Spending 3 days in Mykonos is like stepping into an enchanted land. This Greek island has several hats: the romantic one with its luxurious resorts, the party one for its vibrant nightlife and the sunny one with its white sand beaches and mild sun all year round.
If you’re spending 5 days in Greece or more, Mykonos has to be on the list. Want to paraglide over palm trees at sunset or explore a wonderful labyrinth of typical little alleys? Party until the morning and eat tasty local food?
To define Mykonos, we would say that this island has it all.
Mykonos island is also known for being romantic among other things – especially its resorts which offer privacy galore!
It looks like Mykonos’ tourism infrastructure was built for tourists to have an enchanting getaway with their significant other under the Aegean sun.
If you’re into photography, you must have seen Mykonos instagram spots everywhere. This island is very photogenic! Here is a complete 3 day Mykonos itinerary for first-timers.
Mykonos 3 day itinerary : What to do in Mykonos?
This 3 days in Mykonos itinerary includes it all: the famous landmarks, the small villages not yet discovered by mass tourism, the historic ruins…. Not forgetting, of course, the best beaches and clubs on Mykonos.
Day 1 : Explore Chora, the old town of Mykonos
In order to discover the charm of Mykonos right away, this first day is all about iconic landmarks and mesmerizing paved alleys. Mykonos is known for being one of the most photogenic islands on earth.
Today, we bring you to those spots you’ve been dreaming of.
Wander in the hundreds of alleys
Once you’ve settled into your accommodation, we highly recommend walking into Mykonos town. You’ll know immediately when you arrive in the old town.
As you stroll through the town, you’ll discover a labyrinth of alleyways with pretty houses and typical churches.
There’s no better way to explore the area than on foot, with many cafés, local restaurants and upscale stores within easy reach!
Cycladic architecture stands out because the white washed cubic houses are so unique and dazzlingly charming.
The white walls reflect the sun and contrast with the red, blue or pink painted wooden doors and balconies. This site is also called Chora, which simply means town.
When getting lost in the different alleys, you will certainly come across many cats, but also pelicans… Keep reading to find out why.
Admire Little Venice
Little Venice is the most romantic and emblematic part of Mykonos. It’s a collection of typical houses supported solely by pillars built into the sea. Visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view of the sea and the windmill hill.
Little Venice’s houses stand apart with balconies overlooking the water. It’s a great place for anyone looking to enjoy greek food and cocktails by day or watch once-in-a-lifetime sunsets by night.
It’s certainly the most picturesque spot of this Mykonos itinerary. Or maybe the next spot is.
Mykonos Windmills
As Mykonos is known as the island of winds, it’s no wonder there are 16 windmills on the island. Most of them are ideally located as they stand on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean sea.
Over the centuries, these windmills have been a great part of Mykonos’ economic engine. They were first built by Venetians in the 16th century to grind wheat and provide income for locals.
Today, they are the signature of the island and have played a major role in the development of tourism. This emblematic site is a must-see when visiting Mykonos in 3 days.
Paraportiani church
Not over this unique town yet? You’ll need to wander a little more to see the famous Paraportiani church. It’s located in a neighborhood of Chora, called Kastro, which means “Our Lady of the Side Gate” in greek.
Locals called it that way because it was a side gate to enter the neighborhood.
The architecture of the Paraportiani Orthodox Church is quite unique. Its shape and fully white washed walls are like nowhere else in the world. As it’s a sacred place, you shouldn’t take pictures inside of it.
🌺 Pro tip: after visiting it, do not leave the area, keep walking in the streets under the pink bougainvilleas.
Day 2 : explore the symbols of Mykonos
Mykonos is much more than just a sunny Greek island. It has a unique culture, incredible ruins and stories, yummy food and a cool party culture. Here are the best things to do on your second day in Mykonos.
Petros the Pelican
After a filling breakfast at your hotel or at a waterfront restaurant, or at some point during your trip, there’s a huge chance you’ll run into Petros the Pelican.
You might be thinking, what are they talking about? Well, Mykonos has a very atypical love story with a bird – or several birds now.
