Mykonos: Windmills, Whitewash & World-Class Vibes

Mykonos is the glamorous, party-loving sibling of the Greek islands. But don’t let its reputation fool you — beyond the beach clubs and nightlife, this island has genuine Cycladic charm, iconic windmills, a waterfront that rivals any in Europe, and a labyrinth of whitewashed alleys designed to confuse pirates (and modern tourists). One day is enough to fall in love with it.

Port Overview

Location: New Port (Tourlos) — about 2 km north of Mykonos Town. Some ships anchor and tender to the Old Port right in town Getting to Town: Shuttle bus from New Port (€2), taxi (€6-10), or 25-minute walk along the waterfront. From Old Port, you’re already there Typical Hours: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM (varies by ship) Currency: Euro (cards accepted at most shops and restaurants, carry cash for small vendors) Language: Greek (English spoken everywhere in tourist areas) What’s Free: Walking Mykonos Town, windmills, Little Venice, Paraportiani Church, beaches (public access) What Costs Extra: Beach club sunbeds (€20-€60+), Delos ferry (€20-€22 round trip), organized tours, water taxis WiFi: Available at most cafes and restaurants Getting Around: Local buses from Fabrika station (€1.80-€2.50), taxis, water taxis, ATV rentals

Getting from Port to Town

From the New Port (Tourlos)

Shuttle bus: €2 each way, runs frequently when ships are in port. Drops you at the Old Port area
Taxi: €6-10 to Mykonos Town. Taxi queue at the port, but limited supply on busy days
Walk: 25 minutes along the coast road. Not the most scenic walk, but doable
Tip: The shuttle is your best bet. Taxis can be scarce when multiple ships are in port

From the Old Port (Tender)

You’re steps from Mykonos Town. Walk right into the action
This is the better scenario — no transfer needed

Free vs. Paid

Free Activities

Mykonos Town (Chora) — A maze of whitewashed alleys with blue doors, bougainvillea, and hidden churches. Designed to confuse pirates, it will also confuse you. That’s part of the charm
The Windmills — Mykonos’s most iconic landmark. Five 16th-century windmills on a hill overlooking the harbor. Best photos in the morning with soft light
Little Venice — Colorful balconied houses built right over the water. The most photographed neighborhood on the island. Free to walk, stunning for photos
Paraportiani Church — The most photographed church in Greece. A cluster of five white chapels fused together over centuries, perched at the waterfront. Architectural art
Matoyianni Street — The main shopping street. Window shop designer boutiques, galleries, and souvenir shops
Waterfront promenade — Walk from the Old Port past Little Venice to the windmills. The golden hour walk is magic
Beach access — All beaches in Greece have free public access by law. You just won’t get a sunbed

Paid Experiences

Beach Clubs (sunbed sets €20-€100+)

Paradise Beach — The famous party beach. DJ sets, drinks, dancing in the sand. Lively and loud
Super Paradise — Even more intense than Paradise. The party beach of party beaches
Ornos Beach — Family-friendly, calm water, good restaurants. The best beach choice for cruise visitors who want relaxation over parties. Bus from town (15 min)
Psarou Beach — The luxury beach. Celebrity sightings, upscale beach clubs, premium prices
Pricing note: A sunbed at a basic beach costs €20 for two loungers and an umbrella. At premium clubs, expect €60-100+ with minimum spend requirements

Delos Island Day Trip (€20-€22 ferry + €12 site entry)

Ancient sacred island, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Birthplace of Apollo and Artemis in Greek mythology
Stunning ruins: Terrace of the Lions, amphitheater, ancient mosaics
Ferry from Mykonos Old Port, 30 minutes each way
The catch: You need 3-4 hours minimum (30 min ferry + 2 hrs on site + 30 min return). Tight for a cruise day unless you have 8+ hours in port
Worth it if: You love history and ancient ruins. Skip if you’d rather experience Mykonos itself

