Mykonos Itinerary: How to Spend One Day in Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos is one of the most popular islands in Greece, attracting over 1.5 million tourists each year, despite its small size and small population.

The island is part of the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea, just a few hours away by ferry from Athens.

Its popularity is due to many factors: its authentic Greek atmosphere, white houses, iconic windmills, stunning beaches, and famous nightlife.

Because of this, many people wonder how to best visit Mykonos. Is one day enough on the island? Is it worth traveling for just one day?

Many people spend only a short time on the island, often visiting the main sights in one day before moving on to other Greek islands as part of an island-hopping trip. This itinerary is made for them.

So, in this one-day Mykonos itinerary, you’ll find out what you can do in a single day, how to explore the best parts of the island in a short time, which places to visit, the best things to do, and where to eat and stay. This way, you’ll have a complete itinerary and guide for Mykonos, making it easier to plan your trip.

First, I’ll share the one-day Mykonos itinerary to help you make the most of your time on the island.

After that, you’ll find answers to some common questions people often have when planning a trip to Mykonos.

Detailed Mykonos itinerary: How to spend one day in Mykonos

Now let’s look at a detailed one-day itinerary for Mykonos, broken down by time of day. This is how I think you can make the most out of a day on the island:

Morning: Explore Mykonos Town

Start your day with a walk in Mykonos Town, also called Chora.

If you’re driving, park your car at the large parking area near the Old Port. If you arrive by bus, it’s also best to get off at the Old Port stop.

From there, explore the old town on foot. In the morning, the streets are quieter, so it’s a great time to take photos and enjoy walking through the narrow, decorated streets with whitewashed houses.

Here are some must-see spots along the way:

• Manto Mavrogenous Statue: A statue of a Greek heroine who helped fight for Greece’s independence.
• Windmills of Mykonos: Famous old windmills that are a symbol of the island and great for photos.
• Little Venice: A popular area with houses right by the sea, full of bars and cafés with great views.
• Church of Panagia Paraportiani: One of the most famous churches in Mykonos, known for its unique shape.

You’ll also find lots of charming little streets, colorful doorways, and small shops along the way – exploring the old town is never boring!

Midday: Have lunch in Little Venice

Since you’re already in the area, after visiting the sights, take a break and enjoy a meal at a nice restaurant in Little Venice.

Here are some great places to eat I recommend:

• Vegera Restaurant Café Bar Mykonos
• Promenade Restaurant
• Pepper Souvlaki & More
• Kastro’s Restaurant

Afternoon: Take a short trip inland and relax on a top beach

After lunch, if you feel like walking a bit more, head up to Boni’s Windmill, which is located on a hill above the town. It’s a bit of a climb, but the experience makes it worth it.

After that, it’s a good idea to explore other parts of the island.

A popular destination is Ano Mera, a traditional village in the center of Mykonos. There, you can visit the beautiful Monastery of Tourliani.

In the later part of the afternoon, if you’re visiting in the summer, definitely make time to relax at one of the best beaches of Mykonos.

Here are some of the top beaches:

• Agios Stefanos Beach: A popular public beach, easy to reach from Mykonos Town
• Ornos Beach: Another well-known public beach, also close to town
• Paradise Beach: A lively and famous beach on the southern coast, part of a large resort area

Alternatively, if you’re not really into beaches, or you’re visiting Mykonos outside of summer, I recommend joining a boat tour in the afternoon.

These tours take you out on the sea, sometimes even to nearby islands, and it’s a great way to spend a relaxing afternoon.

I recommend checking out boat tours on GetYourGuide — there are lots to choose from:

Evening: Watch the sunset and have dinner in Mykonos Town

In the evening, it’s worth going back to Mykonos Town to watch the sunset from there.

Have a nice Greek dinner at one of the restaurants recommended in the article. If you want a sea view with the sunset, choose one that’s closer to the water.

After dinner, take a walk in Little Venice. This area really comes alive at night, with lots of bars and clubs for every taste.

Some of the most famous places (whether it’s day or night):

• Negrita Bar
• Bao’s Cocktail Bar
• Scarpa Bar

Night (optional): Party in Little Venice

If you want to stay out late, enjoy the nightlife in Mykonos.

Honestly, even though I’ve been to many places, I’ve seen very few with nightlife as vibrant as Little Venice. People party in the streets at night, and it’s a great way to relax and have fun.

There are many party spots both in Mykonos Town and in other parts of the island, for all budgets and styles — so take the chance to have a great night out!

So this was the itinerary for how you can spend a perfect day on the island of Mykonos.

General questions about a trip to Mykonos

Now let’s look at some common questions that come up if you’re planning a trip to Mykonos:

How many days to spend in Mykonos

Mykonos is not a big island and doesn’t have too many must-see sights.

That’s why I don’t think you need more than a few days there.

Even if you want to see all the best places and enjoy the beaches, 2 to 4 days can be enough.

Is one day enough in Mykonos?

Yes, one day can be enough in Mykonos if you’re only interested in the main attractions.

In one day, you can visit the most famous spots, relax a bit on the beach or go on a boat trip, and explore the old town.

If you’re planning an island-hopping trip, or you like to see a lot in a short time and not just relax, then one day in Mykonos can be enough.

Best time to visit Mykonos

When visiting Mykonos, just like with other Greek islands, I suggest two main options.

• If you don’t want to go to the beach, the best time is during the shoulder season, which means spring and fall. The best months for this are May, early June, late September, and October.
• In winter, many hotels and restaurants are closed, and the weather isn’t always nice, so I don’t really recommend it.
• But if you want to enjoy the beach, then only the summer months are good. Even though July and August are very crowded and expensive, the sea is warm enough for swimming only during this time. So if you plan a beach holiday, summer is your best option.

