Cheap Flights to Mykonos

Quick summary

Identity

From a minor waypoint to Delos to a global glamour hotspot

Mykonos has been inhabited since the 5th millennium BC, with evidence of prehistoric settlement at Ftelia, and historical sources say the town of Chora was established in the 11th century AD by Ionians from Athens. For much of its ancient history, the island played a supporting role to its far more sacred neighbor, Delos, later joining the Delian League in the 6th century BC and passing through Roman, Byzantine and Venetian rule. It stayed poverty-stricken with limited agriculture well into the 20th century — even gaining a reputation as a pirate hub in the early 1900s — until bohemians and artists discovered it in the 1950s, soon followed by royals and celebrities who turned it into the upmarket destination it is today.

Don't miss

Little Venice and the windmills of Kato Mili

Little Venice (Alefkandra) is the district everyone pictures when they think of Mykonos: old houses with wooden balconies built directly at the water's edge, where the sea splashes against the buildings, backed by a labyrinth of narrow alleys with whitewashed walls and brightly painted doorways. Sixteen windmills survive on the island today, dating back to the 16th century when they were first built by the Venetians to mill wheat and barley using the island's near-constant winds. Five of them sit in a row offering views of the Aegean, the coastline and Little Venice; the Bonis Windmill, the most famous, has been converted into a small museum on the island's agricultural history.

To discover

Chora, Ano Mera and the island's quieter side

Chora, the capital, thrives almost purely on tourism today, a mix of chic cafés, restaurants, guesthouses and shops housed in what were once ordinary residences. For a change of pace, Ano Mera — the island's second-largest settlement — offers a more traditional, quieter atmosphere away from the beach "high life," centered on its own windmills and the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani, founded in 1542. Petros the Pelican, the island's unofficial mascot since 1958 when a white pelican was found injured off the coast, still has living successors wandering the harbor area today — a small but genuinely local touch amid the island's international reputation.

Excursion

Delos, the mythical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis

Mykonos is the main departure point for visiting the shrines of nearby Delos, a UNESCO-recognized archaeological site and, according to Greek mythology, the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. It's reachable by a short boat trip and ranks among the most significant sacred sites of the ancient Greek world. Beyond Delos, ferry connections link Mykonos to other Cycladic islands, making it a natural starting point for a wider island-hopping trip across the Aegean.

Nightlife

One of Greece's most glamorous nightlife scenes

Mykonos has a global reputation as one of the most glamorous Greek islands, drawing celebrities who arrive by private yacht or plane, and its nightlife scene — dating back to venues opened in 1973 — has hosted renowned parties since the 1970s and 90s. Jackie O' Beach Club is a well-known LGBTQ+-friendly venue and part of the island's long-standing reputation as a gay-friendly destination. Several films have used Mykonos as a backdrop, including scenes tied to the Bourne franchise and "Shirley Valentine." With over 40 beaches on the island — four of them nudist, according to one source — there's a stretch of coast to match almost any mood, from full-volume beach clubs to near-empty coves.

Getting around & budget

A small island, best explored by rental car

Mykonos covers roughly 85.5 square kilometers, with a coastline of about 80 km, a maximum length of 16 km and a highest point of 341 m — small enough that internal distances stay short. Only around 30 taxis operate on the entire island according to one source, so car rental — available for pickup directly from the airport, port, or hotels — is the more practical option for most visitors, especially outside Chora. Mykonos also serves as the main air and ferry gateway for reaching Delos, and connects onward to Piraeus and other Cyclades islands by boat, making it a workable hub for a broader Aegean itinerary despite its small size.

When to go

When to visit Mykonos?

Mykonos Airport

Gateway to the party Cyclades

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about flights to Mykonos