How to Make the Most Out of Mykonos in 1 Day

Only have 1 day in Mykonos? Then here’s my guide on how to make the most out of Mykonos in 1 day! Whether you’re visiting from a cruise and wondering what to do in 24 hours or you have just come on a day trip from another island, I’ve got the perfect day in mind for you! In just one day you may opt to stick to Mykonos Town and it’s relatively small and easy to explore in a short time. Read on for all my tips on the best things to do in Mykonos!

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Mykonos in 1 day. Female sitting on i love mykonos stairs

Quick Facts before visiting Greece:
💱Currency: Euros €
💶 Budget for a trip to Mykonos: The average daily cost for a trip to Greece is €237 a night for both food and accommodation.
💜 Is tipping required in Greece? Tipping in customary in Greece and you should plan to tip between 10-15%.
☀️ Best time to Visit: The season for Islands in Greece typically starts after Easter at the end of April and closes in October. The most ideal time to visit is right before or after the peak season of summer. June or September would be great!
🏥 Travel Insurance in Greece: I recommend SafetyWing which will cover you in case of trip cancellations or any accidents during your travels.

In this Article show

Summary of 1 day in Mykonos

Morning: Breakfast at Veranda Bar, Little Venice, Windmills

Afternoon: Lunch at Jimmy Gyros, Shopping in Mykonos Town, Visit a beach

Evening: Dinner at Kastros or Kadena, Sunset Drinks at 180º Sunset Bar or Bao’s Cocktail Bar Mykonos

Is 1 Day Enough in Mykonos?

Mykonos is known for its picturesque beaches, wonderful nightlife, and quaint streets. While a single day in Mykonos can provide a glimpse of Mykonos, it’s often not enough to fully explore everything the island has to offer. It is doable if you just want to stroll the cute streets and eat some good gyros though!

If you only have one day, prioritize your must-see attractions and activities, such as visiting iconic beaches like Paradise or Super Paradise, exploring the charming streets of Mykonos Town (Chora), and enjoying a traditional Greek meal at a seaside taverna like Nice n Easy.

However, if you’re wondering how many days in Mykonos is ideal, I’d stay 2-3 days. This will allow you to truly soak in the island’s atmosphere and discover its hidden gems.

Regardless, you came here for a one-day itinerary to Mykonos so this post will help you with what highlights you’ll want to see!

Is Mykonos just a party town?

People wonder if Mykonos is just a party town. While it does have a great nightlife, you can definitely have a peaceful time here too by venturing out of Mykonos town and exploring the rest of the island. I traveled to Mykonos as part of my solo trip to Greece and I don’t party much. I stayed at a beautiful resort near the beach called Grace Mykonos and took the bus in when I needed a dose of energy. This part of the island is much quieter.

How to Get There

To get to Mykonos, you can fly into Mykonos Island National Airport. Alternatively, you can take ferries or high-speed boats from ports like Piraeus (Athens) or nearby islands, with travel times ranging from 2 to 5 hours depending on the departure point.

How to Get Around

Once on Mykonos Island, you might wonder what the best way to get around is. Well, if you only stick to Mykonos Town, a car is not needed. However, if you want to venture to some of the beaches and beach clubs, you will need to drive or get a taxi. You can rent a car or an ATV if you think you’ll be going around the island frequently.

Taxis are really expensive. A 3 minute drive cost me €35! So keep in mind that when planning your trips.

There is a bus that operates to take you from Mykonos Town to various destinations around the island. The cost is only €2.

What to do when visiting Mykonos in 1 Day

These are the best things to do in one day while visiting Mykonos from a cruise ship or island hopping adventure!

8:30 am – Breakfast at VERANDA Bar

This breakfast spot overlooks the water and has views of the windmills and Little Venice. I actually really loved the food and view here. It is in a prime spot so you can start your day in good hands here.

10 am Stroll Along Little Venice

little venice at sunset what to do in mykonos in 24 hours

Little Venice is the most picturesque area of Mykonos. You have many restaurants and bars overlooking the water. It’s really popular at sunset and the sunset is indeed beautiful here. People fill up the tiny pathway with the sea right next to you and it’s such a vibe. At this time in the morning, you’ll find it more peaceful and can enjoy the photo opportunities here.

10:30 am Windmills

Mykonos Kato Mill Windmills how to spend a day in Mykonos

Just moments away from the restaurants in Little Venice, you’ll get to the Kato Mili Windmills. Here you can find 5 iconic windmills overlooking the sea.

These windmills are one of the most recognizable landmarks of Mykonos and are often depicted in photographs and paintings showcasing the island’s picturesque scenery.

11 am Stroll Through Mykonos Town

white streets of mykonos what to do in one day in mykonos

Mykonos Town (Chora) is full of many white washed streets with flowers adorning the many winding pathways. Spend some time getting lost here. It’s a photo lover’s paradise. In fact, I’ve prepared a list of my favorite streets in Mykonos here.

There are many shops too with such nice clothing and accessories. You’ll find the representative evil eye in many of the shops too.

The religion is predominantly Greek Orthodox and you’ll stumble across a lot of adorable small churches throughout the town. One notable one to pass by which overlooks the waterfront is Panagia Paraportiani.

1 pm Grab a quick bite to eat

Grab a quick bite to eat so you can save time. There are many places to get a gyro and I tried mine at Jimmy’s. I also hear Pepper is good. You can’t really go wrong though!

1:30 pm – Visit a Beach Club or Spend Time at the Beach

Spend some time relaxing at the beach or a beach club!

Best Beaches:

Paradise Beach
Super Paradise Beach
Psarou Beach
Ornos Beach
Elia Beach

Best Beach Clubs:

Hotel with a Beachfront:

Grace Mykonos (pictured above): Escape the crowds and stay here for a relaxing experience. They also have a rooftop pool. It’s situated in front of Agios Stefanos Beach.

6 pm – Have Dinner with a Sea View

female sitting at a white table in little venice mykonos at nice n easy restaurant

kastros female sitting at table by the sea in mykonos greece

Nice n Easy, Kadena, and Kastros are all amazing places you can enjoy a meal in front of the sea.

At Kastros, you’ll find the most instagrammable spot in Mykonos practically where you have a narrow alley with tables by the sea. Most people come and just snap a photo but last time I actually had a meal there and it was really good!

All of these places are super popular so get there early or make a reservation.

7:15 pm – Enjoy Drinks at Sunset

best panoramic views in mykonos 180 sunset bar

negrita sunset cocktail bars in mykonos greece

There are many great bars to enjoy a cocktail overlooking views of the sea and sunset.

Starting with the famous 180º Sunset Bar which has amazing panoramic views of the town. Just be warned that this place is quite expensive. You’re pretty much paying for the amazing view and atmosphere. They do have a minimum spend and you should book ahead on their website.

I went in May when it was somewhat quieter and they told me if I arrive before 7pm I would be able to get a seat without pre-booking. We still had a minimum spend of €70 per person. Cocktails are about €25 each so you will likely have no issue spending or even going over this minimum because it’s pricey anyway. I spent about €100 on food and 2 cocktails.

The other places I’d recommend going to are Negrita (has a minimum spend requirement for sunset) or Bao’s Cocktail Bar Mykonos. Out of all of them, Bao didn’t require a minimum spend and was just as good as I prefer a more chill environment.

Hopefully, this post helps you better plan your 24 hours in Mykonos!