How to get to Mykonos

There are basically two ways to get to Mykonos: by ferry or by plane.

Since the island’s airport is small and only receives a limited number of flights — mostly from Athens or some European cities (and those only in summer) — most people arrive by ferry.

Ferries run regularly to Mykonos, whether you’re coming from Athens or another Greek island. There are several ferries every day, so it’s a good idea to check the schedule and prices on the Ferryhopper website.

If you want to take a car on the ferry, it can be quite expensive, and not all ferries carry vehicles. Still, it’s a comfortable option — we chose it ourselves during our Greek island-hopping trip.

How to get around Mykonos

Since most of the sights in Mykonos are in the main town (Mykonos Town), you don’t really need to rent a car. But if you want a more comfortable trip, or you plan to explore other parts of the island, a car can be useful.

However, you should know that driving in Mykonos is not as easy as it may seem. The roads are not very well-developed — many are narrow, winding, and hilly. Parking is also difficult in many places.

So, if you’re only visiting for one day, it might be better to explore Mykonos Town on foot. For the rest of the island, you can rent a scooter or ATV, take a private transfer, or use local buses.

If you’re interested in bus schedules, you can find more information at the link.

For private transfers, I recommend the following:

Best restaurants in Mykonos

I mostly recommend restaurants in Mykonos Town, since the itinerary also focuses on that area:

• Vegera Restaurant Cafe Bar Mykonos: A cozy restaurant in Little Venice, right by the sea, in a busy spot. They offer a wide range of Greek and international dishes. We had lunch here during our trip to Mykonos and really enjoyed it.
• Pepper Souvlaki & More: A small, charming Greek restaurant on a narrow street in Little Venice. It’s a great place to try Greek food at good prices. They also have gluten-free options. However, if you have celiac disease, be careful — even though some dishes are marked gluten-free, based on my experience, there is a risk of cross-contamination.
• Gioras Wood Medieval Mykonian Bakery: If you just want a quick bite at a bakery, I recommend this place. It’s only a few minutes’ walk from the windmills. They also have some gluten-free options.
• Taverna Lakka Garden: If you’re looking for a truly authentic Greek place, this is a great choice. It’s located in the southern part of the town, on a narrow pedestrian street.

Can you drink tap water in Mykonos?

It’s not recommended to drink tap water in Mykonos. It’s not dangerous — for example, we had no problem using it to brush our teeth — but it’s better not to drink it.

Also, this is not the same on every Greek island. On some islands the tap water is safe to drink, on others it’s not, so it’s always good to check before you go.

Which other Greek islands are worth visiting?

There are many other Greek islands near Mykonos that you might want to see.

I think these are the best ones:

Delos

Delos is a small island just a few kilometers from Mykonos, so it’s perfect for a short trip of a few hours from there.

I recommend it mainly for people who enjoy history, especially if you’re interested in ancient Greek ruins and statues.

The island is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its historical importance.

It’s an uninhabited island, so you’ll only see museum staff and other tourists there.

Paros

Paros is a beautiful small island and also part of the Cyclades group, just about a 1-hour ferry ride from Mykonos.

If you visit Paros, explore its charming main town, Parikia, where you can walk through lovely little streets, see colorful house entrances, and enjoy the flowers. The seaside promenade is also very nice, with many great Greek restaurants to try.

If you have more time, visit other parts of the island too—like the village of Naousa, which is perfect for a few hours of exploring.

And if you’re looking for a special beach, check out Kolymbithres Beach. It’s known for its unique rock formations, making it great not just for swimming, but also for taking amazing photos.

So, Paros is a perfect destination for a day trip from Mykonos.

Naxos

Naxos is another great option for a day trip from Mykonos. It’s located next to Paros and is just a short ferry ride away.

If you visit Naxos, don’t miss the Venetian Castle in the heart of the main town. The island is also home to several impressive ancient ruins scattered across the countryside, such as the Ancient Temple of Demeter, Aria Spring, and the Kouros Statue.

The most popular spot on the island is the Temple of Apollo, located in Naxos Town. It offers stunning views and is known as the best place to watch the sunset.

Personally, I found some of the best beaches in the Cyclades on Naxos. The island is also a favorite for water sports lovers.

Some of the most well-known beaches include Agios Georgios Beach near the town, Agios Prokopios Beach, and Mikri Vigla Beach.

So, if you’re looking for a less crowded island close to Mykonos, with ancient history and beautiful beaches, Naxos is an excellent choice.

Santorini

Santorini is one of the most famous Greek islands and can be reached from Mykonos by ferry, though the trip takes a bit longer, around 2 to 4 hours.

The island is best known for its caldera views, whitewashed houses with blue domes, and stunning sunsets, especially from the village of Oia. It’s a dream destination for photographers, couples, and anyone who loves breathtaking Greek scenery.

The vibrant capital, Fira, and the charming village of Imerovigli are also well worth exploring.

Santorini is home to fascinating historical sites, like the ancient city of Akrotiri. You can also visit the black sand beaches of Kamari and Perissa, or take a boat tour to the nearby volcanic islands.

While Santorini is one of the more popular, expensive and busier islands, it’s absolutely worth visiting for its unique beauty, history, and charm.

So if you don’t mind a slightly longer trip and want to experience one of the most iconic places in Greece, Santorini is a must-see island near Mykonos.

So, this was the detailed one-day Mykonos itinerary, broken down by time of day. You got to know the highlights of Mykonos, the best things to do, and the top hotels, restaurants, and bars — all personally recommended.

With all this info, it’ll be much easier to plan a short trip to Mykonos.

So if you’re feeling inspired to visit for a day — or for any kind of short trip — book your flight, ferry, and hotel as soon as you can, and get ready to enjoy the beautiful island of Mykonos!