Mykonos is one of the most popular places to visit in Greece. It’s a gorgeous destination in the Cyclades group of islands in the Aegean Sea. Mykonos is well known for its party reputation as well as beautiful beaches, whitewashed buildings and windmills. When you close your eyes and picture the Greek Islands, I’m sure that visions of Mykonos come to mind.
I’ve gone on two girls trips to Mykonos and know the best things to do to have a great time with your friends on this island. Mykonos is a great destination for a girls trip because it has a great nightlife scene with beach bars and restaurants along the water, but it’s also a fun place to shop, relax and just hang on the beach. This itinerary will have a bit of everything – Mykonos party suggestions, shopping, dining and relaxation.
Mykonos is a popular destination in the summer months, and with some proper planning and reservations in advance, you’re sure to have a great 2 day visit to Mykonos.
This Mykonos itinerary covers everything you need to plan the perfect girls trip to Mykonos. That being said, this guide could also work for a couple or a solo traveler who wants a mix of party and relaxation.
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When is the best time to go to Mykonos?
Mykonos is most well known as a summer travel destination. The island has a mild climate, with hot and dry summers and cool winters. The rainy season takes place between October and April. Typically from the end of May through mid-October you will find sunny skies and warm beach weather.
The first time I visited Mykonos was in late April. It was cool but nice in the sun and we were able to lay out at our hotel’s pool. We did find that many shops and restaurants were closed for the off season and gearing up to open in May. The second time I visited Mykonos was in June and this was a great month. July and August are the busiest months, and June is considered “shoulder season,” when the temperature is nice, everything is open, but it isn’t insanely crowded. Accommodations are also usually less expensive. I’ve also heard that September is another great month for this reason.
Also, keep in mind that Mykonos is a popular cruise ship destination. This means that when a ship is in port you’ll see an influx in people walking around the popular areas. The cruise tourists do go back to their ship at night, but cruise ship guests, plus the high months of July and August, can make for a crowded island.
How many days in Mykonos is enough?
You should plan to spend at least two nights on Mykonos. This will give you enough of a taste of the island and the range of things to do. If you have more time you can definitely extend your stay. This guide covers a 2-day itinerary to Mykonos for a girls trip. If you’re in the Greek Islands I think it’s a good idea to see at least two different islands.
Spending two days on Mykonos gives you enough time to get a taste of this island and also see others. For example, combining Mykonos and Santorini (the two most popular islands in Greece) is a common itinerary.
Travel from Athens to Mykonos
You will likely be arriving to Greece in Athens, and Mykonos is an island that lies 95 miles from Athens. The two ways that you can reach this island are by ferry or by airplane. The ferry is typically the most inexpensive option, but takes longer than flying. However, there are fast ferries that speed up the trip.
You can reach Mykonos by a 2.5 to 5 hours ferry ride from Athens. A regular speed ferry takes longer, 4-5 hours. A high speed ferry from Athens to Mykonos takes about 2.5 hours.
The ferry schedules and boat options will vary based on the time of year you’re traveling. In the high summer months there are more options than in the off-season. I always prefer traveling by ferry if the length of trip isn’t that much longer than a flight. I find it easier to get to the port versus dealing with an airport, and I like not having to check my luggage. Plus, I like being out on the water and find boat rides relaxing.
I recommend using this website to search for ferry routes to Mykonos. The ferry prices from Athens to Greece tend to be between 44 and 98 euros.
Can you day trip from Mykonos to Santorini?
When you’re visiting the Greek islands, I think it’s a good idea to plan to see two or three different islands. The two most popular islands are Mykonos and Santorini. Many people wonder if you can do a day trip from Mykonos to see Santorini and if it’s worth it.
Yes, you can take a day trip from Mykonos to Santorini. But just because you can, doesn’t necessarily mean you should. If you are short on time and want to base yourself in Mykonos but absolutely want to see Santorini, you can take one of the first ferries of the day and return on the last ferry. The journey should take about 2 to 3 hours. This route only takes place in the high summer season, and the journey costs around 90 euro each way.
