10+1 Things to see in Mykonos, Greece

Chances are if you booked a trip to Mykonos you want to experience sun, fun and other stuff we won’t get into here. Well, lucky for you, you don’t have to discover that all by yourself! AtoB is here once more to provide you with a comprehensive – although brief – guide on the top 10+1 things you simply must include on your travel bucket list. We have included a little of everything, from beaches, nightlife, watersports, and even a monastery for good luck! So, get your bags packed and let’s have a look at the amazing island of Mykonos in Greece!

Mykonos is one of the Cyclades islands, lying close to Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos. The island has been nicknamed the ‘island of the winds’, so keep that in mind if you don’t want your hat to blow away! With a history spanning back to the time of Herodotus, Mykonos wasn’t always the party island it is today, but as we believe you likely want to visit due to that, we shall discuss its party history. It began as a jetset location in the 1960s, followed by an increase in American tourists in the 1970s and then became a gay tourist location in the 1980s. Since then it has flourished; becoming one of Greece’s most expensive islands. The island has a hot, semi-arid climate with scorching summers and relatively dry winters. Tourist season is usually during the months of May to October, although it does still function in the winter months, just a lot more quietly.

So, now that you have had a quick crash course in Mykonos, let’s start talking about what to do there!

1. Little Venice: There are a ton of places claiming to be the “little” Venice, and to be frank, this one is pretty close. If you want to make the most of it, visit during sunset, as this will ensure the view will take your breath away. There are countless small bars and restaurants jutting out across the sea. If you have seen photos of Mykonos, this is likely one of the pictures you saw. The only downside is: a lot of other tourists want to do exactly the same as you, so, prepare yourself for it to be incredibly busy.

2. Paradise and Super Paradise Beaches: The two are relatively close to each other; within 1 kilometre, which is perfect for a walk. These are two of the most famous beaches on the small Greek isle, both boasting stunning beach bars and comfortable loungers. You can also opt to take a boat ride between the two. Make sure to pack your sunscreen, it gets hot during the summer!

3. Nightlife: Now, we could easily take up an entire article devoted purely to this topic. Alas, we shall try to be as brief as possible and stick with the town centre of Mykonos. Here, you can find modern cocktail bars, clubs which host some of the most famous DJs around, and restaurants – there’s even one by that Turkish dude who sprinkles salt on everything! Nightlife starts early and goes on all night, so make sure you are well rested and in the mood to par-tay!

4. Boat Trips: During the day, you may get a little tired of lounging by the seaside or pool and want a little adventure. Fortunately, there are countless boat trips available for you; from a booze cruise to a gentle afternoon yacht ride, you will definitely find what you want here. Head to the main port in Mykonos to find the best offer for you!

5. Windmill tour: Windmills are a big deal in Mykonos. You will see them everywhere when cruising around the island. If, during your trip, you get interested in the history and current usage of these large structures, then you can even go as far as booking a tour of the most monumental windmills in Mykonos.

6. Armenistis Lighthouse: It’s difficult to claim which site in Mykonos is the most amazing, but this lighthouse definitely comes close. Perched on top of a cliff, with the mountains of the neighbouring island of Tinos visible, this is definitely a site you shouldn’t miss. It is a short drive from the town centre of Mykonos, but worth every kilometre.

7. Monastery of Panagia Tourliani: We couldn’t write an article about Greece and not include at least one monastery, church, or other religious monument. In Mykonos, this whitewashed church and monastery dates back to the 16th century. It is located towards the centre of the island itself, and can be accessed by a quick car ride. You can even do a little praying whilst there, if you feel like it!

8. Vioma Winery: Wherever there is a Mediterranean climate, you are bound to find vineyards – even more so when you take into consideration the amount of wine enthusiasts who visit the island yearly. This organic farm is located towards the eastern coast of the island and offers a range of tours as well as wine tasting (let’s face it – that’s why you would want to go!). If you feel up for it, they also offer guided bicycle tours through the fields – although that doesn’t sound very safe after a few glasses of chardonnay!

9. Water Sports: There are a total of 23 beaches on the island of Mykonos, and the majority of them also offer the opportunity to engage in some water sports! If you feel like you could use a quick adrenaline rush, why not mount one of their floating banana boats and get tugged at high speeds through the water? No? Maybe just opt for one of their peddle boats, which is perfect for the whole family.

10. Scuba Diving: There are quite a few dive sites off the coast of Mykonos. To keep this quick, we’ll just give you a few – we’re pretty sure any diving school will talk your ear off about the rest! First up is the Anna II shipwreck; this one awaits you at a depth of 25 metres and is surrounded by colonies of sea sponges and other anemones. Second, we recommend Prasonisi; accessible by boat, there are a ton of underwater ancient treasures to be seen. Last, but not least, is Tragonisi, sometimes also called Dragonisi; head here to experience one of the most popular dive sites, although it is stressed that it is for advanced divers only.

11. Extra: Helicopter rides to Santorini: I know – awesome, right? You can book a 40 minute helicopter ride across the Aegean sea to visit another of Greece’s famous islands, Santorini! There are a number of providers of private helicopter transfers in Mykonos, who offer the service at varying prices. There are a number of timeslots available daily, at 2 hour intervals! Aside from booking one of our airport transfers, this may be the next best thing – was worth a try, right?

Mykonos-Manto Mavrogenous Airport

Fot. dronepicr / CC BY 2.0

Fot. dronepicr / CC BY 2.0

We hope that this quick article has helped you better plan your vacation. The only thing left now is to book your transfers from the airport to your accommodation. Head over to our booking page to get a customisable airport transfer experience which is truly worthy of the glitz and glam of Mykonos.

We also offer transportation solutions in a number of other destinations in Greece, so if you feel in the mood for a little more reading, head over to one of the following pages and plan the next step of your holiday.

We hope you have an amazing time, and would like to wish you Happy Travels or Καλό Ταξίδι!