What to see and do in Mykonos?

What to do in Mykonos, Greece on a budget The question deserves to be raised, as Mykonos’ reputation could lead one to believe that there’s nothing to do there without money. Don’t be fooled, we’ve visited the Greek island for you and there’s plenty to see and do even on a reasonable budget. We came at the beginning of June, well before the peak of the tourist season.

When should you visit Mykonos?

If you want to enjoy thefestive atmosphere without suffering too much, and still benefit from attractive prices, we strongly advise you to come in early June. In September, the season is still beautiful and a little less crowded, so make the most of it.
Tourists arrive in droves from late June to late August. If you want to party and mingle with the Mykonos Jet Set, we recommend our article dedicated to excess.

Where to stay in Mykonos?

Hotels can be very expensive in high season, but also extremely well-priced at certain times of the year. Remember to look in March-April to book accommodation in early June. We usually search for our accommodations on Booking to get a direct overview of available rentals on our dates.

Sometimes superb hotels like the Damianos offer rooms at good price per night. The hotel is listed as a 1-star hotel on Google, which is unlikely! We explain: swimming pool with bar service, magnificent view of the city and the setting sun, adorable staff, owner ready to do anything to satisfy his customers, shuttles included to the new port or the airport, etc…. In short, it’s royal and the price sometimes seems derisory.

Another advantage of the Damianos: you’re close to the center, so you can hear the party in the distance, but it won’t disturb your sleep. The perfect combo! And best of all, it’s a 2-minute walk from the Azul restaurant for sunset.

Little advice: If you want to sleep, avoid at all costs sleeping near shopping streets (continuous noise at night). Choose at least 5 to 10 minutes on foot from the center, you will be a little higher up and benefit from lovely views of the city.

Getting around Mykonos

From the airport to Mykonos town center

When you arrive at Mykonos airport, you’re not far from the center. It’s just a 20-minute walk to Chora, the heart of the island. The road isn’t necessarily ideal if you’ve got big suitcases (narrow sidewalks, very damaged in places), but backpacking is no problem! Personally, I went down with a backpack and a wheeled carry-on suitcase, and that was fine.

Before you set off on foot from the airport to downtown Mykonos, check with your hotel to see if it offers a free transfer– it’s often included! And it will save you a lot of walking (especially if it’s very hot).

For those who prefer comfort, a cab awaits you on arrival. To avoid unpleasant surprises (high fares or cab shortages), book in advance. You can do it easily on Welcome PickUps. Or, choose this private transfer from the airport to your accommodation in Mykonos.

The Mykonos bus: simple and inexpensive

Bus tickets cost around €2 per journey, and buses are very punctual. And in June there was always room. The organization is top-notch and the stops extremely well marked on Google Maps. Most buses leave from the Fabrika stop in the center (see map) or from the old port (see map). The official website is excellent and the hotels are all very knowledgeable about destinations and timetables, so don’t hesitate to ask them. What’s more, the buses often stop close to the hotels! So don’t bother getting on or off at the terminus.

Cabs in Mykonos

Cab fares are extremely expensive. For a 15-minute walk from the beach to the center, for example, you’ll pay around €80 in the evening… To book, ask your hotel or book online yourself with Welcome PickUps.

Rent a car, scooter or quad bike

If you’re a night owl or want to visit quieter parts of the island not served by buses, you can rent a car.

If you’d like to rent a scooter or quad bike, you should know that a motorcycle license is now required, following the many accidents of recent years. A helmet is provided by the rental company, so don’t forget to put it on, as summer driving is a real folkloric experience.

You can also opt for the tranquility of a guided bike tour, an original way to visit Mykonos.

What to see and do in Mykonos? Chora: downtown Mykonos

Chora is undoubtedly the pearl of Mykonos. A small town extremely well-stocked with stores, bars and restaurants, Chora is also full of charm when you move away from the main shopping streets or take an afternoon stroll.

Chora’s must-sees

Here’s a short list of Chora ‘s must-sees.

• The Windmills of Mykonos – see on the map
• The view of Little Venice – see on map
• The old Port – see on map
• Chora beach – see on map
• The beautiful flower-filled alleys in the hills above Mykonos

Chora’s magnificent alleyways

The narrow streets of Chora deserve their own paragraph. We recommend exploring the narrow streets of Chora in the afternoon, between 3pm and 6pm, as most tourists are at the beach. You can walk along the white walls, enjoy the shade of the old buildings or photograph the bougainvillea.

