So you’re looking to spend one day in Mykonos? What a fantastic option! Although there are many things to do, you’ll have enough time if you have a comprehensive itinerary. Mykonos is one of Greece’s most popular islands, attracting countless millions of visitors yearly. Mykonos is world-famous for its incredible scenery, great nightlife, and awesome history.
Did you know there are only 10,000 citizens on the island? It is one of Greece’s smaller islands. However, despite the island’s small size, there are over 600 churches on the island. So there’s a lot to see, and that’s why we have the ultimate Mykonos in a one-day itinerary.
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How to visit Mykonos In One Day
By plane
One of the most popular options is getting an early flight from Athens to Mykonos for one day. Although the plane arrives early and leaves late, you will only get around eight hours to explore the island depending on the flight you choose. Therefore, the day will be a rush, but with this itinerary, you’ll see everything you want on one day in Mykonos’s itinerary!
My favorite airline to travel around Greece is Aegean Air / Olympic Air. Book your plane tickets to Santorini below:
If you are considering visiting Mykonos as a day trip from Athens and you don’t want to fly, you can book this Mykonos day trip from Athens that includes pick up from a central Athens location, return ferry tickets by speed boat to Mykonos (2,5 hours each way), minivan transportation in Mykonos and 4 hours to explore.
As a cruise passenger
Mykonos is an incredibly popular cruise destination, and many travelers spend one day in Mykonos from a cruise ship. You will arrive at Tourlos, Mykonos’s new port. From here, the options are endless. You can hire a car, catch the bus into town, or hire a guided tour – the choice is yours!
My recommended guided tour is the Mykonos Shore Excursion: City & Island Tour. The tour includes pick-up from the port, a walking tour in Mykonos Town including Little Venice and the Windmills then a drive around the island stopping in beautiful beaches and the village of Ano Mera. It is perfect for cruise ship passengers.
Things to see in Mykonos in one day
Boni Windmill for the best views of Mykonos Town
If you want to experience Mykonos’s greatest views, you should check out the views from the Boni Windmill. Visitors will find the legendary Boni Windmill on the edge of Apano Mili, and it is inside an outdoor agricultural museum presenting traditional architecture. The building dates back to the 16th century and is one of Myokono’s finest architectural gems.
The museum includes groups of tools, pre-industrial museums, and early industrial era machines. Without a doubt, the panoramic views from the windmill are terrific and well worth the walk or drive up the hill. A perfect way to start your Mykonos one-day itinerary.
Windmills of Mykonos
Mykonos is world-famous for the vast range of windmills, and you can find over 16 windmills on the island. Did you know you can see the windmills from every single point of the village of Mykonos? The vast majority of Mykonos’s windmills date back to the 16th century when the Venetians built them.
Historically, the windmills produced wheat and were a pillar of the Mykonos economy for centuries. However, Mykonos’s wheat industry died out during the 20th century, but the island preserved the windmills because they are a historical pillar of Mykonos.
The most popular Mykonos windmills are the five windmills that are together. Locals have called these “Kato Myloi,” which translates to lower windmills. These windmills offer a stunning view of Mykonos, and you can see these when you arrive via cruise ship.
You might also like: Windmills in Greece
Visit Little Venice
When people visit Mykonos, they expect to see stunning white buildings and classic Greek architecture. You’ll see incredible views from the port, and there are numerous wonderful spots to grab from delicious local wine and Greek cuisine. If you’re on a romantic day out, you should absolutely visit Little Venice because it is one of Greece’s most romantic spots. Many travelers have fallen in love when spending time at this spot.
Also, Little Venice is an excellent place to grab a sunset meal and cocktail. Mykonos is famous for the incredible sunshine, and Little Venice is an amazing place to relax. There are also many excellent shops in Little Venice, including quaint little shops and souvenir shops.
Matogiania
Now that you’ve explored Little Venice’s idyllic scenery, it is an excellent time to go shopping. Matogiania is the most fantastic shopping spot in Mykonos, and you’ll find a long alley of excellent handmade souvenirs, art, crafts, and international brands.
Explore the alleyways and look for Petros the Pelican
Walking around Mykonos is one of the greatest delights of the island. There are endless alleyways around the villages, and you can find Petros the Pelican. Mykonos is home to the notorious Petros the Pelican, a white pelican, and the official Mykonos mascot.
