Mykonos vs Santorini: Which Greek Island to Choose in 2025

Mykonos and Santorini are among the most beautiful and popular islands in Greece. Mykonos welcomes over 1.5 million tourists each year, while Santorini gets more than 3 million, and both islands are becoming more popular every year.

Both islands are part of the Cyclades group, and while they have many similarities, there are also several factors to consider when deciding which one to visit.

Many people wonder which island is worth visiting more. Which one is better: Mykonos or Santorini? Which one should you choose? What are the pros and cons of these two islands? And what else should you know for a well-organized trip to Santorini and Mykonos?

This comparison guide will answer all of these questions.

Overview: Mykonos vs Santorini – Which is the better choice?

First, let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons of Mykonos and Santorini:

Now let’s look at a table to see which island is a better choice for each aspect.

Mykonos or Santorini: Detailed comparison

Now let’s look at the details of Mykonos and Santorini, so you can decide which one is better to visit.

Best places to visit in Mykonos

Here are the best places you can visit in Mykonos:

• Mykonos Town: Explore the lively capital with its narrow, winding streets, whitewashed buildings, boutique shops, and vibrant atmosphere. Don’t miss the iconic Mykonos windmills and the stunning views of the Aegean Sea.
• Little Venice: A picturesque area in Mykonos Town with colorful buildings lining the waterfront, perfect for photos and enjoying drinks with a great view.
• Beaches: Mykonos has several beautiful beaches, including Agios Stefanos Beach, Paradise Beach, and Ornos Beach. These are perfect for relaxing, swimming, and enjoying the clear waters.
• Ano Mera: This quiet village shows a traditional side of Mykonos, where you can see the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Best places to visit in Santorini

Here are the best places to visit in Santorini:

• Oia: Famous for its stunning sunsets and breathtaking views, Oia is a picturesque village where you can explore narrow streets, blue-domed churches, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
• Fira: The lively capital of Santorini, offering a mix of traditional white buildings, modern shops, and cafes, with stunning caldera views and historical sites like the Archaeological Museum of Thira.
• Imerovigli: Known for its amazing caldera views and the iconic blue-domed Church of the Resurrection. A favorite spot for photographers.
• Akrotiri: Famous for its ancient archaeological site, as well as unique beaches like Red Beach and White Beach.
• Kamari: A popular resort town with affordable accommodations and the island’s longest beach, Kamari is perfect for a peaceful beach getaway, especially for families.

Which is easier to reach?

The Greek islands are not always easy to reach. Although many have their own airports and ports, getting there still requires time and planning.

Both Mykonos and Santorini have international airports and busy ports with multiple ferry departures every day.

However, most people either come by ferry or plane from Athens, or via international flights. So, it’s important to decide how you want to get to the island: by ferry or plane.

If you want to travel by ferry from Athens to one of the islands, Mykonos is the easiest option. The trip is shorter, cheaper, and there are more ferry departures.

If you want to fly to one of the islands, whether from Athens or other European cities, it’s easier to get to Santorini, as there are many more flights going there.

Which is easier to get around?

This is just my personal experience and opinion, but I found the road network on Mykonos to be quite poor. The terrain is hilly, the roads are narrow and winding, and there is heavy traffic. Because of this, it’s not easy to get around the island if you want to travel outside of Mykonos Town. However, if you stay within the town, it’s simple: book a hotel nearby or park in the large city parking lot, and you can easily walk around the small city center.

On Santorini, the road network is a bit better, although traffic still makes it difficult to get around. However, it’s definitely worth visiting several villages, which means renting a car or ATV, or booking a private transfer. Unlike Mykonos, you can’t easily walk to all of Santorini’s best spots, so you’ll need a vehicle to get around.

Which island is easier to explore depends on your personal preferences.

Which is less crowded?

This is a good question. Officially, more than 1.5 million tourists visit Mykonos each year, and more than 3 million visit Santorini. So, according to the numbers, Santorini has more tourists.

However, since most of the crowds in Mykonos are concentrated in one place, Mykonos Town, I wouldn’t say it’s less crowded. On Santorini, the crowds are spread out over several villages.

Overall, from my own experience, I’d say that the feeling of crowding on both islands is about the same.

