Greece › Mykonos › Tours
Updated: August 5, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
See Also
• Best Hotels in Mykonos
• Where to Stay in Mykonos
• Best Beaches in Mykonos
• Best Mykonos Boat Tours
Teta teaches traditional Greek dishes in her home during the excellent Mykonos Cooking Class, my favorite organized activity on the island.
Which Mykonos Tour Should You Choose?
- Best overall: Mykonos Cooking Class
- Best for first-time visitors: Highlights of Mykonos Half-Day Tour
- Best for history: Morning Delos Guided Tour
- Best combination of history and swimming: Delos and Rhenia Boat Trip
- Best active tour: Yummy Pedals Bike Tour
- Best for families: Mykonos Cooking Class or Mosaic Workshop
- Best for cruise passengers: Highlights of Mykonos Half-Day Tour
- Best free activity: Platis Gialos to Paradise Beach Walk
Mykonos Tours: My Advice
My wife and I on the coastal walk between Platis Gialos and Paradise Beach.
- Do one organized tour and leave time to explore independently. Mykonos is small, but transportation is difficult and its best experiences are spread between Mykonos Town, Delos, the beaches, and the quieter interior.
- Book tours that include transfers. Taxis are limited, expensive, and difficult to find during busy periods. Hotel or port pickup can save a lot of time and stress.
- Visit Delos with a guide. Without explanation, many ruins look like disconnected walls and foundations. A guide makes the ancient city understandable. Choose a morning tour to avoid the strongest heat.
- Take one boat tour. Rhenia has some of the clearest water near Mykonos, while Delos and Rhenia cruises combine archaeology with swimming. See my complete guide to the best Mykonos boat tours.
- Walk the south coast. The route from Platis Gialos through Agia Anna and Paraga to Paradise Beach is the best free activity on Mykonos.
- Do not overlook the interior. Ano Mera, Vioma Organic Farm, and the quiet rural roads show a side of Mykonos that is completely different from the beach clubs and lanes of Town.
The 10 Best Mykonos Tours
1. Mykonos Cooking Class
This is my top recommendation for an organized activity in Mykonos. The class takes place in a traditional Mykonian home and feels more like a long family meal than a formal cooking lesson. You prepare dishes such as spanakopita and stuffed tomatoes, eat together, and drink plenty of local wine. The experience lasts about six hours and includes transfers from most hotels or the port, which is especially valuable on Mykonos. The morning class is the most popular, but the late-afternoon session works well as an early dinner.2. Morning Delos Guided Tour
Delos is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece and the essential cultural excursion from Mykonos. Go with a guide. The site is extensive, signs are limited, and much of what you are looking at is difficult to understand without context. The morning departure is best because Delos has little shade and becomes extremely hot by midday. Wear proper shoes and bring water, a hat, and sunscreen.3. Delos and Rhenia Boat Trip
This is the best choice when one person wants to visit Delos and another wants a swimming day. The tour stops at Delos for the archaeological site, then continues to the uninhabited island of Rhenia for swimming, lunch, and drinks. The water around Rhenia is exceptionally clear and far removed from the music and crowds of Mykonos beach clubs. Delos admission is normally separate unless the booking details say otherwise.4. Highlights of Mykonos Half-Day Tour
The best general sightseeing tour for first-time visitors and cruise passengers. It combines a walk through Mykonos Town with a drive into the island’s interior, including Ano Mera and Panagia Tourliani Monastery. It is not an in-depth cultural tour, but it covers far more of the island than most visitors see on their own and removes the difficulty of arranging taxis between widely separated sights.5. Sunset Sailing Cruise
A good choice for couples who want an evening activity rather than a full daytime boat trip. The tour includes time on the water, food, drinks, and sunset views without the atmosphere of a loud party boat. Swimming time is more limited than on a full-day Rhenia or South Coast cruise. There is also an excellent private cruise for couples and small groups.6. Yummy Pedals Bike Tour
One of the best ways to see rural Mykonos. The locally run tours follow quiet roads and farm tracks away from Town and the beach clubs, with routes ending at a beach, vineyard, or countryside picnic. Choose the route carefully because the difficulty varies. Some are easy sightseeing rides, while others involve rough tracks and real climbing. E-bikes are available and are the better choice for most casual cyclists.7. Mykonos Hiking Adventure