Locals honored the pelican after they found it badly wounded and off the coast by a fisherman. After that, the pelican remained on the island and became a popular part of Mykonos. Visitors would see the pelican flying around the island for decades, and it became an A-list icon. Sadly, the pelican was killed by a car on December 2nd, 1985, after 30 years of fame on the island.
Nonetheless, if you visit the island, you should check out the numerous pelicans flying around. Although it won’t be Petros anymore, they’re still beautiful birds.
Check out the beautiful churches
Mykonos is home to over 600 churches, and the island only has 10,000 people. So, where do you start? Well, one of the best is the famed Panagia Paraportiani. The church is the most famous Mykonos church and one of the world’s most photographed churches. You can find the church at Mykonos town’s entrance. Did you know the church was the result of five small churches that were built on top of each other? It took centuries for this to occur!
Another excellent Mykonos church is the Agios Nikolaos, which you’ll find in Mykonos’s old port. Visitors love the blue dome, making it one of the island’s most distinctive churches. Also, you can capture the stunning Mykonos skyline from the church.
Take a boat to Delos Archaeological site
Many tourists will visit the Delos archeological site when they visit Mykonos. Travelers always put Delos on their Mykonos itinerary because it is one of the most significant historical islands in Greece. Besides, Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The island was an extensive economic and political force in the first and second centuries CE. You can easily explore Delos in a day because it is only three kilometers in size and easy to explore. Plus, Delos has an archeological museum offering a comprehensive look into ancient Greece.
These are the two best options, but it depends on what time you arrive on the island. The Original Morning Delos Guided Tour is a fantastic option if you want to explore during the day. You’ll get a knowledgeable guide, and you will travel in pure comfort by boat from Mykonos to Delos. Alternatively, you could try The Original Evening Delos Guided Tour, which offers an excellent service in the evening.
You might also like: Best islands near Mykonos.
Head to the beach
If you would like to visit the beach instead of the archeological sites, there are so many excellent options. After you’ve explored Mykonos Town, you could take the bus to Platy Yialos Beach. It is a stunning beach, and you could relax there for a couple of hours. There are also various cafes, bars, and restaurants around the beach.
Alternatively, you could check out Super Paradise Beach. There is a vibrant buzz around the area during the summer months because it is the island’s premier party resort. Not only that, but it is also an equally beautiful beach with crystal clear waters and plenty of spaces to sit and enjoy the sunshine.
Psarrou is another excellent option on the island. The beach attracts thousands of visitors yearly and is one of the most popular options. Plus, you can take a walk between Psarou beach and Paradise beach, which is one of Mykonos’s most popular walks.
You might also like: Best Mykonos beaches.
How to get around Mykonos in a day
Local buses
Local buses are a fantastic option if you’re on a one-day Mykonos itinerary. The island is relatively small, so you can get around the island relatively quickly via the bus service.
Plus, it is the cheapest way to get around. You can buy your bus tickets from the driver, but you’ll need to have the exact change ready because the bus drivers don’t carry change.
If you’re looking to complete return journeys, you’ll need two single tickets. You just need to hand over your tickets to the bus driver, and they will validate them.
Hire a car or a scooter
Although Mykonos is a small island, it’s a great idea to get around via car. You won’t have to worry about finding bus stops, waiting for buses (not ideal on a single-day itinerary,) and you’ll be able to stop wherever you want. Parking can be challenging to find in some places, but there are parking spaces outside of the busy season.
Alternatively, you can catch a scooter. Many tourists will opt to use a scooter because it is an effortless way to get around, especially if you aren’t with the family.
However, scooters can be dangerous, so make sure you have travel insurance covering you for scooter crashes. Many policies don’t cover scooter or motorbike crashes, and this ends up coming back to haunt many travelers who have accidents.
I recommend booking a car through Discover Cars where you can compare all rental car agencies’ prices, and you can cancel or modify your booking for free. They also guarantee the best price. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Taxi
Taxis are a very popular way to get around Mykonos, but there is one major problem. There are only 30 taxis on the island, so you might have to wait around at times. With that said, it is still a great way to explore the island – just make sure you have the taximeter on at all times!