Things to do in  Mykonos

From the sea, the sun sparkles off the jumble of whitewashed houses and churches lining a maze of narrow, winding streets in Mykonos Town (Chora Mykonos). This picturesque Cycladic town, perched on a harbor in the middle of a wide bay, serves as the island’s commercial hub—its traditional buildings now occupied by shops, cafés, galleries, and Greek restaurants.

The flower-bedecked Church of Panagia Paraportiani is a highlight of your walk through Mykonos’ picture-perfect Little Venice. Built between the 14th and 17th centuries, the island’s most photographed church is comprised of five whitewashed chapels across two floors that once guarded the entrance to the town’s castle.

Situated in Chora Mykonos (aka Mykonos Town), the waterfront quarter of Little Venice is one of the island’s top sunset-viewing spots. Rows of whitewashed old fishermen’s houses—now occupied by bars, shops, and restaurants—back onto the seafront, their brightly painted red and blue balconies jutting out over the water.

With its stark white tower perched atop the Cape Armenistis cliffs and views stretching out over the sea, the Armenistis Lighthouse (Faros Armenistis) feels a world away from the lively streets of nearby Mykonos town. Though the lighthouse is no longer in use, it remains an impressive landmark and a popular spot to admire the sunset.

The whitewashed windmills lined up on a hill overlooking Mykonos Town are a signature island sight. Capped with wood and straw, the 3-story conical windmills were built in the 16th century to mill flour. Out of the 16 preserved windmills on the island, seven are found in the area of Kato Mili overlooking the Chora Mykonos harbor.

The cruise port of Mykonos offers easy access to both the town itself, called Chora, as well as the rest of the island and its sun-drenched beaches. Take time to get a little lost in the town’s maze of charming streets and traditional buildings full of shops, cafés, and restaurants before heading back to the ship or hotel.

Paradise Beach is one of Mykonos’ most well-known stretches of sand, with two main beach clubs offering umbrella and sunbed rentals. By day, this popular beach is a water sports hot spot, with swimsuit-clad revelers enjoying banana boat rides, Jet Ski jaunts, Flyboard and parasailing adventures, and scuba diving excursions. Come late afternoon, its legendary party scene gets going as fun-seekers flock to the beach bars and clubs for music, dancing, drinking, and fun.

Recognized with the prestigious Blue Flag award, sweeping, golden Kalafatis Beach (often written Kalafati Beach is Mykonos’ water sports epicenter. Choose between activities from scuba diving to windsurfing to stand-up paddleboarding and water skiing—or soak up the rays on one of Mykonos’ quieter stretches of sand.

Most visitors come to Ano Mera, in the interior of Mykonos, to see the Byzantine Panagia Tourliani Monastery, fronted by an ornate bell tower with triple bells. Its interior is perhaps even more impressive, with carved marble and wood, Byzantine frescoes, crystal chandeliers, a gilded pulpit, and a wooden altar screen with scenes from the New Testament.

Tucked away from the buzzing nightlife of Mykonos Town, Ornos Beach is draped around a sheltered bay whose calm water makes it a popular family swimming spot. A generous selection of seafront restaurants, tavernas, and resorts offer plenty of amenities for a day in the sun or a longer stay on the island’s quieter side.

Looking out over the Old Port and marking the entrance to historic Mykonos Town, Manto Mavrogenous Square (Plateia Manto Mavrogenous) is the lively epicenter of the island of Mykonos. The square boasts shops, restaurants, and cafes along its seafront promenade, while its white-painted, blue-shuttered buildings make for a pretty photo op.

The Terrace of the Lions, built around 600 BC to honor Apollo, is today the most iconic image of Delos island. Nearly a dozen of the squatting guardian cats once lined the Sacred Way, but only seven have survived. The ones you see today perched atop piles of brick and rubble are replicas; see the originals in the site’s museum.

Famed for attracting the rich and famous, Psarou Beach is one of the trendiest (and prettiest) on the island of Mykonos. Superyachts moor in the emerald waters just offshore, while luxury beach clubs line the water’s edge. Set in a deep cove, this dazzling beach is sheltered from the winds, so the sea remains calm and crystal clear even on blustery days.

Named after the whitewashed chapel perched above, Agios Ioannis Beach is considered one of the best along Mykonos' southwestern coast. With its fine sand lapped by transparent water, this stretch of coastline is ideal for swimming and sunbathing, and its relatively remote location guarantees a quieter vibe. The beach offers sunset views with the island of Delos on the horizon.

One of the most expansive sand-covered beaches on the island of Mykonos, Kalo Livadi Beach is a paradise for sun-seekers and water sports enthusiasts. The lively beach bars attract a younger crowd while families flock to this popular beach for the calm, shallow water. Rent an umbrella and beach chair, or take a spot on the public beach for hours of relaxation.