Little Venice village in Mykonos

At a glance: A small waterfront district on the western edge of Mykonos Town, right beside the windmills and the Kastro. Not a separate village, but the single most photographed corner of the capital, with 18th century houses built with their foundations directly in the sea. Best suited to travellers who want the island’s most iconic sunset, followed by dinner or drinks right on the water.

Is Little Venice worth visiting

Little Venice, known locally as Alefkandra, is a short walk from the harbour at the heart of Mykonos Town, yet it feels like its own distinct world once you arrive. Rows of colourful houses with wooden balconies lean out over the water, their foundations built directly into the sea, a look shaped by the Venetian sailors, merchants and captains who once traded through the island. Today those same houses hold bars, restaurants and boutiques, and the district becomes genuinely lively as the sun drops towards the horizon. It suits travellers who want to combine one of the best sunsets in Greece with a proper evening out, rather than simply passing through for a photograph.

Highlights

• Rows of 18th century houses with wooden balconies built directly over the water, unlike anywhere else in the Cyclades
• Sunset views widely considered the best in Mykonos Town, with waterfront bars filling up well before the sun goes down
• Scarpa Bar, a Little Venice fixture for more than 40 years, known for its fruit based cocktails
• Katerina’s, a long running waterfront restaurant with views across to the windmills
• The short walk connecting Little Venice to the windmills and the Panagia Paraportiani church, both only a couple of minutes away

A Venetian trading post turned sunset spot

Little Venice takes its original name, Alefkandra, either from a nearby beach or from the spot where local women once washed their clothes, depending on which local account you believe. Its distinctive character dates back to the 13th century, when Mykonos sat on a major Venetian trade route and the district became a regular stop for sailors, merchants and ship captains. The houses seen today, with their overhanging wooden balconies and bay windows, were mostly built between the 13th and mid-18th centuries, their design shaped as much by later Ottoman influence as by the Venetian sailors who gave the district its name. What were once working captains’ houses are now restaurants, bars and boutiques, though the buildings themselves, and the waves still lapping at their foundations, remain largely unchanged.

Where Little Venice is

Getting to Little Venice

Within Mykonos Town: Little Venice sits on the western edge of Chora, an easy 5 to 10 minute walk from the old harbour, close to both the windmills and Panagia Paraportiani. For the full guide to reaching the capital, see Mykonos Town.

Getting around the island: See getting around Mykonos and Mykonos taxi for onward travel, and the Mykonos bus timetable for scheduled services.

Arriving on Mykonos: For ferry routes and flight options to the island itself, start with how to get to Mykonos.

Where to eat

Little Venice’s waterfront restaurants and bars are some of the most atmospheric on the island, with tables set right at the water’s edge looking out towards the windmills. Arriving 30 to 60 minutes before sunset secures the best seats, since the waterfront fills quickly once the light starts to change.

Where to stay

Little Venice sits within Mykonos Town, so staying here means being close to the harbour, the shops and the nightlife, with rooms in the district itself both limited and in high demand. For the wider picture of staying centrally, see the Mykonos Town guide, or for a private villa with a pool elsewhere on the island, see Mykonos villas with a private pool.

Beaches near Little Venice

As part of Mykonos Town, Little Venice has no beach of its own. Ornos Beach, around 2.5 kilometres away, is the nearest good option, easily reached by bus from the town centre.

Best time to visit

Sunset is the reason to come to Little Venice, and it is worth planning around regardless of season. July and August bring the biggest crowds to the waterfront bars, so arriving early for a table matters more here than almost anywhere else on the island. Spring and autumn offer the same views with an easier time finding a seat.