Greece › Mykonos or Santorini
Updated: October 19, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
See Also
- Where to Stay in Santorini
- Where to Stay in Mykonos
- Santorini to Mykonos Ferry
- Mykonos to Santorini Ferry
Sunset over Oia and the Santorini caldera.
If you are choosing between Mykonos and Santorini, I recommend Santorini for most first-time visitors.
There are loads of Greek islands with amazing beaches. There is nowhere else quite like Santorini. Its flooded caldera, volcanic cliffs, whitewashed villages, cave hotels, and sunset views are unlike anything else in Greece.
Mykonos is better for sandy beaches, swimming, shopping, beach clubs, and nightlife. It is often dismissed as a party island, but that description misses much of what makes it special. Many visitors never enter a nightclub.
If you have six or seven nights to spend on the islands, I recommend visiting both.
Mykonos or Santorini: Quick Answers
- First trip to Greece: Santorini.
- Honeymoon or anniversary: Santorini.
- Friends trip: Mykonos.
- Families wanting beaches: Mykonos.
- Best beaches and swimming: Mykonos.
- Best scenery: Santorini.
- Best nightlife: Mykonos.
- Best shopping: Mykonos.
- Best hotels for views and romance: Santorini.
- Best sightseeing with/without car: Santorini.
- Best in April or October: Santorini.
- One week for the islands: Visit both.
Which Island Has Better Beaches?
Mykonos.
If your perfect day means spending six hours on soft sand, swimming in clear water, ordering lunch to your sunbed, and staying until late afternoon, choose Mykonos.
The south-coast beaches are the island’s strongest feature and are sheltered from the northerly summer winds. Ornos and Platis Gialos are great for families, with sandy beaches, restaurants, and good bus connections. Psarou is more upscale, with expensive beach clubs and a fashionable crowd. Lia and Agios Ioannis are good choices for a quieter beach day.
Santorini’s volcanic beaches are interesting rather than beautiful in the classic Greek-island sense. Perissa, Perivolos, and Kamari have organized black-sand beaches. Vlychada and Red Beach are more interesting for their volcanic scenery, though I would avoid entering Red Beach because rocks can fall from the cliffs (you can view from a nearby lookout or on a Santorini boat tour).
Beaches are not the reason to choose Santorini.
Which Island Has Better Scenery?
Santorini.
The caldera is one of the most dramatic landscapes in the Mediterranean. Villages sit high above the sea, hotels are built into volcanic cliffs, and the walking paths have incredible views. The Fira to Oia hike is one of my favorite things to do in Greece.
Mykonos doesn’t have Santorini’s dramatic scenery, but Mykonos Town is charming, with narrow whitewashed lanes, tiny churches, colorful balconies, windmills, and attractive waterfront views.
Which Island Has Better Hotels?
Both have excellent hotels, but I prefer Santorini for a romantic or special-occasion trip and Mykonos for a luxury beach vacation.
The best Santorini hotels are a big part of the experience. Guests spend hours on private terraces, in plunge pools, or at infinity pools because the caldera view is the main attraction. The best caldera hotels are small, romantic properties built into the cliffs.
Mykonos is better for beachfront resorts, larger pools, and luxury hotels with more space and facilities. It’s also a better choice for families who want a resort with easy access to a sandy beach.
Choose Santorini for cave suites, caldera views, and private plunge pools. Choose Mykonos for beachfront hotels and private pool suites and villas.
One important difference: Many Santorini caldera hotels have steep stairs and difficult luggage access. Mykonos has more conventional resort layouts, though Mykonos Town also has uneven lanes and steps.
Enjoying an infinity pool in Santorini.
Which Island Has Better Restaurants and Nightlife?
For food, both are outstanding. For nightlife, Mykonos wins easily.
Santorini has romantic caldera restaurants, fine dining, traditional Greek dishes, and a serious wine culture built around Assyrtiko. Mykonos has fashionable beach restaurants, great seafood, upscale dining, and more late-night options.
Mykonos has beach clubs, cocktail bars, nightclubs, and restaurants that stay busy well past midnight. Santorini’s nightlife is much smaller and centered in Fira. Santorini is better for sunset drinks, wine bars, and quieter evenings.
Which Island Has Better Shopping and Sightseeing?
Mykonos is better for shopping. Mykonos Town has boutiques, designer shops, jewelry stores, galleries, and some of the best shopping streets in the Greek islands. Santorini has good shops in Oia and Fira, but shopping is secondary to the views and sightseeing.
