Seasonal Planning for Mykonos Travel
If you are looking for great nightlife, hot weather, and an abundance of tours, then summer is the best time to visit Mykonos. In summer, the island transforms into a luxurious place with yachts and extravagant parties. It is the busiest time, and the whole island fills with travelers from all over the world. June to September is the most popular time, and June-August is the most active. August and early September are the warmest months with temperatures around 85 °F.
The spring is beautiful in Mykonos and is ideal if you want to explore the island and have milder weather. It is perfect for walking around, enjoying the green scenery, and have a quieter vacation. The weather lets you do a lot of activities and enjoy hiking and sightseeing. It starts getting busier in May, and the temperatures rise from 65 °F in March to approximately 78 °F. It is usually not warm enough to swim in the sea, but you can start enjoying some watersports as you get closer to June.
The beginning of fall is popular with tourists and one of the best times to enjoy the island. Toward the end of September, it starts slowing down. The first half of the season is excellent for swimming, kayaking, and relaxing on the beach. The second half is perfect for exploring museums, archeological sites, and bike around the island. In winter, the island is still alive, and even though it gets colder, it is still a lot warmer than in the northern hemisphere. It is the perfect time for a quiet getaway and getting to know the locals. A lot of parties go on until November and even December.
Spring / March-May
Spring in Mykonos is one of the most pleasant times of the year in terms of both weather and crowds. You will probably get some of the best pictures during this time, so have your camera ready. The prices are lower during spring, so you find some excellent deals on accommodation and flights, particularly at the beginning of the season. It is the ideal time to save money on high-end-villas and luxury hotels.
You can enjoy a lot of great food and have access to the best restaurants without long queues. You will find tons of cafés and bars to relax at and music playing on every corner. The service is also better, and you will probably get to know a lot of local people when going out for dinner.
Visit the charming Chora, where you can spend an entire day walking and sightseeing. Take a walk through the Venetian Castle with its ancient ruins and a view of the village. Visit the Odysseas Elytis Theater and enjoy the surroundings while having a nice break. Bring a small picnic with you and enjoy the quiet setting here in spring. Then, continue to Panaghia Gremiotissa—the highest spot of the village, and watch a beautiful sunset.
Take a day-trip to Delos island—a Monument of International Cultural Heritage. It is a perfect place for exploring the island's and Greece's history, where you will find several archeological exhibits. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Delos that is one of the most important museums in the country. Here, you will find the significant findings from the excavations on Mykonos.
Go and see the Three Wells that provided the water to the entire town in the 18th century, up until the 1950s. The saying is that if you drink from one of the wells, you will one day return to the island. Continue to the Manto Mavrogenous square near the old port and visit the Town Hall as well.
Greek Islands in March
Greek Islands in April
Greek Islands in May
Summer / June-August
Mykonos is famous for its summers, and if you enjoy a lot of beach time and activities, you are going to enjoy this season. It is the best time to visit if you enjoy warmer weather, watersports, and great nightlife. Mykonos is one of the best destinations for water sports in Greece. You can expect daily temperatures around 85-95 °F. Summers are the most crowded with a lot of international travelers. The prices are at their peak, and accommodations book up quickly. It is a good idea to book a few months in advance.
Platis Gialos Bay is one of the best places to enjoy a lot of activities. It is located only 2.5 miles (4 km) outside of Mykonos town with a short distance from the Psarou and Paranga beaches. These beaches are perfect for a lot of action and fun. You can go water skiing, wakeboarding, and hop on a jetski. It is a great place for most travelers, whether you are traveling with family, friends, or your partner.
Mykonos is known as the "Island of the Winds" and kitesurfing is a popular summer activity. Korfos Bay, Kalafatis, and Ftelia are perfect spots where you can enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling as well. There are several professional diving centers across the island, and some of the best ones are in Lia, Ornos, Paradise Beach, and Kalafatis. You will have the opportunity to explore the fantastic underwater world with sea species and colorful flora and fauna.
The nightlife is vibrant and in full swing in summer. Even if you're not looking for heavy partying, it is fun to experience at least one night out on the island. The Paradise Beach Club draws people in from every corner of the world, with everyone from couples to celebrities. It is one of the best clubs in the world and well worth experiencing.
If you enjoy culture and music, make sure to experience the Odysseas Elytis Theatre in summer. The amphitheater is in Chora, with several concerts performed here during the season. The performances usually happen in the evening, and you can make it a whole day and go sightseeing during the day.
