your hotel. 
Pair with: Before heading out, dine at To Maereio, a perfect classic taverna in Hora.

Beach Hop the Quieter Coves

The secret: rest and relax on Mykonos’ secluded shores

Not all Mykonos beaches are home to high-profile clubs and ceaseless partying. There are many choices where you can chill out and fully enjoy the raw natural beauty of the island. 

Head to Agios Sostis, a gorgeous, quiet and wide strip of golden sand and a little taverna. A short distance north are two adjoining beaches: Kirkines and Majnona. Both are part of a series of tiny coves and have starkly beautiful views of the rocky shoreline and no services at all.

The peninsula west of Ornos has three mellow choices. The most family-friendly, Ornos Beach, has a string of tavernas and gets crowded in summer and is a 30-minute walk south of Hora. Lower-key and close to Hora, Agios Ioannis has a narrow strip of sand. Shady tavernas serve lunch into the evening and some of the island’s more chilled hotels dot the coves. At the west end, follow a short dirt path to a secluded cove and serene Kapari Beach.

Beaches in the east are particularly relaxed and crowd-free owing to their distance from Hora. Near a patch of water popular with windsurfers, snorkelers and swimmers, Kalafatis Beach is a mix of sand and pebbles that never attracts big crowds.

The northeast beaches hit the sweet spot for quiet and beauty. Fokos Beach is never busy but does have a justifiably popular taverna that alone is worth the trip. It attracts a boho crowd all summer long. Just a short jaunt around the headland east, Mersini Beach is easily the quietest beach on Mykonos. Services are scant but the sand and sea are top-notch.

When to go: May to October. 
Getting there: You’ve got several options: rent a scooter or a car to get to the remote beaches. Access roads to the beaches can be narrow. Reasonably priced shuttles run between the New and Old ports and the major beaches. Boats are ideal for getting to the more popular beaches. Taxis are plentiful. 
Pair with: Popular Kiki’s Tavern, on Agios Sostis beach, has a little sheltered cove directly below it where you can lunch and dip. Alternatively, Fokos Taverna is just behind its namesake beach, with wood-fire-grilled mains and excellent Greek staples.

Immerse Yourself in Hora's Museums

Best with kids: travel back in time

There are a few interesting museums in Hora that can give you a sense of the Mykonos before tourism and parties took over. The central Aegean Maritime Museum has barnacle-encrusted amphorae, ye olde nautical maps and navigation instruments, as well as numerous detailed models of famous sailing ships and paddle steamers.

Going northwest, you’ll find the Mykonos Folklore Museum. Inside is the traditional Lena’s House, a humble 19th-century Mykonian home (with furnishings intact) that takes its name from its last occupant, Lena Skrivanou, who died in 1968. It would be fascinating to get her take on today’s Hora.

The Archaeological Museum of Mykonos has a well-presented collection and a headless, almost limbless 2nd-century-BCE statue of Hercules in Parian marble.

When to go: May to October, first thing in the morning – check opening times online. 
Getting there: All the museums are in Hora, easily reached on foot. 
Pair with: Georgia’s Garden, an oasis in a huge garden in the heart of Hora, is a top choice for a calm brunch following museum time.

Explore Hora’s Galleries and Shops

Best for a rainy day: original art, exhibitions and luxury shops

Fashion boutiques and art galleries vie for attention on the narrow lanes of Hora. Matogianni street is best for luxe brands and Greek designers, while the streets of Little Venice mix fashion with jewelry, and tat. Almost all international luxury brands have glossy shops here. Most shops close in the winter. 

Hora also has galleries where you can see and buy original art. The genteel Rarity Gallery showcases bold contemporary paintings, sculpture and photography. Nearby, the Municipal Art Gallery has well curated temporary exhibitions and is located in the restored Kalogera Hall. Head to Mavrogenous St for art dealers who sell high-end artworks. 

When to go: May to October. 
Getting there: All the shops and galleries are in Hora, and easily reached on foot. 
Pair with: Mykonos Diving Center will serve your desire to see more old Mykonos. Explore wrecks, walls and caves beneath Mykonos’s famous blue waters with this reliable diving outfit, offering guided trips, gear rental and PADI lessons.

Need help planning your next trip? Check out Lonely Planet Journeys to get connected to a local expert who can craft a custom itinerary for you.