Santorini is easier for historical sightseeing. It has the archaeological site of Akrotiri and Ancient Thera directly on the island. Akrotiri is one of Greece’s most impressive archaeological sites and fits easily into a day of sightseeing.
Mykonos is the gateway to Delos, one of the most important ancient sites in Greece. Visiting requires a half-day boat excursion, and trips can be canceled when winds are strong.
Should You Skip Santorini Because of the Crowds?
No.
Oia becomes crowded before sunset, and Fira feels busy when several cruise ships are in port. But the crowds are concentrated in a few places, particularly around sunset and during cruise-ship visits.
Stay in Imerovigli or Firostefani for caldera views without the worst crowds. Pyrgos, Megalochori, and Akrotiri are quieter still, but less convenient for sightseeing without a car.
Explore Oia early in the morning. Walk the caldera path before midday. Save afternoons for your hotel, a winery, Akrotiri, or a boat tour. Santorini is much easier to enjoy when you stay overnight and plan around the busiest hours.
Should You Skip Mykonos If You Do Not Party?
No.
Mykonos has famous nightlife, but partying is optional. You can spend your days swimming, having lunch by the water, exploring Mykonos Town, and visiting Delos without going anywhere near the nightlife.
For a quieter stay, consider Agios Ioannis, Lia, or the less developed parts of Elia. Ornos and Platis Gialos are busier but excellent for families.
Skip Mykonos if beaches are not important, you dislike expensive destinations, or you want a long list of historical sights. Do not skip it simply because you are not interested in nightlife.
My wife and I in Mykonos Town.
Which Island Is Better Without a Car?
Santorini is easier for sightseeing without a car, especially if you stay in Fira.
Fira is the island’s bus hub and the most convenient base for visiting different parts of Santorini. Firostefani and Imerovigli are also good choices because you can walk to Fira and use buses or tours for longer trips. Taxis are limited and expensive, particularly in summer.
Mykonos also works well without a car when you stay in Mykonos Town, Ornos, or Platis Gialos. Mykonos Town has frequent summer buses to popular beaches, but traveling between beaches requires a connection through town. Taxis are difficult to find during busy periods, especially late at night.
Neither island requires a car for a short visit, provided you choose the right hotel location.
Which Island Is More Expensive?
Both are among Greece’s most expensive islands.
Mykonos can be more expensive for everyday spending, particularly if you visit fashionable beach clubs, rent sunbeds, drink cocktails, and go out at night. Santorini’s biggest expense is the hotel, especially if you want a caldera view and private pool.
On Mykonos, confirm sunbed prices, minimum spending requirements, and restaurant prices before ordering at expensive beach clubs and waterfront restaurants.
Which Island Is Better in Spring or Fall?
Santorini.
Santorini works well outside summer because its main attractions are scenery, villages, hiking, wineries, archaeology, and hotels with caldera views. April, May, and October are good months for sightseeing. By late October, some seasonal hotels, restaurants, and tours are closing, but the island is still worth visiting.
Mykonos depends much more on warm beach weather. In April and early May, many beach businesses are still opening and the sea is cool. By late October, much of the seasonal beach and nightlife scene has closed.
Choose Santorini outside the main swimming season.
Where Should You Stay?
Best Places to Stay in Santorini
- Oia: Romantic hotels, famous sunset views, good restaurants, and expensive accommodation. Busy during the day and around sunset, but many hotels are wonderfully private.
- Imerovigli: My favorite for caldera views, romantic hotels, and quieter surroundings. Easy walking access to Fira.
- Fira: Best for restaurants, nightlife, buses, and convenience. My top choice for travelers without a car who want to explore the entire island.
Best Places to Stay in Mykonos
- Mykonos Town: Best for restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and exploring without a car. No large sandy beach in town, but buses connect to several popular beaches.
- Ornos: My favorite for families. Sandy beach, calm swimming conditions on most summer days, plenty of restaurants, and easy access to Mykonos Town.
- Platis Gialos: Best for a beach-focused stay with great restaurants, good hotels, and convenient buses and seasonal water taxis to other south-coast beaches.
How Long Should You Stay?
Santorini
- 2 nights: Enough for the highlights, but rushed.
- 3 nights: Good for most first visits.
- 4 nights: Ideal and relaxed.
- 5 nights: Worthwhile for slow travel, hotel time, beaches, or several tours.
