How to Spend One Day in Mykonos From a Cruise Ship

Wondering what to do in Mykonos for one day? You are in the right place because I have prepared a detailed Mykonos itinerary for one day from a cruise ship or any other island in Greece.

Mykonos is one of the top destinations in Greece and a typical Greek island that you don’t want to miss. While Mykonos is famous for its nightlife and luxury experiences, there is much more to see and discover during the day.

The town itself is a maze of tiny streets filled with typical white houses and colorful details. The rest of the island offers spectacular beaches, epic viewpoints, wild nature, and even some farming experiences.

In this article, you will find a complete Mykonos itinerary for 1 day with other things that you should know before visiting Mykonos. If you plan to arrive in Mykonos late in the morning or to leave before dinner, don’t worry. This one day in Mykonos itinerary can be easily adjusted for your own schedule.

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Overview of your ultimate Mykonos in a one-day itinerary

• Morning: Windmills, Little Venice, Hibiscus, Mykonos Old Town, Agia Kyriaki Church
• Lunch: Sakis
• Afternoon: Panagia Paraportiani, Mykonos Old Harbor, best views of Mykonos
• Optional: Archaeological Museum of Mykonos, beach time, RIZES Mykonos – Folklore Farmstead or Delos Island
• Dinner: Negrita or Nice n Easy

Best things to do in Mykonos for one day

Visit the famous Windmills of Mykonos

The list of best things to do in Mykonos for one day starts with the most famous attraction on the island. The Windmills of Mykonos are featured on most of the postcards of this popular Greek Island and it is a must-visit if you have one day in Mykonos.

Most of the windmills around the islands were built by the Venetians and they were primarily used to mill wheat. There are in total 16 windmills on Mykonos and seven are positioned on the landmark hill in Chora. Here is where your Mykonos one-day itinerary should start.

Discover Little Venice

The windy hill of Chora is also a perfect place to admire one of the most popular spots in Mykonos. Little Venice is among the most photographed places in Europe and you will easily understand why.

As the name suggests, the construction of the sight started when the island was under Venetian Rule in the 13th century. The majority of the houses used to belong to rich merchants and wealthy businessmen of the time.

Nowadays, this district of Mykonos is one of the most romantic sights in all of Greece and the house of many artists from all over the world. 

Take walk on the promenade and hunt for the best views over Little Venice. There are many bars and restaurants on the promenade if you want to sit down and chill for a while.

Strolling the Old Town

When you explore Mykonos Old Town you will see an explosion of bright white and blue colors. Luckily the picturesque old town is not so big and even with a Mykonos one-day itinerary, you should be able to cover all the relevant sights.

Get lost in the small alleys and find some pretty cafes like Hibiscus. Here you can try some delicious baklava and fresh orange juices, and even take a perfect Mykonos picture.

Or find some of the most picturesque boutiques in the world, shop for some unique design clothes, and make your trip to Mykonos even more unforgettable. Don’t miss these cute I Love Mykonos stairs and Happiness store.

Finally, if you are an architecture lover, head to Metropolitan Church. Don’t miss the Agia Kyriaki Church. This Byzantine church stands on a tiny picturesque square and it is a must-see when you travel to Mykonos.

Enjoy local food at Sakis

When you think about the food and restaurants in Mykonos, you probably imagine fine dining and fancy restaurants. And let’s be honest, Mykonos is famous for that. But what if I tell you that you can try some very delicious Greek specialties in the old town of Mykonos for less than 10 euros?

Sakis is one of the most popular places in Mykonos to try some unforgettable gyros. The place is not fancy, but you can sit in a lovely alley or in a little square with a view and enjoy simple local food.

This is the perfect place to have a quick lunch or relax with a drink and get the best on what to do in Mykonos for one day. Sakis is open every day from 11 am to 1 am.

Photograph Panagia Paraportiani

Panagia Paraportiani is one of the most famous places on the island and has to be included in every ultimate Mykonos in a one-day itinerary. This whitewashed church stands on top of a rock and the lovely shape of the facade makes it one of the most photographed places in Mykonos. 

Explore Old Port  

A few steps away from Panagia Paraportiani is The Old Harbor, which is another important thing to see in Mykonos in one day. The Old Harbor is just behind Little Venice and it is a lively area where the traditional fish market takes place. It is the perfect place to have picturesque views of the islands and the old traditional kaikia boats.

Petros the Pelican is a local celebrity and usually, you can find him in the area of the Old Port. Just like the windmills, he is the symbol of Mykonos. The history of Petros dates back to 1958 when a pelican found shelter in the old Port of Mykonos.

The locals took immediate care of the bird and adopted him giving him the name Petros, which means “rock” in Greek. Sadly, Petros the Pelican died in 1985 but nowadays there is another pelican who inhabits the island.

Whether you are one day in Mykonos on a cruise ship or you are spending a long weekend in Mykonos try to find Petros and see if he wants to be your friend. However, please keep your distance and let him walk around freely.

Optional: learn history at the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos

If you want to take an immersion in Greek culture and history, head to the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos. The museum opened for the first time in 1902 and was designed by the architect Alexandros Lykakis. It lies a few meters away from the Old Port.

The site is rich in neoclassical features and countless historical relics and vestiges of the past. It was built in order to preserve findings recovered from the Purification Pit, which dates back to 426-425 B.C.

