Looking for the best things to do in Mykonos? Kalimera, I’m @themykonosguy. I grew up between the alleys of Chora and the beaches on the windy side of the island, and every summer I watch visitors make the same mistake: they try to do Mykonos like a checklist, at the same hour as everyone else. This guide is the opposite. It’s how locals actually spend a day here, what to do in Mykonos at each hour, and the small timing tricks that turn a crowded island into your own.
The short answer: top 10 things to do in Mykonos
No time to read everything? Here is my local’s shortlist, in the order I’d do them:
- Walk Chora before 10am, when the alleys are empty and the light is soft.
- Take the first boat to Delos, the sacred island of Apollo, before the heat and the day-trippers.
- Swim at Rhenia by private boat, the uninhabited island next door with water clearer than any beach on Mykonos.
- Choose your beach by the wind: north when it’s calm, south when the meltemi blows.
- Lunch at a seaside taverna on the quiet north coast, around Agios Sostis.
- Visit Ano Mera and the 16th-century Panagia Tourliani monastery.
- Drive to Armenistis lighthouse for the wildest view on the island.
- Watch sunset from Little Venice or the windmills (arrive early) or from a west-facing villa terrace.
- Party at a beach bar from 20:00 to 24:00: they close at midnight, then Chora and the clubs take over.
- Stay in a private villa, so your best moments don’t need a reservation.
Want to see how a day here feels before you read the details? This is our “pick your day” reel, filmed around the island:
First, understand the wind (the secret every local knows)
Mykonos is called the island of the winds for a reason. In summer the meltemi, a strong north wind, can blow for days. When it does, the north-facing beaches turn wild and the sheltered south coast is where you want to be. When the wind drops, the north coast becomes glass, empty and magical. Locals check the forecast every morning before deciding where to swim. Do the same and you will already be enjoying Mykonos better than most visitors.
For a full beach-by-beach breakdown, read our guide to Mykonos beaches and beach clubs.
Morning things to do in Mykonos
1. Walk Mykonos Town (Chora) before the crowds
Between 8 and 10 in the morning, Chora belongs to us: shopkeepers washing the steps, bakeries opening, cats on every doorstep. Start at the old port, say hello to Petros the pelican (yes, there is still a Petros), wander up Matoyianni street before the shops open, and lose yourself in the lanes of Kastro until you reach the white church of Panagia Paraportiani. Get lost on purpose. The maze was built to confuse pirates and it still works on everyone else.
Local tip: grab a koulouri or a spanakopita from a bakery and eat it by the sea. It’s the cheapest perfect breakfast in Mykonos.
2. Take the first boat to Delos
Delos, the mythical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, is a UNESCO World Heritage site about 30 minutes by boat from the old port of Mykonos. The whole island is an open-air archaeological site, and nobody is allowed to stay overnight. Go on the earliest departure: there’s almost no shade, and the heat after noon is serious.
- Boat: public boats leave from the old port; a return ticket is roughly €25.
- Entrance: the site ticket is paid separately (recently around €20). Prices change, so check on the day.
- Opening days: the site does not open every day and boats are reduced outside high season, so confirm before you go.
- Bring: a hat, water, proper shoes and 3 hours.
Prefer to skip the queue and the crowded ferry? Many of our guests combine Delos with a swim at Rhenia on a private yacht charter in Mykonos, which brings me to my favourite day on the island.
Midday: the sea, the boats and the quiet side of the island
3. Swim at Rhenia, the island most visitors never see
Ask any Mykonian where they swim on their day off and many will say Rhenia. It’s right next to Delos, practically empty, with sandy coves and water so clear the boat looks like it’s floating. There are no roads to the best bays, so you need a boat. A half-day on something like the Fairline Fly 52 or a full Mykonos day cruise with lunch on board is, honestly, the single best thing to do in Mykonos.
4. Pick your beach like a local
Beaches are still at the heart of most things to do in Mykonos, so choose by mood (and by wind):
- Party and people-watching: Psarou, Paradise and Super Paradise on the south coast. Book beds ahead in July and August.
- Long and relaxed: Kalo Livadi and Elia, great for a full lazy day with lunch.
- Wild and quiet: Agios Sostis and Fokos on the north coast, best on calm days.
- Families: Agios Stefanos and Ornos, shallow and close to town. See our family vacations in Mykonos guide.
5. Lunch on the north coast
Above Agios Sostis there is a tiny taverna that every local knows: Kiki’s. It’s famous for grilled meat, big salads and not taking reservations, so expect to wait with a glass of wine while you look at the sea. That wait is part of the experience. If queueing isn’t your thing, we can arrange a table elsewhere on the north side through our concierge in Mykonos.
