Mykonos itinerary: how to spend 3 days on the Greek island

Mykonos is very beautiful! A short distance from other Cyclades islands in Greece, like Santorini, it is an easy place to visit in a few days. Here are some ideas for visiting the Greek island. This Mykonos itinerary takes into account the best places on the island for those visiting for the first time. It has been divided into three days with an optimal way to see the main highlights of the island in those three days.

How to get around Mykonos

You only have a few options when it comes to traveling around Mykonos; public transport, guided tours, car rentals, and taxis. Renting a car gives you the most flexibility, as you can easily plan your trip. You will also find that you won’t need to rent a car every day, depending on your itinerary.

As for public transport, you have the KTEL buses servicing the most popular destinations. There are also ferry buses or water taxis you can use to get around. Many people choose to explore Mykonos through a tour as you will always have an expert guide with you. However, there is also the option to book a taxi, but these are limited. For the more adventurous souls, you can always rent an ATV.

Day 1 in Mykonos

Explore Chora

The town of Mykonos is locally known as Chora and is often the place where people settle during their travels. It is a beautiful Cycladic village, home to traditional Greek buildings, local tavernas, and charming churches. To start your itinerary in Mykonos, spend some time wandering the town’s narrow streets. This way, you can explore some of Chora’s hidden gems, quirky art galleries, and picturesque chapels.

You can explore Chora on your own or join this fantastic 3-hour walking tour! With your guide, you will visit some fantastic destinations including the Castle of Chora, the Matogianni district, and the Folklore Museum. This tour also includes Little Venice, the church of Panagia Paraportiani, and some of the other destinations we will include on the first day of this itinerary.

Little Venice

Mykonos is no stranger to charming districts, but Little Venice must take the top spot! With old fishermen’s houses, cozy seaside bars, and turquoise waters, the beauty of this area is stunning.

Little Venice is thought to have been built between the 13th and 18th centuries, so it has a rich history. Since at that time the island was under Venetian rule, it makes sense that the area was designed this way. The houses here were originally the homes of some of the island’s wealthiest individuals, including ship captains and merchants.

Today, however, many of them have been transformed into quirky bars and beautiful hotels like Bluetopia Suites! Being one of the most photographed spots in Europe, this is not a place to miss. Not only is it a great spot to watch the sunset, but it’s the perfect place to relax and have lunch.

Little Venice also offers some trendy boutiques, wonderful art galleries, and authentic Greek churches.

Panagia Paraportiani

Next on this 3-day Mykonos itinerary, we have the church of Panagia Paraportiani. It is one of the most photographed places on the island and is actually made up of five separate churches. The oldest of the five is Agios Anargyros, which was built during the 14th century, while the others were built during the 16th-17th centuries.

At the center of this complex is Agios Efstathios, surrounded by Agios Anargyros, Agia Anastasia, Agios Sozon, and the church of the Virgin Mary. Each of them is beautiful and they are also situated in a scenic location, right by the sea.

Since Panagia Paraportiani is a popular spot, we recommend arriving relatively early. It can get very crowded during the day, so try to avoid the crowds for the best experience.

Mykonos Archaeological Museum

This iconic museum has existed since 1902 and is one of the island’s must-see places. They offer full tickets at €4 and reduced tickets at €2, but throughout the year there are also some free entry days. The Mykonos Archaeological Museum was built to preserve historical artifacts dating back to 426-425 BC. These artifacts were excavated from the “purification pit” discovered in 1898. The finds inside this museum date from the 25th century BC to the 1st century. Here you will find funerary statues, ceramics, jewelry, and clay figures among other objects! Although it is relatively small, you will want to take your time strolling through this fantastic museum.

Mykonos Windmills

No Mykonos itinerary is complete without a visit to the Chora Windmills. These iconic windmills have become a popular photo spot and it’s easy to see why!

There are 16 windmills in total, and they were once used to grind agricultural crops. Thanks to the fact that Mykonos is the “island of winds,” these windmills were able to harness wind energy to help local farmers. Although no longer operational, many of these windmills have been restored. Bonis Windmill is the most famous as it has been transformed into an agricultural museum. One of the best reasons to visit the Mykonos Windmills is simply the view you’ll get from the top. For this reason, it is also a fantastic sunset spot!

Dinner in Chora

After a full day spent exploring Mykonos’ main town, it’s time to grab a bite and simply relax. Now you’ll have plenty of options, so take your time deciding. Some restaurants offer fantastic sea views, while others are located along Chora’s charming narrow alleys.

