10 Best Things to Do
Mykonos is an island of contrasting rhythms. Chora's whitewashed lanes gather shops, restaurants and late-night energy around a waterfront of colourful balconies and windmills. Elsewhere, beaches, inland villages and the open Aegean offer a quieter way to spend the day. A successful stay begins by deciding how close you want to be to the social scene. The hotel landscape reflects that choice. A town-adjacent retreat suits evenings explored on foot or with short arranged transfers; a coastal resort makes the beach and pool the centre of the holiday. Design-focused hideaways add another option for travellers who prefer privacy and deliberate outings. The best address is the one whose setting matches the way you plan to use the island. Our selection balances celebrated restaurants with individual Greek kitchens, and seaside pleasures with cultural substance. Set aside a day for Delos, explore Chora beyond its best-known viewpoints, and head inland to Ano Mera or a vineyard. Book the dinners that matter, but leave room for weather and changing moods. Mykonos offers considerably more when each day is allowed its own pace.
Delos archaeological island
Delos, Greece
Delos gives a Mykonos holiday a powerful historical dimension. The island's sanctuaries, streets and houses preserve the remains of an ancient religious and commercial centre, with the landscape itself contributing to the experience. Choose a qualified guide to make sense of the extensive site, and leave room for the museum when accessible. Check the official opening arrangements and boat schedule before departure, bring sun protection and water, and allow the weather to shape the plan.
An exceptional archaeological day
Rhenia sailing with Mykonos on Board
Rhenia, departure Mykonos, Greece
A boat outing towards Rhenia provides a quieter counterpoint to the main island's organised beaches. The appeal is time on the water and a view of the neighbouring islands, with swimming opportunities dependent on the chosen route and conditions. Choose an operator and itinerary that clearly explain the departure point, boat type and inclusions. Confirm whether Delos landing is included or separate, and keep the day flexible enough for wind-related changes.
A day on the Aegean
Little Venice and Kato Mili windmills
Mykonos Town, Greece
Little Venice and the Kato Mili windmills provide an inviting introduction to Mykonos Town. Waterfront houses with colourful balconies meet the sea, while the windmills above establish the island's familiar silhouette. Choose an early walk to appreciate the lanes and architecture, then return later if you want the social energy of sunset. Continue into the town's smaller streets rather than stopping at the first viewpoint, leaving time for a coffee and unplanned discoveries.
Mykonos Town at walking pace
Panagia Paraportiani
Kastro, Mykonos Town, Greece
Panagia Paraportiani is one of Mykonos Town's most distinctive architectural sights, its white forms rising beside the old Kastro quarter. Choose it as part of a walk through the waterfront lanes, taking time to notice the way its surfaces change with the light. The exterior is the main encounter for many visitors; do not assume that interior access is available. Respect worshippers and local residents, and approach photography with the same care as at any active religious site.
Cycladic religious architecture
Archaeological Museum of Mykonos
Mykonos Town, Greece
The Archaeological Museum of Mykonos brings together material connected with the neighbouring islands, particularly the burial grounds of Rhenia. It adds context to a Delos excursion and provides a reason to look beyond the town's shops and waterfront tables. Choose it for a focused cultural visit and check the current exhibition programme beforehand. Gallery access can change during museum works, so confirm what is open rather than relying on a historic collection description.
Context for Delos and Rhenia
Aegean Maritime Museum
Tria Pigadia, Mykonos Town, Greece
The Aegean Maritime Museum offers a quieter cultural stop in the Tria Pigadia area of Mykonos Town. Its maritime focus helps place the island within the wider story of Aegean travel and trade. Choose it as part of an unhurried exploration of Chora, allowing the visit to interrupt a day of shopping and cafés. Confirm the current season and opening arrangements directly before setting out, as small island museums may operate limited visitor schedules.
The island's seafaring heritage
Ano Mera and Panagia Tourliani
Ano Mera, Greece
Ano Mera changes the rhythm of a Mykonos visit, drawing attention to the island's inland settlement and the monastery of Panagia Tourliani. Choose it for a morning that combines a respectful cultural visit with time around the village square. Dress appropriately for the monastery and check visitor access before travelling. The pleasure is in slowing down and seeing another side of the island, so leave room for a café stop rather than treating it as a brief excursion checklist.
Village life beyond Chora
Windsurfing at Kalafatis
Kalafatis, Greece
Kalafatis gives the island's famous wind a practical purpose. Windsurfing Mykonos offers equipment and instruction, with a teaching area suited to first attempts and broader water for more experienced riders. Choose a session matched to your ability and discuss conditions with the school before committing to equipment hire. The point is to enjoy the bay safely and confidently, so let the instructor determine whether windsurfing, wing foiling or a different session suits the day.
An active day on the water
Agios Sostis beach
Agios Sostis, Greece
Agios Sostis offers a different beach mood from Mykonos's more elaborate club settings. Choose it when the attraction is the coast itself and you are happy to make your own preparations for time by the water. Bring water and sun protection, check the wind before travelling and leave the shore as you found it. It is best approached as a flexible beach outing rather than a promise of a particular level of shelter or available facilities.
A simpler beach afternoon
Mykonos Vioma vineyard
Maou, Ano Mera, Greece
Mykonos Vioma introduces the island through its vineyard and rural setting near Ano Mera. A visit provides a change of pace from Chora, with wine and local food offering a different way to understand the landscape. Choose the current tasting or farm experience that suits your interests, and book directly to confirm what is included. Arrange transport in advance and allow time to enjoy the setting rather than treating the vineyard as a quick stop between beaches.
A rural wine-and-food encounter