Mykonos is known for designer boutiques, sophisticated restaurants and stylish beach clubs. During the height of summer, its harbours and cobbled lanes welcome visitors from around the world, creating an atmosphere that is both cosmopolitan and unmistakably Greek.

Yet the island’s appeal extends well beyond its glamorous reputation. Venture away from the busiest areas and you will find quiet chapels, traditional tavernas and peaceful corners of countryside where daily life continues at a gentler pace. This contrast makes holidays in Mykonos remarkably varied: lively when you want them to be, but never without opportunities to slow down.

Explore Mykonos Town

Mykonos Town, also known as Chora, is the enchanting heart of the island. Its narrow pedestrian lanes wind between brilliant white buildings, blue-painted doors, tiny churches and flower-filled balconies.

The maze-like layout was designed centuries ago to confuse pirates, although today it encourages visitors to wander happily between independent shops, galleries, cafés and restaurants. Around almost every corner there is another scene worth photographing.

Above the town stand the famous windmills of Mykonos. Once used to grind grain, they have become enduring symbols of the island and provide a wonderful vantage point at sunset.

Visit Little Venice

Little Venice is one of the most romantic places in Mykonos. Here, colourful historic houses appear to rise directly from the sea, their wooden balconies overlooking the Aegean.

The waterfront is lined with intimate cafés, cocktail bars and restaurants. Arrive in the late afternoon, find a table beside the water and watch the setting sun turn the buildings and windmills shades of amber and rose. It is a popular experience, but the setting fully deserves its reputation.

The Best Beaches in Mykonos

Mykonos offers an impressive choice of beaches, ranging from fashionable stretches of sand to quieter coves with a more relaxed atmosphere.

Paradise Beach and Super Paradise Beach are among the island’s best-known coastal destinations. Both are celebrated for their clear water, golden sand and energetic beach clubs. Music and entertainment continue from afternoon into evening during the summer season.

For a calmer beach day, consider Ornos, Agios Ioannis, Platis Gialos or the more secluded shores in the north of the island. Many Mykonos beaches have tavernas where you can enjoy grilled fish, fresh salads and traditional Greek dishes within sight of the sea.

Mykonos Nightlife

The nightlife in Mykonos is famous throughout Europe. Stylish cocktail lounges, waterfront bars, beach clubs and late-night venues give the island an extraordinary variety of places to spend an evening.

Little Venice is ideal for sunset drinks, while Mykonos Town comes alive after dark as visitors fill its open-air bars and restaurants. Those seeking the island’s livelier side will find internationally known beach clubs around Paradise and Super Paradise.

For a more traditional evening, look beyond the most fashionable venues and choose a family-run taverna or neighbourhood bar. These quieter places often provide some of the warmest and most memorable experiences of a Mykonos holiday.

History and Culture in Mykonos

Despite its contemporary image, Mykonos has a rich cultural heritage. The island is dotted with churches and chapels, while its museums reveal centuries of maritime life, art and archaeology.

The Archaeological Museum of Mykonos houses an important collection of ancient pottery, sculptures and funerary objects discovered on Mykonos and nearby islands.

Visitors should also make time for a boat trip to Delos. Located a short distance offshore, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was one of the most sacred places in the ancient Greek world. Its temples, mosaics, statues and remains of grand houses create one of the most rewarding historical excursions in the Cyclades.

Why Choose a Holiday to Mykonos?

Mykonos may be famous for its parties, but reducing the island to its nightlife would miss much of its charm. It offers beautiful beaches, exceptional dining, romantic sunsets, fascinating history and some of the finest Cycladic architecture in Greece.

Whether you want to relax beside the Aegean, explore ancient Delos or enjoy the island’s sophisticated social scene, holidays to Mykonos can be shaped around your own style of travel.

Search our latest Mykonos holidays online or speak to our friendly travel team on 0191 432 6230.