I must admit I was pleasantly surprised by Mykonos. Yes, I expected this famous Cycladic Island with its white-washed villages, bright bougainvillea planted outside blue doors, and iconic windmills to be a beauty. Yet, I was also wary of its crazy party reputation and whether that would fit in our family vacation over 2 weeks in Greece. We spent only one full day in Mykonos and my pre-conceived notion was revised. Whether you reach this island on a cruise route or otherwise, here is a perfect itinerary to spend 1 day in Mykonos.
Our trip to Greece was in mid-May and the islands were not overrun with crowds as the case may be in peak summer season. We took a ferry from Athens to Mykonos to spend 2 nights on the island. It is a touristy island for sure, but so photogenic that it takes your breath away.
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How many days to spend in Mykonos
We managed to spend a night and another full day in Mykonos before taking off to another famous island in the Cycladic group: Santorini. 2 days are enough to explore Mykonos and enjoy its beautiful beaches and picturesque villages. 3 days would be ideal if you want to add a day trip to the nearby island of Delos. We had only 1 day in Mykonos and made the most of it.
Best Time to Visit Mykonos
My opinion of Mykonos being a crazy, loud party town may be right in July and August. So if you want to experience the island in a more relaxed way, the shoulder season is the best time to go. Visit Mykonos Greece from May until mid-June or in September / October for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
Mykonos in One Day
Morning: Explore the old town
The morning of our full one day in Mykonos was devoted to see Chora, as the old town is known locally, in the daytime and enjoy its picturesque alleys, quaint shops, lovely churches, and the famous Mykonos windmills. And plenty of shops selling local products, if you are figuring what to buy in Greece.
If you visit in the morning, you will encounter fewer people at all the Instagram-worthy spots of this town. The vibrant bougainvillea in narrow pedestrian streets and the chic boutique stores makes for some amazing photos.
Chora town in Mykonos is as pretty as the iconic village of Oia in Santorini, if not more. We walked right to the end of the seashore and saw the old church there: Paraportiani Church. This church dates back to the 15th century and is a fabulous example of Cycladic architecture and design.
We crossed the charming neighbourhood of Little Venice on our way back to the famous windmills of Mykonos. And enjoyed a coffee at one of the seafront cafes here. Little Venice looked very different from the night before. There are colourful houses hanging over the sea. And one can spend an hour or two easily looking at the ocean from any seafront spot.
Afternoon: Photo stop at the Iconic Windmills of Mykonos
Lunch was at a popular local café and then we were off to visit the iconic windmills on the way back to our hotel. There are 5 windmills located at the seafront of Mykonos Town, collectively known as Kato Mili. This area has become the island’s most popular photo spot and stand as one of the most iconic landmarks of Mykonos Greece.
Dating back to the 16th century, these traditional windmills were once used to grind wheat and barley, playing a vital role in the island’s economy.
Early evening: Relaxation at Ornos Beach
Mykonos has several beautiful beaches that you can explore. On the Mykonos vs Santorini debate, Mykonos wins hands down as far as golden sandy beaches are concerned. Our hotel concierge recommended Paradise Beach, Super Paradise Beach, and Psarou Beach as the best party beaches in Mykonos. But we wanted something quieter to enjoy the evening of our Mykonos one day itinerary. The hotel recommended several beach bars and cafes at Ornos beach.
Ornos Beach features crystal clear waters and soft golden sands. There are ample beach amenities such as sunbeds and umbrellas. The day we visited was a quite cool and windy and we had the beach entirely to ourselves. We enjoyed a fresh seafood meal and cocktails at a beach cafe which was uncrowded. A couple of hours of bliss and then back to our hotel.
Night: Great vibe at Little Venice
We had visited Little Venice, a part of Mykonos Old Town, the night before when we reached the island after spending a week on Greece mainland. The Old Town was walking distance from our luxury design hotel. It turned out to be a lovely evening enjoying the waterfront area of Little Venice which boasts plenty of hi-end restaurants and bars. The night buzz instantly lifted our spirits.
Nighttime turns Mykonos old town and the Little Venice area to a happening place. It comes alive with music blasting from bars and cafes, and overly-made up wait-persons strutting around in high heels. From chic cocktail bars to lively nightclubs, there’s something for everyone.
We went back the second night for a stroll around Little Venice. A good end to a perfect one day in Mykonos.
Getting around Mykonos
If you do plan to spend 2/3 days in Mykonos, renting a car, scooter or an ATV is the best way to explore the island. Our hotel was walking distance from Mykonos old town and we didn’t feel the need to rent anything for spending one day in Mykonos. Taxis are available for short trips and late night returns.
Stay and Food recommendations
We had chosen Myconian Kyma for our stay of 2 nights in Mykonos. The property is stunning, with a good breakfast spread. Our suite had a large terrace with a private jacuzzi installed on it. Certainly one of the best hotels in the Greek islands. To be honest, we didn’t really get to enjoy the property as much as we would have liked, since we just had one full day in Mykonos.
As I mentioned earlier, Little Venice in the old town has a great choice of restaurants annd bars. We enjoyed a lovely Italian meal at Cocco, a premium restaurant here on our first night in Mykonos. It offers both indoor as well as outdoor seating. Lunch was at Pepper, the souvlakis were great at this Greek place. Cocktails and dinner on the second night was at Pasaji Beach Bar. We ordered the catch of the day here.
If You have more than 1 day in Mykonos
If you spend more than a day in Mykonos, make sure to add a day trip to Delos to your Mykonos itinerary. The island of Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is only a 30-minute boat ride from Mykonos. It is recognised as one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. Delos is regarded as the birthplace of Apollo.
To wrap up your second day in Mykonos, you can chill at your hotel or take a sunset cruise or enjoy one of the trendy beach bars.
Planning a trip to Greece? Check out –
Itinerary Suggestions: Greece 2 week Itinerary, Greece mainland itinerary, Greece with kids: A 10-day Itinerary
Greece mainland places: 3 days in Athens, Athens 1 Day Itinerary, Athens Day Trips, Complete Guide to Meteora
Greek islands: Crete Greece Itinerary, 3 days in Santorini, Beautiful Greek islands for a family holiday, Santorini vs Crete, Mykonos vs Santorini, Best Hotels on Greek Islands
Finally, Famous Greek Landmarks and Greece Packing List
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Mykonos is high on my list, though I think I would want to avoid the crowds in the summer.
Spring and autumn are good time to visit.
Thanks for all of the great info. Mykonos is on my bucket list. Pinned for reference. izzy