Don’t miss the slightly elevated streets outside the shops (marked by the red oval on the map below). As a starting point, head here and get lost in the maze of streets.

Passing by Little Venice

You can walk along the sea in the Little Venice district, crossing the terraces! It’s a must-do. You’ll pass colorful people from the four corners of the world and admire a sublime landscape. To be done in the evening as the sun goes down. Departure point here, arrival here (Google Maps doesn’t show a passage, but there is one).

Where to go out on Mykonos?

Some restaurants not to be missed: where to eat in Mykonos?

There are plenty of reasonably priced restaurants to choose from, but you’ll just have to find them. Our local tip is to open Google Maps, type in “Restaurants” and filter by price and rating. Then really take the time to check recent reviews, to see if the word “scam” comes up often. Another handy tip: look in the photos to see if any customers have had time to photograph the menu. Great for getting an idea of prices!

Please note that this service is included in the price, so if the waiter asks for one, it’s a scam! On the other hand, if you really enjoyed the place you can always leave a tip, 10% will be appreciated.

Cheap food in Mykonos

In Chora, you can eat for around €5 at Sakis (open map). Have a gyros souvlaki and enjoy! This place is very popular because it’s good and really cheap, so tables can be scarce but get free pretty quickly. The service is pleasant and the waiters extremely efficient!

Restaurant on the old port of Mykonos

At Captain’s (open map), the cocktails are good and the prices are reasonable for Mykonos. Count €11 for an original cocktail! A beer or glass of wine costs between €5 and €7. Dishes are quite expensive, but there are quite a few under €15. If you take 3 to share with drinks, you can get away with a total of €40-50, which is very reasonable for Mykonos. Here’s the menu to whet your appetite.

A word of advice: don’t come between 8.30pm and 10pm, as there can be a 30-minute wait.

Sunset restaurant

Azul Condesa is an excellent restaurant with a sunset view over the Chora (on Google Maps). Prices are about the same as at Captain’s, but the setting and the view of the city are absolutely magical! The service is incredible, I’ve never had so many people say “Thank you Sir” or “You’re very welcome Sir”. You feel like a star for a moment, and everyone’s in the same boat!

For the record, Azul Condesa is a Mexican restaurant. Do you think it sounds fake in Mykonos? Think again! Chefs from all over the world make Mykonos their home, and the taste buds are in for a treat.

Please book online at least 2 days in advance.

Restaurant at Ornos Beach

If you’re staying at Ornos Beach, beware of the prices at beachfront restaurants – they can get very expensive very quickly! In a street 1 minute from the beach, we recommend the family-run Lefteris taverna, with very reasonable prices (dishes under €10) (open the map).

Open-air cinema = quiet Mykonos

Does this title surprise you? If you stroll around Mykonos in the evening, it’s a non-stop party and quite hype (especially in the Louis Vuitton street). The area around the Skandinavian Bar is very busy at night. If you want to rest your head while staying in the center, a small park with open-air cinema and restaurant/bar opens its doors to you. Cine Manto is a true haven of peace (see map). There are 2 evening sessions, one at 9pm and the other at 11pm. Sometimes only one session at 9pm. You can consult the program on the official website. Depending on the film and the period, the hall may be half-empty or full. A session costs around ten euros and a draught beer €7.

Mykonos’ must-have party bars

In the evenings, bars can be quite expensive – again, read the reviews! The best-known is the Skandinavian Bar, but it’s so crowded that it can be a real turn-off. If you’re looking for a quieter, more lounge-like atmosphere, the 54 Cocktail Bar is the place to go. Drinks are fairly expensive (€9 for a glass of wine, €12 for a gin and tonic, €18 for a cocktail), but there’s plenty of room and the occasional singer makes an appearance. You feel like you’re all alone on the island with a bunch of privileged people.

If you’re looking for more party tips, we’ve also covered the must-visit beach bars in this dedicated article.

Thomas Gesland

If you’d like to discover Mykonos and its surrounding islands, such as Delos, we recommend the agency Clickandboat to rent a sailboat and discover the Northern Cyclades. Spend a week aboard a beautiful sailboat, with or without the services of a skipper, alternating between swimming and discovery. Enough to make your vacation unforgettable!