Santorini and Mykonos are both amazing islands and there is so much to see on both. You can take a day trip if you are short on time and absolutely want to see both. But I recommend spending at least a couple nights on each island to get the most out of your visit.
Getting around Mykonos
The best ways to get around Mykonos are on the public bus system and by walking. The island has a great public transport system and it’s easy to use. You’ll likely be walking a lot if you’re staying in Mykonos Town (also known as Chora by the locals) as cars are not allowed in this area for most of the day. You’ll see why when you get there- the roads are very narrow and winding!
There are taxis on Mykonos, which you could use if it makes sense for your group and needs, but the bus system runs well and is easy to learn.
Where to stay on Mykonos
I’ve stayed in both a hotel and a home rental on my two girls trips to Mykonos. I personally love a hotel experience as I enjoy having our space tidied up daily and room service. But if your group is a certain size, a home rental may make more sense.
In terms of location, I think it’s best to stay close to Mykonos Town and the port. This is where most of the action is and where you’ll want to spend your time. You’ll also likely be arriving and departing at the port, so it makes sense to be close by. If you have your heart set on staying by the beach, that’s possible. Just know that you’ll likely pay a higher price. Many of the beaches are located just outside of Mykonos Town and you can easily walk or catch a taxi.
When you’re looking for a place to stay on Mykonos, I recommend using Booking.com due to the range of type of accommodations and prices. Here are my accommodation suggestions in Mykonos:
- Belvedere Mykonos – The is the hotel I stayed in the first time I went to Mykonos. It’s located by the beach and is a gorgeous property. It can get very pricey during the high season.
- Myconian Little Venice Elite Suites with Sea View – This is the apartment my friends and I rented the second time I went to Mykonos. The location is right in the center of Mykonos Town and the balcony has a gorgeous view.
- Little Venice Suites
- Portobello Boutique Hotel
- Little Venice Villas
The Perfect 2-Day Mykonos Itinerary for a Girls Trip
Use this itinerary as a guide for how to spend a girls trip in Mykonos. Feel free to switch days and activities and omit whatever doesn’t fit your interests.
Day One in Mykonos
Arrive in Mykonos and hit the beach
When you’ve arrived in Mykonos, drop your bags off at your accommodation and get ready to start exploring. Hopefully you’re staying right in Mykonos Town as I suggested, and you’ll be walking distance to the best sights and numerous restaurants.
Stop by Snack Bar Leonidas, located right in the center of Mykonos Town, for a quick bite. I loved their vegetarian gyro and french fries! My friends enjoyed their lamb and chicken souvlaki and gyros.
Once you’ve fueled up, head to the beach. The best way to get around Mykonos, including from Mykonos Town to the beaches, is by taking the bus. I also love walking (and we walked a ton!) but for further destinations, or when you’re tired, I recommend the bus. If you prefer to take a taxi, that’s also an option. I would recommend walking outside of the car restricted area of Mykonos Town and grabbing a taxi there. You will find a lot of taxis at the nearby port.
The bus station in Mykonos Town is called Fabrika and the fare is between 1 – 3 euro. The public bus system provides regular service to the most popular beaches. From Fabrika catch the bus to Platis Gialos Beach, one of the most popular beaches on the island.
Little Venice in Mykonos
After your beach day, head back to your accommodation to freshen up. Your next stop for the evening is the famous Little Venice area of Mykonos.
Little Venice is one of the most popular areas on Mykonos, located in the center of Mykonos Town and close to the port. This is one of the most recognizable, and picturesque, areas of Mykonos.
Little Venice is right on the water (hence the name Little Venice) and is made up of old white washed homes with colorful balconies and windows. There are many bars and restaurants in this area right along the water. The famous windmills of Mykonos are nearby, and it’s also a very popular spot to watch the sunset.
Mykonos windmills
Located right beyond Little Venice are the famous windmills on Mykonos. You can easily reach them by a short 10 minute or less walk. Stop at the windmills first to take a look and get some photos of the island’s iconic landmarks.
After you see the windmills, grab dinner at one of the restaurants in Little Venice. There are a bunch of options to choose from based on your preference. Some of the most popular restaurants in the area are Niko’s Taverna, Lucky Fish and Vegera. Kastro’s is another restaurant that I love in this area and I’m adding it to day two of your itinerary, but if you prefer to go on day one, feel free!