Let us explain. Back in the late 50s’, a fisherman found a wounded pelican and brought him home in Mykonos to heal him. When the bird was back on his feet again, he chose not to leave the island.
Mykonos is not a natural habitat for pelicans. However, Petros had such a special bond with the fisherman and the Mykonians that he quickly became their mascot.
Nowadays, the original pelican is dead but some others were gifted to the island. They all like to pose for pictures and put on a show for tourists.
👉 Read the full story of Petros the Pelican here!
Matoyianni Street
Matoyianni Street is the place to be for all your entertainment and shopping needs. It crosses the whole center of Chora and most shops are open until midnight during the summer months.
This vibrant street has everything from designer clothing stores with cutting edge fashion trends to souvenir shops overflowing with unique local crafts such as handcrafted jewelry.
With so many great restaurants and bars, you’ll never run out of things to do while on Matoyianni Street. It is one of the best places in Mykonos for hanging out and souvenir shopping.
Visit the ruins of Delos Island, Mykonos
The small island of Delos, a few miles off the west coast of Mykonos, is one of the most important archaeological sites of Greece.
It’s a small island but the legend says it’s where the gods Apollo and Artemis were born. The well-preserved ruins of the ancient citadel of Delos bear witness to the island’s former activity, now completely uninhabited.
Around 4000 years ago, around 25,000 people lived there, in a luxury quite unprecedented for the time. They had luxurious mansions with running water, indoor bathrooms and lots of artistic creations.
The best way to visit Delos and to learn more about the history of this island and its ancient civilization is to do it through a tour.
Delos and Mykonos are only a few miles away ; you can see this small island from the west coast of Mykonos. If you book a tour, you won’t need to pay for the ferry to Delos from Mykonos as it’s included in the price.
✔️ Book your Half-day Delos tour from Mykonos now!
🕺 Party in Mykonos 💃
Mykonos is a very popular destination for parties and you need to party at least once to have the full Mykonos experience. This cosmopolitan island has lots of outdoor parties, bars and nightclubs. All of them are very LGBTQ+ friendly. So, what are the best party places in Mykonos?
Beach bars in Mykonos
One thing you need to know about the party scene in Mykonos, is that the nights are longer but the days too. Some of the best parties in Mykonos don’t stop in the morning!
One of the best places to get a little taste of what it’s like to party in Mykonos is to go to Super Paradise in the afternoon. Super Paradise Beach is the place to be if you want non-stop parties and beautiful scenery.
Paradise Beach also offers great parties and is perfect to get started. Both the beaches have regular buses to reach other party venues.
Best bars in Mykonos
For a drink with a view in Little Venice, try out the cocktails of Galleraki. If you’re looking for sunset bars in Mykonos town, the 180° Sunset Bar is very cool. However, it is only open in spring and summer. You might need a reservation to make sure you get one of the best views in Mykonos.
Skandinavian Bar & Club is a very popular place where young crowds gather to party and try some cocktails with weird names.
💡 If you’re looking for the best gay bars in Mykonos, head to the Kastro neighborhood. Many bars there have fabulous parties, music events and drag queens shows. One of them would be Jackie O’ Town Bar.
Best nightclubs in Mykonos
Last but not least, you should try the nightclubs of Mykonos! If you don’t want to go to one of the beach parties in Mykonos, there are some good options in the town as well. One of them is Scarpa.
This spot has two faces: one by day and another by night. Sunset lovers leave the fabulous terrace to revelers at around 11 PM. Then, the house and rock beats kick in and the party is in full swing until 5:30 AM.
Day 3 : tour the island and soak up the sun
To round off these 3 perfect days in Mykonos, we kept some of the most wonderful under-the-radar spots. The island is home to the traditional village of Ano Mera, the Armenistis Lighthouse or some wonderful beaches.
Ano Mera : visit a traditional village
Ano Mera is the second largest town on this island after Mykonos Town. However, it really has a lovely village vibe which is welcome after the crowds of Chora.
It’s a 30-minute drive from Mykonos town. You can head there after a nice breakfast and discover the village all the morning.
