Mykonos: The Windmills, the Beaches, and a Port Town That Repays Getting Lost In

Mykonos has two disembarkation points. Larger ships use the New Port (Cruise Port) at Tourlos, 3 km north of town; a shuttle bus runs every 20 minutes to the Old Port waterfront for €2 each way. Smaller ships anchor in the Old Port and tender directly to the town waterfront. From the Old Port: the five Kato Mili windmills are a 10-minute walk along the waterfront; Little Venice's canal-side bars are immediately below them. The bus station near the Old Port runs service to south-coast beaches — Paradise and Super Paradise in 20–30 minutes. The Delos archaeological site boat departs from the Old Port waterfront (30-minute crossing, boats run from 9am; buy tickets the morning you arrive, not in advance).

Buses from the South Bus Station (Fabrika) in town run to Paradise Beach (15 min), Super Paradise (20 min), and Agios Stefanos Beach (10 min). North Bus Station covers Tourlos New Port and Agios Stefanos. Taxis in Mykonos are in short supply and negotiate fares aggressively — agree before boarding. ATVs and scooters are available from rental shops near the South Bus Station. The boat to Delos departs from the Old Port; the journey takes 20–30 minutes and the boat runs at specific times (not on demand) — check the schedule at the harbour. Delos entry is €12.

Paradise Beach and Super Paradise are the island's famous party beaches on the south coast — loud, well-serviced, and crowded in high season. Psarou, also on the south coast, is calmer and has a few quieter beach clubs. Agios Sostis in the north is the island's best quiet beach: no facilities, no music, gravel-and-sand mix, turquoise water, and a good walk from the road — worth the logistics if you want to escape the scene. Elia Beach (east coast) is the island's longest beach, accessible by bus or water taxi from the Old Port, with better facilities than Agios Sostis but less of the party atmosphere than the south coast.

Greece tipping: 10–15% at restaurants, rounding up for taxis. Mykonos is the most expensive island in the Greek islands — a lunch at a basic café in the main square runs €25–35 per person, and restaurant dinners are €50–80+. Delos boat round trip is €20; entry €12. The windmills at sunset (Kato Mili) are free and the best spot on the island for photographs. Nightclub entrance fees at Paradise Beach clubs start at €30 in season. Budget accordingly: Mykonos rewards those who budget for it and punishes those who don't.