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How many days in Mykonos? 3 days: Chora, Delos and the beaches
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Three days is enough for Mykonos and keeps the bill under control on Greece's most expensive island. One day belongs to Chora, the main town, at both ends of the day; one goes to Delos, the island of Apollo, a UNESCO site that most visitors skip; and one to the beaches, which range from quiet coves on the north coast to the beach clubs of Paradise and Psarou. It is a small island, about 15 km across, but taxis are scarce: plan around buses and sea taxis.
Short answer
Two days covers Chora and one beach day. Three days adds Delos, which is the reason to come in the first place if you care about history.
The 3-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Chora: lanes, windmills and Little Venice
Morning. Explore Chora before 10:00, when the cruise passengers arrive. Visit Panagia Paraportiani, a white church built from five chapels, then lose yourself in the maze of lanes behind Matoyianni Street, designed to confuse pirates. The Archaeological Museum and the folklore museum by the harbour are small and quick.
Afternoon. Rest or swim at Agios Stefanos or Megali Ammos, the closest beaches to Chora, both a 15-20 minute walk.
Evening. Watch the sunset from the windmills (Kato Mili) or from a bar in Little Venice, where houses hang over the waves. Expect €15-20 for a cocktail with the view. Dinner after 21:00 in the lanes of Chora: a souvlaki pitta is about €5, a fish dinner €50 and more.
Chora's whitewashed lanes look identical. Save your hotel on your phone's map before you go out at night.
Day 2: Delos and Ano Mera
Morning. Take the boat from Mykonos Old Port to Delos (about 30 minutes, roughly €25-30 return), leaving from around 9:00; the site ticket is separate. Delos was the mythical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis and a great trading port in the 2nd century BC. See the Terrace of the Lions, the mosaics of the House of Dionysus and the theatre. There is no shade; go on the first boat.
Afternoon. Back on Mykonos, take a bus or taxi inland to Ano Mera, the island's second village, for the 16th-century Panagia Tourliani monastery and lunch at the tavernas in its square, cheaper than Chora's.
Evening. Drive or take a taxi to the Armenistis lighthouse in the north-west for a sunset without crowds, then dinner at Ornos bay.
No one may stay overnight on Delos, and the last boat back leaves in mid-afternoon. Check the current boat and site schedule in advance; the site is closed on some days outside summer.
Day 3: The beaches
Morning. Choose by mood. For quiet, take a taxi to Agios Sostis on the north coast: no sunbeds, no music, and a small taverna (Kiki's) with a queue at lunchtime. For families and calm water, Ornos or Platis Gialos in the south, reached by bus from Fabrika station in Chora for about €2-2.50.
Afternoon. From Platis Gialos, the sea taxi hops along the south coast to Paradise, Super Paradise and Elia, the beaches with the big clubs and loud music. Sunbeds on the busiest beaches cost €30-100 or more for two in high season.
Evening. For a night out, the clubs at Paradise and the bars of Chora run until dawn in July and August. For a quieter last evening, go back to Little Venice after sunset, when the crowds thin.
The north coast is exposed to the meltemi wind in summer; on windy days, the sheltered south-coast beaches are the better choice.
Only have 2 days?
With 2 days, do Chora on the first evening and Delos the next morning, then a south-coast beach in the afternoon.
Got extra days?
With more time, take a fast ferry to Tinos (20-30 minutes), a calmer island known for its marble villages, or to Paros and Naxos for island-hopping.
Where to stay in Mykonos
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Near Fabrika / outskirts of Chora | Walk to town and the bus station; still not cheap in August. | €100-180 |
| Mid-range | Chora | Bars and restaurants on foot, boat to Delos from the Old Port. | €200-400 |
| Mid-range | Ornos / Platis Gialos | Beach and sea taxis outside the door, buses to Chora. | €200-380 |
| Comfort | Psarou / Agios Ioannis | Luxury hotels with pools and sunset views. | €500-1,500 |
Getting around
Buses run from Chora's Fabrika (south beaches) and Old Port (north) stations for €2-2.50 a ride, with timetables posted at the stops. Sea taxis link the south beaches and the Old Port. Taxis are very few in summer, so book transfers ahead or rent an ATV or scooter if you are an experienced rider. The airport is 10 minutes from Chora; ferries arrive at the New Port, 3 km north.
What to eat in Mykonos
Mykonos has its own island specialities worth seeking out. Kopanisti is a spicy, peppery soft cheese spread on rusks; louza is local cured pork with herbs; and amygdalota, almond sweets, are sold in Chora's bakeries. Fish tavernas price fresh fish by the kilo, so ask the price before you order: €60-90 per kilo is common in summer. For an inexpensive lunch, gyros and souvlaki shops in the lanes of Chora charge €4-6, and the tavernas of Ano Mera cost noticeably less than the beaches. Beach clubs often have high minimum spends on sunbeds and set menus. Always check the bill, and ask for prices of anything not on the printed menu.
Best time to visit
June and September have warm sea (22-24°C), long days and slightly lower prices. July and August are the busiest and most expensive, with the strongest meltemi winds. From November to April, most hotels, bars and beach clubs close.
Month-by-month weather for Mykonos →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | €70 | €160 | €450 |
| Food & drink | €35 | €80 | €200 |
| Sights, boats & beaches | €20 | €60 | €150 |
| Local transport | €6 | €25 | €80 |
| Total per person, per day | about €130 | about €325 | about €880 |
Approximate 2026 high-season prices. June and September are often 30-50% cheaper than August. Greece adds a per-room climate resilience fee each night.
Before you go
Common questions
Is Mykonos only for partying?
No. The party beaches are on part of the south coast. Delos, Ano Mera and the north-coast beaches are quiet, and Chora is lovely before 10:00 and after midnight.
Can I visit Delos on my own?
Yes. Buy a boat ticket at the Old Port kiosk and the site ticket on Delos. A guide makes the ruins much clearer; tours include both.
How do I get to Mykonos from Athens?
By ferry from Piraeus or Rafina (about 2.5-5 hours) or by plane (about 40 minutes). Rafina is closer to Athens airport.
Is Mykonos expensive?
It is the most expensive Cycladic island. Save by eating gyros and in Ano Mera, staying a little outside Chora and visiting in June or September.
How this guide was made
Written by hand, without AI, by a travel-agency planner based in Greece. Prices and boat times are approximate for 2026; confirm Delos boat and site hours with the official operators and the Hellenic Heritage e-ticket site before booking.
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