Things to do in Mykonos Town: 12 spots for postcard-perfect Greece

The best things to do in Mykonos Town, what to expect on costs and how to avoid the cruise ship crowds. Practical tips for your visit.

Mykonos Town: a destination with a reputation

Mykonos is one of the biggest tourist hotspots in Greece. It shows up on every list of the most beautiful places in the Cyclades, and that’s exactly why I was so curious. Is it really as beautiful as everyone says? Or is it mostly crowded, expensive and overhyped?

My trip started on Naxos, where I spent a week (you can read more about that here). Naxos doesn’t have flights home to the Netherlands, so I flew out of Mykonos. That gave me the chance to see the island with my own eyes. I stayed two nights in Agios Stefanos, just outside the crowds, and it turned out to be a lovely spot. From there I went into Mykonos Town (also called Chora) a few times.

My first impression? Sometimes it was terribly crowded. But whenever the cruise ships had left, I understood the appeal right away. That’s when Mykonos Town is the Greece you see in the travel guides. Azure blue water, whitewashed houses, red or blue domes, windmills, colorful flowers and cozy terraces. It’s picture perfect.

In this article you’ll find out what to do in Mykonos Town and what makes it so special. I also share my practical tips on getting around, avoiding the crowds and costs.

Things to do in Mykonos Town

What is there to see and do in Mykonos Town? These are my favorite sights.

Mykonos Old Port

If you’re just arriving in town, the old port is a great place to start. Colorful boats line the water, and from here you can see the town rise up toward the hill. I started and ended my visits here every time, so I saw the port at different moments of the day.

In the morning you see the fishermen coming back, in the afternoon it’s busy with day trippers and in the evening the calm returns with a beautiful sunset. There are several benches and a small beach, so there’s almost always a free spot to sit and enjoy everything going on around you.

Visit the church of Agios Nikolaos

At the end of the harbor stands a small church that seems completely separate from the town. It’s Agios Nikolaos of Kadena, once built on a small island that was connected by an arched bridge to the building that is now the town hall. It’s one of those spots where you stop to take it all in, and it’s so photogenic!

Get lost in the alleys

My favorite thing to do in Mykonos Town: getting lost in the narrow alleys. On the main streets it can be shoulder to shoulder, but turn into a side street and you suddenly find yourself in a whitewashed alley with a scooter, a few flower pots and a couple of cats. That’s when I really understood why people love this island so much. You don’t need a map, because you always end up somewhere (usually on a busy shopping street).

Browse the boutiques

On the main streets (which are often very narrow) you’ll find plenty of shops selling clothing, jewelry and souvenirs. There are also high-end luxury stores in the mix, from brands you wouldn’t necessarily expect on a small Greek island. I didn’t need to buy anything, but I loved just people watching for a while.

Little Venice

Little Venice is a neighborhood of narrow streets and stairs southwest of the Old Port. It’s the kind of place where you easily linger and can get lost for ages. Some of the houses stand almost in the water. It’s one of the most photographed corners of the town and you notice that in the crowds, so I recommend visiting at a quiet time (at the start or the end of the day).

The cozy terraces

Oh my, I’ve never seen so many beautiful, photogenic terraces as in Mykonos Town! Honestly, I didn’t dare sit down at any of them, because I was afraid of the prices (more on that below). But even without sitting down, it’s worth walking past the terraces, because they’re gorgeous.

Some are right on the azure blue water, others on a small square among the flowers and whitewashed houses. No wonder influencers regularly hold photo shoots here.

The windmills of Mykonos

You can see them from almost anywhere in town: the windmills of Mykonos. They stand on a low hill on the western edge of Chora, overlooking the harbor and the water toward Delos. The windmills date back to the 16th century, when the Venetians ruled the island.

Although it’s always quite busy here (and a popular place to park your Vespa, I really saw dozens), the area is also fairly spacious, so you can always find a quiet spot.

My favorite viewpoint

I always love seeing places from above, and since Mykonos Town sits on a hill, a short climb rewards you with a beautiful view. My favorite viewpoint was at Kokkinos’ Windmill (exact location on Google Maps). From here you look past an old windmill toward the town and the sea. Gorgeous!

The ruins of Mykonos Castle

In the Kastro neighborhood you’ll find the remains of a castle from the time the Venetians ruled the island. Not much is left, but it gives you an idea of what the town used to look like. You can walk through it for free and there are a few information boards.

The cats of Mykonos

There’s a cat on almost every street corner. They nap on walls, on the steps of a church or in the shade of a flower pot. Many people see them as an attraction in themselves, and honestly, so do I.

Escape the crowds in Agios Stefanos

If you need a break from the crowds, head to Agios Stefanos. I stayed here for two nights and it was wonderfully quiet. It’s about 1.5 miles (2.5 km) from town, so you can walk there in half an hour. It has a nice sandy beach (a good spot to watch the cruise ships and ferries arrive and leave) and a few restaurants.

Mykonos Town after the cruise ships leave

No fewer than four cruise ships were in port while I was walking around Mykonos Town. In some places it was truly shoulder to shoulder. But then came that magical moment in the late afternoon, when all the cruise ships had left. What a difference from a few hours earlier! The streets were almost empty and I could take everything in at my own pace. You’ll find out how to plan this yourself in the practical tips.

Practical tips for Mykonos Town

Mykonos Town is very beautiful, but it’s also a major tourist destination. Here’s how to make your visit (a lot) more enjoyable.

Avoid the cruise ships

How crowded it gets depends largely on how many cruise ships are in port. You can easily check online which ships arrive and leave when, for example on CruiseMapper. I saw that after 6 p.m. there wasn’t a single ship left at the quay, so I headed into town in the late afternoon. The calm was almost surreal. So check the schedule before you go and plan your visit around the departure times. It’s usually a lot quieter an hour before the ships leave.

Food and drink

I didn’t eat out in Mykonos Town myself, because I was afraid of the prices. I stuck to coffee and a sandwich. Someone told me that fish on the menu is often priced per 100 grams (about 3.5 ounces) instead of per kilogram (2.2 pounds), which can make the bill add up quickly. So take a good look at what’s on the menu before you order.

Getting around

Mykonos Town is compact and most places are within walking distance. From Agios Stefanos it takes about half an hour to walk into town (about 1.5 miles / 2.5 km). The bus from Agios Stefanos to town costs between €1.50 and €2.50, and the Sea Bus from the harbor to town costs €2.50 (prices as of October 2026).

To and from the airport

This is a tip I wish I’d known earlier. My (cheap) flight left just too early to catch the first bus, so I had to take a taxi. It cost me €30 for a ride of less than 4 miles (6 km). Walking wasn’t an option, because I had too much luggage. So keep this in mind when you book your flight, especially if you’re on a tight budget.