The best things to do in Mykonos in one day

It's easy to see why Mykonos is one of the most loved destinations in the Greek Islands. My one day Mykonos itinerary will show you the best things to do in Mykonos town, and nearby, on your cruise ship port of call.

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From exploring ancient windmills, swimming in crystal clear waters to discovering pretty churches and losing yourself in winding alleyways lined with white-washed, blue-shuttered houses read on for the best things to do in Mykonos, Greece on my self-guided walking itinerary.

Mykonos is the epitome of Greek prettiness. This small island is part of the Cyclades archipelago, adjacent to tiny Delos in the Aegean Sea. Pristine white buildings with azure blue doors and windows are set against the bluest skies.

What to see in Mykonos in one day

I have to admit to falling a little bit in love with Mykonos when I visited as part of a Mediterranean cruise with Celebrity Cruises. If you've arrived on a cruise ship it's likely you'll only have a day in Mykonos, or maybe even just a few hours to explore but there's plenty to see just a short distance away from the port.

If that's how you'll be visiting you might enjoy a Mykonos sightseeing tour specifically designed for cruise ship passengers who have limited time on the island. You'll visit sights like Armenistis Lighthouse and take a walking tour of Mykonos Town. Check rates and availability. Or you could just book a walking tour of Mykonos Town if you prefer to have a guide.

If a tour's not for you, there are plenty of Mykonos highlights close to the cruise ship port that you can visit without a guide. You'll find all the best Mykonos sights and attracations including the Chora (Mykonos old town) and others top sights covered in this guide to exploring Mykonos in a day.

If you've only got one day in Mykonos you can to take a boat trip to the ancient island of Delos and still have time for things to do in Mykonos town. Even with limited time you can enjoy its windmills, pretty alleyways, shopping, beaches and good food.

Here's how to make the most of your 1-day Mykonos cruise stop based on my own solo visit. I've included Mykonos town things to do, all the must-dos, and a nearby beach and taverna if you want a swim and lunch.

So, what is there to do in Mykonos, Greece? Quite a lot actually...

How to get to Mykonos Town from the cruise port

If you're arriving in Mykonos by cruise ship you'll either dock at one of two ports:

The New Port of Mykonos (Tourlos) or the Old Port (Chora)

From the New Port Tourlos your cruise line may provide a shuttle bus. Other options are a 5-minute Sea Bus or water taxi from Tourlos to the Old Port, otherwise it's a half-hour walk.

Another way to reach the old town from the Tourlos cruise port is by a short bus ride (one stop) or an 8-minute taxi ride to Mykonos Old Town.

If you dock at the Old Port then it's just a few minute's walk to the Old Town.

Mykonos Old Town at a Glance

Top Sights

The Windmills (Kato Mili), Little Venice, Panagia Paraportiani, Matogianni Street

Walking Distance

To walk the entire Old Town it's around 1.5–2 miles on mainly on the flat with some cobblestones. You'll need to climb a hill to get to the windmills and past Panagia Paraportiani church. Flat walking shoes are recommended. The entire old town is car/motorbike free and pedestrian friendly.

How long do you need in Mykonos Old Town?

A morning or afternoon (3-4 hours) is enough time to enjoy all the best things to do in Mykonos Town. If you can arrive before 9am you'll find it pleasantly quiet although that's not always possible from a cruise ship.

If you're planning on visting Delos Island (see below) then you'll need a morning or afternoon for that plus a few hours for Mykonos old town. I visited Delos in the morning and explored the old town from around 12-noon and had plenty of time to visit everything in this article plus beach time and lunch.

Do you need to book a shore excursion for Mykonos?

If you like to explore on your own there’s plenty to see in Mykonos old town and within a short walking distance of it without the need for a shore excursion. It's easy to get around without getting lost and I felt very safe in the town travelling solo.

If you prefer, you could book a Mykonos guided tour with a local guide and see a bit more of the island.

Things to do in Mykonos Town

If you're spending one day in Mykonos or even a week, Mykonos Town is a must-see. Also known as Chora, it is one of the prettiest towns in the Cyclades. Although the Chora on Ios island is in close competition.

In case you're wondering, Chora means 'town' in Greek. It's a common practice in Greece to use 'Chora' when the name of the main town is the same as the name of the island.

Mykonos town sits on a bay of clear turquoise water lined with restaurants, bars, shops and a small port. Fishing boats back from the day’s catch are moored in the shallows and whitewashed houses dot the hillside like little boxes.

Agios Nikolaos Church, the tiniest of blue-domed churches, sits almost on the water, it’s flags fluttering on the warm breeze. Its pristine white-washed walls are the perfect contrast to the cobalt-blue of the sky.

You could happily spend your time on Mykonos only exploring the Chora's tiny winding lanes, shops and restaurants or sitting with a cold drink gazing at the views. But we'll be back for that later, there are other things to see in Mykonos first.

Church of Panagia Paraportiani, Mykonos

Carry on past the bay and head up the hill to the right and you’ll come to the most famous of Mykonos’ 400 churches. It is also the most photographed.

Paraportiani Church is a small pyramid-shaped structure made up of four churches built asymmetrically together in various architectural styles.

The lower part of the church was once part of Mykonos castle, built to defend the old port many centuries ago.

