Planning to visit Mykonos soon? This is the best 3-day Mykonos itinerary you could follow to enjoy your perfect time there and see most sights.
Mykonos Island lies between Tinos, Syros, Paros, and Naxos and covers an area of 85.5 km2. Mykonos is considered the jet-set island of Greece—a humble and hospitable Saint Tropez-like place in the Cyclades island group. Mykonos is famed for its open-mindedness, party- and nightlife, and cosmopolitan character. But Mykonos is not just for party animals.
It is an island with great restaurants, many cultural activities, and beautiful beaches. It is an island for friends, solo travelers, couples, families, and nature lovers. Mykonos is a small island, and it is easy to visit most of its attractions in a short time. For a short trip, the below itinerary is advised. Here is what to do in Mykonos in 3 days.
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A Perfect 3-day Mykonos Itinerary
- Day 1: Mykonos Town and Delos Island
- Day 2: Mykonos Beaches and Nightlife
- Day 3: Ano Mera, Armenistis Lighthouse, Beaches
Quick Guide to Mykonos
Planning a trip to Mykonos? Find here everything you need:
Looking for ferry tickets? Click here for the ferry schedule and to book your tickets.
Renting a car in Mykonos? Check out Discover Cars it has the best deals on car rentals.
Looking for private transfers from/to the port or airport? Check out Welcome Pickups.
Top-Rated Tours and Day Trips to Do in Mykonos:
– The Original Morning Delos Guided Tour (from $64.92 p.p)
– Yacht Cruise to Rhenia Island & Guided Tour of Delos (from $129.83 p.p)
– South Coast Beach Hopping Boat Tour with BBQ Lunch (from $118.03 p.p)
– From Mykonos: Full-Day Trip to Tinos Island (from $88.52 p.p)
Where to stay in Mykonos: Bill & Coo Suites & Lounge (luxury), With Inn (mid-range) Sourmeli Garden Hotel (budget)
3 Days in Mykonos: Day 1 – Explore Mykonos Town & Delos
Explore the ancient heritage of Mykonos by visiting the Archeological Museum of Mykonos and the archaeological sites of the island.
Book a tour of Delos island
Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the most important Archaeological Sites in Greece. According to mythology, Delos was the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. The island is uninhabited nowadays, but you can visit it by taking one of the many boat excursions that depart daily from Mykonos’ old harbor (except on Mondays when the archaeological site is closed).
A return ticket to Delos costs 20€ for adults and 10€ for children (6-12 years old). Tickets to the Archaeological site of Delos cost: Full 12€, Reduced 6€. You can spend a half-day in Delos; therefore, a morning start is recommended because the archaeological grounds close at 3 PM when the last boat departs. Take a guided tour of Delos island, and don’t miss a detail.
Check here for more information and to book a guided tour to Delos.
Archaeological Museum of Mykonos
Plan a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos in the Old Town in the afternoon of your first day as the museum is open until 10 pm in the summer months. In the museum, you will find a large number of vases, ranging from the prehistoric to the late Hellenistic period, grave statues, stelae, and funerary urns and finds from Mykonos. End this cultural first day in Mykonos by relaxing in Little Venice.
Churches
After your night out, my suggestion is to take it slow and explore some quiet corners of the town. One of the main characteristics of Mykonos is the abundance of churches that can be found scattered around the island. Some say that the number of churches and chapels is almost 800 and about 60 of them can be spotted in Mykonos town (Chora). Some of the most famous is the Panagia Paraportiani and Agios Nikolaos.
Windmills
Strolling around the town today, the iconic Mykonos windmills cannot be missed. They can be seen from every point of the town and are the first thing seen when coming into the port as they stand on a hill overlooking the area.
Little Venice for the sunset
Little Venice – where the most western part of Mykonos town meets the sea – is the most romantic and artistic part of Mykonos. Here the buildings have been constructed right on the sea’s edge, with their balconies overhanging the water. A great place to enjoy a cocktail and watch the sunset.
3 Days in Mykonos: Day 2 Beaches & Party
What else is there to do in Mykonos in 3 days? The famed parties of Mykonos cannot be missed. So my suggestion is to take hit the beaches for a relaxed day and explore Mykonos’ nightlife later on.
Beaches of Mykonos
The beaches of Mykonos are famous for their golden sand and crystal clear waters. There are so many different kinds of beaches that every traveler will find his perfect place. If you want to party, then Paradise Beach and Super Paradise Beach are for you. If you want a more relaxing beach, you can head to Kalo Livadi, Elia, Ornos, and Lia.
If you are looking for privacy, you can go to Kapari or Agios Sostis. For a trendy beach with celebrities, go to Psarou Beach. There you will find one of the best beach bars worldwide called Nammos. If you are looking for a trendy place, you can go to Paraga Beach with the famous beach bar Scorpios or Ftelia Beach with the Alemagou beach bar.