Keep in mind that the museum is closed during the low season.

Optional: head to Delos 

If you have a few hours left in the afternoon, you can take a trip to Delos. Delos is an island with more than 3000 years of history and it lies 30 minutes away from Mykonos Old Port.

It is home to one of the most important and best-preserved archeological sites in the Greek Islands. The ruins include Doric temples, markets, an amphitheater, houses with mosaics, and the iconic Terrace of the Lions statues.

• Visit Delos independently: book a transfer from Mykonos to Delos.
• Visit Delos with a guided tour: book an evening tour with a guide to Delos.

Optional: choose a beach 

It is hard to imagine a trip to Mykonos without visiting a beach.

If you have one day in Mykonos from a cruise ship, you might want to consider Paralia Choras Mikonou. This small beach is located between the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos and the Old Port. And if you have less than 24 hours in Mykonos, it could be a perfect idea to take a swim in the blue waters of Greece.

If you don’t care much about sightseeing and you just want to tan and swim your choice is Paralia Agia Anna. This beach has a relaxed atmosphere and it was recommended to us by a local. It is located near the famous Paradise Beach – another popular choice if you have to visit Mykonos in one day.

If you are looking for a hidden gem with spectacular scenery, head to Kapari beach. This is one of the best beaches in Mykonos. It is quite small, and you will have to walk the path, but it’s usually not crowded since it is not so famous.

Optional: RIZES Mykonos – Folkore Farmstead

If you are looking for unique experiences in Mykonos, your Mykonos itinerary for 1 day should include RIZES Mykonos – Folklore Farmstead. It is a rustic house located 30 minutes away from Mykonos Old Town.

This is a place where you will see different Mykonos – rural, authentic, and with great charm. In RIZES Mykonos – Folklore Farmstead you can try delicious local food or even take some unforgettable activities like cooking classes, bread making, or guided tours.

Touch the Sunset was one of the highlights of my Mykonos vacation, however, you can see all their activities here.

Climb up for the best views over Mykonos

A list of the best things to do in Mykonos for one day wouldn’t be complete without some epic views over the town. While these views over Mykonos might look familiar, there are not many instructions on how to find this viewpoint. I am here to help you with that!

First, put Cafe Vero on your Google Maps and take the little stairs right behind the bar. This is certainly a less fancy area of Mykonos, but 10 minutes of stairs and you should arrive. The viewpoint will be on your right and you certainly won’t miss it. You will see a little wall, so you can either climb over or arrive from the top.

Location: best views of Mykonos

End your one day in Mykonos with a drink or dinner

If you are feeling tired after one day in Mykonos, you can see the sunset from one of many bars instead. Little Venice is the place to be and here you can find some fancy bars with sea and windmill views to end your one-day Mykonos itinerary with a blast.

My recommendation for you is Negrita, one of the most famous bars on the island. This fame comes with a cost, and it is hard to find a seat, cocktails are quite expensive, but the quality, ambiance, and service justify the price.

Feeling hungry? Head to Nice n Easy instead. The owner of our hotel suggested Nice n Easy as one of the best fancy restaurants in Mykonos and it didn’t disappoint. The food was delicious but the direct view of the Little Venice and the windmills was my personal highlight.

Things to know before visiting Mykonos

Ferries and cruise ships to Mykonos Island dock in Mykonos Town. Mykonos cruise ship terminal is located at Tourlos. It is near Agios Stefanos beach. The distance to Mykonos Town is approximately 4 km and you can find shuttle buses to the town center. Or you can catch a taxi from the taxi square on the Mykonos waterfront. If you prefer to walk, the distance is about half an hour.

English is widely spoken in Mykonos, but being a tourist place you can find people speaking other languages too.

Euro is the currency and you can find ATMs easily in Mykonos Town, nevertheless, the majority of the places accept cards.

How to get around Mykonos in a day?

When visiting Mykonos for 1 day, choosing the right method to move around is essential to save time and money. Here are the best ways to move around Mykonos together with the pros and cons.

Public buses are quite frequent and connect the Old Town of Mykonos with the port and the airport. The average price is between 1.80 and 3 euros, if you are wondering how to visit Mykonos in one day on a budget you can rely on public transport. Keep in mind that there are different timetables between the summer and winter seasons.

If you are in a rush and don’t want to waste time waiting for a bus, a taxi is a very easy and quick option. It will take you to the town in a few minutes and will cost you around 30 euros. 

You can also rent a car or a scooter and explore the island on your own. Since the island size is quite small, you will be able to travel around the place and plan your own stops. If you are planning just to visit the old town, I don’t recommend this option.

Walking is the best option to wander around Mykonos Old Town. the streets are very tiny and cars are not allowed. In this way, you will discover all the charm of the island.

Further reading for one day Mykonos itinerary

Or read more about: Athens | Mykonos | Greece

In conclusion…

This is the end of your complete Mykonos itinerary for 1 day and regardless if you are visiting from a cruise ship or island hopping, I am sure you will have a fabulous time on the island. You can easily add or remove attractions from this Mykonos itinerary, so it is suitable for anyone.

I would love to hear your thoughts, so if you have any feedback or additional tips, leave a comment below. Also, check out my Instagram for regular travel videos and travel inspiration. Or explore other destinations on this travel blog.

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