Probably best known for its reputation as a party island, Mykonos is a visually stunning island that knows how to have fun while still retaining its village charm. Summer finds the island jam-packed with visitors from all over Europe for its epic parties and charming windmills. Keep an eye out for the pinkish pelicans that roam the streets, top up your tan at the famous beaches around the island, and explore all that this Cycladic Island has to offer. With so many things to do in Mykonos, large groups of friends and couples will not be disappointed.

No holiday to Mykonos would be complete without visiting its gleaming heart, Mykonos Town. Here you can tour across sights such as the famous Windmills, the colourful Little Venice and ancient buildings such as the whitewashed Panagia Paraportiani church, or alternatively you can treasure hunt across museums such as the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos and the Folklore Museum. 

An island of diversity, holidays in Mykonos offer a variety of locations to appeal to all manner of visitors. City slickers can enjoy wining, dining and sightseeing in the main town, whilst beach bums can head to the coast for some picturesque sunbathing. If you’re an adventurer you can explore the world under the sea with a diving trip, or if you’re after a dose of culture you can tour across the island’s museums. 

By starlight the island is just as diverse, ranging from the perfectly peaceful to the downright dynamic. In Mykonos Town you will find an array of bars, cocktail lounges and clubs, perfect for long evenings of drinking and dancing. At the other end of the scale you can enjoy pleasant evenings in local tavernas and beachside restaurants, sampling some Greek cuisine and hospitality. Mykonos holidays are best spent over the summer for hot days spent by the beach lapping up the sun and swimming in the warm seas. From June until September you can enjoy temperatures of around 25C, or you can visit over the cooler spring and autumn months, which still offers daily highs of 17C.
 

As part of a country famous for its divine olive oil and mezzes, one of the top Mykonos attractions is to sit back, relax, and enjoy the food. Each region of Greece has a unique set of dishes, and Mykonos is no different. Make sure to try a variety of plates from the cheesy goodness of kopanisti and the meat lover’s favourite of louza, both can be washed down with some local wine or a hint of ouzo. There are numerous tavernas and cafés across Mykonos from the main Mykonos Town to the villages of Kalafati and Elia.

For children who are happy to paddle and play on a beach for a day, Agrari Beach is a good starter, the waters are shallow and calm and there are cafés nearby and amenities as well as a playground to make sure the children are entertained. Panormos beach is also good for kids with two restaurants nearby. If you fancy a bit of action on your holiday, take your children to Raceland Kart and take part in some Go-Karting. Children are welcomed in Mykonos and often stay up late due to the warm weather, partying starts at about 11 so usually there is a nice transfer of the families with young children in the day giving way to the clubbers at about 11 at night. Due to the high number of families visiting most restaurants and cafés will cater for children with simple pasta or pizzas on menus as well as seafood and rice. 

As an island in the Cyclades, Mykonos is neither short of beaches nor fun aquatic adventures to fill up your days. There are several dive centres on the island to get you PADI-certified while on holiday and take you around the best dive spots off the island. Kalafati Beach is an excellent spot to try some windsurfing with Planet Windsailing, or just grab a snorkel and enjoy the sea at your own relaxed pace. Hop on a boat and sail the Aegean to see some of the other Cycladic islands near Mykonos. One of the more scenic things to do in Mykonos, take a car up to the highest points of the island for a fun hike that provides beautiful photo opportunities.

The coastline will please even the most discerning beach lover, with plenty of quiet coves and energetic bays to discover. Head to Paradise Beach for some afternoon parties beside the sea, or visit Platys Gialos for some jet skiing and drinks in the sun. Quieter days can be enjoyed along hidden shores such as Fokos and Agios Sostis. Sail across the sea to the uninhabited island of Delos for a day trip with a difference. This UNESCO World Heritage site is filled with archaeological highlights, from the Altar of Dionysos and the Apollo temples, to the Lion Terrace and the theatre. The island also has a sacred lake, which was the birthplace of Apollo.

One of the top Mykonos attractions is partying until the sun streams through the windows. With a wide variety of hard-core bars, nightclubs, and relaxing bars, you’re sure to find somewhere on Mykonos to enjoy a cocktail or two. For an evening of people watching and relaxing, choose Aroma on the corner or Kastro in Little Venice. Try Katerina’s Bar for a top spot with a view, as its balcony allows you to survey the night action. Home to super gay-friendly bars and clubs, everyone is welcome on Mykonos, and Babylon and Jackie O’ are two of the best clubs. Right on the harbour front near the pier, you can start partying early and stay out until as late as your heart desires. Try the Scandinavian Bar for a cosy dancehall upstairs and drinks on the ground floor.

Cosy up to your partner on a secluded beach on the lesser-travelled part of the island for a romantic day in the sun for two. Follow that up with a hike for your picture-perfect selfie backdrop, or postcard home to the family. Come sunset, find yourself a quiet corner in a café or taverna by the sea in Mykonos Town, Aghios Ioannis Diakoftis or Platis Gialos for dancing colours in the sky reflected in the shimmering sea. If you need more ambience, a moonlit walk along the beach is always on the table.

The party island of Mykonos may not be best known for its ancient culture, but it is full of classic Greek culture and sights. One of the best inland Mykonos attractions, visit the Panagia Paraportiani church and several Greek chapels in small local towns; just within view of the island’s famous windmills, you’ll feel transported back to another time. Another beautiful Mykonos attraction, the 18th century monastery of Panagia Tourliani is a stunning sight to behold, complete with a marble bell tower and carvings. Learn about the history of sailing and the importance of the Aegean Sea at the Aegean Maritime Museum, or the impressive Mykonos Folklore Museum and embrace the local culture. For more active things to do in Mykonos, do a bit of island-hopping and visit the nearby Delos, the mythological birthplace of Artemis and Apollo, and home to the very real Archaic Greek Agora, Temple of Apollo, and the Sacred Way. Journey back in time while visiting two of the luxurious villas, the House of Cleopatra and the House of Dionysus and imagine the lives of ancient Greeks.