Here are some great restaurants in the town of Mykonos:

• Local Mykonos: known for its Souvlaki, grilled dishes, and Mediterranean cuisine
• Captain’s – Food for Sharing: Offers outdoor meals with sea views
• To Maereio: Authentic Greek restaurant serving traditional cuisine
• Kadena: Stunning sea views, fresh fish, and delicious pasta dishes

Be aware that the more popular restaurants will fill up quickly. Some require long waits, while others need reservations.

Tag 2 in Mykonos

Mach bei einer geführten Tour auf Delos mit

Auch wenn du nur 3 Tage in Mykonos hast, wäre es eine Schande, die nahegelegene Insel Delos nicht zu besuchen. Sie ist ein UNESCO-Weltkulturerbe und eine der bedeutendsten archäologischen Stätten Griechenlands.

Die Geschichte der Insel reicht bis ins 3. Jahrhundert v. Chr. zurück und es wird angenommen, dass hier sowohl der Gott Apollo als auch die Göttin Artemis geboren wurden.

Diese fantastische geführte Tour beinhaltet den Hoteltransfer in Mykonos, Hin- und Rückfahrkarten mit dem Boot und ein Skip-the-Line-Eintrittsticket! Da du während der Tour immer einen Führer dabei hast, wirst du so viel über die Insel lernen.

Während der Tour kannst du wählen, ob du eine Wanderung zum Tempel der Isis machen oder das Archäologische Museum besuchen möchtest. Leider hast du keine Zeit, beides zu machen, deshalb empfehlen wir dir Letzteres.

Das Archäologische Museum von Delos

Wenn du auf der Insel bist, solltest du einen Besuch im Archäologischen Museum von Delos nicht verpassen. Es wurde 1904 gegründet und umfasst neun Räume zum Erkunden, in denen alle historische Artefakte beherbergen. Einige dieser Objekte stammen aus dem 1. Jahrhundert v. Chr., darunter Mosaike, Schmuck, Keramik und Kopfbedeckungen. Doch es sind die hier ausgestellten Statuen, die die Aufmerksamkeit auf sich ziehen.

Im Inneren dieses Museums findest du sechs seltene Statuen, die direkt auf der Insel ausgegraben wurden. Sie stellen Apollo, Dioskurides und Kleopatra (die beiden letzten aus Delos) sowie weitere dar und sind ein beeindruckender Anblick.

Für diejenigen, die lieber mehr Zeit zur Verfügung haben (was du bei einer Tour nicht hast), kannst du einfach deine Hin- und Rückfahrten per Boot buchen. So kannst du auch die Wanderung zum Tempel der Isis machen!

Psarou Strand

Nach der Rückkehr von der Insel Delos empfehlen wir dir, etwas Zeit am Psarou Strand zu verbringen. Er ist nur 10-15 Autominuten vom Hafen Deliana entfernt, wo du ankommst, und du kannst ihn mit dem örtlichen Bus erreichen. Psarou ist einer der bekanntesten Strände Mykonos’ dank seines türkisblauen Wassers, seines weißen Sandes und der wilden Partys. Du kannst hier auch Sonnenliegen reservieren, aber diese können teuer sein! Mit Angeboten für Wassersportarten, der Möglichkeit zu entspannen und zu schwimmen, ist es kein Wunder, dass dieser Strand so beliebt ist. Tatsächlich wird es in den Sommermonaten unglaublich voll. Da du am späten Nachmittag besuchen wirst, könntest du vielleicht den Massen entgehen. Allerdings hängt das alles davon ab, wann du von der Insel Delos zurückkommst.

Gönn dir einen Drink an der 180º Sunset Bar (und Abendessen!)

Um den zweiten Tag dieses Mykonos-Reiseplans ausklingen zu lassen, solltest du zur 180º Sunset Bar gehen. Wie der Name schon sagt, genießt du hier atemberaubende Ausblicke auf die Stadt, die Insel und das Meer.

Diese Bar serviert einige der besten Gerichte der Insel und du hast eine große Auswahl an Speisen. Einige der Fan-Favoriten sind französische Austern mit Trüffelkaviar, Thunfischtatar mit gedämpftem Sushi-Reis und das Schokoladencremeux mit gesalzenem Karamellsauce.

Du hast auch eine umfangreiche Weinkarte sowie einige ausgefallene Cocktails, daher ist es der perfekte Ort, um einen Drink zu genießen und den Sonnenuntergang anzusehen.

Während der Hochsaison ist in der Regel eine Reservierung erforderlich und es gibt einen Mindestumsatz, der je nach Besuchszeit variiert. Du kannst aber auch einfach spontan vorbeischauen und früh da sein, um zu sehen, ob Tische frei sind.

Day 3 in Mykonos

Ornos Beach

To start your last day, head to the Ornos beach and spend some time here relaxing. It is located about 3.5 km from the main town of Chora and you can take the public bus or a taxi.