White-washed to within an inch of its life it has a little bell-tower, dome and is crowned with crucifixes which stand out against the backdrop of never-ending ocean and cloudless blue sky.

Don't miss this gorgeous little church, it's a Mykonos must-visit! The Folklore Museum of Mykonos is located a few meters away in an old two-storey ship owner’s house.

Visit Little Venice

Keep walking away from the port and you’ll arrive at Little Venice, a Mykonos hot spot. The waterfront is lined with rows of eighteenth century fishing houses with wooden balconies that hang out over the sea.

The houses, with direct access to the sea, originally belonged to shipping merchants but now house a lively area of cafes, restaurants, bars and shops. Tables are set up all along the water’s edge for outdoor dining with stunning views.

If you’re ready for a cool drink find yourself a bar with a shaded balcony looking directly over the water. It's the perfect place to take a break and soak up the scenery. I made myself at home in Katerina's bar and had the best time chilling on the balcony with a glass of Greek wine as the sea lapped below me. It's one of the best places on the island to watch the sun set.

Check out the Mykonos Windmills

Refreshed and rested from your stop in Little Venice you’re now ready for the short walk up the hill to the iconic Mykonos Windmills.

The Kato Mili which stand sentry at the top of the hill were built by the Venetians in the sixteenth century and they're one of the top Mykonos things to do.

Originally the straw-topped mills with wooden sails were used for milling flour. Nowadays one houses a museum and another can be rented for short stays. There are around a dozen windmills on Mykonos but these are the most famous.

These historic landmarks are also a clue as to why Mykonos is called the 'island of the winds'. The strong winds were put to good use in ancient Greece for milling flour. The views of the Agean sea and nearby islands from the windmills are stunning. If you have time be there for sunset it's one of the best things to see in Mykonos Greece.

More Greece inspiration:

• What to eat in Crete 
• Why you should go to Rethymno
• Discovering Delos, Isle of Light
• Santorini Travel Guide
• The best things to do in Heraklion, Crete

Chill on Megali Ammos Beach

If you want to beat the crowds and find a quiet beach with a typical Greek taverna I know just the place. Keep going past the windmills and meander your way down to the golden sands of one of the best beaches in Mykonos. Megali Ammos, a small beach, is a well-kept secret and an ideal spot to avoid the crowds. It's the closest beach to Mykonos Town.

It’s just a ten-minute walk from the windmills and Joanna’s Niko’s Place Taverna serves up delicious Greek fare with a side of traditional Greek music.

It's a great place for lunch. Think crisp Greek salads, fresh fish, baked feta, fried zucchini, tzatziki, taramasalata and warmed pittas for dipping.

After all that good food take time to relax on the beach for an hour before heading back to explore the alleyways in Mykonos Town.

Explore the Alleyways of Mykonos Town

There’s exploring and shopping to be done in the tiny alleyways and narrow streets of Little Venice. Make sure you have at least an hour to wander the winding white-washed alleyways and back streets of Mykonos town, one of the main attractions on the island.

The maze of alleyways was designed to confuse invaders back in the day and within them you’ll find art galleries, boutiques selling artisan jewellery and souvenir shops. Narrow lanes festooned with vibrant Bougainvillea lead to hidden churches - there are around 60 churches in the old town.

Cats laze in front of azure-blue doorways soaking up the endless sunshine. A day in Mykonos slows the pace as you adjust to its laid-back Greek vibe. Take time to chill and allow yourself to fall under its spell.

Take a day trip to Delos from Mykonos

I started my day in Mykonos by taking a short boat trip to Delos, a sacred Greek island, known as the Isle of Light.

I'm adding it here, at the end, because not everyone will want to include it in their Mykonos visit. However, if history and archaeology are your bag then you'll want to add this guided tour of Delos into your one day itinerary. You'll still have the afternoon to explore Mykonos town after the trip.

Delos is one of the most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites in Greece. It's also the mythical birthplace of Apollo, god of light, truth and music and his twin sister Artemis.

The UNESCO World Heritage site is just 25-minutes by a small boat from Mykonos. The island is peppered with old statues, sprawling ruins and an ancient shrine. Read more in my article about Delos the Isle of Light.

In my experience, I recommend taking a morning guided tour of Delos as soon as you disembark. It's the best option because you'll still have plenty of time to explore the rest of Mykonos town in the afternoon and be closer to the port ready to set sail in the evening.

This guided tour of Delos of will pick you up from the cruise ship port at 9am and drop you at Mykonos old port in the town afterwards.

The Archaeological museum of Mykonos overlooks the old harbour. Many artifacts excavated from nearby islands like Rheneia and Mykonos itself are exhibited there. This would pair nicely with your trip to Delos.

A Mykonos day trip is a must-do on your Greek island cruise. You could spend your time exploring Mykonos old town or choose from a Mykonos guided tour to see more of the island.

I'm sure you can see why I loved my visit to the Cycladic island of Mykonos and it's tiny neighbour Delos. Mykonos is one of the most popular Greek islands and for good reason. Hopefully, this article has given you some ideas for your own Mykonos one day itinerary. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Click here for details of my self-guided walk tour in Mykonos available to download to your mobile device.

If you're staying longer in Mykonos you might want to explore the nearby island of Ios which is around 2 hours away by ferry. Check ferry routes and schedules to and from Ios/Mykonos.