There’s an incredible range of things to do in Mykonos, that it is easy to see why it is a travelers’ favorite. There is plenty to see, do, and taste, whether one chooses to explore the Island of the Winds by boat, car or even on foot.

Mykonos beaches are among some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. The scenery of the island is gorgeous and dramatic. There’s many lovely and quaint coastal villages. Top this off with historic sites and it is easy to see why more and more people are booking their holidays in Mykonos.

But there’s more. Youngsters who visit this Cycladic gem will be amazed by its legendary, wild party scene. VIPs from the international jet set cruise around the island to get a good taste of it; to see and be seen. One of the most fun things to do in Mykonos is tasting the vibrancy and upbeat feel of the island.

The following is a detailed list of the coolest things to do in Mykonos, with plenty of tips to make the most of it.

Six Fantastic And Simply Unmissable Things To Do In Mykonos

Enjoy Mykonos beaches

Picturesque coves with unspoiled natural beauty, pristine sandy beaches, and crystal clear waters distinguish Mykonos’s coastal landscape. Going to the beach is a must when spending the holidays in Mykonos. I know my beaches – I am from Sardinia! So I guess my opinion can be trusted on this one.

There are more than 30 beaches on the island, so it is easy to find one that will suite anyone’s needs, tastes and likes. There’s party and cosmopolitan beaches; just as well there’s family style and remote ones. Some of the best beaches in Mykonos have luxury sun beds and golden sands; others have sea-side tavernas, restaurants and bars. And on an island with such clear waters and regular wind, watersports are a fun activity.

Here’s a selection of the best beaches in Mykonos

Platis Gialos

This beach is located just 5km southeast of the Chora (or Mykonos Town). What makes this wide beach one of the best beaches in Mykonos is the ease of access (there’s direct buses to and from other beaches, such as Super Paradise) and the fact that there’s a lot of eateries. As I will point out later, eating is one of the greatest things to do in Mykonos, so Platis Gialos is a must!

Ornos Beach

There’s many family-friendly Mykonos beaches, and Ornos is one of them. It’s located 3 km south of Mykonos town and there’s plenty of family-run tavernas serving fresh seafood and tsipouro (a pomace brandy).

Psarous Beach

Psarous is the trendiest among Mykonos beaches. It’s located 5 km southeast of Chora, the sand is beautiful and there’s plenty of restaurants for the foodies.

Paraga Beach

What makes Paraga Beach one of the best beaches in Mykonos (and one of the busiest as well) is the combination of alluring waters, fine sand and the plethora of places to enjoy a drink or cocktail, and delicious food. The beach is located on the southeast side of the island (6 km from Mykonos Town).

Elia Beach

Of all Mykonos beaches, this is the longest one on the island, with prepossessing waters inviting surfers and swimmers alike (one of the coolest things to do in Mykonos is practicing water sports!); lots of parking space and frequent buses running from and to Mykonos Town, alongside the scenic villages of Elia and Platis Gialos in close proximity.

Paradise Beach

At only 6 km south of Chora there’s Paradise Beach, a young and party beach that turns into a partygoers’ hotspot after sunset. Here, there’s more than enough bars spilling out onto the sand. If partying is one of the things to do in Mykonos, this once gay beach is the go-to place for those who want to have the ultimate fun from sunrise until well after midnight. Go in the late afternoon to join the parties with top DJs while dancing on the beach until the early morning hours!

Super Paradise

Of all Mykonos beaches, Super Paradise is supposed to be the most gay-friendly beach on the island with plenty of action and several bars keeping the beat up after the sun goes down or slightly before that! The beach is located 7 km southeast of Mykonos Town. It can be reached by taking a small boat from Paradise Beach and Platis Gialos.

Agios Ioannis

Mykonos can get crazy busy at times, yet one of the nicest things to do in Mykonos is escaping the crowds. Agios Ioannis is a superb option for those in search of a beautiful, quiet beach away from the noise and craziness of the most cosmopolitan Super Paradise and Paradise beaches. Situated 5 km south of the Chora, its narrow strip of sand and the peaceful tavernas provide a more laid-back side of Mykonos. The same applies to Agrari Beach (10 km southeast of the Chora) and Fokos Beach (13 km northeast of Mykonos Town). Easy to see why they are considered the best beaches in Mykonos.

Megali Ammos

Winsurfing is what to do in Mykonos if in search for adrenaline. Megali Ammos is one of the best beaches in Mykonos for that, as it often gets quite windy there. It boasts really nice sand, and it is only a short walk from Mykonos town (500 meters away). While there, don’t miss out on the opportunity to grab a bite at Ioanna’s Nikos Taverna on the beach. It’s one of the best restaurants in Mykonos: the food is fantastic!

Learn about Mykonos history and traditions

One of the loveliest things to do in Mykonos is learning about its history and traditions. From the whitewashed houses with the bougainvillea-filled windows and labyrinth-like cobbled streets of Mykonos Town to the impressive chapels with the distinct sea-blue doors perched along the hills of a breath-taking topography, there are so many things to impress visitors.

Among the unmissable things to do in Mykonos is observing the traditional Cycladic architectural style, which has remained untouched throughout the years mainly due to the building regulations that apply on the island. The streets are lined with art galleries, boutiques, little shops, stylish bars, and restaurants while 15th century castle ruins safeguard the island and, of course, dazzle with their subtle power.

The island has its own mascot, Peter the Pelican, who’s often seen around the harbor. He’s very friendly: one of the funniest things to do in Mykonos is taking photos of him.

If being romantic is (quite literally) one of the loveliest things to do in Mykonos, then Little Venice is the place to go. This is the most charming neighborhood of Mykonos, with houses built above the waves right up to the edge of the water, and ravishing Venetian wooden balconies overhanging the sea. Little Venice is an awe-inspiring spot on the island that also provides exceptional views of the sun sliding behind the horizon. I am a big fan of sunsets, so I know where to go!

