Cities, Towns & Villages in Mykonos
Mykonos Town (Chora)
The capital and largest town on the island located on the west coast. This is the heart of the island featuring a traditional Cycladic maze of narrow whitewashed streets, boutiques, restaurants, tavernas, and the iconic sixteen century windmills. The area draws millions of visitors annually
Ano Mera
A picturesque inland village located in the heart of Mykonos, about 15 minutes by bus or car from Mykonos Town. The village is known for its quiet and serene atmosphere with a large public square surrounded by bakeries, cafes, and tavernas. The main attraction is a restored monastery dating back to 1542 called Panagia Tourliani
Ornos
A charming coastal settlement situated on a narrow isthmus with two beaches, one to the north and one to the south. The village offers restaurants, tavernas, cafes, hotels, and accommodation options. It is easily reached from Mykonos with buses running every hour from the main bus station
Kalafati
A quiet little village on the eastern coast popular with families and water sports enthusiasts. The area features windsurfing, sailing, and diving opportunities along with seafood restaurants and open air bars along the shoreline
Platys Gialos
Located in the south of the island just 4 kilometres from Mykonos Town. This village is accessible by bus and foot from nearby beaches including Paradise Beach and Paraga. It offers dining and accommodation options
Main Ports in Mykonos
New Port (Tourlos): Located in Tourlos area approximately 2 kilometres north of Mykonos Town, this is the main operating port of the island. All large ferries, high speed catamarans, and cruise ships arrive and depart from this modern port. Ferry companies including Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, Highspeed Ferries, and Golden Star Ferries operate from here.
Old Port (Chora): Located in Mykonos Town, this historic port was the main arrival and departure point until 15 years ago. Today it serves luxury motor yachts and small fishing vessels. Occasional passenger ferries for Delos Island and the Sea Bus service connecting the two ports operate from here.
Getting around Mykonos
Getting around Mykonos is quite easy, with buses, taxis, rental vehicles, water taxis and walking all playing a part depending on where you stay and which beaches you want to visit. The main town, Chora, is largely pedestrian, so you will explore its narrow lanes and waterfront squares on foot, which is often the most enjoyable way to feel the island’s atmosphere.
A useful bus network links Chora with the airport, the new port and many of the popular beaches, including Platis Gialos, Ornos, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari and Elia, with more frequent services in summer and clear timetables at the Fabrika and Old Port stations. This makes buses a good value option for most day trips, especially to the lively south coast beaches. Taxis are available at the airport, ports and in town, but numbers are limited and queues can be long at busy times, so they are best reserved for specific transfers or late night journeys.
Many visitors choose to hire a small car, scooter or quad bike for extra flexibility, although parking in high season can be challenging around popular beaches and in town. You can also use the water taxi service between south coast beaches and the small SeaBus that connects the new port with the old port, which is a scenic and simple way to move around without driving.
How to get to Mykonos
You can reach Mykonos by both flight and ferry from mainland Greece. From Athens International Airport direct flights depart to Mykonos Airport approximately 45 minutes away. Airlines including Volotea, Sky Express, EasyJet, and Ryanair offer more than 15 flights daily during summer months
For ferry travel, you have two main options from Athens. From Piraeus port the ferry journey takes between 2 to 6 hours depending on the ferry type. Standard ferries cost between 43 to 88 euros while the fastest SeaJets Worldchampion Jet takes 2 hours 45 minutes and operates from April to October
From Rafina port which is just 10 kilometres from Athens International Airport there are at least 10 daily crossings. The fastest route with Golden Star Ferries takes only 2 hours 15 minutes. Ferry companies operating this route include Fast Ferries, Golden Star Ferries, and Seajets with tickets starting at 38 euros
More attractions in Mykonos
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Mykonos
What is the best time to visit Mykonos?
The best time to visit Mykonos is between June and September when the weather is hot and sunny with water temperatures ideal for swimming. July is the hottest month with average daily maximums of 29 degrees Celsius. May and October offer warm weather and fewer crowds though some businesses may reduce hours. For nightlife and beach clubs the peak season is June through September
Is Mykonos expensive and what is the average spending?
Yes, Mykonos is one of the most expensive destinations in Greece, particularly for accommodation and dining. The average tourist spends approximately 160 to 200 euros daily while luxury travellers spend over 400 euros. Cruise passengers typically spend between 140 to 170 euros during their day visit. Tourists spent an estimated 1.4 billion euros on Mykonos in 2024
How many tourists visit Mykonos each year?
Mykonos welcomes approximately 2.2 million visitors annually including approximately 500,000 cruise passengers. During peak summer months particularly July and August up to 80,000 people are on the island daily. The vast majority of visitors come from Europe and North America with the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, France, and Germany representing the top source markets
What are the main attractions and things to do in Mykonos?
Popular attractions include the iconic six windmills overlooking Little Venice, the Panagia Paraportiani Church, and the ancient Delos Archaeological Site reachable by boat. Visitors can enjoy more than 25 beaches ranging from family friendly options like Elia Beach to party centric locations like Paradise Beach. The island offers world-class nightlife with clubs like Paradise Club and Cavo Paradiso featuring top international DJs
How do I get around Mykonos and what transportation is available?
You can rent a scooter or car though parking can be challenging during peak season. Buses operate regularly between Mykonos Town and other villages. The Sea Bus water taxi connects the New Port, Tourlos Marina, Old Port, and Mykonos Town with departures every half hour from roughly 8:30 am to 11 pm for 2 euros per person. Taxis are available but can be expensive during high season with many visitors finding rental scooters to be more convenient