Mykonos is not a major hiking island, but this guided walk is a good choice for active travelers who want to see its dry, rocky interior and quieter coastline. The four-hour route follows rural trails and ends with a swim at a beach that most visitors never reach. Avoid it during the hottest part of a July or August day.8. Vioma Organic Farm and Wine Tasting
Vioma is a quiet organic farm and vineyard in the Maou region, far removed from the luxury hotels and beach clubs. Come for a casual wine tasting with local cheese, bread, and rusks rather than a polished winery tour. The farm animals make it a good stop with children. Vioma operates seasonally from May through October and is closed on Wednesdays. Its free vineyard tour is offered from May to mid-September.9. Mosaic Workshop
Artist Irene Syrianou worked on the restoration of ancient mosaics on Delos and now teaches visitors how to create their own. The workshop connects directly to the artistic history of the Cyclades and gives you a handmade souvenir that is better than anything sold in the tourist shops. Sessions are held at her studio or in the Cine Manto garden and work well for both adults and older children.10. Mykonos Farmers Cheese and Cooking Class
A worthwhile food experience for anyone interested in traditional Mykonian cheese. The dairy produces local varieties such as kopanisti and xinotyro, which are difficult to find outside the Cyclades. Workshops include a look at the production process, a tasting, and cooking with the cheeses. It is more focused and educational than the longer home cooking class.
More Great Things to Do in Mykonos
Cine Manto
Cine Manto is an open-air cinema, botanical garden, and restaurant hidden in the center of Mykonos Town. It is one of my favorite things to do in Mykonos Town. English-language films screen during the summer, commonly with two evening showtimes. The garden restaurant is open during the day, so it is also worth visiting for breakfast, lunch, or a quiet drink without seeing a film. You can book dinner and cinema reservations in advance.The Best Free Thing to Do in Mykonos
Walk from Platis Gialos to Paradise Beach
Walk east along the coast from Platis Gialos Beach to Paradise Beach. The path passes the small Agia Anna beach, Paraga Beach, beach bars, restaurants, and several rocky swimming coves. Without stops, the walk takes about one hour, but it is better treated as a half-day beach outing.
From Mykonos Town, take the bus to Platis Gialos and begin walking to the left when facing the sea. Return from Paradise Beach by bus, or take the water taxi back to Platis Gialos or Ornos, my favorite Mykonos beach for its combination of swimming, restaurants, and easy access.
Hotels on the Map: Nissaki Boutique Hotel • Petasos Beach Resort & Spa • Petinos Beach Hotel • Myconian Ambassador Relais & Chateaux • Branco Mykonos • Soho Roc House
Booking Mykonos Tours
- Book early for July and August. Reserve cooking classes, small-group boat trips, and private tours at least two to four weeks ahead when your dates are fixed.
- Choose hotel transfers when available. Mykonos has limited taxis, crowded buses, and significant traffic between Town, the port, and the beaches.
- Check the meeting point carefully. Tours may depart from the Old Port, New Port in Tourlos, Ornos, or a rural property that is difficult to reach without a transfer.
- Cruise passengers need extra time. Tendering, port crowds, and transportation delays can make tight independent-tour schedules risky. Do not book a tour that begins shortly after arrival or finishes close to the ship’s all-aboard time.
- Boat routes can change because of wind. Book boat trips early in your stay so you have time to reschedule if the captain cancels or changes the itinerary.
- Delos is hot and exposed. Take a morning tour, wear proper shoes, and bring water, sunscreen, and a hat.
- Check seasonal dates. Farm, wine, hiking, and cultural activities may operate only from spring through October and may run fewer days outside July and August.
- I do not recommend ATV tours. Mykonos roads are narrow, busy, poorly lit in places, and filled with drivers unfamiliar with the island. A guided driving tour, bike tour on quiet roads, or hotel transfer is safer.
Mykonos Tours: Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best tour in Mykonos? The Mykonos Cooking Class is my favorite organized activity because it is personal, relaxed, includes a substantial meal, and shows a side of the island that has nothing to do with beach clubs. For first-time sightseeing, choose the Highlights of Mykonos Half-Day Tour.
