13 Adventurous Things to Do in Mykonos

Mykonos is one of the most visited Greek islands, thanks to a vibrant summer party scene. Huge dance clubs showcase famous DJ’s and the parties go all night.

Mykonos is the place to “see and be seen” but also has other things to do besides party all night!

There is an airport on Mykonos and ferries from Athens, which take around five hours. You can also catch a ferry to other Greek islands like Tinos and Siros for an island-hopping vacation.

Mykonos is also a popular cruise ship port, so you will want to plan your activities and reservations accordingly. In summer, cruise ship arrivals can double the population of Mykonos Town in an instant.

Mykonos Town

Mykonos Town, also called Chora or Chora Mykonos is the largest town on the island of Mykonos and sits on the West coast of the island.

Chora is known as a tourist hub with narrow, winding alleyways, whitewashed buildings and cafes, bars and restaurants.

Cruise ships arrive at the New Port of Mykonos outside of the city center, while tour boats use the Old Port of Mykonos in the center of town.

Mykonos Beaches

Mykonos has some truly spectacular beaches and something to offer for everyone, no matter what type of beach scene you are looking for. Paradise Beach is one of the more popular party beaches on Mykonos.

Parties start in the late afternoon and go until the next morning. There are tons of tourist services here, including minimarts, sunbeds, umbrellas, a restaurant and mega dance clubs like Cavo Paradiso, where Paris Hilton has been a guest DJ.

Super Paradise Beach is also a party spot, possibly the best known beach on Mykonos. Mega clubs include Coco Club and Super Paradise Beach Bar club. The right side of the beach is nude and gay-friendly, so families beware.
Psarou Beach is a more exclusive beach, although it is public, this is where you’re most likely to spot celebrities like Sofia Vergara, Maria Menounos and Olivia Palermo. Difficult access and expensive services have made this beach a spot for the luxury seekers.

Panormos Beach is 7km northeast of Mykonos Town, and is a beach that you can reach using the public bus. Panormos is an “in between” beach as it isn’t a crazy party scene, but there are plenty of tourist services and a beach bar serving food and cocktails.

Lia Beach is a bit more remote, on the North side of the island, therefore it is quieter and ideal for families or folks who just want to enjoy a nice day on the beach without the thumping music.

Agios Sostic Beach is clothing-optional so skinny dippers will want to head here. There are no services, however, so even though you don’t need to bring a bathing suit, you will want to bring water, snacks, umbrellas and anything else you might need.

Mykonos Nightlife

While most nightlife occurs in the mega clubs on the beaches previously mentioned, there are also several clubs in Mykonos Town, like the Scandinavian Club.

For a more laid-back scene, you can find cocktail lounges around Mykonos Town and Little Venice.

Little Venice

Little Venice of Mykonos is on the western part of Mykonos Town, where the city meets the sea. Buildings come right out of the sea, with balconies dangling over the open water.

Little Venice is a great place for waterfront dining, sunset viewing and is also where the island’s famous windmills are located.

The windmills operated from the 16th to the late 19th century, providing the power necessary to grind flour from local wheat and barley fields. Today, the windmills are a recognizable landmark of Mykonos, and a popular photograph to snap.

Mykonos Water Sports

Many of Mykonos’ most popular beaches also offer water sports rentals for those interested in jet skis, para-sailing, or water-skiing.

Scuba diving and snorkeling are also available on Mykonos. There are also kayak rentals, or you can join a kayak tour to visit some of the beaches of Mykonos.

If you prefer to let someone else do the work, there are plenty of options for sailing and charter cruises from Mykonos, including island-hopping cruises that stop at nearby islands.

Paraportiani Church

The Church of Panagia Paraportiani is one of the most photographed churches in the world, thanks to its unique architecture, which combines four churches and architectural styles into one structure.

The white-washed walls set against the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea also make this an excellent spot for photography.

Petros the Pelican

In the 1950’s, a wounded pelican was found off the coast of Mykonos and became the unlikely mascot of the island. Petros died in 1985 and was replaced by another pelican that was sent as a gift from Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis.

There have since been several “Petros” pelicans on the island, and even today you are likely to spot him strolling through town. If you aren’t so lucky, you can still buy plenty of souvenirs featuring the likeness of Petros.

Ano Mera

Ano Mera is the second largest villas on Mykonos, after Chora. A quieter, less touristic alternative to Mykonos, Ano Mera is a great place to capture that small-town feel of a Greek island.

You’re more likely to mingle with locals here, and you might even opt to stay in one of the luxury resorts on this part of the island.

Delos

Delos is an archeological site and UNESCO World Heritage site off the coast of Mykonos. It is the birthplace of the Greek gods Apollo and Artemis, therefore a location that features heavily in Greek mythology.

Here you can see temples, markets, houses and an amphitheater. Delos is just 45 minutes by boat from Mykonos and can be visited on a group tour, or by using a ferry to cross the sea.

Archaeological Museum of Mykonos

The Archaeological museum houses jewelry, vases and pottery dating back to the 25th centure BC. that were uncovered during the island’s excavation. The collection includes statues excavated from nearby Delos.

Aegean Maritime Museum

The Aegean Maritime Museum was founded in 1983 to showcase the nautical history of Mykonos. You’ll see model ships, old maps and antique navigational aids.

The museum garden houses larger artifacts like ship anchors and the one of the largest lighthouses in Greece.

Mykonos Folklore Museum

Another popular museum in Mykonos is the Folklore Museum, which consists of three separate houses, each serving as it’s own museum.

The Bonis Mill is the Agricultural museum within a preserved windmill, the Castle House and Lena’s House are homes showing life early life on Mykonos.

Wine Tasting

As wine is a popular product on many Greek islands, you can find vineywards and wine tastings rooms around the island.

The best way to sample Mykonos wine is to sign up for a wine-tasting and cultural tour of the island.

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