How Many Days Do you Need in Mykonos?

Mykonos, a Greek gem in the Cyclades, is one of the most popular islands in the Aegean Sea.

In mythology, Mykonos is said to be the location of the epic battle between Zeus and the Titans. Today, Mykonos is famed for warm beaches, rambunctious nightlife, and whitewashed bungalows.

Annually, the island attracts over 2 million visitors, mostly drawn in by its luxurious resorts, historical sites, and fun party scene.

In fact, it is one of the top three most visited Greek islands by visitor numbers. Santorini likewise attracts 2 million visitors annually. Crete, the largest Greek island in size, sees over 4 million visitors annually.

Simply choosing an island or two for your Greek vacation can be challenging. While Mykonos and Santorini are perhaps two of the most well known for their beautiful towns, there are many more great, less visited islands like Paros, Milos, Syros, and Ios.

Trying to visit all the Greek islands would be practically impossible. Visiting one or two during a 1-2 week Greek holiday is much more doable. The most conventional two visited are usually Mykonos and Santorini, but the ferry routes are diversified and you can mix in just about any combination of islands depending on your preferences.

You could also consider the Ionian Sea on the other side of Greece where you can find Ithaca and Kefalonia. These islands are a bit more lush and green compared to the arid, rocky islands in the Aegean.

How many days should you spend on Mykonos?

For most travelers wondering how many nights in Mykonos, 3 to 5 days (2 to 4 nights) in Mykonos is an ideal amount of time to experience the island. This is enough time to explore Mykonos Town (Chora) and relax at beaches. This even gives you enough time to see cultural sites like Delos on a day trip by boat.

Three days allows for a good balance of sightseeing, beach time, and enjoying the nightlife (if that’s in your interest), while five days gives you more room for leisure or discovering lesser-known spots off the beaten trail.

Mykonos is a decently size island so renting a car to meander around the roads away from town would give you freedom to explore and five days is the just right amount of time to do it without the stress of feeling always on-the-go.

In late August 2024 I spent five days on Mykonos and it was my favorite part of my summer holiday. With day 1 and day 5 as travel days, this gave me three full days of relaxing and unplugging without worry of packing, checking in for flights, catching the next ferry, and all the other things that go into travel days. I originally had planned for four days, but was SO glad I opted for five days. Especially because I was terribly sick with food poisoning for one day… but that’s a different story.

All in all, if you are wondering how many days you need in Mykonos, I’d say at least four to be able to relax.

How to get to Mykonos

I’ll get right to the point. There are two main ways to get to Mykonos from Athens: plane and ferry.

Visiting Mykonos by Plane

The fastest option is flying from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Mykonos Airport (JMK). Flights take about 35 to 45 minutes, with multiple daily connections from airlines like Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, and Sky Express.

I used the air option on my way out of Mykonos. The airport is recently renovated and somewhat small. During peak season it is quite crowded. I had a bit of a messy experience with delays and gate changes.

Visiting Mykonos by Ferry

Although I don’t have the numbers on this, I have the impression that getting to Mykonos by ferry is the more common and conventional method (especially for American travelers who have already flown all the way to Greece from North America). After such a long journey, a boat ride sounds a lot more laid back than going through the airport again.

You can also take a ferry from Piraeus or Rafina ports in Athens. Ferries take between 2.5 to 5 hours, depending on the type (high-speed or regular). High-speed ferries are faster but more expensive, while regular ferries are cheaper but slower. Ferries can be booked online or at the port. The faster ferries are susceptible to rougher waves as they hit them faster. If you get seasick easily, you may prefer the slower, gentle ferries.

I took one of the slow ferries (Blue Star) from the Piraeus port bright and early one morning. It’s pretty straight forward and much less fuss than air travel. You can board when you arrive if the boat is already there. Know your boat/terminal in advance as indicated on the ticket so your taxi driver can drop you off a short walk’s distance to the boat.

What to Do in Mykonos

There are four main things do do in Mykonos: explore Chora, relax on a beach, take a day trip to Delos, and party the night away.

The can’t-miss thing to do in Mykonos in my opinion is wander around Chora (the main town). It has narrow, stone streets lined with whitewashed buildings, boutique shops, souvenir stands, and cute restaurants. You can take a walking tour in Chora, a unique car free area of town to learn more about Mykonos.

A Mykonos, Greece itinerary is incomplete without the windmills. Don’t miss Little Venice either, a lively area for dinner and nightlife. You can also see a great view of the windmills down the alleys of Little Venice. Head to Kastro’s Restaurant for the best view. You don’t need to eat there, although I hear it’s pretty good. The best view (and that famous Mykonos dinner table with the ocean view that pops up on Instagram all the time) is at Kastro’s.

Mykonos is famous for its beaches. I worried they might be a bit over-hyped, but no – they exceeded expectations. Popular ones include Paradise Beach and Super Paradise Beach. Here you can find lively beach clubs, while Elia Beach (a nudist beach) and Agios Sostis offer a more laid-back experience with crystal-clear waters.

A little further off the beaten trail, Agia Anna Beach has a good beach club in a nice protected little bay. Kalafati Beach at the end of a dead-end road is also a favorite.

