5 Days in Mykonos: Windmills, Beach Clubs & Delos
Whitewashed lanes tumbling toward Little Venice, a beach club day at Paradise, and a boat ride out to the sacred ruins of Delos: five days built around the Cyclades' most famous island.
Whitewashed lanes tumbling toward Little Venice, a beach club day at Paradise, and a boat ride out to the sacred ruins of Delos: five days built around the Cyclades' most famous island.
High-speed ferries from Piraeus dock right at the New Port; a short taxi or hotel shuttle covers the rest, since the port sits a couple of kilometers outside Chora.
⛴️ ~2h 30min high-speed ferry from Piraeus 💵 ~€60-90 one-way 🕐 Confirm check-in timeCube-shaped whitewashed houses, blue balconies, and bougainvillea line lanes designed centuries ago to confuse pirates, now full of jewelry shops and small galleries.
🚶 walkable old town 💵 Free to wander 🕐 Mid-afternoon, before dinner crowdsThe island's seven iconic windmills line the ridge above Little Venice, the best spot on the island to watch the sun drop straight into the Aegean.
🚶 ~10 min from Chora 💵 Free, ~€16 sunset cocktail 🕐 SunsetSmall caïque boats shuttle between the south-coast beaches all day; it's a scenic, quick alternative to the bus and the classic way locals island-hop the coast.
⛴️ ~15 min by water taxi 💵 ~€10-15 one-way 🕐 Depart mid-morningA short walk over the headland gets you to Super Paradise, the louder neighbor to Paradise Beach, with DJ sets, daybeds, and a full afternoon of Mykonos's beach scene.
🚶 ~15 min coastal path 💵 ~€70-120 sunbeds for two 🕐 Peak scene 1-5 PMBeach bars keep the music going into the evening; catch the last water taxi or a pre-booked transfer back into town for dinner.
⛴️ ~20 min water taxi back to Chora 💵 ~€16 cocktail 🕐 Golden hourExcursion boats leave the old harbor a few times a morning; sailings are limited and occasionally cancelled in strong Meltemi winds, so book the earliest slot you can.
⛴️ ~30 min boat crossing 💵 ~€25-35 round trip 🕐 Depart by 9 AMA UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the ancient world's most important sanctuaries, with the marble Lions, the Sacred Lake, and mosaic-floored merchant houses to explore. Bring water and a hat: there's almost no shade.
🚶 uneven ancient paths, wear real shoes 💵 ~€12 site entry 🕐 Midday, allow 2-3 hoursAfter a dusty afternoon among the ruins, a table right over the water in Little Venice is the easiest way to unwind, with the waves sometimes reaching the windows.
⛴️ ~30 min boat back to Chora 💵 ~€45-60 dinner for two 🕐 Reserve ahead in peak seasonBuilt up over centuries into one sculptural, sun-bleached mass, this is the most photographed church on the island, right at the edge of Little Venice.
🚶 ~5 min from Chora's center 💵 Free 🕐 Early morning, softest lightSheltered and family-friendly, Ornos trades the beach-club noise for a quiet swim, a few relaxed taverna sunbeds, and shallow water close to town.
🚌 ~10 min by local bus 💵 ~€2 bus fare 🕐 Early afternoonBalconies built directly over the water make this Mykonos's signature sunset spot; arrive early for a front-row table before the crowds gather.
🚶 walkable from Ornos with a taxi/bus back 💵 ~€50-65 dinner for two 🕐 SunsetBeach clubs open late morning, so an early swim at Super Paradise or Paradise means having the water almost to yourself before packing up.
⛴️ ~15 min water taxi 💵 Free public sand, sunbeds extra 🕐 Early morningSmall boutiques and jewelers around Matoyianni Street make for an easy last afternoon before heading to the airport or port.
🚶 pedestrian shopping lanes 💵 ~€25 lunch 🕐 Early afternoonGiven the island's well-known taxi shortage, arrange a transfer or catch the public bus well ahead of your flight rather than counting on hailing a cab.
🚌 ~20 min by bus from Chora 💵 ~€2 bus, ~€25 taxi if available 🕐 2.5 hrs before flightSame beaches and weather as peak summer, with noticeably lower hotel and beach-club prices and far fewer crowds.
Bring your own towel and skip the sunbed rental; you only pay for the section with waiter service if you want it.
With so few licensed taxis on the island, the bus network is often faster as well as far cheaper for getting to the beaches.
Undeveloped, no sunbeds, no music: a quiet alternative to the party beaches on the island's north side.
Inland and largely bypassed by tourists, with genuinely local tavernas around its shaded main square.
The famous photo spot is nearly empty at dawn, before the tour groups and cruise crowds arrive for golden hour.
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