Mykonos in a Day: What to See, Eat & Do on a Cruise Stop
If Mykonos is one of the stops on your Greek Isles cruise, you are in for a treat. Mykonos is one of those places that seems almost too pretty to be real. The whitewashed buildings, blue doors, winding streets, colorful flowers, little churches, and views of the bright blue Aegean Sea make it incredibly easy to see why this Greek island is so popular.
We visited Mykonos as part of our Virgin Voyages Greek Isles cruise, and since we were only there for a limited amount of time, we wanted to make the most of our day without trying to do absolutely everything. And honestly, I think that is the best way to experience Mykonos on a cruise stop.
You don’t necessarily need a packed itinerary. Some of the best parts of Mykonos are simply walking through Old Town Mykonos or Chora, as the locals know it, stopping to take photos, browsing the little shops, enjoying an authentic Greek meal, and sitting down with a coffee or gelato while watching the world go by.
If you only have one day in Mykonos, here is how I would spend it.
Explore Old Town Mykonos (Chora) on Foot
The first thing I would recommend doing is simply walking around Old Town Mykonos, also known as Chora. This is the heart of the island and where you will find the famous maze of narrow pedestrian streets, whitewashed buildings, little blue-and-white churches, high-end boutiques, restaurants, and cafés.
There is really no need to have a strict route through town. In fact, getting a little lost like we did is part of the fun and how we stumped upon one of our favorite places that we ate at on the entire trip.
Wander down the tiny streets, look for colorful doors and balconies covered in flowers, and stop whenever you see something that catches your eye. Every turn seems to offer another photo opportunity.
Mykonos Town is very walkable, although the cobblestone streets can be uneven, so comfortable shoes are a must.
The official Greek tourism site also recommends exploring the narrow backstreets of Chora, where you can find everything from little churches and museums to shops, cafés, and restaurants.
Shop the Boutiques in Mykonos Town
One of the things I loved about walking around Mykonos was browsing the shops.
The main shopping area around Matogianni Street is filled with boutiques, jewelry stores, designer shops, souvenir stores, and little shops selling handmade Greek products.
You can find everything from Greek jewelry and sandals to clothing, artwork, home décor, and souvenirs to take home.
Even if you aren’t planning to buy anything, it is fun to window shop as you make your way through town.
If you want to bring home something that feels a little more special than a typical cruise souvenir, look for locally made jewelry, ceramics, artwork, or Greek-inspired pieces.
Just remember that Mykonos is not known for being a budget destination, so I would check prices before getting too attached to something!
Visit the Famous Mykonos Windmills
You can’t visit Mykonos without seeing the windmills.
The famous Kato Mili windmills are one of the most recognizable sights on the island and one of the best places to take photos.
The windmills sit on a hill overlooking Mykonos Town and the sea, making this an easy stop to add to your day while exploring Chora. The Greek tourism board notes that the windmills are one of the defining symbols of Mykonos, with seven of the historic windmills still surviving today.
This is one of those places where you will probably want to stop for a few photos – and then take a few more The views are beautiful, especially when the sky is bright blue and the wind is blowing.
Getting there is easy. To get from the Mykonos New Port (Tourlos) cruise terminal to the iconic Windmills of Mykonos you can take a 10-minute SeaBus, ride a local bus, take a 6-minute taxi, or walk 3.6 km.
Walk Through Little Venice
From the windmills, make your way toward Little Venice.
Little Venice is one of the most picturesque areas of Mykonos, with colorful waterfront buildings and balconies that seem to sit right over the Aegean Sea.
This is a great place to slow down for a little while. Grab a drink, find a table overlooking the water, or simply walk along the waterfront and take in the views.
Little Venice is also one of the most popular spots in Mykonos for watching the sunset.
If your cruise schedule allows you to stay in town into the evening, this would be one of my top choices for ending the day.
Stop at Panagia Paraportiani Church
Another easy sight to add while walking around Mykonos Town is Panagia Paraportiani Church.
The bright white church is one of the most photographed landmarks in Mykonos and is located near the waterfront in the Kastro area.
You don’t need to spend a lot of time here, which makes it perfect for a cruise day. Stop for a few photos, admire the unusual shape of the building, and continue exploring the surrounding streets.
The best part is that you can easily combine this with Little Venice and the rest of Mykonos Town rather than making a separate trip.
Have a Greek Lunch
At some point, you’re going to need a break from walking – and Mykonos is a pretty great place to stop for lunch. This is the time to enjoy some Greek food rather than rushing through the day.
Look for dishes such as grilled seafood, Greek salad, grilled meats, moussaka, tzatziki, fresh bread, and other local specialties. We found the cutest spot overlooking the sea and enjoyed a delicious lunch.
One restaurant to put on your list is M-eating, a Mykonos Town restaurant focused on Mediterranean and local cuisine. It is located on Kalogera Street in the heart of town.
My husband enjoyed the gyros and I ate a hummus platter.
Another option for a memorable meal is Kastro’s, located in the Little Venice area. The restaurant has been serving food in Mykonos Town since 1976 and offers Greek dishes with views toward the windmills and Mykonian sunset.
Of course, if you have somewhere specific in mind, make a reservation ahead of time. Mykonos can get extremely busy during the cruise season.
