A first-time guide to Mykonos

25.06.2024 - 21:03 / lonelyplanet.com

Jun 25, 2024 • 7 min read

Mykonos is the party animal of the Cycladic islands, Greece’s answer to Ibiza, with sun-seekers flocking to the beach clubs by day and bass lines pounding through its superclubs until dawn. But there’s more to Mykonos than the dazzling sand and insatiable revelers.

Spend a little time on Mykonos to discover the quiet charm of the Cycladic maze of Hora, the pleasure of traveling the backcountry roads and a dining scene to rival the other Greek islands.

Peak travel time to Mykonos is June to September, so hotel prices are at their highest, and the beaches, restaurants and nightclubs are packed. Summer is party time, with free concerts and events taking place as part of the summer-long Culture Festival, not to mention Xlsior in August, a five-day clubbing festival that attracts some 30,000 gay revelers. Shoulder season (April to early June, late September and October) is arguably a more pleasant time to visit. You get the beaches minus the crowds, and accommodation prices are lower.

In winter, it may be too cold for sunbathing and swimming, but bonuses include empty beaches and plenty of bargain accommodations. Many Mykonos residents rent out their houses in summer and return during the low season, so lots of restaurants stay open year-round. However, winter can bring fierce storms and ferries to other Greek islands are limited.

Ideally, you'd need about four days but you could enjoy it in two. Spend the first day on a beach, explore the shops, restaurants and bars of Little Venice in the late afternoon and on the second day, catch a boat to the sacred island of Delos. With an extra few days you can search out some of Mykonos' further flung and less crowded beaches such as Agios Sostis.

Throughout the year, frequent ferries connect Mykonos with Athens’ ports of Rafina and Piraeus, as well as the neighboring islands of Tinos, Serifos and Andros. In high season, high-speed catamarans link Mykonos with numerous other Cycladic islands, including Santorini and Paros. Check OpenSeas for timetables. Mykonos Airport has year-round flights to Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as to European destinations during high and shoulder seasons. It’s easy to rent a car, moped or ATV from one of Mykonos’ many rental companies, and bus services around the island are reasonably frequent.

Public buses between Hora, the New Port (2km north of Hora, where ferries dock), the airport and south coast beaches run regularly all summer. They are the best way to get around the island. They serve almost every beach and one-way fares range between €1.40 and €2.30. The beaches can also be reached with a 2WD rental car. Except for the main road along the island's spine, access roads to the beaches – even the famous one