Which is cheaper: Santorini or Mykonos?

Mykonos is a famous party island, popular with celebrities and a favorite spot for the wealthy. Because of this, there are many luxury places, and the island is generally quite expensive.

There are more affordable places, but they’re often harder to reach because they’re not in the central part of the island.

Santorini offers many more options for hotels, dining, and activities, which gives you a lot more choices. This also means that, while you can still find luxury, if you want a cheaper trip, you’ll have more options to choose from.

So, I’m not saying that Santorini is cheaper, but because of the greater variety of options, you’re more likely to find affordable accommodation, restaurants, and activities there than on Mykonos.

Which island has better views?

Of course, it’s totally subjective, and it depends on which place someone likes more. However, Santorini has more famous viewpoints and is much more popular among photographers and influencers.

Both islands have small villages with white houses, seaside views, windmills, and dome-shaped churches. However, Santorini’s most popular towns, like Fira, Imerovigli, and Oia, offer exceptionally stunning views that are hard to compare with anything else.

Which island has better nightlife?

Both islands have plenty of restaurants and bars for evening entertainment. However, Mykonos is much more famous for its nightlife, so I would recommend Mykonos if you’re looking to party.

Which one has better beaches?

When it comes to beaches, Mykonos clearly wins.

While Santorini has a few beaches, they are usually rocky and pebbly due to the island’s volcanic origin, so they’re not as beautiful. For example, Kamari Beach is a long black pebble beach, and Red Beach is popular for its unique appearance.

In contrast, Mykonos is full of beautiful beaches, and you can choose from many, like Agios Stefanos Beach, Ornos Beach, and Paradise Beach. Most of them are sandy, well-equipped, and have crystal-clear water.

So, if you’re really looking for a summer beach experience, choose Mykonos.

Which island is a better choice for a honeymoon?

If you’re looking for a romantic honeymoon, then Santorini is the better choice.

There are plenty of romantic accommodations to choose from, with honeymoon suites offering stunning caldera views, hot tubs, or pools with a view.

As for restaurants, there are many beautiful places with sea views. One of the most romantic, in my opinion, is Kaliya Restaurant in Fira.

What else you should know before visiting the Greek islands

A few other things to know for a complete trip to Santorini or Mykonos:

Best time to visit Mykonos and Santorini

It depends on the type of trip you’re planning: sightseeing or beach relaxation?

Like most Greek islands, I recommend visiting Mykonos and Santorini mainly during the shoulder season if you don’t want to focus on the beaches. The best months for travel are May, June, September, and October.

However, if you’re planning a beach vacation, then only July and August are suitable due to the sea temperature. Keep in mind that these two months are peak season, so you can expect huge crowds and high prices.

Other Greek islands to visit nearby

If you spend more time in the area and want to add a few interesting destinations to your itinerary, here are some recommendations for places to visit near Mykonos and Santorini:

• Paros: Paros is a beautiful Greek island with charming villages, lovely beaches, and a relaxed atmosphere, making it perfect for those looking for a peaceful getaway.
• Naxos: Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades, known for its beautiful landscapes, ancient ruins, and sandy beaches, the best choice for beach lovers.
• Ios: Ios is a popular island with vibrant nightlife, cute villages, and amazing beaches, perfect for young travelers looking for fun and relaxation.

Conclusion: Santorini vs Mykonos: Which is better?

So, this was the comparison of the two popular Greek islands, Mykonos and Santorini. You’ve learned about the strengths and weaknesses of each island, what factors to consider when choosing between them, where to stay, the best things to do, and much more. I’ve tried to provide all the information you need to make your decision and plan your next Greek vacation.

Overall, if I had to choose personally, I’d pick Santorini. Not only because of its unique views, stunning sunsets, and romantic atmosphere, but also because of the wider variety of attractions, restaurants, hotels, and activities that make Santorini stand out for me.

Of course, there are others who might prefer Mykonos, which is why I went into detail about what each place has to offer, so you can decide which island suits your personal preferences best.

Once you’ve made your decision, don’t hesitate to book your flights, hotels, and everything else. No matter which Greek island you visit, you won’t make a wrong choice. So, if you’re ready, head to Greece!