Grab a Gelato or Coffee and People Watch of Visit with the Cats
One of my favorite things to do on a cruise stop is leave some time in the schedule to do absolutely nothing.
After walking around, shopping, and taking photos, find a café, grab a coffee or gelato, and sit for a while.
Mykonos Town is perfect for people watching. Or mingling with the resident cats. As a cat lover, seeing all the cats was a highlight of my trip. I have enough photos of cats to make an article just about the,.
You will see cruise passengers, locals, shoppers, couples, families, and travelers wandering through the streets. It is also a great opportunity to take a break from the heat before continuing on.
Sometimes these simple moments end up being some of your favorite memories from a trip.
Visit a Mykonos Beach – If You Have Enough Time
If you really want to see one of the famous Mykonos beaches, you can add a beach stop to your day.
Popular options include Ornos, Platis Gialos, and Paradise Beach. Just keep in mind that this changes the pace of your day considerably.
If you’re only in Mykonos for a few hours, I would personally stay in and around Mykonos Town rather than spending a large portion of your day traveling to and from a beach.
If you have a longer port call, however, a beach can be a great addition to your port stop.
Mykonos is known for its beautiful beaches and watersports, so beach lovers may want to make this a priority.
Before heading to a beach, check the transportation time and your ship’s all-aboard time. The last thing you want on a cruise vacation is to spend the day worrying about getting back to the ship.
Take a Scenic Walk Around the Harbor
Don’t forget to spend a little time around the harbor.
The waterfront is filled with boats and colorful fishing vessels, and it gives you a completely different view of Mykonos.
This is another easy activity that doesn’t require a ticket, reservation, or transportation.
Just walk, take photos, and enjoy the views.
The official tourism guide specifically recommends strolling through the picturesque harbor area and seeing the colorful fishing boats alongside the waterfront.
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Take a Shore Excursion or Island Tour
If wandering around on your own isn’t your thing, a shore excursion is another option.
Virgin Voyages offers Mykonos excursions that range from food experiences and walking tours to boat trips and other ways to explore the island.
A guided tour can be a good choice if you want to see more of the island without worrying about figuring out transportation yourself.
You could also look for an excursion that combines several highlights, such as Mykonos Town, a beach, scenic viewpoints, or a food experience. For us, though, keeping things simple was the better choice.
What I Would Do With One Day in Mykonos
If I were planning a Mykonos cruise day again, I wouldn’t try to check every attraction off a list.
I would start by exploring Mykonos Town and wandering through the little streets. Then I would spend some time shopping, walk over to the windmills, and continue through Little Venice.
From there, I’d stop at Panagia Paraportiani Church before finding somewhere for a long Greek lunch.
After lunch, I’d grab a coffee or gelato, do a little more shopping, and spend some time around the harbor before heading back toward the ship.
If we had a longer port day, I’d definitely add a beach or an island excursion to really get full experience.
But I wouldn’t feel like I had to.
Our Mykonos Cruise Stop
Since we only had one day in Mykonos during our Virgin Voyages Greek Isles cruise, we kept things simple and focused on what makes this island so charming.
We wandered the beautiful streets of Mykonos Town, browsed the shops, took way too many photos, admired the windmills and Little Venice, and enjoyed a delicious Greek meal with incredible views.
And that’s what I would recommend to anyone visiting Mykonos on a cruise.
You don’t need to see every beach, visit every landmark, or book an excursion just because you’re on the island for a limited amount of time.
Sometimes the best cruise days are the ones where you slow down, explore at your own pace, enjoy a great meal, and soak in the atmosphere.
Mykonos is one of those places where simply walking around feels like an experience.
Mykonos in a Day: Quick Cruise Stop Itinerary
If you want an easy itinerary to follow, here’s how I would break up the day:
Morning
- Arrive in Mykonos
- Explore Mykonos Town
- Walk the narrow streets of Chora
- Visit Panagia Paraportiani Church
- Browse the shops around Matogianni Street
Late Morning
- Walk to the famous Mykonos windmills
- Explore Little Venice
- Stop for photos and enjoy the waterfront views
Lunch
- Enjoy a Greek lunch
- Try seafood, moussaka, souvlaki, Greek salad, or other local specialties
Afternoon
- Grab a coffee or gelato
- Do some more shopping
- Walk around the harbor
- If you have enough time, visit a nearby beach
Before Returning to the Ship
Give yourself plenty of time to get back to the port and make it onboard before all-aboard time.
Cruise days always feel longer when you’re exploring, and it is very easy to lose track of time when you’re wandering through the streets of Mykonos.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Mykonos on a Cruise
Mykonos can be as relaxing or as busy as you want it to be.
You can spend the day at a beach club, take a boat excursion, explore the island by car, or simply wander through Mykonos Town with no real plan.
For a cruise stop, I think the last option is one of the best.
The town itself gives you so much to see and do within a relatively small area, from the iconic windmills and Little Venice to the tiny churches, boutiques, cafés, restaurants, and beautiful harbor.
Our day in Mykonos was a reminder that you don’t always need a complicated itinerary to have an amazing travel day.
Sometimes all you need is a beautiful Greek island, comfortable shoes, a good meal, and enough time to wander.
