A complete guide on what to do in Mykonos in one day
During our stay on the Greek island of Syros, we decided to spend a day in Mykonos. It is one of the most famous islands in the Cyclades, known for its whitewashed buildings, windmills, charming alleyways, and vibrant (party) atmosphere.
Although we think Mykonos is absolutely worth staying longer, as there is so much more to do around the island than the old town and the party beaches, there are many reasons why you might only have one day.
Maybe your cruise only stays in Mykonos for one day, maybe you are island hopping around the Cyclades on a tight itinerary, or maybe you want to save money on accommodation and visit on a day trip from one of the neighboring (and more affordable) Cycladic islands such as Syros, Tinos, etc.
If this is you, our guide with the perfect Mykonos itinerary for one day will help you to make the most of your time on this beautiful island.
Morning: Explore Mykonos Town
Depending on how you get to Mykonos, whether it’s by cruise, by ferry from one of the neighboring islands (we took the Syros to Mykonos ferry), or even by plane, try to get to the island as early as possible if you only have one day.
From the new ferry port or the airport, take a taxi, bus, or sea bus water taxi to Mykonos Old Town, called Chora in Greek, where you want to spend all morning exploring.
Breakfast time
If you haven’t had breakfast yet on your cruise ship or ferry, start by going to one of Mykonos’ famous bakeries, such as Il Forno di Gerasimo, to grab a local delicacy such as a ‘Spanakopita’ (Greek spinach pie), ‘Kuluri’ (round-shaped bread), or Bougatsa (savory or sweet pie). You have to try the sweet Bougatsa with creamy custard, our absolute favorite!
Mykonos Windmills
After your breakfast, go as quickly as possible to the famous Mykonos windmills! Even though they are no longer operational, they have become one of the most recognizable landmarks of Mykonos and even Greece.
It can get very crowded here during the day, so we made sure that we were here very early. The earlier you get there, the more chance you have to actually enjoy them in a very peaceful way.
And if you love photography like I do, there will be way fewer tourists photobombing your perfect picture!
Wander around Mykonos Town
Go for a leisurely walk through the maze-like streets of Mykonos Town. It’s easy to get lost but trust me, that’s part of the fun! It was even the intention of the people who built the old town, so pirates would get lost trying to chase the local people.
This part of our Mykonos itinerary for one day was actually one of our favorite things to do in Mykonos. We loved the narrow alleyways, lined with quaint boutiques, stylish cafés, and beautiful blue-and-white houses draped in bougainvillea. This is what you imagine the Cyclades to look like!
Here are a few things you can’t miss:
- Matogianni Street: If you love shopping, be prepared! Not only because they have a lot of cute shops on this street, but also because prices can be rather high. But even just walking around the main shopping street, browsing the local shops, and admiring the unique Cycladic architecture is a treat. One of our favorite shops was Anapolo.
- Paraportiani Church: This unique church is another iconic spot in Mykonos. It actually consists of 5 different churches, all built upon each other over different centuries, creating the most picturesque structure. If you love photography, also try to come back around sunset. We were able to capture some fantastic shots!
- Little Venice (or Alefkandra, as the locals call it): Just a short walk from the windmills is Little Venice, a picturesque waterfront area with colorful buildings that seem to rise straight from the sea. They were built by rich Venetian merchants (hence the name) with wooden balconies hanging over the water. Now they house restaurants, bars, and clubs, making it one of the most popular areas in Mykonos.
- Mykonos Old Harbor: Right in the middle of town, you can find the old harbor, where there are some nice places to eat (especially in the evening), a cute beach, and a lovely church with the typical Cycladic blue dome.
TIP: Mykonos can get very windy, especially during the month of August due to the Meltemi winds. If you stay in the labyrinth of small streets, you’ll be fine. But once you hit the waterfront, you better don’t wear a loose hat or flowly dress (it’s not like we haven’t warned you :-)). Read more about what to pack for Mykonos and the Greek islands.
Midday: Lunch in town or at the beach
By midday, you can choose to have lunch either in the old town, for example around the old harbor, or in Little Venice. Here are a few options that are great for lunch:
- Local street vendors: If you want to go for a quick and affordable bite, just like we did, you can buy a souvlaki or gyros from one of the local street vendors or small restaurants.
- Kastro’s: This traditional Greek taverna in Little Venice is a great choice for fresh seafood with an amazing view.
- Pepper Souvlaki: One of our favorite souvlaki places was this one (and we’ve tried many over the years :-)). If you are in for another meal, they also offer other dishes.
- Captain’s: great place to taste the local cuisine and share different meze plates.
If you want to escape the bustling town and enjoy Mykonos’ famous beaches in the afternoon, you can also have lunch there in one of the many beach clubs or restaurants by the water.
Afternoon: Beach club or exploring Delos
Depending on what your travel style is, you can choose to either spend the afternoon on one of Mykonos’ famous beaches or take a boat trip to the archaeological site of Delos Island.
Relax on Mykonos’ beaches
Since you only have a day, we advise you to go to one of the beaches that are closer to Mykonos old town (within a 15-30 minute ride).
TIP: If you want to go to a beach club and save a bit of money getting there, this tip is for you! From Mykonos town, there leave public busses to most of the famous beach clubs. They are considerably more affordable than what the taxi ride would be.
