10 Best Things to Do in Mykonos: First-Time Visitor Guide

Looking for the best things to do in Mykonos on your first trip? After two visits to the island, I'm sharing the top experiences—from wandering Chora's whitewashed streets to boho beach clubs, sunset spots, and boat trips to nearby islands.

Before visiting Mykonos, I wasn't sure what to expect. Like a lot of people, I mostly associated the island with beach clubs, nightlife, and crazy summer crowds.

Jake and I aren't big partiers. We're much more likely to wake up early, wander quiet streets, linger over coffee, enjoy long dinners, and call it a night long before the clubs get going. So I wasn't convinced Mykonos would be our kind of place.

My hesitations were completely unwarranted. I fell in love with the island—so much that I later returned for a six-night trip.

There's a common misconception that Mykonos is all wild beach clubs and party scenes. Which Mykonos definitely offers...but there's more to this island than spring break party vibes.

Chora is beyond charming and made for wandering. The restaurant scene is stellar, and I was in coffee shop heaven with the number of little cafes serving perfectly frothy espresso freddos.

Quiet beaches are also easy to find if you're willing to rent a car.

Jake and I visited in mid-May, which made a considerable difference...beautiful weather, manageable crowds, and none of the peak-summer chaos yet. I returned in September and found the same: great weather, thin crowds, none of the July/August madness.

Whether this is your first trip to Mykonos, a stop on a Greece island-hopping itinerary, or you're still deciding if the island is worth the hype, these are the 10 best things to do in Mykonos.

This map shows the best things to do in Mykonos, Greece. Click the icon in the top-left corner to view a list of each pinned location. Select the top-right button to enlarge the map (it will automatically save it to YOUR Google Maps). To access this map once saved, open Google Maps (on your phone/computer/tablet), tap the "You" icon at the bottom, scroll to the bottom, and select "Maps". Your newly saved map should be listed at the top.

1. Wander Chora (Mykonos Town)

One of my favorite things to do in Mykonos, hands down. The main town of Mykonos is Chora, often just called Mykonos Town.

Chora is a maze of narrow streets, whitewashed buildings with shutters and railings painted in every color of the rainbow, small restaurants, boutique and designer shopping, and an endless supply of photo ops.

Don't bother looking for street names...many don't have them. Get lost in the twists and turns. The area is small enough that you'll eventually land back at the sea or a familiar landmark, so there's no real risk of staying lost.

A good starting point is Little Venice, right on the water (Negrita Bar Mykonos marks the start of it). Pick any street heading inland from there and just start walking. Wander toward m63 bar & bistrot—this stretch is especially picturesque.

2. Sunset Cocktails in Little Venice

Little Venice is a long stretch of buildings built right against the ocean wall. Restaurants and bars line up one after another, each with an open patio, ocean views, and nearly identical menus...all overpriced.

Most guides will tell you to eat dinner here. Don't. You'll find better and more affordable food elsewhere on the island. Little Venice is best used for a pre-dinner cocktail while you watch the sunset—that part really is worth it.

Arrive at least 30 minutes before sunset during shoulder season, or a full hour in summer when it's busier.

Budget around €15-€20 for cocktails and €10 for the cheapest glass of wine. Scarpa and Negrita are both good options.

SEE MY OTHER Mykonos blog POSTS:

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3. Visit the Windmills

Mykonos was one of the first places in Greece to use windmills, and you'll still find their remains scattered across the island. Of the roughly 28 originally built, 16 are still standing today.

The most convenient spot to see them is Kato Mili (listed as "Windmills of Mykonos" on Google Maps), where seven intact windmills line the hill above Little Venice.

These windmills were used to grind grain for ships sailing through Mykonos back in the day.

Arrive early, around 7:00 am, to catch them lit in the golden glow of sunrise with little to no tourists around.

4. Paraportiani Church

The Church of Panagia Paraportiani is a Mykonos icon, and one look explains why. It's actually five chapels fused into one building—four on the bottom, one stacked on top—all covered in white stucco.

I personally think it looks like a bowl of melting ice cream.

Visit at sunrise or sunset, when the golden light makes it especially dazzling.

