10 Things to Do in Mykonos on a Small Budget

Mykonos beaches are the primary reason many people visit this island and feature raucous beach clubs, endless stretches of white sand, sun and the dark, warm Aegean waters. There are few experiences like relaxing on a pristine, clean beach with powder-soft sand and crystal-clear waters as the sun beats down overhead. The beaches here are so popular that they’ve developed their own social scene with parties, clubs and all sorts of activities for kids and adults alike, including several famous LGBTQ beaches.

Beaches can be found all over the island. Some of the most popular include the secluded Agios Sostis, clothing-optional Fokos Beach and sheltered Agios Stefanos Beach.

Mykonos Old Town offers the chance to walk truly old-world streets with quaint cobbled lanes, picturesque historic buildings and plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes. You can stroll along the iconic Cycladic architecture and see churches that are centuries old, unique blue-painted doors and dozens of windmills dotting the hilltops. Most of the day the city centre is closed for traffic, and all the avenues and roads become pedestrian thoroughfares.

You can spend an entire afternoon window shopping souvenir shops and boutiques before stopping at a streetside cafe for a drink and people watching. All of it is directly in the heart of the Mykonos city centre.

Panagia Paraportiani is a complex of 5 churches dating back hundreds of years and situated right along the scenic seashore, offering one of the world’s most photographed spiritual sites. The oldest of these churches dates to the 14th century, with the others added through the 17th century, followed by constant renovations all the way to 1921. The centuries of architecture here alone are worth a visit. You can also capture stunning views of the seashore.

This complex is historically significant in that it sits next to a site where a royal castle once stood. While the castle is long gone, the church complex stands as a testament to ancient days. It’s about 20 minutes west of the centre of the island.

The Archaeological Museum of Mykonos offers the opportunity to view artwork and artefacts from the mysterious Minoan civilization that ruled here before ancient Greece and Rome. The museum was erected in 1902 to preserve the artefacts recovered from a 4th-century BCE archaeological dig unearthed in the late 19th century. Today it houses artefacts and historical relics of the past including those from the Hellenistic period through to prehistoric times. Some depict scenes from the Trojan War and the iconic wooden horse.

Other artefacts include several ancient grave steles, a statue of Heracles in Parian marble and the Archaic Hydria. It’s located 20 minutes west of the centre of the island.

The Rarity Gallery is a small public art installation in the city centre that offers imaginative and fascinating works by some important and exciting young modern artists. This gallery was established in 1994 to showcase up-and-coming contemporary talent. It’s divided into 5 distinct rooms, each of which has its own narrative theme. It’s one of Greece’s leading art galleries and is dedicated to high-aesthetic pieces. The artists on display come from both Greece and international communities all over the world.

The works on display showcase artists of every level from emerging to established artists and those of international renown. It’s about 20 minutes west of the centre of the island.

The Monastery of Panagia Tourliani dates to the 16th century and is famed for its whitewashed exterior, coloured dome, and wooden and marble sculptures throughout. The monastery is about 7 miles from Chora in Ano Mera Village and was built in 1542, then restored in 1767 when it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary after an icon was found nearby. Panagia Tourliani today is considered the patroness of the island, with a celebration day held on August 15th every year.

The monastery offers impressive architecture, a marble fountain outside and an impressive, elaborately painted wooden iconostasis, or altar screen, inside. The incense holders feature silver dragons holding red eggs, a unique East Asian influence. Also onsite is a small museum.

The windmills of Mykonos are an iconic staple that can be found in concentrations, including a famed group of 5 in Chora, and offer a look at regional economic history. 16 of these windmills still survive on the island; the 5 iconic ones in Chora are called Kato Myloi, and they offer fantastic sunset views. Mykonos Town has 7 famed windmills that also offer amazing sunset views.

They are non-functional but stand as monuments to the history of the island, which once relied on them for the production of wheat for its economic prosperity. Inside the Boni Windmill, you can explore an agricultural museum that discusses the whole history of these windmills.

The Lighthouse of Chania is a Venetian lighthouse built around the 16th century offering both historical exhibits and splendid views of the entire harbour. This lighthouse allowed a chain to connect from the lighthouse base to the Firkas fortress to close off the harbour when necessary. The lighthouse fell into decay for several centuries before being rebuilt in the early 19th century. It’s referred to as Egyptian due to its original occupation by Egyptian troops. It was damaged in World War II bombings only to be renovated again in the early 2000s.

Today it’s an iconic part of the city skyline and towers over the Venetian harbour. You can’t go in, but the lighthouse is an iconic photo op.

Local restaurants in Mykonos provide an outstanding way to sample the local culture and gastronomic scene from delicious takeaway street food to sit-down dining. This island is famous for its gastronomic culture, making it a destination for foodies from all over. Restaurants here run the gamut from traditional Greek eats to gourmet fusion cuisine with Mediterranean and international influences. Fresh fish is a must-try here, as are the traditional tavernas and ethnic eateries.

If you’re on a budget, you’ll want to stick to some of the local tavernas, bakeries and cafes, which serve up traditional cuisine without breaking the bank. Mykonos Town is full of these outstanding eateries.

Cine Manto offers a multi-use space of arts, flavours, cinema and activities with movies under the stars, elegant colourful gardens, delicious food and family fun. This destination bills itself as a once-in-a-lifetime experience with well-tended formal gardens that you can explore for a serene time, outstanding eateries with all sorts of food and tree-shaded walkways populated by koi ponds and friendly cats. You can even see a 200-year-old cactus. The movie screen is outdoors and is famed for its series of movies under the stars.

The arbour hosts 180 seats, or you can camp out on the restaurant terrace to catch the show with a meal. Movies tend towards big Hollywood blockbusters. It’s 20 minutes west of the centre of the island.