Things to do in mykonos: Attractions and places to visit

1. Archaeological Museum Mykonos

Opened in 1902 near the capital’s port, the Museum of Archaeology has since become one of Mykonos’s best-known and most visited sights. The exhibits here are mainly finds from the “necropolis” on the neighbouring island of Delos. Also to be seen are artefacts from the 5th century before the beginning of our era, which were found on Rinia in 1898.

The museum houses a considerable number of ancient amphorae, tombstones and ceramic objects as well as jewellery and clay statues from a period of more than 5,000 years. The building has been extended and rebuilt several times in the past, and the large eastern exhibition room was added in 1972.

2. Windmills on Mykonos

The 16 windmills on Mykonos are among the most photographed sights on the island. Seven stand out well visible on a hill above the capital at the entrance of the port in Alefkandra. From there you have a great view over the sea and the city. The majority of the mills were built in the 16th century during the period of Venetian rule.

But some of them also date from the early 20th century. Today there is no mill in operation, but a mill houses a small agricultural museum with a stone wine press. All mills were built in the typical Cycladic style as round buildings with white facades, conical roofs and very small windows. You have to confess: Every Mykonos holiday also includes a windmill photo!

3. Little Venice Mykonos

Directly below the windmills, in the westernmost part of Mykonosstadt, lies the picturesque district of Alefkandra with its numerous medieval houses, one of the most beautiful sights of the island. The buildings are often photographed by tourists because of their colourfully painted wooden balconies. The locals also like to call the district Little Venice.

From the terraces of the many cafes, bars and restaurants you can enjoy a cup of coffee, a glass of wine or a delicious cocktail and admire the breathtaking sunsets over the sea. The district is only a few steps away from the windmills, and the Fabrika bus station is only a five-minute walk away.

4. Aegean Maritime Museum

Since its opening in 1985 in a historic 19th century building in the centrally located Tria Pigadia district of Mykonosstadt, the maritime museum has welcomed its visitors. The house, which won the prestigious World Ship Trust’s Award, was the first of its kind in Greece to extensively reconstruct and exhibit historic ships.

One of the jewels in the collection is the Armenistis lighthouse, which was built in 1890 and now stands in the museum’s garden. There are also numerous impressive historical tombstones of sailors from Mykonos and Delos. The house is often the venue of international conferences, and the Greek Navy also regularly organises a maritime week here.

5. Panagia Paraportiani Church

Built between the early 15th and 17th centuries in the Kastro quarter of the capital, the sacred building is one of the largest of its kind on the island. It actually consists of the five individual churches of Saint Anargyroi, Saint Anastasia, Saint Eustathios and Saint Sozon, which have been joined together over time. The building owes its strikingly unusual form to this circumstance.

The name refers to the construction method and is explained by the location of the entrance, which was also one of the gates to the district at the time. The church also houses a folklore museum with many old photographs, ceramics, musical instruments, textile works and tools.

6. Mykonos Biennial

Since 2013, every two years from the end of June to the beginning of July, a large symposium has been held on the island with numerous exhibitions, art performances and film screenings. The Biennale, founded by the well-known and successful Greek artist Lydia Venieri, has since attracted numerous visitors from all over the world. Galleries, museums and restaurants serve as venues for the individual events.

But even windmills, churches, schools and department stores are used. The vineyards of the island have also served as stages for great festivals in connection with the Biennial. In 2015, three of the participating film directors received the Golden Pelican Award for the first time. The curious name is reminiscent of the island’s former mascot, Petros – the Pelican, who lived in the harbour from 1958 to 1986 and is still depicted on postcards today.

7. Beaches on Mykonos

Around the island there are numerous beautiful beaches that are visited by bathers especially in summer. On the east coast you can recommend Tourlos, Agios Stefanos and Megali Ammos as well as the quiet beach of Agios Ioannis with its great snorkeling possibilities even in the high season. The selection on the south coast is considerably larger, where the beaches of Ornos and Platys Gialos in particular are frequented by many families.

Paranga and the Paradise and Super Paradise beaches, which are famous for their party atmosphere, are popular with nudists. The Elia Beach is suitable for water sports, there are rental stations for water skis and wakeboards. Before Kalafati lies a well-known diving area with several shipwrecks. On the north coast are the beaches of Agios Sostis, Ftelia and Panormos.

8. Picturesque island of Delos

To the small neighbouring island of Delos, only 3.5 km² in size, there are three daily excursion boats from the harbour in Mykonosstadt except on Mondays. The journey takes about 30 minutes. In addition, crossings are offered from Platys Gialos and Paranga Beach to Delos. Delos was considered a holy place by all Hellenic tribes in ancient times, the deities Artemis and Apollon are said to have had their seat here.

Of the numerous former temples, the Apollo Temple from the 4th century B.C., built in Doric style, is the largest. Today, the island is inhabited only by employees of the excavation site and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990. For more than 2,500 years, people have not been born or buried on the island.

9. Parties and nightlife on Mykonos

Mykonos has been experiencing an unbroken boom for years as one of the most popular islands in Europe. The particularly liberal island has been a popular holiday destination for homosexuals since the 1980s, who have exerted a formative influence on the high-class and extremely stylish party life on Mykonos. In the meantime, international stars and celebrities gather on the island every summer, a large number of luxury hotels are courting discerning pleasure holidaymakers.

On Mykonos, “Everything can, nothing must.”

The nightlife is not imposed on anybody, one can plan a wonderful recreation and beach holiday without even coming into contact with exuberant celebrations. If, on the other hand, you’re in the mood for unusual parties, we’d be happy to tell you a few hotspots: Tropicana Beach Bar at Paradise Beach, Scandinavian Bar in Downtown, The Queen of Mykonos in Chora and of course the Paradise Club Mykonos with the world’s best DJs!

10. Diversity on the neighbouring island of Tinos

The neighbouring island of Tinos, about ten kilometres from Mykonos in a northwesterly direction, is also suitable as a beautiful excursion destination. The journey time by regular ferry is approximately 40 minutes. According to Greek mythology, the wind god Aiolos was born here. Famous 19th century sculptors such as Nikiphoros Lytras (1832-1904) and Nikolaos Gysis (1842-1901) also came from the island.

Among the sights on Tinos are the imposing natural monument of the 641 metre high mountain Exomvourgo as well as the Museum of Tiniotic Artists and the Museum Giannouli Chalepa in the northern district of Panormos. The pilgrimage basilica of 1823 in Tinosstadt is the destination of tens of thousands of pilgrims every year on 25 March and 15 August (Assumption of the Virgin Mary).

Best time to visit Mykonos

We recommend the following months as best time to travel for exploring the attractions and acivities of Mykonos:

May, June, July, August, September, and October

You can find more information about the weather, including all climate data, on our climate page for Mykonos.