Another must in the summer is going on a sailing trip. Sail around the Cyclades across the Delos and Rhenia islands. In Delos, explore the ancient ruins, and in Rhenia, you can enjoy swimming in the crystal clear waters. Also, take the opportunity to enjoy snorkeling. The best thing is to take a tour and have everything included.
Greek Islands in June
Greek Islands in July
Greek Islands in August
Fall / September-November
The fall is a great time to visit Mykonos, with September and October being the most attractive months. The crowds start decreasing at the end of September, and it is still warm and pleasant for beach time, exploration, and activities. The beaches begin to get quieter, but there is still a lot to do.
Kayaking is one of the highlights in September and lets you experience significant parts of the coastline. You will paddle through the turquoise waters into sea caves and even witness fantastic wildlife. You might spot a few dolphins, hawks, and see crocodile lizards sunbathe on the rocks.
Take the opportunity to stay at a luxury villa as well in fall as prices drop. The best thing about renting one of these is that you can get a private chef or other perks with your stay. Another idea is to go on a food tour and explore the best food Mykonos has to offer.
The beginning of fall is ideal for horseback riding by the beach. You can book a tour and start in Ano Mera, traveling down country roads to the artificial lake. It is a particular time to enjoy this activity since the lake attracts herons, falcons, and swallows during this season. The route is approximately four miles (6.5 km) with a two-hour break to have some food. If you want to explore the romantic countryside of Mykonos, you don't want to miss this.
Since the water is warm, there is plenty of swimming you can do at the beginning of the fall. It is also a great time to enjoy Little Venice in Chora without a lot of crowds. You can paddle to Old Port, and you will also come across deserted islands with the opportunity to relax and even go snorkeling. Some of the best summer places for cocktails are Vicolo, Scarpa, and Galleraki.
Ano Mera will charm you during fall. The beautiful and colorful village has a museum, and at the main square, you will find several tavernas and cafés with local dishes. It is the second-largest village on the island, after Mykonos Town, with an authentic Greek feel to it. Here, you will get to know the local life and see how the people of Mykonos go about their everyday. Take the opportunity to talk to a lot of people and learn about Mykonos' history. Visit the Gyzi Castle, the Panagia Tourliani Monastery.
Make sure to visit the Mykonos Vioma Organic Farm in September or early October. You can get here by renting a car or even on a mountain bike tour. The vineyard produces organic wine and also offers delicious Greek food. At the top, there is a restaurant, and the best time to get here is before noon. You can take a tour in the morning and finish off with a nice lunch.
Greek Islands in September
Greek Islands in October
Greek Islands in November
Winter / December-February
Mykonos is nice to visit in winter. It is quite warm, and the sun is usually shining. It is perfect for having a peaceful vacation in a beautiful setting. Everything calms down in winter across the island, which makes it a perfect time for exploration, walking around, solitude, and romance. You can find great deals on accommodation in winter as the prices drop and get some of the most luxurious stays for a much better price.
The winter landscapes are beautiful on Mykonos. The island is greener during this season, and the rough sea, together with the rocky hills and white houses, creates a whole other scene. If you enjoy shopping, this is the perfect season for that. The prices drop, and you can shop the same designer brands for a much better price. There are a lot of deals and low-season offers where you will find everything from authentic souvenirs to clothing and home items.
You can take a nice walk in Little Venice, dine in a quiet atmosphere, or even enjoy surfing. There are still watersports available with kite surfing and water surfing being favorable as the winds become stronger. You can also relax at the beach with a book or enjoy a relaxing downtime with beautiful ocean views. The parties are still going on, even when the summer is long gone, and several clubs are open during winter as well.
You can enjoy a joyous atmosphere in bars, cafés, and restaurants with live music in several places. The nightclubs are usually open between Thursdays and Sundays, and the tourist crowd gets replaced by the locals having a good time. Popular spots, such as Scarpa, Semeli the Bar, and Appaloosa, are open all year round.
Except for the clubs and music, the atmosphere on the island is a lot cozier and intimate. It is a great time to get to know the locals and learn about their lives and the history of the island. Ano Mera is excellent in winter, too, and you can visit places like the monasteries of Paleokastro and Panagia Tourliani.
Take a look at this helpful article when planning your trip to Mykonos.
Greek Islands in December
Greek Islands in January
Greek Islands in February