What to see in Mykonos without selling a kidney and spending a fortune? It sounds pure utopia but it can be done. I want to be honest with you straight away my dear boys, Mykonos is expensive. 'A facc ro cxxz' (a Neapolitan expression to express astonishment) if it is expensive. Spritzes for 25 euro, cappuccinos for 6, I paid 1 packet of tissues for my nose 1 euro.
But I'm here to help you and tell you that in Mykonos you can do vacation without going crazy and I was there 7 days (the article is perfect also for 3 days, I had a LOT of RELAX). It all depends on what you want and that is why I will ask you before I start:
- Are you in Mykonos to relax? Well, if your holiday is the one of total relaxation, this island is for you for its beautiful beaches and more. If relaxation includes fun, that too will be possible without spending a fortune.
- Are you in Mykonos for “party – party – party”? Prepare your bank account for the worst and go home in your underwear (maybe even without). Mykonos in recent years has become a destination for pure entertainment. Entertainment that, without realizing it, leads to spend a lot of money.
But now let's go step by step and I will try to explain the reasons why Mykonos is expensive and avoid unnecessary spending. After an excursus on what to visit, at the end of the article we will do the math in hand. Ready? Come on
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Best time to go to Mykonos: May or October
This is one of the problems why Mykonos is expensive: the period and the price that goes with it. We all want to go on vacation in July or August but these are the periods in which you pay more (up to triple more).
So the question I ask you is: why not May or October? I went to Mykonos from the 2nd week of October with an average of 23/24° and sun every day. By doing this I saved a lot of money.
Stay in the centre near the bus station
I'm acomfort lover, especially when I travel (and need to relax). Having a transportation point right on my doorstep is priceless, which is why I recommend accommodations in this area (map below). Fabrika is the main bus station (a 5-minute walk from the center) that will take you pretty much anywhere in Mykonos.
3 Day Mykonos Itinerary: free beaches or private beach clubs?
If you go to Mykonos, I suppose a dip in the sea on one of the beautiful beaches is more than a must. Here too the question is: free beach or beach club?
Free beaches
When something is free it always tastes better and luckily the beaches in Mykonos are partly free. In each beach you will find free spaces and private beaches . If you want to save some money, the free beach is for you, but…
Beach club Mykonos
How much does it cost to access a private beach club in Mykonos?
- Access is totally free with mandatory minimum spending
- Spending is minimum 20 euros (in periods that I recommended: May/October)
- The minimum spending reaches between 50 and 100 euros in July/August
So as you can see, even here, the period in which to go makes the difference. I went to the beach club, comfortable and well equipped but because the prices in that period are low. (and I didn't go every day, preferring to stay on the free beach).
Is mykonos expensive to eat and drink?
If you want to save a little even on food, you have some alternatives:
- Gyros lunch and dinner (maybe not)
- Packed lunch and dinner at the restaurant (What I did)
In Mykonsos even sitting at the restaurant costs money, partly because you are in Mykonos and you will eat 90% fish, which costs. At dinner I spent no less (between appetizer and main course with a glass of wine) than 40/50 euro.
To a dinner, add a packed lunch (classic sandwich) for the day on the beach (5 euros). A few coffees and cocktails (minimum 15 euros for a drink) and just with this we are around 70 euros.
3 Day Mykonos Itinerary: Chora
The old town of Mykonos has a name and it is Chora . If you have never been to Greece, you must know that the houses are blue and white, that typical Greek blue and white.
Walking in the streets of the Chora will make you feel the greek spirit. Small streets that will always have the sea as their final destination. In fact, from the chora you can reach, among the narrow alleys, port and little Venice.
Little Venice Mykonos
It is certainly among the most evocative and popular places on the island. Little Venice is so called because it looks like the Italian Venice with balconies facing the sea. The area is small, with several bars, but it's special.
Special for one reason in particular, the sunset that you will come to admire every evening. The area is full of restaurants and bars, I will recommend some later.
Port
Another very popular area of Mykonos is the port. Here, tens of thousands people go for a walk every day. Here too it is full of bars and restaurants and it is worth taking a nice walk.
3 Day Mykonos Itinerary: free viewpoint of the city
In Mykonos you can find several viewpoints but there is one above all not to be missed. I am a landscape photographer, as many of my readers know, and I love to discover.
I love to discover panoramic points that can change my day. I love sharing wonderful places with the world and, if free, even better.
This viewpoint is easy to reach and you can also have a FREE aperitif. Just search on maps or google maps St.Vasileios Church. The viewpoint is located on a small street above the church. So bring a towel, a couple of mythos (Greek beers), and some olives, the sunset will do the rest.
3 Day Mykonos Itinerary: the windmills
Another FREE thing to see in Mykonos: the mills. They are located in the Little Venice area and they create a nice atmosphere and scenario. The mills cannot be visited internally.
3 Day Mykonos Itinerary: the beaches
There are many beaches in Mykonos but the the best ones are in the South also due to the presence of less wind. One very good thing about the beaches is that they can be reached by bus.
Every day there are daily trips from “Fabrika” (stop in the center of Mykonos Town).
Times are approximately every half hour until late in the evening and tickets cost around 2 euros (currently).
I'll give you a list of free beaches that you cannot miss and I am attaching the link (with map) of an article of them. An article where you can admire the photos of these Greek pearls taken by me.