- Is Delos worth visiting? Yes, especially with a knowledgeable guide. Delos is one of Greece’s most important ancient sites, but it is hot, exposed, and not a relaxing beach excursion.
- Should I take a Delos tour or a Delos and Rhenia cruise? Choose the guided Delos tour if archaeology is the priority. Choose the Delos and Rhenia trip if you want a shorter archaeological visit followed by swimming and lunch.
- Do I need a tour to see Mykonos Town? No. Mykonos Town is easy to explore independently. A guided tour is useful when combined with transportation to Ano Mera, rural Mykonos, and distant beaches.
- Are Mykonos tours suitable for children? Cooking classes, farm visits, easy boat cruises, and the mosaic workshop work well for families. Delos is difficult with toddlers because of the heat, uneven stones, lack of shade, and poor stroller access.
- What is the best Mykonos tour for cruise passengers? The half-day island highlights tour is the easiest general introduction. A private tour gives you more control over timing. Independent boat trips require a large return buffer.
- Can I explore Mykonos without renting a car? Yes, but plan around buses, water taxis, walking, and tours that include transfers. Do not assume a taxi will be available when you need one.
- What is the best free activity in Mykonos? Walk the coast from Platis Gialos to Paradise Beach, stopping for swimming at Agia Anna and Paraga along the way.
Read More
Santorini Dave was started in 2011 when I posted a short guide to visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my site publishes regularly updated guides to 
Hi Dave,
I would like some expert advice. My husband and two sons, 23 and 19, will be going to Athens for a three day concert in June. They would like to visit one or two islands. They have from Saturday morning to Wednesday night. They fly home on Friday from Athens. Would you recommend going to Santorini over Mykonos or is going to both for two nights each doable?
Thank you,
Susan
With that Saturday morning to Wednesday night window (giving them about 4.5 days on the ground for islands before needing to be back in Athens Thursday), trying to do both Mykonos and Santorini for just two nights each would be incredibly rushed. You lose significant time with ferry travel between Athens and the islands, plus the hop between Mykonos and Santorini, leaving barely more than a day on each island.
I strongly recommend choosing one island and properly enjoying it for the full duration. If they’re looking for high energy, famous beach clubs, great swimming beaches, and a lively nightlife scene mixed with a beautiful main town, Mykonos is the classic choice, especially appealing to 19 & 23-year-olds. However, if they’d prefer unique, dramatic scenery, those iconic caldera views, exploring volcanic landscapes, and maybe a caldera boat trip, then Santorini offers an unforgettable ‘wow’ factor (Fira still has good nightlife too).
The beaches, great food, and iconic inland villages of Naxos are also worth a consideration.
Would you say Taxis and/or Ubers are hard to come from from Super Paradise Beach? We are leaving at 3pm to head back to the cruise port for a 6pm departure. This should be MORE than enough time right?
Charmel Morelli
Taxis are hard to get anywhere, anytime. At least with any reliability. I would not depend on taxis. Take the bus back to Mykonos Town. There are sometimes taxis by the bus station, if not, catch another bus from Mykonos Town to the port.
Hi Dave!
Loving this blog!
I have a question about the Mykonos beach walk – we’re very interested in stopping along the way as you suggest but wondering what that’s like summer of 2021 specifically when everywhere is reservations only. Is that true of even just grabbing a drink along the walk? And if so and you had to choose only one to reserve and stay at – which one or which area would it be? We’re not getting much response when messaging the beach clubs directly.
Thanks!
I strongly recommended reservations at least during July/August and a pretty good idea in June/early September. It’s incredibly busy this season pretty much everywhere in the Cyclades, but even in June and early September, it can be hard to get a sunbed/umbrella set at the better beach clubs. But if you’re only going to drink and don’t need a lounge set, then it’s all good. You can get a drink pretty much anywhere no matter how busy, and just lay your towel out on the sand. Especially this year, you can get cocktails to go from almost all bars and restaurants on the island.
Hello Dave, since you have been to both Mykonos and Santorini where would you recommend doing a boat tour more? I don’t want to do a boat tour in both cities. I will be spending 5 days in each and am worried there will be less to do in Santorini–is it better to do a boat tour there? Mykonos seems like there will be a lot more partying/beaches to enjoy. Just wanted your opinion. Thanks!