Another popular thing to do is to take a day trip to the island of Delos. Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. Here you can see ancient ruins, temples, and mosaics.

Finally, many people visit Mykonos for its nightlife. Head to Scorpios, Nammos, or Cavo Paradiso for beach clubs that transform into buzzing party spots in the evenings with live music and cool DJs.

Where to Stay in Mykonos

Luxury: The Wild Hotel by Intyrni

If you are looking for ultimate relaxation and a bit of a wellness retreat, The Wild is your perfect bohemian resort. They have a long infinity pool over the Aegean and their own private cove (pictured above) for swimming and lounging. The rooms are impeccable with private balconies and some with their own pools. The attention to detail is impressive. From the eucalyptus in the showers to the mojito welcome drink to the incredible included daily breakfast, this is the best place to unwind.

I stayed at The Wild in 2024 and it’s worth every penny.

Mid-Range: Vencia Boutique Hotel

Vencia is a stylish 4-star option with modern amenities, located near Mykonos Town. It offers decently sized rooms, a pool with sea views, and easy access to popular spots while maintaining a tranquil vibe. It has nearly perfect reviews online.

Budget: Matogianni Hotel

This is a cozy, family-run hotel located in the heart of Mykonos Town. It offers clean, comfortable rooms and good access to restaurants, shops, and the nightlife without the high price tag (a rare thing in Mykonos). Some of the rooms (which are clearly indicated in the booking) are down in a basement, which is how the price is kept low. While that may not sound appealing, if you’re in Mykonos you’ll probably be out at the beach most of the time anyway, no?

Facts About Mykonos and Greece

1. Mykonos is nicknamed “The Island of the Winds” due to its frequent and strong winds, particularly during summer. Wind sports are quite popular.
2. The windmills of Mykonos, especially the ones in Chora (the main town), are important landmarks and were historically used to grind grain. They were recently restored.
3. According to Greek mythology, Mykonos was named after Mykons, the grandson of Apollo. The island was also said to be the battleground between Zeus and the Titans.
4. A pelican named Petros became the official mascot of Mykonos after he was found injured by a fisherman and nursed back to health in the late 1950s. He was a town staple until he was hit by a car and died.
5. Ancient Greece is considered by many as the birthplace of democracy, with the city-state of Athens pioneering the concept around the 5th century BCE.
6. The first-ever Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece, in 776 BCE. They were dedicated to the god Zeus.
7. Greece has around 6,000 islands and islets, but only about 200 are inhabited.
8. Greek is one of the oldest written languages still in use today, with over 3,000 years of history.
9. Greece has been cultivating olive trees for over 3,000 years. It’s one of the largest producers of olives and olive oil in the world, with the Kalamata olive being especially famous.
10. Between 2015 and 2023, Greece has received approximately 1.2 million refugees and migrants. As of 2023, there are an estimated 120,000 refugees and asylum seekers residing in Greece, either in camps or urban areas.
11. The Greek Debt Crisis began in 2009 and lasted for about a decade, severely affecting Greece’s economy and leading to significant political and social upheaval. Greece officially exited its bailout programs in 2018, after nearly a decade of crisis. However, the economy has contracted and unemployment remained high.
12. Greece joined the European Union (EU) on January 1, 1981. It became the 10th member of the EU, which was then known as the European Economic Community (EEC).
13. In 2001, Greece adopted the euro as its official currency, joining the Eurozone. The currency before was the Drachma.
14. The Schengen Agreement was originally signed in 1985 by five European countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Greece joined the Schengen Area later, on January 1, 2000.

Getting Around in Mykonos

Mykonos is pretty car dependent and roads are narrow. There is however a public bus network.

You can also rent a car on the island, although parking around town will be a pain as there are not many large lots nor good shoulders to pull off on.

I used taxis to get around in Mykonos. You can use the Uber app however there is a bit of unique arrangement with Uber and taxi services in Mykonos. As of 2024, I had to fill out some brief paperwork every time I got in a cab hailed through the Uber app.

I also found hailing a cab through the Uber app to not be totally reliable. Drivers sometimes would not be connected even after long waits (15-20 minutes of just searching for a driver). I had to use a formal taxi to take me to the airport at the last minute, arranged through the hotel (more expensive option) because Uber was not working. Taxis and Ubers are fairly expensive. A 15-20 minute drive was usually about 35-40 euros. Of course, fares fluctuate though with the season and time of day.

Best Time to Go to Mykonos

The best time to go to Mykonos is during shoulder season. The low season in Mykonos typically falls between late October and early April. Prices are also lower, but the weather is cooler and there may be fewer sunny days.

The high season spans from June to early September, with July and August being the peak. If you’re interested in avoiding crowds but still want pleasant weather, May and early October are ideal shoulder season months if you can swing it.

Is Mykonos worth visiting?

For most people probably browsing this page, this answer is yes. If you are a tight budget traveler, I would reconsider and visit a different island in all honesty.

Mykonos is a bucket list destination for good reason, but it comes at a high price usually. There are more budget friendly places around the Mediterranean that you could go for relaxation and beaches (Kotor, Montenegro comes to mind). However, there is really no other place quite like Mykonos. Sure, you could go to a different Greek island, but like Santorini I think Mykonos is worth visiting at least once in your life if you can budget for it.

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