Afternoon: the other Mykonos
6. Ano Mera and Panagia Tourliani
Ano Mera is one of the most underrated things to do in Mykonos. It’s the island’s inland village, about 8 km from Chora, and it shows you a Mykonos without sunbeds. In the main square stands the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani, founded in 1542 and dedicated to the island’s protector. Step into the courtyard and you’ll hear nothing but bells and wind. Cover your shoulders and knees, then sit at one of the tavernas around the square for louza (our cured pork) and local kopanisti cheese. More about the village on the official Mykonos site.
7. Drive to Armenistis lighthouse
Built in 1891 after a shipwreck off the north coast, Armenistis lighthouse stands on the northwestern tip of the island, looking across to Tinos. The road from Agios Stefanos is one of the most beautiful drives in Mykonos. Rent an open-top car or jeep through our car rental in Mykonos, or let a local driver show you every hidden corner on a private island tour. Feeling adventurous? Try our safari trip in Mykonos.
Sunset: where to watch it (and how to beat the crowd)
Sunset in Little Venice is one of the most famous things to do in Mykonos, and in August it feels like the whole island had the same idea. My rule: be seated at least an hour before sunset, or walk up to the Kato Mili windmills, where you see Little Venice glowing below you. Even better? Watch it from a west-facing terrace with nobody in front of you.
Night: dinner late, dance later
Nightlife is the reason half the world searches for things to do in Mykonos, but timing is everything. The beach bars run until midnight, so the best time to go is 20:00 to 24:00, when sunset turns into the first DJ set of the night. After that, Chora takes over: dinner runs late and the clubs fill up after midnight. Book the big-name restaurants and beach bar tables weeks ahead in high season. Take a look at our Mykonos DJ line up 2026 to get an idea of the names that play here, but keep an eye out for the 2027 line up: it’s coming in March 2027 and it’s going to be even better. For the full nightlife map, see our best party spots in Mykonos, or let someone else lead the way on a night and bar hopping experience.
Local tip: don’t drive after a night out. Book a private transfer with a chauffeur; taxis are few and the queues at 4am are legendary.
Live it like a local: stay in a private villa
Here is the honest truth after a lifetime on this island: the best moments in Mykonos happen in private. A slow breakfast cooked for you, a pool nobody else uses, a sunset without a minimum spend. That’s why so many of our guests choose one of our luxury villas in Mykonos and add a private chef for the ultimate culinary experience. Not sure which area suits you? Read where to stay in Mykonos.
A perfect day in Mykonos (my local itinerary)
Want the best things to do in Mykonos in a single day? This is exactly how I would time it:
| Time | What to do | Why then |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30 | Coffee and a walk through Chora, Paraportiani, Little Venice | Empty alleys, soft light, best photos |
| 10:00 | Boat to Delos, or board your private yacht | Beat the heat and the ferry crowds |
| 13:00 | Swim at Rhenia, lunch on board | Calmest, clearest water of the day |
| 16:30 | Ano Mera, then the drive to Armenistis lighthouse | Quiet villages, golden afternoon light |
| 19:30 | Sunset at the windmills or your villa terrace | Arrive early, the show starts before the sun drops |
| 20:00–24:00 | Party at a beach bar | Beach bars run until midnight, so start early |
| After 24:00 | Late dinner in Chora or a club | Chora stays awake until sunrise |
When is the best time to do all this?
For swimming plus nightlife, late June and the first half of September are my favourite: warm sea, full energy, a little less crowded than August. May and October are perfect for walking, Delos and long lunches, but some beach clubs close. Everything month by month is in our guide to the best time to visit Mykonos, and if you’re still planning the trip, here’s how to get from Athens to Mykonos.
Things to do in Mykonos: FAQ
A boat day to Delos and Rhenia. You see the most important archaeological site in the Cyclades in the morning and swim in the clearest water around Mykonos in the afternoon.
Four to five days is ideal: one for Chora and sunset, one for Delos and Rhenia, one or two for beaches, and one for Ano Mera, the lighthouse and the north coast. Add more if you want to enjoy the nightlife properly.
No. Beyond the clubs there is Delos, the monastery of Panagia Tourliani in Ano Mera, quiet north-coast beaches, the Armenistis lighthouse, traditional tavernas and some of the best sailing in the Aegean.
To reach the north coast, Ano Mera and the lighthouse, yes, a car or a driver makes life much easier. Buses cover the main beaches but taxis are limited, especially at night, so many visitors book private transfers.
Walking Chora early in the morning, visiting Paraportiani church, sunset at the Kato Mili windmills, the courtyard of Panagia Tourliani in Ano Mera and swimming at Agios Sostis are all free.
Plan your Mykonos days with a local
The best things to do in Mykonos aren’t on a map. They’re the timing, the right table, the right cove on the right day of wind. That’s what we do every day. Tell us your dates and we’ll build your island around you: villa, yacht, car, chef and the reservations nobody else can get. Contact the Mykonos.Luxury team and say @themykonosguy sent you.
Ta leme sto nisi! (See you on the island!)
@themykonosguy