Water Taxi (€10-€15 per person)

Runs between beaches and Mykonos Town
Fun, scenic, and sometimes faster than the bus
Great option for reaching Paradise or Super Paradise beach

Best Strategies

For First-Time Visitors

Get to town early — Shuttle from New Port or walk off tender at Old Port
Start at Paraportiani Church — Before the crowds arrive, golden morning light
Walk to Little Venice — 5 minutes from the church, along the waterfront
Continue to the Windmills — The classic Mykonos photo. Morning light is best
Get lost in the alleys — Seriously. Put the map away for 30 minutes and wander
Matoyianni Street — Shopping, people-watching, ice cream
Lunch at a harbor taverna — Seafood, Greek salad, cold beer
Afternoon at Ornos Beach — 15-minute bus ride, family-friendly, great swimming

For Couples

Morning walk through town — Quiet, romantic, perfect photos
Coffee at Little Venice — Sit waterfront, watch the pelicans (yes, Mykonos has resident pelicans)
Lunch at Kastro’s — Little Venice restaurant with sea views
Afternoon at a beach club — Psarou for luxury, Ornos for relaxation
Shopping on Matoyianni — Jewelry, art, fashion
Pre-departure drinks — Sunset cocktail at Little Venice (if ship timing allows)

For Families with Kids

Ornos Beach — Calm, shallow water, restaurants, easy bus ride from town
Walking Mykonos Town — Kids love the maze-like alleys and finding hidden cats
The Windmills — Quick photo stop, kids enjoy climbing the hill
Lunch gyros — Easy, cheap, delicious. Kids love them
Skip the party beaches — Paradise and Super Paradise are not family territory
Water taxi — Kids think it’s an adventure

For Budget Travelers

Walk from New Port to save shuttle fare (25 min)
Free Mykonos Town — Windmills, Little Venice, Paraportiani, alleys. All free, all amazing
Gyros for lunch — €3-5, the best meal deal on the island
Public beach access — Bring a towel from the ship, skip the sunbed rental
Ornos by bus — €1.80 each way. Swim for free, eat at a casual taverna
Skip Delos unless it’s your dream — the ferry plus entry adds up fast

Sample Day

Classic Mykonos Day

8:00 AM: Shuttle to town (or walk off tender)
8:30 AM: Paraportiani Church and waterfront walk
9:00 AM: Little Venice — photos, coffee at a waterfront cafe
9:30 AM: Windmills — the iconic shot
10:00 AM: Get lost in Mykonos Town alleys for an hour
11:00 AM: Matoyianni Street — shopping and browsing
12:00 PM: Lunch at a harbor taverna (Greek salad, grilled octopus, local wine)
1:00 PM: Bus to Ornos Beach (15 min)
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Beach time, swimming, relaxation
4:30 PM: Bus back to town, last walk through Little Venice
5:00 PM: Shuttle back to port

History & Culture Day (with Delos)

7:30 AM: First tender/shuttle to town
8:00 AM: Quick walk — Paraportiani, Little Venice, Windmills
9:00 AM: Ferry to Delos (check schedule, typically 9:00 or 10:00 AM departure)
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Explore Delos ruins (Terrace of the Lions, ancient theater, mosaics)
12:30 PM: Ferry back to Mykonos
1:00 PM: Lunch in Mykonos Town
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Explore the town at leisure, shopping, gelato
4:30 PM: Return to ship

Beach & Vibes Day

8:30 AM: Shuttle to town, quick coffee
9:00 AM: Walk through town, photos at key spots
10:00 AM: Bus or water taxi to Paradise Beach
10:30 AM - 2:00 PM: Beach club, swimming, music, drinks
2:30 PM: Water taxi back to town
3:00 PM: Lunch in town (fresh seafood)
4:00 PM: Last wander through the alleys and Little Venice
5:00 PM: Return to ship