- Ornos
- Agios Ioannis
- Kapari beach
- Platys Gialos
- Paragka
- Agrari
Islands close to Mykonos
If you stay in Mykonos long enough I recommend you visit the Delos islands and Rhenia. Places with uncontaminated nature and crystal clear waters. I leave you the link to book the half-day tour starting from Mykonos.
What to eat in Mykonos
In Greece there are dishes that you must taste before leaving. Among the typical Greek dishes there are: mussaka , the classic Greek gyros, gemista and fresh octopus.
In addition to all this, fish dishes should be a must every day. Mykonos is an island and the owners of the restaurants (especially the older ones) are fishermen.
As we would say in Italy: from sea to the table.
On where to eat in Mykonos I can simply tell you that it is difficult to eat badly. In general, I would suggest a typical Greek inn. What I will suggest, however, are places to have an aperitif at sunset time.
Aperitif in Mykonos: 3 places to not be missed at sunset time
Katerina’s cocktail bar – restaurant
What to say… this place bewitched me and I came back at least 3 more times for an aperitif and dinner. It is in little Venice and is accessed via one of the narrow streets of the Chora.
When I arrived on the first day I stopped randomly and asked what was upstairs. Stairs take you to a house living room with a small balcony.
A balcony, 3 tables and then it looks like a painter painted a painting.
A painting with 2 very related subjects: sea and sunset. Please go there at sunset because I can't describe the feeling.
- The prices of the cocktails vary from 15 to 20 euros
- For a dinner I didn't spend more than 50 euros (per person)
180° Sunset Bar Mykonos
Lovely, beautiful, spectacular place with a super view BUT… A cocktails (in October) 25 euros. To be more precise, a spritz and, to be honest, I only mention it because I have a website, and for someone €25 is nothing.
What I can tell you is, if you take a tour "for the whim of seeing it", at least you know what you're going through.
During high season entry must be booked on the site with advance payment.
Before moving on to the next one, I wanted to remind you of the belvedere mentioned at the beginning of the article. That viewpoint is exactly a few minutes away from this place and is FREE. Towel and drinks at the supermarket and then the sunset will do the rest.
Little Venice
From little Venice square every day is a appointment with the sunset having an aperitif. In the square and by the seafront you will find many bars – restaurants. The average cost of drinks is around 20 euros
Even here you can easily sit down for FREE on the beach having a "supermarket" aperitif. It will seem absurd to you but, believe me, if you have an average of 2 drinks in each place mentioned, we would already be at 120 euros.
How to get to Mykonos airport to the centre
The cheapest way to travel from the airport to the city center is with the bus. Once outside the airport, you will find the stop and you can pay the ticket on it.
3 Day Mykonos Itinerary: conclusions
This article and journey come to an end. This is the 4th time I've been to Greece and it didn't disappoint me, quite the contrary. I discovered, this time, a different Greece, “exclusive” , perhaps for a few.
Mykonos is Mykonos. The phrase was said by the taxi driver at the airport exit asking me for 30 euros to go to the city centre. (10 minutes by car, maybe less)
Doing a little recap of my week and in general of the expenses I had:
- Accommodation: 350 euro (7 nights) - 50 per day
- Food - among restaurants, easy lunch, snacks the average of 60 euro per day
- Drinks - among aperitivi, coffees, and supermarket 25 euro per day
- Total: 135 euro per day. With a small premise, July/August multiply the figure by 3.
Before going, I'll give you one last piece of advice that may perhaps help you decide better. Mykonos can also be visited in 3 nights/4 days, which is why you can find a balance.
I've been there 8 because I wanted to relax and enjoy days of healthy idleness. Greetings and remember: who travels lives twice.
P.s. don't forget to click here to follow on my instagram page the places I've been.
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Very interesting I will definitely follow your advice👍
Thank you Cinzia for your kind words about my article, I hope you enjoy the beauty of this island
One of the things that is often overlooked when talking about Mykonos is precisely what this guide highlights: you don’t necessarily have to spend your days at exclusive beach clubs or face eye-watering bills to enjoy the island. Of course, Mykonos remains one of Greece’s most expensive destinations, but much of its charm lies in places that are accessible to everyone.
The itinerary combining Ornos, Chora, Kato Mili and Little Venice strikes me as particularly well-balanced for those who are short on time. Ornos is a smart choice because it allows you to go for a swim at a beautiful beach that’s well sheltered from the Meltemi without straying too far from the centre. Many visitors end up chasing the island’s most famous beaches and spend more time on buses than in the water.
The description of Chora also captures the feeling you get when strolling through its narrow streets. Beyond the boutiques and bars, what has always struck me is the way the old town changes throughout the day. Early in the morning, before most visitors arrive, it still manages to reveal the character of old Mykonos. In the evening, however, the atmosphere changes completely and Little Venice becomes one of the most enchanting spots in the Cyclades.
The mention of Fabrika as a strategic hub for getting around is also very useful. First-time visitors to the island often underestimate the importance of the bus network and end up relying on taxis or private transfers, which can put a significant strain on their budget. With a little planning, however, you can reach most of the main beaches for very little money.
The viewpoint above the church of Agios Vasileios is particularly worth a mention. In recent years, many of Mykonos’s most photographed spots have become increasingly crowded, whereas finding a quiet spot from which to watch the sunset over Chora and the windmills still retains that sense of discovery that makes a trip memorable. It is precisely these practical details, born of first-hand experience on the ground, that often prove more valuable than the usual lists of must-see attractions.