GR
Mykonos
A glamorous Cycladic island of windmills, whitewashed lanes, beach clubs and the sacred island of Delos
A glamorous Cycladic island of windmills, whitewashed lanes, beach clubs and the sacred island of Delos
The row of 16th-century windmills on a ridge above the town, once used to grind grain, is the island’s symbol.
Photo: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0
A labyrinth of narrow whitewashed lanes, churches and shops, designed to confuse pirates, ending at Little Venice with its balconies over the sea.
Get lost on purpose; the lanes always lead back to the waterfront.
Photo: Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0
An uninhabited island about 30 minutes away by boat, covered with temples, mosaics and the Terrace of the Lions, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Boats leave from the old port.
Photo: Geraki, CC BY-SA 3.0 gr
Try kopanisti (spicy local cheese), louza (cured pork), fresh seafood and Greek salads.
Restaurants in Little Venice are atmospheric but expensive; tavernas inland and in Ano Mera are better value.
Mykonos Airport has flights from Athens and many European cities in summer. Ferries from Piraeus and Rafina take about two and a half to five hours. Buses and sea taxis reach the main beaches. Cruise passengers pay a fee per visit, highest (€20) in summer.
Greece is in the EU and the Schengen area and uses the euro. EU citizens need only an ID card; citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, with biometric registration under the EU Entry/Exit System. An ETIAS travel authorisation is also due to be introduced. Hotels charge a per-night climate resilience fee. Check current rules before you travel.
Mykonos is one of the most expensive places in Greece in summer.
Town, beaches and Delos.
Explore the lanes of Chora, the Paraportiani church and the windmills, then watch the sunset from Little Venice.
Take the morning boat to Delos, then relax on a beach such as Agios Sostis or Ornos.
Visit the village of Ano Mera and its monastery, and try a quieter beach on the north coast.
🛂 Entry rules: EES and ETIAS
Greece is in the Schengen area, which has two EU border systems for non-EU visitors.
EES (in force): since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ passport details, fingerprints and a photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip; later crossings are quicker. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
Summer heatwaves can close archaeological sites at midday; visit early and carry water.
Book ferries in advance in July and August, and allow for delays when winds are strong.
The strong summer meltemi wind can make north-facing beaches rough and delay boats to Delos.
Many hotels and restaurants close from about November to April.
Quick answers for planning time in Mykonos.
Citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in 180, with registration under the EU Entry/Exit System.
By boat from Mykonos Town’s old port, about 30 minutes each way.
Yes, especially in July and August; May, June and September are better value.
By flight, or by ferry from Piraeus or Rafina in about two and a half to five hours.
A strong northerly summer wind in the Aegean.
Google Maps works well; ferry timetables are best checked on operator sites or ferry booking apps.
Free
Greek is the language; English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Greece travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.