18 Best Things to Do in Mykonos, Greece

An island in the Aegean Sea, Mykonos attracts tourists not just because of the famous Paradise and Super Paradise beaches but its exciting nightlife as well.

Its iconic landmarks never fail to surprise the visitors, either.

To maximize your visit to the Greek island, make sure to add the following activities and places to your bucket list.

Here's a list of the best things to do in Mykonos, Greece:

Witness the Iconic Windmills of Mykonos

No longer running but still standing as mementos of development, the 16 windmills date back to the 16th century.

The power harnessed by these Venetian-built windmills was used to grind grains until production ceased in the 20th century.

One of the 16 mills is now a museum, providing breathtaking views of part of the harbor and the whole village of Chora.

Have a Romantic Time at Little Venice

With one side covered with brightly whitewashed houses and the other carrying the blue waters of the Aegean Sea, Little Venice exudes beauty and romance.

While the restaurants provide you with delectable food and the best scenic dining, you and your partner can enjoy both the natural essence of the town and some quality time.

Many great artists have not only painted these ethereal views but have also made this town their home.

Say a Prayer in the Church of Panagia Paraportiani

The Church of Panagia Paraportiani is a well-known tourist attraction.

Built in 1425, this church also blesses people's eyes with its simple yet fascinating whitewash.

When translated from Greek, the name means "Our Lady of the Side Gate," as the entrance of the church lies in the side gate of the Kastro region.

Another fascinating thing about the church would be its structure.

The Church of Panagia Paraportiani consists of five churches, four of which create a base below for the fifth church.

When you go to Chora, remember to join hands here for peace of mind.

Take a Dip in Paradise

One of Mykonos' most famous tourist attractions is Paradise Beach.

Looking for partying and beaches?

Paradise Beach is the way to go.

The Paradise Beach Club is a proud owner of the #14 position in the world for the best club.

A long trail of restaurants, bars, and hotels is available for you to choose from.

If you want to experience some peaceful time with just the sand and shore, remember to plan a morning visit, as the parties start in the afternoon.

And do remember that since Paradise Beach is on nearly every tourist's list, it will very likely be heavily crowded.

Adjust your timings well.

Also, the sister beach is no less worth checking out—visit the Super Paradise Beach, too, and have a fun time.

Visit the Monastery of Paleokastro

Located in a village called Ano Mera, this nunnery takes its name from the Gizi Castle (meaning "old castle" in Greek).

This nunnery was built in the 18th century and is an example of typical Cycladic architecture.

It's one of the greenest spots of Mykonos.

Some meters from the monastery, you can also find a church praising Saint Vlasis.

Adding more to the town's beautiful history, there's an undecoded prehistoric tomb with a giant granite rock, which eventually rises three meters above sea level.

This town is truly a delight for history lovers!

Immerse Yourself in History at the Mykonos Folklore Museum

The Folklore Museum's main building, Kastro House, showcases antiquities dating back to the 19th century.

Although the building was initially owned by Nicholas Malouhos, it consists of the contrivances of his grandson, Professor Vasilios Kyriazopoulos.

Mr.Malouhos was a captain, and this house gives us an idea of how early wealthy Mykonians lived.

The museum has seven rooms, manifesting the remains of history.

Visitors never forget to thank the museum's curator, as it plays an essential role in conveying the history of the island.

Spend the Day at Psarou Beach

Want a more peaceful and scenic view than Paradise Beach?

Psarou is the destination for you.

Being a favorite spot of many celebrities and tourists, Psarou Beach is a sight to behold with its greenish-blue waters and powdery sand.

In the summer, the beach gets pretty crowded, so make sure to prioritize the use of public transport because it's pretty challenging to find a parking spot.

It also has a strip of expensive-but-worth-it restaurants.

Look for nearby hotels if you want to spend romantic time with your partner, as the scenes scream nothing but "love is in the air."

Take a Trip Back in Time at Delos

One of Greece's most important historical, archaeological, and mythological sites, Delos displays the land's rich history in an impeccable way.

Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Delos has become an essential part of understanding history.

It is mythologically essential as it is the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.

When you visit Delos, make sure to visit these places: Sacred Lake, Minoan Fountain, Market Square, Temple of Delians, Terrace of the Lions
Oikos of the Naxians, House of Dionysos, Doric Temple, Temple of Hera, and House of the Dolphins.

Tour the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos

The Archaeological Museum of Mykonos was established in 1902 to preserve artifacts excavated in Rhenia.

It's now home to artifacts, sculptures, jewelry, and ceramics from neighborhood villages of Rhenia and Delos, dating back to 1898.

The famous Mykonos Vase is displayed here, too.

The vase was discovered in 1961 and depicts the Trojan Horse from Homer's Iliad.

Visitors will encounter the statues of Hercules and Aphrodite by the entry and will then be led to six different exhibition rooms and a courtyard.

The museum also houses a room dedicated to pottery, weapons, and jewelry.

There are also vases, tombstones, and sculptures relevant to Greek history.

Shop at Matoyianni Street

"The heart of the island" Matoyianni Street is a heaven for shopaholics.

The phrase "shop till you drop" definitely suits this location.

The street is full of souvenir shops and designer stores.

Visitors can purchase various products, from original Byzantine jewelry to handcrafted sandals.

In search of style with a mix of luxury?

Choose your own uniquely designed sandals with crazy accessories like sparkling Swarovski diamonds.

You can access the market until midnight in the summer.

And yes, the nightlife is fabulous.

The street comprises many nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and cafes, which will put you in a "What to choose?" situation.

Best of luck there!