Mykonos is famous for its beaches and even more so for the parties in the beach clubs. However, even if you are not looking for a party vibe, spending some time relaxing in one of the sunbeds of a beach club will be fun. Here are some of the beach beaches close to Mykonos Old Town:
- Paradise Beach: This is probably the most known (and therefore also crowded beach) in Mykonos. Still worth the visit though if you ask us. Go to Tropicana Beach Club for the real Mykonos experience. It is also one of the more affordable ones.
- Ornos Beach: Easy to reach by bus or water taxi from Mykonos old town, this beach has crystal-clear waters, soft sand, and plenty of sunbeds if you want to relax. It is sheltered from the wind so great for families.
- Psarou Beach: Another one of our favorite beaches, as it is usually a bit less packed, even in high season. It also has a free section, where you can just put your towel in the sand without having to pay for a sunbed.
TIP: Take a boat taxi between the different beaches if lying on the beach is nothing for you and you want to explore more beaches during your afternoon.
Discover Delos Island
If beaches are nothing for you and you love history, you can also consider visiting Delos Island, only a short boat trip from Mykonos. You can either arrange it yourself by going on the ferry, or you can book an organized tour. If you want to book a tour, check the time when it leaves, as a lot of them leave in the morning.
Delos is a UNESCO-listed archaeological site and is considered one of the most important historical sites in Greece. It is the mythical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. You can explore ancient ruins, temples, and mosaics while taking in the island’s serene atmosphere.
We felt like you could feel the importance of the place for the ancient Greeks while walking around there. It has something special that is hard to explain.
Evening: Sunset dinner (and party)
Depending on when you have to be back on your cruise ship or take the ferry back to one of the neighboring islands, you’ll be able to enjoy some of the magic that comes over Mykonos in the evening. Maybe you even stay for the night and can truly experience Mykonos evening vibe.
Unless you want to party late in one of the beach clubs, such as Pasaji Beach Bar on Orneos Beach, we advise you to head back to town. We made sure to catch the sunset and it was absolutely incredible (one of our favorite ones we have ever seen). We went to the Paraportiani Church and were able to capture this beauty.
The best sunset spots in Mykonos are the windmills, Little Venice (for example at Rhapsody or Bao bar), or one of the rooftop bars in town. But for the ultimate view, go to 180° Sunset Bar (the name doesn’t lie :-)).
For dinner, you can also go to one of the restaurants in Little Venice (Kastro, Nice ‘n Easy, or Semili), to the ones by the old harbor (Captain’s or Remezzo), or even to a restaurant (Compass or Zuma) on your way back to the New Port where the ferries and cruises leave. Be aware that dinner in these places can be rather pricy, so if you want a more affordable meal, you might want to stay away from these hotspots.
In Mykonos, it doesn’t stop after dinner and the party continues deep into the night. If you have time, have a drink at one of the many cocktail bars to experience Mykonos’ nightlife.
How to get to Mykonos for one day?
A lot of people arrive on Mykonos with a cruise ship, as part of a Mediterranean or Greek Island cruise itinerary. Often these cruise ships only stay for one day before they head over to their next destination.
Mykonos also has an international airport, so you can fly into Mykonos, and leave the next day again to your next destination or take a ferry to one of the other Cycladic islands.
We arrived on Mykonos taking the ferry from Syros. During high season, there are multiple ferries a day between all the neighboring islands, making it very easy to visit Mykonos for one day!
Read more: Taking the ferry from Mykonos to Syros (or the other way around)
What is the best time to visit Mykonos?
During summer (July and August), the island is packed with tourists and everything you do will be very crowded and expensive. If you love summer weather, nightclubs, and parties, Mykonos in summer will be your thing.
During the shoulder season (May-June and September-Oktober), the weather will still be great, the party people have left and you can enjoy the island in a different way. Furthermore, everything will be way more affordable, with prices often being half of what they are in high season.
During winter, you can also visit Mykonos, but be prepared for it to be deserted, especially in the old town. Only a few restaurants are open around the old harbor, but no shops or other places to eat or drink something.
Is one day in Mykonos enough?
Mykonos is not a big island, but you could easily spend a few days to a week here to explore not only the highlights of Mykonos but also the hidden gems and the more authentic local experiences.
However, that being said, the most famous things to see in Mykonos or mainly in the old town, within walking distance from each other, and on the beaches close to the old town. So, even if you only have one day in Mykonos, you’ll already get a good taste of what the island looks like.
Spending one night in Mykonos?
If possible, we would advise you to stay for one night in Mykonos, even though it’s probably more expensive than staying on one of the neighboring islands. By staying for a night, you get to enjoy the sunset, a nice dinner, and even a bit of the nightlife of Mykonos.
There are many great places to stay in Mykonos, depending on your budget and with how many people you are traveling. To get the best price, book early or try to come outside of the summer months.
Our final thoughts on spending one day in Mykonos
Mykonos may be known for its nightlife, but even in just one day, there’s so much to experience beyond the party scene. Whether you’re strolling through the charming streets of Chora, relax on the beach, or taking in a breathtaking sunset, Mykonos offers the perfect mix of beauty, history, food, and culture.
We very much enjoyed our day in Mykonos, which definitely inspired us to come back and explore more of the island.
Have you visited Mykonos for a day? Let me know in the comments what your favorite spots were!