Practical Tips

What to Bring

Comfortable shoes — Cobblestone and marble streets are slippery, especially in the alleys
Sunscreen and hat — The Cycladic sun is relentless, even with the Meltemi wind
Cash (Euros) — For buses, small shops, street food, and water taxis
Swimsuit and towel — Grab a ship towel if you plan to hit a beach
Camera — Mykonos is absurdly photogenic. Every alley is a postcard
Light layers — The Meltemi wind can make it feel cooler than expected, especially along the waterfront

What NOT to Bring

Expensive jewelry to the beach — Keep it simple
A heavy bag — You’ll walk a lot. Pack light
Expectations of cheap prices — Mykonos is the most expensive Greek island. Accept it and budget accordingly

Important Notes

Tender port (sometimes) — Whether you dock at New Port or tender to Old Port depends on your ship and port conditions. Check onboard the night before
Mykonos is expensive — A waterfront lunch with drinks can easily hit €40-60 per person. Budget gyros and bakery stops help
The Meltemi wind — Summer winds can be strong. They keep you cool but can affect tenders and ferry service to Delos
Pelicans — Mykonos has resident pelicans that wander the waterfront. Petros is the famous one. Fun for photos but don’t feed them
Getting lost is normal — The town was built as a maze. Use the waterfront as your anchor point and you’ll always find your way back

Food & Drink

Must-Try Foods

Gyros — Pork or chicken, wrapped in pita with tzatziki, tomato, onion, and fries inside. €3-5 at takeaway spots
Loukoumades — Greek donuts drizzled with honey and cinnamon. Hot, crispy, addictive. Find them at bakeries in town
Greek salad — Tomato, cucumber, onion, olives, feta, olive oil. Simple perfection. Better here than anywhere else
Grilled octopus — A Mykonos specialty. Tender, charred, drizzled with lemon
Kopanisti — Spicy local cheese spread, unique to Mykonos. Try it on bread at a taverna

Must-Try Drinks

Freddo espresso — Greek-style iced coffee. Fuel for island walking
Ouzo — Anise-flavored spirit, served with ice and water (it turns cloudy). Classic Greek
Local wine — Order house wine at any taverna. It’s cheap and usually good
Fresh orange juice — Stands in town sell it fresh-squeezed. Refreshing after a morning of walking

Where to Eat

Budget: Gyros at Jimmy’s or Souvlaki Story (€3-5)
Mid-range: Kounelas for fresh fish right at the harbor
Splurge: Kastro’s in Little Venice for sunset dining
Avoid: Restaurants right at the cruise port — tourist traps with inflated prices

Don’t Miss

Little Venice — Colorful houses over the water. Best in morning light or golden hour
The Windmills — You’ve seen them in every Greece travel photo. Now see them in person
Paraportiani Church — Five churches merged into one white sculptural masterpiece
Getting lost in the alleys — Put your phone away and wander. Every corner is a surprise
Gyros and loukoumades — Two of Greece’s best cheap eats, both excellent here
The pelicans — Mykonos’s unofficial mascots wandering the harbor

Skip If Short on Time

Delos — Amazing but requires half your day. Save for a dedicated Greek islands trip
Paradise/Super Paradise beaches — Far from town, party-focused, and you’ll spend too much transit time
Organized island tours — You can see Mykonos Town’s highlights on foot in 2-3 hours
Designer shopping on Matoyianni — Unless shopping is your thing, the window displays are free
Renting an ATV — Narrow roads, aggressive drivers, and eating into your limited time

Mykonos delivers exactly what it promises — dazzling white alleys, iconic windmills, a glamorous waterfront, and an energy you won’t find at any other port. You don’t need a beach club reservation or a designer budget to love it. Walk the town, eat gyros by the harbor, find Paraportiani Church in the morning light, and let the Cycladic wind carry you through one of the Mediterranean’s most photogenic islands.

Mykonos Cruise Port Guide: Windmills, Little Venice & Island Vibes