Once your wanderer heart is filled, it’s time to fill your stomach as well at one of the many cute restaurants. The local Greek food there is exquisite!
Armenistis Lighthouse
After a great typical lunch, head to one last iconic spot on Mykonos : the Armenistis Lighthouse. This 19-meter tall lighthouse is quite legendary on the island. Built in 1891 to guide sailors, this lighthouse is still operating today.
Best Beaches in Mykonos
There are all kinds of beaches in Mykonos. It’s a paradise island for those wanting to sunbathe, party, swim, do water activities… To finish off your trip on a sunny note, you can spend the afternoon chilling at one of them. So, which one will be your favourite?
Party beaches Mykonos
The best beaches to party on the island are Paradise, Super Paradise and Paraga Beach. They all have an amazing party scene with live DJ sets, great cocktails and food. You can dance barefoot in the white sand, by day or night.
Family beaches Mykonos
When visiting Mykonos with kids, there is a high chance that you will be spending time at the beach. And don’t worry, there are not just party beaches! Some are 100% family friendly.
Ornos Beach is located 3 kilometers south of Mykonos town. The calm waters, soft sand and breathtaking views make it one of the best family-friendly beaches on Mykonos.
Platis Gialos is also a great spot for families. The surroundings offer great restaurant and shopping options. This way, you can stay there for a long time without getting bored or hungry.
Secret beaches Mykonos
The best beach in Mykonos to get away from the crowds and parties would be Fokos Beach. It offers stunning views over crystal-clear blue water. It’s perfect for snorkeling lovers who want an adventure under sea level!
Mykonos Travel Tips: FAQ
Where to stay in Mykonos?
The island is packed with gorgeous beaches and crystal clear water, so you’ll have no trouble finding your perfect beachfront hotel or apartment for vacationing! Out of all hotels in Mykonos, here are the 3 best ones depending on your budget and travel style.
Cavo Tagoo Hotel – this first-class hotel won several awards for excellence. Its infinite pool, aquarium bar, best spa in Mykonos and fine-dining onsite restaurant certainly has something to do with it… Some suites even have private swimming pools carved into the white rock, with a sea view.
➡️ Check availability and prices here
✔️ 8,8/10 based on these reviews
Chill Out Studio provides stunning sea views and sits 400 meters away from Mykonos windmills. Its terrace has a swimming pool and bar. Plus, for Mykonos standards, you can’t beat the price.
➡️ Check availability and prices here
💙 9,4/10 based on these reviews
Looking for a cheap stay in Mykonos? My Cocoon Hostel was designed with the ultimate traveler in mind. It offers both private and communal rooms, always in the futuristic style. It’s located in the heart of Mykonos town and is only 300 meters away from the old port.
➡️ Check availability and prices here
✔️ 7,2/10 based on these reviews
How many days in Mykonos?
This question is a bit tricky because it all depends on the kind of traveler you are.
If your goal is to visit one Greek island and relax there for a few days, the island’s sluggish pace of life will fit your plans well. In that case, you could easily spend up to one week on Mykonos.
If you wish to visit other parts of Greece, we recommend spending 2 to 3 days in Mykonos Greece. This way, you might be able to explore Athens in 2 days and Santorini in 4 days for instance. Santorini’s dramatic cliffs and endless line of beautiful white villages was so worth exploring too.
How to get to Mykonos?
How to get to Mykonos from Athens?
You can get from Athens to Mykonos by plane or ferry. A flight lasts 45 minutes (plus security check and queue time) while the ferry takes 2 hours and a half to 4 hours.
🌱 Both end up taking approximately the same amount of time but the ferry is more environmentally friendly.
Piraeus and Rafina are the two biggest ports of Athens. Piraeus is the largest and is more used by people staying in the city center of Athens. Rafina is ideally located for passengers wanting to board a ferry straight away from Athens airport.
The ferry from Athens arrives at the new port of Mykonos, which is located in Tourlos. It’s only 1 mile (2 kilometers) away from the best area in Mykonos: Chora, the old town. From there, you can either take a taxi, public bus or walk to your accommodation.
How to get to Mykonos from Santorini?
