Greece › Santorini › Santorini vs Mykonos
Updated: January 19, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
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The sunset view in Oia, Santorini.
Mykonos or Santorini – My Advice
- The Verdict: Both Mykonos and Santorini are incredible, but they are polar opposites. Go to Mykonos for golden sand beaches, world-class nightlife, and shopping. Go to Santorini for dramatic volcano views, romance, wineries, and hiking.
- Do Both: It is very easy to visit both on the same trip. They are only 2 to 2.5 hours apart by high-speed ferry.
- The “Open-Jaw” Rule: If you visit both, book your flights to fly INTO one island and OUT OF the other. For example: Fly into Mykonos, take the ferry to Santorini, and fly out of Santorini. This saves you a full day of travel returning to your starting point.
- Seasonality: Santorini has a much longer season (April to November) because it is about sightseeing. Mykonos is a beach island, so it really only shines from late May to early October.
- Direct Flights: Both islands have international airports with direct flights from London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, and many other European hubs (May to October).
My wife and I at the windmills in Mykonos.
Should I go to Santorini or Mykonos?
Mykonos is high-energy, beach-focused, and glamorous. Santorini is dramatic, romantic, and awe-inspiring.
Short answer
Pick Santorini. Unless your primary goal is partying or spending all day on a sandy beach, Santorini is the more spectacular and unique choice for a first-time visitor to Greece.
Longer answer
It depends entirely on what you want from your holiday, as the two islands offer completely different experiences:
- Choose Santorini if you want sightseeing and romance. It is a “bucket list” destination. You go here to see the caldera, hike the cliffs, tour the volcano, and watch the world-famous sunset. It is quieter, more dramatic, and generally better for couples or those who enjoy wine tasting and history. The beaches are volcanic (black pebbles) and interesting, but not great for swimming.
- Choose Mykonos if you want beaches and nightlife. Mykonos is about hedonism and relaxation. You go here to lie on soft golden sand, swim in crystal-clear water, shop in high-end boutiques, and dance until sunrise. It has a buzz that Santorini lacks. If you get bored looking at a view and prefer being in the middle of the action, Mykonos is the better choice.
- The Ideal Trip: If you have 7 days or more, visit both. Start with the high energy of Mykonos (3 days) and finish with the dramatic views and relaxation of Santorini (4 days).
Santorini vs Mykonos – Summary
Santorini
- The Main Draw: The caldera view. It is one of the most famous sights in the world.
- Hotels: Incredible luxury cave hotels with private infinity pools hanging off the cliff.
- Beaches: Unique (black and red volcanic sand) but not great for a traditional “beach day.” The sand gets very hot and is coarse.
- Dining: Fantastic. Focuses on local products like fava, cherry tomatoes, white eggplant, and world-class Assyrtiko wine.
- Activities: Catamaran cruises, wine tasting, the Fira-Oia hike, and the ancient ruins of Akrotiri.
- Vibe: Romantic and busy. Can feel crowded in Oia at sunset.
Mykonos
- The Main Draw: The energy and the beaches. Mykonos Town (Chora) is the most beautiful main town in the Cyclades.
- Hotels: Stunning luxury beach resorts and boutique town hotels.
- Beaches: World-class. Golden sand, crystal-clear water, and organized beach clubs.
- Dining: Cosmopolitan. You can find Nobu, Nammos (now also a luxury hotel), and high-end international cuisine alongside traditional Greek tavernas.
- Activities: Beach parties, shopping, day trip to the ancient ruins of Delos, and sunset cocktails in Little Venice.
- Vibe: Glamorous, tolerant, and expensive.
Key Comparisons: Which is better for…?
- Views: Santorini wins hands-down. The vertical cliffs and white villages of the caldera are unmatched. Mykonos is flatter and pretty, but not dramatic.
- Romance: Santorini. It is built for couples. Private dinners on cliffside terraces are the norm. Mykonos is fun for couples, but less intimate.
- Beaches: Mykonos wins. If you want soft sand and turquoise water, go to Mykonos (or nearby Naxos and Paros). Santorini beaches are black grit and pebbles.
- Nightlife: Mykonos wins. It has world-famous clubs (Cavo Paradiso) and beach parties that go until dawn. Santorini has nice bars in Fira, but it is not a “clubbing” island.
- Walking & Exploring: Mykonos Town is a joy to get lost in. It is a pedestrian-only maze. Santorini’s towns are linear (along the cliff), with lots of steep stairs.
- LGBTQ+: Both are very friendly. Mykonos has a more specific, active gay “scene” (drag shows, specific bars and beaches). Santorini is very welcoming but quieter.
- History: Tie. Santorini has Akrotiri (the Greek Pompeii) right on the island. Mykonos has Delos (the sacred island of Apollo) just a 30-minute boat ride away.
- Costs: Both are expensive. Expect to pay premium prices for hotels and food on both islands compared to the rest of Greece.
The Weather Factor
- Best Weather: Late May to Early October for both.
- Shoulder Season: Santorini is better in April and late October. The views don’t depend on the weather. Mykonos relies on beach weather; if it’s too cold to swim, there is less to do.
- Wind: Both get the Meltemi winds in July and August. Mykonos is generally windier (it’s called the “Island of the Winds”), but its south-coast beaches are protected.
Traveling Between Santorini and Mykonos
They are close neighbors in the Cyclades. Moving between them is simple.
By Ferry (The Standard Way)
- Frequency: In summer (April to October), there are 4 to 7 daily high-speed ferries.
- Time: 2 to 2.5 hours.
- Cost: Approx. €80 to €105 per person.
- Vessels: High-speed catamarans (SeaJets WorldChampion Jet, Golden Star Superexpress). They can be bumpy in windy weather.
- Booking: Use Ferryhopper.com. Book 2 months ahead for July and August.
By Flight (Not Recommended)
- Direct: Rarely available on major airlines. Cycladic Air offers small plane (Cessna) flights in summer (40 mins, expensive).
- Via Athens: Standard flights connect via Athens (4+ hours total travel time). The ferry is faster.
Can I do a Day Trip?
No. I strongly advise against it.
- The Math: The ferry takes 2.5 hours each way. That is 5 hours of travel. Add in the time to get to and from the ports (which are chaotic and far from the main towns), and you lose 7+ hours in transit for maybe 4 hours on the island.
- The Experience: You will arrive at the peak of the heat and crowds (midday), missing the magical mornings and evenings.
- The Solution: If you want to see both, stay at least 2 or 3 nights on each island. If you can’t, pick one and save the other for the next trip.
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