Check out my post about the best beaches in Mykonos.
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Discover the South beaches of Mykonos on a boat tour.
Tip: If you plan to visit the popular Super Paradise Beach, I recommend pre-booking sunbed at Divine Beach Bar here.
Nightlife
Mykonos is the party island of the Cyclades and has the best nightlife in Greece. You can start your evening by watching the sunset at Little Venice. The picturesque old harbor of Mykonos is also a great area to walk around at night.
There are many cafes and restaurants in the area overlooking the sea. As the evening progresses, you can visit the legendary Scandinavian bar, the gay-friendly Jackie O, Cavo Paradiso, or you can head to one of the famous beach bars like Nammos and Scorpios on the beach. The options are endless.
3 Days in Mykonos: Day 3 Off the beaten path
What to do in Mykonos in the last part of your 3 days?
Visit Ano Mera
Ano Mera, in the heart of the island, is its largest village, with traditional white-washed houses all covered with bougainvillea. The 16th-century monastery of Panayia Tourliani stands on the main square and has some fine icons.
Check out Armenistis Lighthouse
Built on the northwest coast in 1891 and overlooking the island Tinos, the lighthouse was built after a British steamship sank there. The lighthouse is strategically placed and offers visitors magnificent panoramic views.
You might be interested in: Mykonos Sunset Trekking Experience that visits the Armenistis Lighthouse.
Check out the less crowded Ftelia and Fokos Beach
If you are looking for some lovely quieter beaches, head to the north of the island! Ftelia is a windsurfers’ paradise because there is always a strong breeze, and Fokos is a large sandy beach that has a part reserved especially for naturists.
Shopping
Get lost in the winding alleys of Mykonos town with the whitewashed houses with blue doors and windows and enjoy the abundant bougainvilleas on the characteristic balconies. End your stroll over town by collecting some memories of your trip to the stores.
Mykonos has one of the best shopping scenes in Greece. Inside Mykonos town, you will find designer labels, jewelry shops, leather goods, and art galleries along with traditional shops selling Greek products and souvenirs.
Helpful Information for Your 3-day Mykonos Itinerary
The best time to visit Mykonos
From April- November, the island enjoys plenty of sunshine and little rain. In July and August, it gets really busy. The best months to visit are September and October as the weather is still very good, the sea temperature is lovely, and all the crowds have gone home!
Check my post here: The best time to visit Mykonos.
How to get around Mykonos
Mykonos is one of the smaller Cycladic islands, measuring 15 km in length and 10 km in width. The local bus service is good and links all the towns, popular places, and beaches, so mixed with walking, buses are ideal. Car hire is easy, but parking can be a challenge and Mykonos Town is a car-free area. Taxis are readily available in the main town.
Still, I think that the best way to explore the island of Mykonos is by having your own car especially if you are staying 3 days or more. 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.
Where to stay in Mykonos
Sourmeli Garden Hotel is a great budget-friendly accommodation option located 500 m away from Megali Ammos Beach and just 400 m away from Mykonos Town. Room amenities include air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and a mini-fridge. Check here for the latest prices and more details.
With Inn is located on the sandy beach of Tourlos, 1 km away from Mykonos port. It offers spacious rooms with a sea view, air conditioning, free wi-fi, and a mini-fridge. Check here for the latest prices and more details.
Kouros Hotel & Suites is perfectly located 10 minutes on foot from Mykonos Town this luxurious hotel offers spacious rooms with private terraces overlooking the sea and the town. Hotel amenities include a swimming pool, amazing breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free airport shuttle, and parking. Check here for the latest prices and more details./ Read my review.
You might also like my detailed post on where to stay in Mykonos.
How to get to Mykonos
By air: There are many flights from Athens and Thessaloniki to Mykonos. The flight trip from Athens to Mykonos is about 30 minutes. During the summer months, many airlines have direct flights to Mykonos from many European cities.
My favorite airline to travel around Greece is Aegean Airlines / Olympic Air (same company) and also part of Star Alliance. They have many daily flights during the day that you can check below.
By boat: You can take the boat to Mykonos from Athens’s two major ports Piraeus and Rafina. There are daily ferries going to the island, and the trip lasts about 3 hours if you take the high-speed ferry and 5 hours if you take the regular one.
Mykonos is also connected by ferry to other Cycladic islands like Tinos, Andros, Paros, Naxos, Syros, and Santorini, to name a few. During the tourist season, you might find connections to other islands.
Click here for more information on the ferry schedule and to book your ferry tickets.
Three days in Mykonos is enough time to visit the most important sights and to relax as well. This beautiful island in the Cyclades is one of Greece’s top visitor attractions, and once you are there, you will not want to leave. This list of what to do in Mykonos in 3 days will give you plenty of ideas. I wish you a wonderful time!