Locals will tell you Mykonos has 365 churches, one for every day of the year. It's a nice legend, but not quite true...the real number is closer to 400 small chapels across the island, plus 60+ churches in Mykonos Town alone.

5. 180 Sunset Bar For the Best Sunset Views in Mykonos

Another must for the best sunset views in Mykonos. It's a steep 15-minute uphill walk from Little Venice—not bad, and I did it in flat sandals. I would not recommend this trek in heels.

180 Sunset Bar opens around 7:00 pm and closes around 11:00 pm. The whole place has a major boho vibe, with several different areas to sit and watch the sunset.

Walk-ins are allowed for €30, which includes one drink. There's a detailed map on their website showing the reservable areas and minimum spend for each. The cheapest reservation spots start at €70 per person.

This spot is popular enough that I'd pay extra for a reservation. You'll get a guaranteed spot with good views instead of waiting in line and possibly standing.

There's always a DJ or live music playing, blankets on hand if it gets chilly, and, of course, incredible views of Mykonos Town below. We ended up staying 2.5 hours just chilling and soaking it in.

See it for yourself in my Greece highlights on Instagram.

6. Rent a Car for the Day to Explore Lesser-Known Beaches

If you have more than two days in Mykonos, consider renting a car for the day or hiring a private driver.

Jake and I spent our first few days using the public bus system, which was easy and worked well for getting to the more popular areas. But one day, we decided to rent a car so we could explore a few beaches that weren’t as easy to reach by bus.

It ended up being one of the most memorable days of our trip.

Mykonos isn’t a very big island, so you can cover a lot in one day without having to map out every single stop. I’d pick a few beaches you want to see, maybe add a restaurant or winery to your route, and leave some room to wander from there.

We really liked Fokos Beach. It felt much quieter than the beaches closer to town, and we practically had it to ourselves. Fokos Taverna is also worth planning around if you’ll be in that part of the island.

Another stop to consider is Mykonos Vioma Organic Farm for a wine tasting and tour. It’s a nice change of pace from the beach clubs and busier parts of the island.

AWA Tip: If you’re not comfortable driving in Mykonos, consider booking a private island tour instead. It’s a much easier way to visit beaches, viewpoints, and villages beyond the bus routes without having to navigate the island’s narrow roads yourself.

Private tours can book up, especially during peak season, so I’d reserve one in advance if this is how you plan to explore the island.

• 4 Hour Private Island Tour in Mykonos
• Half-Day Private Guided Tour in Mykonos
• Half Day Private Tour Island with a Local
• Mykonos Private Island Tour

AWA Tip: I would avoid renting an ATV or scooter in Mykonos. The roads are narrow, steep, and full of sharp turns, and many visitors rent ATVs or scooters without much experience driving them.

It may sound like a fun way to explore the island, but I really don’t think it’s worth the risk. If you want the freedom to explore beyond the bus routes, go the safer route and rent a small car instead.

7. Have Lunch at Kiki’s Tavern

Kiki’s Tavern was one of our most memorable dining experiences in Mykonos. You can only get here by car, so it’s a great lunch spot to plan for the day you have a rental car or private driver.

The restaurant is only open during daylight hours since there’s no electricity, and there are no reservations or formal waitlist. The owner will most likely be there to greet you with wine and water while you wait, proudly relying on his photographic memory to keep track of who gets seated next.

If there’s a wait, take a seat outside or walk down the steps to the small beach below. Just make sure at least one person from your group stays near the restaurant so you don’t miss your turn.

Start with the salad bar. The freshly made options are explained when you walk up, and each person gets to choose two. Jake and I tried the beet salad, fava beans, artichokes, and octopus salad, and they were all outstanding.

We also ordered the tzatziki, which came with some of the best bread we had during our entire trip. For our main, we shared the grilled octopus. It was a large portion and easily enough for two people.

And whatever you do, save room for the homemade (melt-in-your-mouth) flourless chocolate cake. If you prefer something heartier, the pork chop also looked incredible. It was huge and came highly recommended by several people around us.

8. Experience the Sunset Music Ritual at Scorpios

When people talk about what to do in Mykonos, someone will inevitably tell you to go clubbing. But the typical club scene isn’t for everyone, and that’s where Scorpios comes in.