This is a great area to walk around, bar hop and people watch. I recommend you plan to stay in Little Venice from dinner through the night. The Mykonos party scene is well known and this is a good area to participate in the fun.
Sunset drinks in Little Venice in Mykonos
My favorite spot to watch the sunset in Little Venice is Negrita Bar. This is a very popular, lively spot with delicious cocktails. There are tables inside and outside, and I recommend grabbing one of the tables outside to watch the sunset. Some of the tables are so close tot he edge of the water waves were splashing the seats!
This is one of the most popular sunset spots in Little Venice, and you should make a reservation ahead of your visit to ensure you get a table at prime time. My group of friends and I reserved our table a month or so in advance by emailing the address listed on the website. We had a great time ordering their delicious (and beautiful) cocktails and watching the sunset.
After it was dark, the party scene inside at Negrita Bar got amped up and we spent the night dancing along with the DJs and taking shots that the bar tenders pour in your mouth. It was quite the scene and a very fun night in Little Venice. I would recommend staying at Negrita for the entire night, but if you’re looking to hop around to different bars, you can walk up and down Little Venice and pop in and out of places.
Day two in Mykonos
The most beautiful coffee spot and exploring Mykonos Town
One of my most favorite things I did in Mykonos was get coffee at Kastro’s. This is the restaurant I mentioned above, and it’s open for lunch and dinner as well. I do think it’s a special way to start the day but you can also check it out for a full meal.
Kastro’s is a beautiful restaurant in Mykonos Town, located near Little Venice. What sets this spot apart is its charming alley that leads to the sea. It’s a narrow alley right next to the restaurant that ends with a drop off into the ocean. Kastro’s sets up tables and chairs for patrons to enjoy a meal or drink in this small alley and watch the sea views.
After you’re fueled up with caffeine, it’s time to explore the charming beauty of Mykonos Town. There’s so much to see and do in this area and it’s fun getting lost and wandering around. You’ll stumble upon numerous shops, restaurants, bars and cafes.
My friends and I liked popping into boutiques and shopping around the island. Besides the shopping in Mykonos Town, I love exploring the winding streets and seeing the architecture. You’ll come across ancient churches, white homes drenched in pink bougainvillea and beautiful residential areas.
If you want to check out a vineyard, you can head to Mykonos Vioma in the afternoon.
Sunset rituals and Scorpios beach club
After your day wandering around Mykonos Town, stop back at your accommodation to get refreshed and ready for the night ahead.
On your last night in Mykonos, I recommend heading to the most popular beach club on the island, Scorpios. You can catch the bus from Mykonos Town to Scorpios. Taxis are also an option.
Scorpios is open day and night and it’s quite the scene. It’s known to be a very expensive outing, but there are ways to do it without getting a bill in the thousands. One thing to note is that you absolutely need a reservation to get into Scorpios and you should book your reservation well in advance on their website.
If you’re only going to check Scorpios out once, I recommend going for the sunset and arriving around 5:00. Scorpios is known for their sunset ritual. You can reserve a spot on the Sunset Terrace or the Sunset Beach.
Reservations for the terrace have a very high minimum spend (I believe it is $2,000 euros minimum). Reservations for the beach require a bottle purchase and your group can split the bottle spend. When I looked at the menu there were wine bottles under 100 euro and liquor bottles under 200 euro. The items you have to purchase depends on the size of your group. If you are very money cautious, and because prices can change every year, I recommend emailing Scorpios to confirm what the minimum spend it and what is required with your reservation and group size.
Scorpios serves food as well and your group can have dinner here. While it isn’t the most inexpensive menu, I didn’t think the prices were too crazy considering the island is a pricey destination in general. The sunset ritual begins around 5:30 and there is fire lighting, music and live DJs.
After a fun night at Scorpios, head back to your accommodation and get some much needed rest. If Mykonos is your first stop in the Greek islands, I recommend going to at least one other island. Some easy island destinations to combine with Mykonos include catching a ferry to Santorini, Paros or Naxos.
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