A Santorini boat tour will be far more unique and awe-inspiring with the views of the caldera and cliffs. In Mykonos it will be more fun and relaxing. But not sure I agree with your premise: Santorini has far more to do than Mykonos – wine tours and wineries, hikes, historical sites, museums, volcano visits, jet ski tours. Mykonos has the beach and nightlife (which are great) and not much else.
HI Dave,
The “Small Yacht Cruise to Delos & Rhenia Islands” appears to not be taking reservations due to availability (I wasn’t even able to put in my dates, seems to be a blanket statement on their site.) Other than the two you also suggest on this page, is there another similiar tour to this one that you’d recommend? I’m going with my mother (in her 60s) and my 8yo daughter – in case that makes a difference in what you recommend.
You’re probably just a little too early. I’d check again in January or February, when most tours should be online and ready to be booked.
Are the paths etc okay for wheelchairs?
If you mean the paths along the coast between the beaches, then no, I wouldn’t say they’re wheelchair-accessible. If you mean the lanes and alleys of Mykonos Town, then yes, I think they should be “ok” for travelers in wheelchairs (though not ideal by any means).
Hello. If my daughter and I do the Mykonos cooking class, do you have any ideas for my adult son and husband? I’m also wondering if they would be able to pay and join us for lunch? Thank you for your expert advice!
They could do the tour to Delos. If not a tour, I highly recommend the walk from Psarou to Paradise Beach along the coast.
Hi Dave,
Thanks for your website, such great info. We were planning on having a 6-day Honeymoon, taking in 3 days in Santorini & 3 in Mykonos (Town). We were hoping to go in September but due to personal circumstances that are no longer possible, so we would be looking at something like the 10th to 16th of October. I am concerned though that this will be too late in the season, & we’ll struggle for restaurants & bars, especially in Mykonos.
Can you advise if we will struggle for eating & drinking at this time? We obviously don’t expect it to be full-on party mode but would like some sort of vibe for going out & having a couple of drinks at night (or even places that are at least open).
Santorini will be busy and active, with everything open – no problem there. Mykonos will be slower for sure. A few places will have started to close for the winter but most will be open. Nightlife will be subdued but there’ll definitely be places open to go for a drink and encounter some other travelers. There will definitely be plenty of open restaurants – so I would not worry on that front.
What is the best way to get to Santorini from Mykonos? Just want a day of exploring? There were no available flights during the time we are there to fly there and back.
I recommend taking the ferry between Santorini from Mykonos. There are many ferries every day in summer. But it’s very hard, if not impossible, to do it as a day trip. You’ll need to stay overnight.
Hi Dave,
We have rented a villa near Mykonos town. Most transportation mentioned is a bus or boat, is it reasonable to expect taxi service?
Thank You!
Yes, there are taxis but not a lot. During busy times I’ve found it very hard to secure a taxi.
Hi Dave,
What are your thoughts on boat tours around Mykonos being really rocky due to the winds? I’ve read on other sites that the waters can be very rough and Tours will often go out despite rough seas. Only have 3.5 days in Mykonos so I’m nervous to gamble with a boat tour that could ruin a day. Love your cooking class recommendation, just having a hard time getting my fiancé onboard with that.
Thanks in advance!
Yes, the waters can get rough. Not much you can do about that except hope for the best. We love the cooking class.
Tipping, how does this work for a tour? If we booked the 6 hours BBQ catamaran tour per couple it would come to $491, should we tip 20% ~$100?
Thanks!
Kelly
Yeah, if that’s in your budget then that’s great. Tourism workers in Greece make very little so it would be appreciated.
Hi Dave – Is it warm enough to swim at the end of April / beginning of May?
Water will be cool but if the weather’s nice, yes, people will be hopping in for brief plunges in the sea. By mid/late May it’s usually much warmer for swimming.
Cooking Class in Mykonos, do you know if they are able to accommodate vegetarians?
Amit
Yes, definitely. Many of the best Greek dishes are vegetarian. I’d drop them a note (in reply to the confirmation email that you’ll get) a few days before your date telling them you’re vegetarian but won’t make much difference in either case.
Thanks Dave! Why is it that you prefer renting a car over an ATV?
