First time in Mykonos: the decisions that matter
This is a checklist, not an overview — for the full picture of the island, read Start Here first. Below are the specific decisions a first-time visitor needs to make, grouped by when you need to make them.
Before you book
- Choose your base first, then your dates — Chora, a coastal area or the countryside change the trip more than the month does.
- Decide whether you want a car. Chora, Delos, Ano Mera and several beaches are reachable without one; remote coasts are not.
- If Delos is a priority, build a full day around it rather than assuming you can add it later.
After you book
- Reserve accommodation-linked transfers if your stay is outside Chora and New Port.
- Note which beaches you want and check their wind exposure against the forecast closer to your trip.
- If traveling in July or August, look at restaurant and high-demand beach-service reservations early.
48 hours before arrival
- Reconfirm ferry or flight status — Aegean routes are wind-sensitive and schedules shift.
- Check Delos boat departures if you’ve planned that day, since services are weather-dependent.
- Save your accommodation’s exact arrival instructions; Chora’s pedestrian lanes don’t always match map routing.
Arrival day
- Identify which port you’re using — Old Port (Chora) or New Port (Tourlos) — before you land, since transfer logistics differ.
- Don’t schedule anything demanding for your first afternoon; use it to orient and adjust to the wind and heat.
- Confirm your return transport for departure day now, while options are still open.
Common first-time mistakes
- Treating Mykonos as only Chora and the beach clubs, and never reaching Ano Mera or Delos.
- Booking a coastal base without checking how far it actually is from the places you want to see daily.
- Assuming every beach has full services — several of the most rewarding ones have none.
Practical information
Mykonos’s public buses (KTEL Mykonos) run from two hubs in Chora — Fabrika (southern and beach routes) and Old Port (northern and eastern routes, including Ano Mera). The official route list currently covers Ornos, Platis Gialos, Paraga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agios Ioannis, Kalo Livadi, Kalafatis, Panormos, Elia, Agios Stefanos and Ano Mera. Fares are paid in cash on board, roughly €1.80–€3 depending on distance, and services run far more frequently from May to September than in the off-season.
FAQ
Do I need to plan Mykonos in detail, or can I improvise?
A loose plan works better than a detailed one. Fix your base, your Delos day if you want one, and your return transport — leave the rest to daily wind and energy.
Is three days enough for a first visit?
Three days covers Chora, one beach day and either Delos or Ano Mera, but not both comfortably. Five days gives the trip more room.