Ornos is one of the busiest beaches on the island, but if you go in the morning, you should be able to easily find a spot. Otherwise, it can seem quite crowded. With plenty of sunbeds to rent, a diving school, sea skiing opportunities, and waterfront restaurants, this beach really has it all. Whether you are looking to relax or try some water sports, there is something for everyone.

Apart from the beach itself, the surrounding area is extremely scenic. This makes it a must-stop on any Mykonos itinerary!

Lunch in Ornos

After spending some time in the sun, it is time to grab a bite in Ornos Town. Whether you are looking for a seafront spot or a quiet restaurant away from the bustle, this town has something for everyone.

Here are some great restaurants in Ornos:

• Alesta Restaurant Mykonos: beautiful restaurant, known for its fantastic service
• Aperanto Galazio Cuisine bar: beach bar serving tasty Mediterranean dishes
• Apaggio Restaurant: famous for its local fish dishes and scenic location
• Kostantis Restaurant: excellent service, great atmosphere, and delicious food

The restaurants here do not tend to be as crowded as in the main town of Chora, but that can depend on when you visit. Naturally, the seaside options are more popular but you should not have trouble finding a place to eat.

Armenistis Lighthouse

Mykonos as a whole is undeniably beautiful, but there are some special gems not to be missed. Armenistis Lighthouse is one of them, and even though you cannot enter, this place has much to offer.

Perched on the edge of the island, this old lighthouse is 19 meters tall and is still in use today. From here, you can also enjoy breathtaking sea views, so do not forget your camera! Compared to other points on the island, Armenistis Lighthouse is extremely peaceful. This makes it the perfect place to escape the crowds.

The road to the lighthouse is quite steep, so be careful if you are riding up here on an ATV. At the top you will find a large parking lot and then you can spend some time exploring the area.

Take a Sunset Cruise

There is no better way to appreciate the island’s fiery sunsets than by going on a cruise. You can also reminisce about your trip as you sail along the Aegean Sea.

With Mykonos Kaiki Cruises, you can go on a 2.5-hour sunset cruise that includes drinks and snacks. The cruise will take you past the charming Little Venice neighborhood and you can admire the town from a unique perspective.

Whether you are traveling as a couple, family, or group, this is the perfect way to end your trip to Mykonos. You will create amazing memories and have plenty of photo opportunities, making it the perfect activity!

These cruises run from April 16 to October 15, so they are a great option even if you plan to visit off-season.

Bonus: more than 3 days in Mykonos?

Here are some other popular activities you might consider if you have more than 3 days in Mykonos!

Take a winery tour

For those who have a bit more time on the island, why not check out this fantastic winery tour? It lasts 2 hours and during this time you will visit a local winery.

After wandering through the olive grove and vineyards, you will see how local wine is made. Of course, then you can do a wine tasting and appreciate the different flavors. Not only that, but this winery tour allows you to enjoy some delicious Mykonos snacks and listen to traditional music, so you get the full Greek island experience.

Tours like this you might want to book in advance as they can be quite popular! Apart from the beach itself, the surrounding area is extremely scenic. This makes it a must-visit stop for any Mykonos itinerary!

Visit some of Mykonos’s other beaches

Mykonos has no shortage of beaches and although we have already seen two in this itinerary, there are many more to choose from.

Paradise Beach and Super Paradise Beach are located next to each other and are two of the most popular spots in Mykonos. Both can get quite crowded during the summer months, but they are undeniably beautiful.

Some of the quieter options in Mykonos include Agios Stefanos Beach, Agios Ioannis Beach, and Panormos Beach (the latter is a good option for nudists).

Just make sure to do your research beforehand as some have amenities, while others offer a more “natural” experience without bars, restaurants, facilities, etc.

Take a cooking class at Mykonian Spiti

If you have some extra time on your itinerary in Mykonos, we highly recommend checking out this cooking class. Run by Mykonian Spiti, this lesson takes place in a traditional house, so it’s an incredible experience. This 6-hour program will guide you through everything you need to know about authentic Greek cooking. This includes culture, traditional lifestyle, and some other tips.

You will prepare some local specialties including tzatziki and spinach and beef pie with barley, along with many others. Along the way, you will also get to enjoy some homemade local snacks. The tasting is obviously the best part and local wine is included!

Where to stay in Mykonos

You will find many fantastic places to stay in Mykonos – here are some of the best (including the place I stayed during my trip there)!

• Mykonos Riviera (Aram stayed here – it was super luxurious!)
• Alissachni Mykonos (has private pools!)
• Palladium Hotel (great location)
• Argo Hotel (has a huge pool!)

Did we miss any of the best things to include in a Mykonos itinerary? Let us know your favorite things to do with just 3 days in Mykonos in the comments! Thank you!