Scorpios is one of the most well-known beach clubs in Mykonos, and after going once, I can honestly say it’s something I’d do every time I visit the island. The bohemian design, sunset views, music, and overall atmosphere make it feel completely different from a standard beach club. It's why, in my opinion, it takes the top spot for the best beach club in Mykonos. 

If you’re interested in going, check the Scorpios calendar and make a reservation for one of their sunset music rituals. You can make a full day of it by reserving sunbeds and staying for lunch, or you can do what Jake and I did and experience Scorpios without spending a fortune.

We arrived around 1:00 pm with lunch reservations, but instead of eating in the main restaurant, we sat in the casual area overlooking the beach. Since it was mid-May, it wasn’t crowded, and we ordered a quinoa salad and two espresso freddos for around €30. Expensive for Greece? Yes. Cheap compared to the rest of the Scorpios menu and most Mykonos beach clubs? Also yes.

Instead of paying €100+ for sunbeds, we walked over to Paraga Beach, which is the public beach right next to Scorpios. You can either claim a spot in the sand or pay for a sunbed there.

By late afternoon, we were hungry again but didn’t want to spend a small fortune on dinner at Scorpios, so we went to Tasos Taverna nearby. We had an amazing meal with our table literally in the sand for around €30 before heading back to Scorpios for our sunset music ritual reservation.

I reserved a spot in the Sunset Beach area, which I think is the best place to experience the music ritual. In the reserved areas, you typically have to order a bottle instead of drinks by the glass, but we found a €50 bottle of wine and made it last.

What I loved most is that Scorpios didn’t feel like a college party scene. The crowd was mostly young professionals in their late 20s, 30s, and 40s, and the whole experience felt much more refined than what I pictured when I thought of Mykonos beach clubs. People were dancing, wandering around, listening to the music, and enjoying the sunset without it feeling sloppy or overwhelming.

If you want the wild party scene, Paradise or Super Paradise Beach may be more your style. But if you want a beach club experience that feels a little more elevated and memorable, Scorpios is the one I’d choose.

9. Take a Kayak or Catamaran Tour

One of the best ways to see a different side of Mykonos is from the water. A boat or kayak tour gives you the chance to visit beaches that are harder to reach on your own, swim in quieter coves, and get some snorkeling in along the way.

Personally, I’d choose the kayak tour because it’s a little more active. There’s something memorable about paddling from beach to beach and seeing the coastline from a completely different perspective.

If kayaking doesn’t sound like your thing, book a catamaran tour (private yacht option) instead. It’s a more relaxed way to spend the day on the water, and some tours include stops at nearby islands like Delos or Rhenia.

10. Take a Day Trip to Delos

If you’re interested in Greek history, a visit to Delos is one of the best day trips from Mykonos. The ancient island is only about a 30-minute boat ride from the Old Port.

According to Greek mythology, Delos is the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and it became one of the most important spiritual sites in ancient Greece. Temples were built in their honor, and pilgrims traveled here to leave offerings.

Today, the island is uninhabited except for its ancient ruins, and the history goes back thousands of years.

I recommend either hiring a local guide when you arrive or booking a guided tour in advance. You can also explore on your own, but I’d read up on the history beforehand or bring a good guidebook so you know what you’re looking at. As always, I’m a big Rick Steves fan and found his Greece book really helpful.

If you want to make more of a day of it, look for a tour that combines Delos with nearby Rhenia. That way, you get the history of Delos plus time on the water, swimming, and relaxing afterward.

Tours to Delos and Rhenia:

• Delos and Rhenia sailing cruise with BBQ and drinks
• Rhenia yacht cruise and Delos guided tour
• Small-group Delos and Rhenia islands tour

In Summary

I hope this guide to the best things to do in Mykonos helps you plan an incredible trip.

You could easily do everything on this list in 4 busy days, or spread it out over 5 days if you want more time to relax, enjoy your hotel, and linger over long meals. If you only have 3 days in Mykonos, I’d skip the Delos day trip and focus on Chora, the windmills, Little Venice, Scorpios, and a few beaches or a boat tour.

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BEST things to do in Mykonos Greece 

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Come back after your trip and let me know how it went! I’d love to hear which activities ended up being your favorites or if you have any suggestions to add to this list of the best things to do in Mykonos.