The next best and most photographed attraction is, of course, the windmills. Once used to mill wheat, they now stand as proud reminders of their history, with some of them being turned into museums and others housing their new residents. Watching the windmills is one of the most unique things to do in Mykonos.

I am a massive fan of archaeological sites – the Roman Forum in Rome; Machu Picchu in Peru; the City of David in Jerusalem: I love learning the history and even the legends of the places I am visiting. Thus, one of the nicest things to do in Mykonos is visiting Delos – the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis (gods of light and the wilderness respectively) according to Greek Mythology.

Today, Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is only a 30-minute ferry boat ride from Mykonos. A visit typically includes entrance to the Doric Temple, Delos synagogue, the Temple of Delians, and Minoan Fountain. It’s incredible how such a small island was once the most significant spiritual centre of ancient Greece: visiting is what to do in Mykonos to learn more about Greek history.

Eat all the amazing food

I absolutely love Greek food. At some point, years ago when I had a Greek boyfriend, I cooked Greek food every day. He was quite pleased with it, so I take it that I was doing a good job. Anyways, one of the yummiest things to do in Mykonos is eating. And I think one of the best ways to learn about a place and its culture is via its food (hence why I ate all the food in Cuba, for example!).

The good news is that Mykonos is literally covered in restaurants offering divine dishes, excellent service, and amazing sea views. Here’s a selection of the best restaurants in Mykonos for those who want to have a culinary adventure (or just feed their hunger with great food).

The best restaurants in Mykonos

Funky Kitchen well deserves a mention among the best restaurants in Mykonos. It serves Mediterranean dishes with a funky twist on an isolated outdoor terrace in Mykonos town. Undoubtedly one of the most creative fusion restaurants on the island. Their signature dishes? Octopus Carpaccio with pink peppercorns; cumin fava beans with a rack of lamb; seared tuna with eggplant mousse; and chocolate nirvana (dessert). Just the name is enough to make my mouth water.

Pepper is one of the best restaurants in Mykonos for a quick snack or lunch in Little Venice. Everything is nice and clean, and prepared with high-quality ingredients in the open kitchen right in front of customers’ eyes. Recommendations? The gourmet burgers and gyros (pita bread with grilled lamb or chicken, onions, tomatoes, tzatziki) rock!

Uno Con Carne is an elegant restaurant with a spacious outdoor terrace and a steak-focused menu in Mykonos Town. Filet mignon, NY strip steak, and T-bone are some of the flavours to which customers can treat their taste buds. There’s an impressive oyster bar and wine list too – hence why it is one of the best restaurants in Mykonos.

If eating seafood is one of the ultimate things to do in Mykonos, Hippie Fish is the place to go. This is a large, casual, beachfront restaurant located on Agios Ioannis Beach, with plenty of seafood dishes and traditional Greek tastes. Customers can sit under the thatched roof and enjoy the catch of the day, along with Mykonos sausages (louza), Aegean paella, and stuffed squid (kalamari): quite easily one of the best restaurants in Mykonos.

Last but not least, among the best restaurants in Mykonos there are Nikolas Taverna (Agia Anna Beach), La Cucina di Daniele (Ano Mera), Buddha Bar (Ornos), Kiki’s Taverna (Agios Sostis Beach), Avli tou Thodori (Platis Gialos Beach), and Nammos (Psarou Beach), which has gorgeous views of the Aegean sea.

Party till you drop

Going to Mykonos and not going to at least one party is like ordering a pizza without mozzarella cheese! Quite simply, one of the top things to do in Mykonos is partying. Those looking for some fun, great cocktails, lots of champagne to shower with or drink, and dance floors open from the wee hours of the morning until well after dawn, have an incredible choice. Among the best clubs there are Cavo Paradiso (Paradise Beach); Super Paradise Beach Club (Super Paradise Beach); Babylon (Mykonos Town); Kalua Beach Bar (Paraga Beach) and Paradise Beach Club (Paradise Beach).

Do water sports…and not only!

I am obsessed with swimming and I love water sports. One of the greatest things to do in Mykonos is practicing water sports. But there’s more! Swimming, snorkeling, and windsurfing are obviously incredible activities, but other things to do in Mykonos are the super family-friendly, fun and informative cooking classes, where wine flows abundantly. I find that learning how to cook traditional Greek food is a great way to get to know the culture of the country.

Other things to do in Mykonos include yacht/catamaran cruises to nearby islands of Delos, Ios, Naxos, Paxos and Rhenia, which may easily turn into an after-dark party with BBQs and lots of music; horse riding through the most beguiling areas of the islands, and even enjoying the views from above with a private helicopter tour. There are so many surprising ways to explore this lovely island.

Experience luxury at its finest

One of the perks of holidays in Mykonos is the possibility of staying at a fantastic property. This means having the opportunity to make reservations on practically everything one may want to do (i.e. get VIP access to private parties or get beach-front loungers) and enjoying the life of Hollywood stars and celebs that also maintain elite holiday properties in Mykonos. A site such as Kinglike Concierge allows not only to reserve the villa but also an incredible variety of services.

One of the top things to do in Mykonos is staying in a luxury villa. There’s many exclusive, spacious villas that overlook the Aegean, and that offer incredible views of the sea and the raw beauty of the island. They obviously have all amenities to make the stay comfortable – infinity pools; fully equipped kitchens; roomy bedrooms; and private pergolas. Everything is designed with grandeur, following the Cycladic architecture and keeping in mind that the ultimate aim is making guests comfortable.

Legal Disclaimer: this post is written in partnership with Kinglike.

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