Sunset bars on Mykonos are a specific category: west-facing terraces, late afternoon drinks, the light dropping toward Delos. Several of these bars have genuinely exceptional positions and the prices reflect it. What varies is whether the drink is also worth the cost. The best of them manage both. The worst charge €20 for a cocktail mixed without attention while filling the space as efficiently as possible. This page distinguishes between them.
Little Venice
The bars at Little Venice — tables cantilevered over the sea on the Alefkandra waterfront — have the most famous sunset position on the island. The view is genuinely worth seeing: the sun drops behind the hills of Delos, the water turns orange, and the windmills above catch the last light. This experience is real.
The practical challenge is securing a table. Arrive by 18:00 if you want to sit outside with a view. The cocktails are expensive (€18–25) and quality varies by bar. Choose a place with a menu that lists the ingredients in the drinks — this is a reliable indicator of a kitchen that takes the cocktail seriously.
The Windmill Promontory
The path around the base of the Kato Myli windmills, above Little Venice, offers the same western exposure with less competition for space. Bring your own drink from a nearby bar or shop and watch the sunset from the promontory — there are no tables but there is a low wall to sit on and a view that, framing the windmills against the sky, is arguably better than what you see from the bars below.
Hotel Terraces
Several of the boutique hotels in Chora and Agios Ioannis have west-facing terraces that serve cocktails and wine to non-guests in the early evening. These are consistently quieter than the public bars and often have comparable or better views. Ask at your accommodation for recommendations — some are not prominently advertised.
Practical Tips
- The actual sunset time in Mykonos ranges from around 19:45 in June to 18:30 in October. Check the specific time for your date and arrive 30–45 minutes early.
- A Aperol Spritz or a simple ouzo and tonic at a sunset bar is usually better value than a complex cocktail — less can go wrong.
- After the sunset, the bars fill with people who want to continue rather than leave. If you’ve had your experience, this is the moment to go to dinner — you’ll find a table more easily than at 22:00.