It is easy and quick to travel from one Greek island to another without having the hassle of long boat rides. To get from Santorini to Mykonos, your best option is to take high-speed boats.
For instance, Sea Jets offer trips that last two hours, cost $80 USD (69€) per passenger and leave at 10 AM daily! You can also take a ferry in Mykonos to visit other islands, such as Milos.
How to get to Mykonos from London, NYC or the rest of the world?
To get to Mykonos from the rest of the world, you need to fly. The airport in Mykonos welcomes many international and local flights every day. If you can’t find a direct flight, take a flight to Athens and board a boat for Mykonos.
How to get around Mykonos?
The best way to get to Mykonos is either by foot or by car. If you are staying near Mykonos town (Chora) and don’t plan on visiting the rest of the island, you don’t need to rent a car.
If you want to visit the rest of the island, we highly recommend renting a car via Discover Cars. This life-changing website compares the car deals of both local and international car rental companies.
This way, you are sure to get the best car deal in Mykonos, with no hidden fees (insurance included!).
Best time to go to Mykonos
The best time to visit Mykonos is from May to October. The temperature is usually between 62°F to 86°F to (17°C to 30°C). To avoid peak summer crowds, you can visit Mykonos in May, June, September or October.
Weather in Mykonos
One thing you should know is that, even in August in Mykonos, the weather is hot but almost always windy. This is the typical characteristic of islands, and this one is very exposed to sea winds! After all, Mykonos is known as the island of winds.
But on warm days, it also feels good to have a little sea breeze. Just don’t forget to protect your skin with sun cream!
Day trips from Mykonos
If you want to get off the beaten path a bit, you should take a day trip from Mykonos. The Cycladic islands have a lot in store for you to discover and there are many great islands around Mykonos.
Once you’ve done the best activities in Mykonos, here are 4 nearby islands you can visit.
Delos
The best tours in Mykonos all include a visit to Delos island. It’s not just because of its proximity, which is very convenient when you only have 3 days in Mykonos.
The island of Delos is truly one of the most emblematic sites in all of Greece. Supposedly the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, it was once home to 25,000 people.
Rhenia Island
Rhenia Island is an uninhabited island right next to Mykonos. This deserted island is the ideal to spend a day away from the crowds and enjoy a peaceful retreat. To reach the island, you’ll need to join a boat tour or hire a yacht.
We recommend visiting it with a tour to see it from the eyes of a local. The captain of the Yacht Cruise to Rhenia and Guided Tour of Delos guides their ways around the coast of Rhenia. They stop by secluded beaches and little-known bays.
Naxos
If you are looking for an island that feels like it’s in the ancient Mykonos, then come visit Naxos. You will find some of Greece’s most beautiful villages and coastlines with little development and the charm of Greek villages. It’s a short 45-minute ferry trip from Mykonos so it’s very doable on a one day trip.
✔️ Book a cultural food tour of Naxos’ Villages, try the most delicious local specialities!
Tinos
Tinos is only a 20 minute ferry ride away from the north of Mykonos. This tiny island has a special history with Mykonos as they once disputed the custody of a famous bird : Petros the Pelican. The legend says that one day, the pelican mascot flew to Tinos and the inhabitants tried to keep him there.
When Mikonians learned about it, they were furious and took the case to court. Pretty insane, right? However, Tinos is very close to Mykonos and worth visiting. It will give you a good overview of Greek life away from the tourists.
✔️ Book a cultural day tour to Tinos from Mykonos!
Mykonos in 3 days: the Wrap Up
One thing is for sure; you’ll never run out of things to do in Mykonos Greece. It is a great island to visit for people who want some sun, sand and fun in their vacation.
Your 3 days in Mykonos will be packed with gorgeous beach views, nice narrow cobbled alleys, waterfront restaurants and shops galore.
People often wonder whether they should visit Mykonos or Santorini. In fact, it all depends on your preferred activities. Mykonos has the most beautiful cobbled streets and white sandy beaches, while Santorini offers the most beautiful panoramas and more volcanic adventures.
If you still can’t make up your mind, here is an itinerary to explore Santorini in 4 days.
