📅
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Peak Season
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Jun - Sep
(Mediterranean Summer)
🌡️
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Weather
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75-88°F
Windy (Meltemi)
💰
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Budget
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€20-80pp
Per activity
📶
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WiFi
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Town: Good
Beaches: Variable
📍
Island Orientation
Understanding Mykonos's Geography
The Island:
10 miles long (E-W), 6 miles wide (N-S)
Key Insight:
Dock vs. tender depends on ship size and port traffic. New Port (Tourlos) is 2.5 km from town—you cannot walk safely. Take SeaBus, shuttle, or taxi.
Where You'll Arrive
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New Port (Tourlos):
Most ships dock here, 2.5 km north of town
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Old Port (Chora):
Tenders land here, right in town center
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Only 1 large ship (or 2 small) fits at Tourlos dock; overflow ships anchor and tender
Main Zones
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Mykonos Town (Chora):
Shops, dining, windmills, Little Venice
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South Coast:
Ornos, Platis Gialos, Paradise beaches
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Ano Mera:
Inland village, monastery
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Delos Island:
UNESCO ruins, 30min by boat
📍
Top 6 Destinations
🏛️
Mykonos Town (Chora)
Whitewashed labyrinth of narrow lanes designed to confuse pirates. See the iconic Kato Mili windmills, the five-in-one Paraportiani Church, and Little Venice's sea-edge bars. Best explored on foot—allow 2-3 hours to wander properly.
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Cost
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Free to walk
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Transport
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SeaBus €2.50
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Time
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2-4 hours
🏺
Delos Island (UNESCO)
Sacred birthplace of Apollo. Entire island is an open-air archaeological museum with ruins dating to 3000 BC. See the Terrace of Lions, House of Dionysos mosaics, and the on-site museum. Boats depart Old Port only. Zero shade—bring hat, water, sunscreen.
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Cost
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€45 DIY / €79 guided
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Transport
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30min ferry
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Time
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4-5 hours
🌅
Little Venice & Windmills
18th-century fishermen's houses with colorful balconies hanging over the Aegean. Adjacent Kato Mili windmills (16th century) are the island's most photographed landmark. Sunset drinks here are legendary—but check menu prices before ordering.
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Cost
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Free (drinks €10-18)
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Transport
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Walk from town
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Time
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1-2 hours
🏖️
Ornos Beach
Best family-friendly beach closest to town. Calm, sheltered waters ideal for swimming. Multiple beach clubs and tavernas. Water taxi hub to south-coast beaches. Most affordable organized beach on the island. Book sunbeds in advance during peak season.
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Cost
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Sunbeds €25-50
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Transport
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Bus €1.80
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Time
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3-5 hours
🎶
Paradise Beach
Greece's most famous open-air beach club. Mellow mornings shift to full party mode by 4pm with international DJs. Sunbeds €35+ each. Not a quiet beach day—come here for the energy. Free shuttle from Old Port runs in summer. No outside food or drinks allowed.
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Cost
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Sunbeds €35+
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Transport
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Bus €1.80
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Time
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3-6 hours
⛪
Ano Mera Village
The island's only inland village, 8 km east. Visit the 16th-century Panagia Tourliani monastery with ornate marble carvings. The tree-shaded village square is lined with authentic tavernas serving local dishes at a fraction of Chora prices. A quieter, real-Greece experience.
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Cost
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Free (lunch €12-20)
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Transport
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Bus €1.80
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Time
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2-3 hours
⚠️
Critical Warnings
🚢
Logistical Anomalies & Infrastructure
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Dock vs. Tender:
Mixed—1 large ship fits Tourlos dock, others anchor and tender to Old Port
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Pier Separation:
New Port (Tourlos) is 2.5 km from town on a road with no sidewalk—do NOT walk. Old Port tender dock is right in Chora
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Transit Reality:
From New Port: SeaBus (8min, €2.50), shuttle bus (€2), or taxi (€8-10). Only ~35 taxis serve the entire island
💶
Greece Cruise Passenger Fee
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Jun-Sep:
€20pp mandatory disembarkation fee
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Apr-May & Oct:
€12pp
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Nov-Mar:
€4pp
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Charged per person, per port call, all ages
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Cruise line collects; check your onboard folio
🚕
Transport Tips
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Only ~35 taxis on entire island—scarce when ships are in port
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SeaBus: New Port → Old Port, €2.50, every 20-30min
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KTEL buses: €1.80-2.80, frequent in summer
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Water taxi day pass: €20 (7 south beaches)
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ATV rental: €25-40/day
🏖️
Beach Club Realities
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Sunbeds: €25-100+ per person depending on row and venue
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Front-row at premium clubs: €50-500+
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No outside food or drinks at any beach club
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Meltemi wind (Jul-Aug) makes north beaches choppy
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Ornos:
Best value •
Psarou:
Most expensive
Getting Back to Your Ship: The Work-Backwards Method
Golden Rule:
Never plan to arrive "at the pier" at all-aboard time. Plan to be back in your cabin. Your ship's all-aboard time is the LAST moment you can board—not when you should arrive.
Step-by-Step Calculation Example:
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All-aboard time:
5:00pm
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Subtract security (15-30min):
4:30pm
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Subtract travel time (beach = 20min bus + 10min SeaBus):
4:00pm
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Add safety buffer (30min):
3:30pm
RESULT: Leave beach by 3:30pm
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First time in port (+30min)
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Ship is tendering vs docked (+45min)
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Returning from Delos (+60min)
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Peak season crowds (+30min)
Typical Travel Times:
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Town → New Port: 10min (SeaBus)
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Ornos → Town: 10min (bus)
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Paradise Beach → Town: 15-20min
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Delos → Old Port: 30-40min (ferry)