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Mykonos, Greek Islands, Greece
Whitewashed lanes, 16th-century windmills, and Aegean blue — Mykonos is dazzling and expensive, with a tender-or-dock decision that shapes your entire day.
Whitewashed lanes, 16th-century windmills, and Aegean blue — Mykonos is dazzling and expensive, with a tender-or-dock decision that shapes your entire day.
Mykonos has two arrival modes: most large ships dock at Tourlos New Port (~2 km north of Chora), while smaller ships or overflow days anchor offshore with tenders to the Old Port waterfront. Your ship daily program tells you which — read it the night before.
💡 Pro move: Greece introduced a 20 EUR per-passenger cruise levy for Mykonos and Santorini during peak season (May-Sep) — usually pre-bundled in your port taxes; check your statement. On multi-ship days there can still be 4-5 vessels in port despite arrival caps. Go ashore early: the alleys are magical before 10 AM and overwhelmed by noon.
Larger ships dock at Tourlos New Port (2 km from Chora, SeaBus every 30 min); smaller ships and overflow days anchor offshore with tenders direct to the Old Port waterfront.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most large cruise ships | New Port (Tourlos), ~2 km north of Mykonos Town📍 | Docked |
| Smaller ships / overflow / weather days | Anchor in bay, tender to Old Port waterfront📍 | Tendered |
Pick one or two things and do them properly — trying to combine Delos, a beach, and full Chora exploration in one cruise day usually means doing none of them well.
A 30-minute ferry from the Old Port, Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. The Terrace of the Lions, House of Dionysus mosaics, and ancient theater are genuinely impressive. Almost zero shade and intense summer heat: bring a hat and at least one liter of water.
Find Delos day trips →The classic Mykonos walk: Old Port waterfront to the Kato Mili windmills, down to Little Venice (18th-century fishing houses hanging over the waves, now bars), then through the Kastro quarter to Paraportiani — arguably the most photographed church in Greece, five whitewashed chapels fused together over three centuries.
Find Mykonos walking tours →The south-coast beaches are sheltered from the Meltemi wind and have calm turquoise water perfect for swimming. Platis Gialos and Ornos are the best cruise-day options — sandy, comfortable sunbeds, good tavernas. Paradise Beach is 10 minutes further if you want the full beach-club-and-music scene.
Find beach day tours →A 15-minute bus ride into the island interior brings you to Ano Mera, the only real village beyond Chora. The 1542 Monastery of Panagia Tourliani has a carved marble bell tower and small ecclesiastical museum. The village square has a handful of traditional kafeneions for Greek coffee and loukoumades (honey donuts) — almost no other tourists.
Find Mykonos village tours →The harbor-front restaurants are pricey and mediocre. Head into the lanes: To Maereio is a tiny cash-only taverna famous for keftedes (meatballs) and Mykonian sausage; Gioras Wood Bakery (operating since the 17th century) does cheap spanakopita from a wood-fired oven underground; Bakalo has a lovely courtyard with baked feta and fresh octopus.
Find Mykonos food tours →If your ship docks at Tourlos and you want a no-fuss beach morning, Agios Stefanos is a 10-15 minute walk north along the coast. Sheltered bay, calm water, sunbeds, decent tavernas — and a fraction of the crowds you will find at the south-coast beaches.
Find beach tours →Mykonos Town is made for wandering — use the windmills as your landmark and embrace getting lost; these routes keep you anchored.
From the tender dock or SeaBus stop at the Old Port, walk the harbor waterfront past the fishing boats and the resident pelicans near Nikos Taverna, wind through the Chora lanes to the Kato Mili windmills for the classic island view, then descend to Little Venice (Alefkandra) — 18th-century houses literally hanging over the Aegean waves, now bars and cafes. Loop back through Matoyianni Street. One of the best short walks in the Greek islands.
From the Old Port, head north into the Kastro neighborhood — the oldest part of Chora, built around the original Venetian fortification. Paraportiani Church, a few minutes from the port, is actually five whitewashed chapels fused together over three centuries. Best light is morning; it is free and takes 15 minutes.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Mykonos, Greek Islands, Greece (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F / 14°C | 51°F / 11°C | 12 | 7:32 AM | 5:24 PM |
| Feb | 58°F / 14°C | 52°F / 11°C | 7 | 7:08 AM | 5:58 PM |
| Mar | 60°F / 16°C | 53°F / 12°C | 8 | 6:29 AM | 6:25 PM |
| Apr | 65°F / 18°C | 57°F / 14°C | 4 | 6:44 AM | 7:53 PM |
| May | 71°F / 22°C | 63°F / 17°C | 3 | 6:09 AM | 8:20 PM |
| Jun | 78°F / 26°C | 70°F / 21°C | 2 | 5:57 AM | 8:41 PM |
| Jul | 82°F / 28°C | 75°F / 24°C | 0 | 6:09 AM | 8:39 PM |
| Aug | 82°F / 28°C | 76°F / 24°C | 1 | 6:35 AM | 8:10 PM |
| Sep | 78°F / 26°C | 72°F / 22°C | 2 | 7:00 AM | 7:26 PM |
| Oct | 71°F / 22°C | 66°F / 19°C | 3 | 7:27 AM | 6:41 PM |
| Nov | 66°F / 19°C | 60°F / 16°C | 6 | 6:58 AM | 5:07 PM |
| Dec | 60°F / 16°C | 54°F / 12°C | 9 | 7:26 AM | 5:01 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
The fastest and cheapest way from the New Port (Tourlos) to Mykonos Town (Old Port). Runs every 30 minutes during the season; trip takes 8–12 minutes.
KTEL buses connect the New Port to Mykonos Town and onward to beaches. Runs hourly; buy tickets on board with cash.
Port to Mykonos Town typically €15–29 by day, up to €35 at night. Taxis are scarce in peak season — book in advance.
Both apps work in Mykonos but dispatch only licensed taxi drivers. Availability is limited island-wide; supply is tightest in July–August.
Small boats connect south-coast beaches (Ornos, Platys Gialos, Paradise, Super Paradise, Elia). Runs roughly hourly in season.
Upcoming cruises that call at Mykonos, Greek Islands, Greece. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.