It’s safer. It’s more comfortable. You can talk to each other instead of yelling over the wind. But just my preference, your experience may differ.
Hi Dave,
My husband and I will be in Mykonos and Santorini at the end of August. We definitely want to get some ATV’s and do some exploring on our own. Do you have any suggestions for places we should rent from on both islands? Is it necessary to book these in advance of our trip?
Thanks!
No need to book ATVs in advance. Where to get them depends on the town you’re staying in but there should be a service/company nearby that can arrange something. BTW, I much prefer renting a car but that’s up to you.
My family together with my sister’s have booked a 10 day trip to Mykonos mid August. I’m slightly annoyed at my sloppy planning and regret not booking a few days first in santorini. There do not appear to be any day trips there from Mykonos unless the ferry companies have different schedules during the summer months? Do you have any fun suggestions during our stay? Our kids ages range from 22-13. Helen Pope
The cooking course (see above) and boat tours to Delos or Rhenia islands are at the top of the list. I would consider taking an overnight trip to Santorini. Keep your hotel in Mykonos and just take a small backpack or two. Stay at a cheap hotel in Fira and you’ll get 30 hours to explore Santorini. You are wasting the one night hotel in Mykonos but a lot cheaper than the plane tickets to get back to Santorini on a different trip.
Can you recommend the best transportation to get from Athens airport to Athens Diamond homtel at 9:00pm and returning to the airport to catch a flight at 7:00 am.
The easiest is a taxi. The cheapest is the metro (you’ll want the Monastiraki station which is about a 5 to 8 minute walk from your hotel). But for your morning flight you’ll need to take a taxi (or the airport bus from Syntagma Square) as the metro won’t be running in time to make your flight.
Your restaurant recommendations for Santorini were very helpful. I went to several of your recommended restaurants and they were great. I am going to Mykonos in 2 days. Any restaurant recommendations for Mykonos? Thank you!!
Karl Smith
I have a list of the best Mykonos restaurants on my Mykonos hotel page.
Hi Dave,
We would be spending about 3.5 days in Mykonos late May. We are considering the Jeep tour and South Coast cruise. Is it worth it to go for 2 full day tours or choose one? Which and what would you recommend?
Thank you!
Perrine
They are very different (one on a boat, one in a jeep) and have little or no overlap. Doing both is reasonable. If I could only do one, it would the south coast boat cruise.
Hi Dave~ your site is a wealth of information! My husband and I are flying into Athens 6/25-7/2. Per your suggestion we will spend the first few nights at the Hotel Grande Bretagne. Need to ferry over to Mykonos for a work meeting for a few days. After researching, I was thinking of ferrying over from Piraeus and back into Rafina since it is closer to the airport. I’m a little nervous that the earliest ferry back on 7/2 is at 11:40. We have a 5:30 flight the same day. Is that cutting it close? Weather/strikes etc.. I would hate to miss our departure home. We could come back the eve of 7/1 and spend one additional night in Athens (shortening MYK by a little bit) to give us wiggle room. If so, should we stay somewhere closer to the airport to get a different vibe? Or would you go back into Athens and head to the airport the next day. Or do you think we are OK on that 11:40- 14:15 ferry? Would love to know how you wold handle getting back to mainland, your input.
Shaun Hammons
That connection time would be too tight for my tastes. Could you make? Yes, certainly. But it doesn’t take much for a SeaJet ferry to be late by 90 minutes and that’s all it would take for you to miss your flight. I would ferry to Piraeus the night before and stay somewhere in the Plaka for a final night (lots of great places to eat in the area). There is nothing out by the airport so definitely do not stay there as you’ll almost have an evening and a good half-day to see and do stuff in Athens. (Or you can fly from Mykonos to Athens and have an extra night in Mykonos – there are afternoon flights that get to Athens at 12:25pm or 3:10pm.)
Hey Dave,
I am going to be visiting in mid may. We have kept 4 days in Mykonos. Any suggestions on a day trip to islands nearby?
Nikhil
Delos (greek history) and Rhenia (beaches and swimming) are the two best day trips from Mykonos. The bigger islands (Naxos, Paros, Santorini) are difficult to make work for a day trip – especially in May when ferries are not as frequent as summer.