Planning to spend just one day in Mykonos? Lucky you! Even with limited time, this sun-kissed island can steal your heart in a matter of hours. Having explored Mykonos several times (and fallen for it every single time), I’ve crafted a relaxed yet full itinerary to help you soak in the island’s charm, from iconic landmarks to local secrets.
So, whether you’re arriving by cruise ship, hopping over from Athens, or dreaming up a last-minute day trip, here’s how to experience the best of Mykonos in one unforgettable day.
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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
Begin at the 16th-century Boni Windmill for breathtaking panoramic views of the island. The windmill houses a small agricultural museum showing traditional Mykonian life.
Windmills of Mykonos
Mykonos is world-famous for the vast range of windmills, and you can find over 16 windmills on the island. 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.
You might also like: Windmills in Greece
Visit Little Venice
Continue to Little Venice, characterized by colorful medieval houses with balconies hanging over the sea. Once homes of wealthy merchants, they now house charming cafés and bars.
Little Venice is an excellent place to grab a sunset meal and cocktail. Mykonos is famous for the incredible sunsets, and Little Venice is an amazing place to relax.
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. Keep an eye out for the island’s mascots – the pelicans! Following the legacy of the original Petros (1985), several pelicans now roam freely through town. The locals feed them in the morning near the harbor.
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’ 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
If you’re a history enthusiast, take the 30-minute boat ride to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Delos. As the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, this uninhabited island is an open-air museum with remarkable ruins.
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 archaeological 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 space 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.
Evening: Sunset and Nightlife
Sunset at 180° Sunset Bar: Return to Mykonos Town and head to this spectacular viewpoint above town. Reservations are recommended during high season. Bear in mind, it is an expensive place with minimum consumption. For more information, check their website. Another option is also Little Venice.
Alternative Local Spot: For a less crowded sunset experience, visit Agios Ioannis beach, where locals gather to watch the sun sink behind the neighboring island of Delos.
How to get around Mykonos in a day
Local buses
Reliable and affordable (€1.80-2.30 per journey). The main station is near the Old Port, with routes to major beaches, the airport, and Ano Mera. Check their website here.
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!
Water Taxis
During summer, frequent boats connect the southern beaches from Platis Gialos (€10-15 round trip).
One day in Mykonos may not be enough to see everything, but it’s more than enough to capture the spirit of the island — its charm, history, beauty, and energy. Go with the flow, plan your must-sees, and leave some space for spontaneous discovery. That’s how Mykonos works its magic.
Chrysoula is an Athens-born travel writer, island explorer, and lifelong lover of Greece. She’s been sharing her insider knowledge of Athens, the Greek Islands, and local culture for nearly a decade — both on this blog and her YouTube channel. Having visited over 60 countries and every major region of Greece, she brings a traveler’s curiosity and a local’s insight to everything she writes.
📍 Based in Athens🎥 Also on YouTube: @GreeceandBeyond🧿 Favorite Greek escape: Lemnos & Crete (where her grandmothers were born)📬 Contact: unfoldinggreece@gmail.com
Learn more about me here.