Enjoy Adventures at Kalafati

There are so many beaches out there, but none is like Kalafati.

Kalafati is a village in Mykonos, giving its name to its beach, too.

It is not a typical tourist place, but it is undoubtedly a perfect place for water adventurers.

The beach faces a bay, and therefore, activities like sailing, windsurfing, and scuba diving are popular here.

Try to book a hotel before your visit as there are not many.

You'll get to eat in excellent restaurants, open-air bars, and pizzerias.

The shipwrecks provide a perfect match for photography enthusiasts.

Rocky coastal roads can take you to the neighboring Agia Anna Beach, where the Santa Anna Church blesses the Aegean.

Go Horseback Riding in Mykonos

What could be better than riding a horse on the shores of such a beautiful island?

A town known as Horseland is known for horse riding, even on the powdery sands of its beaches.

Many couples come here to get engaged.

The scenic beauty, romantic sunsets, and beautiful horses create a romantic atmosphere for a marriage proposal.

Many horseback riding agencies take you to and from the hotel free of cost.

Visitors can travel from Ano Mera to Fokos Beach on the horses, too.

Treat Yourself to a Rejuvenating Spa Treatment

In Mykonos, the chances are high that your hotel can provide you with the best spa and massage treatments.

The majority of the hotels in Mykonos offer such treatments to customers.

Elia Beach, Ornos, and Agios Ioannis Mykonos hold the top centers on the island for these services.

Although most of them are in hotels, visitors can always find specialized centers for them in nearly all towns of Mykonos.

Many hotels provide these facilities in poolside areas, making your relaxing experience even more memorable.

Join a Wine Tasting Tour

Greece is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world.

Also, it is home to the second oldest known grapevine remnants and the world's earliest crushed grapes.

When you visit Greece, it's a must to add wine tasting to your to-do list.

Viticulture has been a part of Mykonos since ancient times.

Every farmhouse in Mykonos has a wine press known as Lino.

It's better to call a tour agency for wine tasting in Mykonos.

Many of them offer a four-hour wine tasting tour on the island, including free pick-up and drop-off services for customers.

You can choose the experience of your wine tasting: an executive wine tasting course at a traditional Mykonian home, a tasting at an authentic Mykonian farm with classic house wines, or the picks of sommeliers.

And the list goes on depending upon the agency you choose.

Join a Food Workshop

Usually taking six hours, food workshops are the most popular in Mykonos.

Cook and give your taste buds a splash of the traditional Greek food under the eyes of professionals.

Savor it with chefs and your fellow mates in accordance with the traditional Greek wines to make the most of your dining.

By joining a workshop, you will experience the traditional Greek way of life.

Remember Maritime Past at the Aegean Maritime Museum

Founded in 1985, the Aegean Maritime Museum on Mykonos, Greece is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to preserve Greece's tradition and maritime history.

In particular, the museum does this through its permanent exhibit—a historical ship whose evolution and activities reflect how merchant ships have changed over time.

A traditional Mykonian building from the 19th century houses the Aegean Maritime Museum at Mykonos' town center.

The museum holds a collection of model ships, historical documents, engravings, ancient artifacts, navigational instruments, and a collection of coins worth checking out.

The open green gardens at the museum are home to several stone base replicas.

These once belonged to the graves of swimmers who succumbed to Mykonos and Delos shipwrecks.

Marvel at Jaw-Dropping Art Displays at RARITY GALLERY

RARITY GALLERY was founded in 1994 by an artist duo, Vassilis Matsaidonis, and Christos Nikolaou.

The pair wanted to provide young artists with a platform to display their artistic talents and creations.

At this art space, you'll find a wide selection of the most innovative minimalist pop art that's been praised by major contemporary artists and art critics at international museums.

This includes masterpieces by Julian Opie, who was the most influential modernist sculptor to emerge from Great Britain.

Other artists showcased by the museum include Mel Ramos, the collaborative artist duo Muntean & Rosenblum, Postmodernist Russian painter George Pusenkoff, the Op and Kinetic artist Antonio Marra, and more.

Tucked away amidst the stunning scenery of a gorgeous manor house built in the early 20th century, the gallery has hosted more than 80 exhibitions from solo and group artists since 1994.

Each has added something entirely new to an already expansive definition of what art can accomplish scarcely by dint of their work's very own conception.

Check Out the Iconic Armenistis Lighthouse

Built in 1891, Armenistis Lighthouse remains an iconic tribute to Mykonos' ancient maritime roots and a timeless reminder of the island's maritime history.

Still highly functional, its light shines over the harbor as a serene beacon for locals and visitors alike.

Nestled at Fanari in the island's north-western area, Armenistis Lighthouse is about 6.5 kilometers from Chora on Mykonos' north coast road.

It's up on a hill overlooking a dazzling strip of blue water between islands Tinos and Mykonos.

Situated in scenic surroundings and entwined within ancient history, this lighthouse is well worth visiting to get a feeling for this extraordinary island's magnificent scenery and captivating history.

The Armenistis Lighthouse gained its purpose when the British steamship Volta sank off of the northern coast of the island along with the lives of 11 people in 1887.

Ignoring this tragedy would be reckless, and so a 19-meter tall lighthouse was erected in 1891 as a guiding beacon for other incoming ships to avoid any such situation from happening again.

Final Thoughts

One of the most beautiful islands in Greece, Mykonos is the perfect mix between a restful paradise and an exciting place to explore.

From young singles on epic partying holidays to families with little ones looking for relaxation and adventure, there's something for everyone to enjoy on this Greek island.

Reference this list if you want to take your Mykonos visit from good to great.