Mykonos travel guide

SherryStay Destination Guide

Mykonos

Cyclades icon — whitewashed alleys, sunset cocktails at Little Venice, beach-club glamour.

Greece

About Mykonos

Mykonos is two islands in one breath: the whitewashed Cycladic dream and the Mediterranean’s most glamorous party. In Chora, the main town, a maze of dazzling white lanes and blue shutters winds down to the windmills and the sea-lapped houses of Little Venice, where the sunset draws a nightly crowd. By day the island belongs to its beaches — the see-and-be-seen sands of Psarou and Paradise, the bohemian-luxe rituals of Scorpios — and by night to a restless, stylish energy that rarely sleeps. It is unashamedly premium: a lounger at the famous beach clubs costs real money, and July and August are peak in every sense. But there is depth here too — long a haven of the Mediterranean’s LGBTQ+ scene, and a short boat ride from sacred Delos, the uninhabited UNESCO island that was the mythical birthplace of Apollo. Come for the glamour; stay for the light, the whitewash and the wine-dark sea.

Sherry's Take

Stay in Mykonos Town (Chora) for old-town atmosphere and walking nightlife, or near Ornos / Psarou if you want a quiet beach base. Avoid August unless you have unlimited budget — prices triple and crowds peak.

Best For

CouplesNightlifeBeachLuxuryFoodies
Go in
MayJuneSeptemberOctober
Avoid if possible
AugustNovemberDecemberJanuaryFebruary

Where to Stay

Mykonos Town (Chora)

Whitewashed alleys, restaurants, Little Venice, sunset bars

Ornos

Family beach, calm bay, walking distance to town

Psarou

Glam beach clubs (Nammos), high-end hotels

Paradise / Super Paradise

Party beaches, DJ sets, day-club energy

Money-Saving Tips

  • 1Mykonos is the most expensive Greek island — pre-book beach loungers (€60–200/pair) to avoid sticker shock.
  • 2Late lunch at a beach club (3 pm) is the same menu as dinner at 60% the price.
  • 3Take the ferry from Athens (Rafina) instead of flying in peak — €40 vs €150+ last-minute airfare.

Getting Around

  • 1KTEL public buses run €2 a ride and cover Chora ↔ Ornos / Platis Gialos / Paradise reliably.
  • 2Mykonos has Uber-style apps (Welcome, FreeNow) but supply is thin in peak — keep a few taxi numbers.
  • 3ATV / scooter rentals are €25–40/day; check the brakes and ALWAYS wear a helmet — the island roads bite.

Most Common Mistake

Booking a remote villa without a car in August — taxis are scarce and €60 each way to town.

Ideal Stay

35 nights

Combine with
  • Delos archaeological island (30 min boat)
  • Tinos (30 min ferry)
  • Paros (45 min ferry)
  • Santorini (2h 30m ferry)

Hotels Sherry Recommends

Useful Local Hotel Phrases

Greek
  • HelloΓεια σαςYA-sas
  • Thank youΕυχαριστώef-kha-ri-STO
  • PleaseΠαρακαλώpa-ra-ka-LO
  • YesΝαιNEH
  • NoΌχιO-hee
  • HotelΞενοδοχείοkse-no-do-HEE-o
  • BreakfastΠρωινόpro-i-NO
  • ReceptionΡεσεψιόνre-sep-SYON
  • Wi-FiWi-Fiwee-FEE
  • TaxiΤαξίta-XEE
  • BeachΠαραλίαpa-ra-LEE-a
  • How much?Πόσο κάνει;PO-so KA-nee
  • Where is...?Πού είναι...;POO EE-neh
  • CheersΕις υγείανEES ee-YEE-an
  • HelpΒοήθειαvo-EE-thya