Mykonos
- 2 nights: Enough for Mykonos Town and one beach day.
- 3 nights: Good for most visitors.
- 4 nights: Better for several beaches, Delos, and relaxed evenings.
- 5 nights: Great for beach lovers who want time to explore the island.
Common Mistakes
- Santorini: Booking a hotel away from the caldera to save money, then expecting the same views and experience as staying in Oia, Imerovigli, or Fira.
- Santorini: Booking a cliffside hotel without checking the number of stairs, especially if traveling with young children or mobility limitations.
- Mykonos: Choosing an isolated hotel far from both Mykonos Town and the beaches, then spending a fortune on taxis and transfers.
- Mykonos: Visiting outside the summer season and expecting beach clubs, nightlife, and beach restaurants to be fully operating.
Should You Visit Both?
Yes, if you have six or seven nights to spend on the islands. They are different enough that neither feels like a repeat of the other.
Direct ferries connect Mykonos and Santorini during the tourist season, with the most frequent service from May through September. Schedules are more limited at the beginning and end of the season. The crossing takes about two to three hours, depending on the ferry and route. Rough seas can make high-speed ferry crossings uncomfortable, especially when summer winds are strong.
If flights work, fly into one island and home from the other, taking the ferry between them. Both islands have airports, though direct international flights are seasonal and depend on your departure city. Avoid scheduling a ferry arrival and an international flight on the same day.
A good seven-night itinerary is:
- 3 nights in Mykonos.
- 4 nights in Santorini.
Check the seasonal Mykonos to Santorini ferries and Santorini to Mykonos ferries before booking hotels.
Do not visit either island as a day trip from the other. Port transfers, ferry boarding, sailing time, and local transportation consume too much of the day. Spend at least two nights on the second island.
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 
Hey Dave,
Very helpful information.
I am planning to visit Greece in mid-December for my honeymoon. I like to party & stay in a lively place. Which Island will you suggest?
There are no big parties or open clubs in December on any of the Greek islands. But while Mykonos is very quiet in December, I like Santorini in December as it still has a little life and plenty to see and do.
Hi
My husband and I are thinking about going to Greece for a 5-day break in late August/ early September. We are thinking of Santorini or Mykonos. I would ideally like somewhere that has a beach and my husband would Like somewhere where we can eat out and shop. Please can you advise the best place for us?
I’d stay in Mykonos Town (great restaurants and the best shopping in the Greek islands) and take the bus through the day to Ornos, Platis Gialos, Paradise, or Elia Beaches.
Hi! We are planning our honeymoon and our flight flying into Athens from the US is September 21-28. We arrive in Athens on the 22nd. I’m trying to decide between Santorini and Mykonos. We envision spending 2 days in Athens but not sure about the rest of the time. Typical vacations that we have been sans kids we have spent the day drinking, bar hopping during the day, having some cocktails on the beach or in the pool, my fiancé loves water sports, scuba diving, and snorkeling and exploring islands with ATVs or dune buggies. Also, love great food. Wondering what would be the best way to spend our time ….thanks!
Mykonos is better for beaches and day drinking clubs. Santorini is better for exploring, cool day trips, and scuba diving. I’d recommend 3 nights in both. Any less and I’d choose one and stick with it.
Hi Dave!
I have a question regarding ferries from Mykonos to Athens. I’ve read on your site that you should take a longer ferry if you’re prone to sea sickness, but I’m super torn. A few years ago we took a high speed ferry from Mykonos to Santorini (took about 3 hours with all the stops) and were miserable. We later took a really long ferry on the Blue Star Naxos from Naxos to Athens and were equally as miserable (if not worse) than we were on the high speed ferry. Any advice on which ferry to take from Mykonos to Athens in early August (1st week)? There’s a high speed jet that takes less than 3 hours that looks rather tempting.
I really appreciate your help! Thank you so much.
As long as it’s a large high-speed ferry, I think you’ll be fine. Just don’t take the smaller ferries, like the SeaJet2.
Hi Dave!
We have two weeks in May and visiting Greek islands for the first time.
We like beautiful nature, hiking, swimming, and uncrowded places.
At the same time, we would like to see some iconic sites like the caldera in Santorini.
We re happy to self-cater as well as eat out.
Please help out.
In my opinion, Naxos is closest to your requirements.
Hi Dave,
My husband and I are planning an 11 day Greece trip in September. We know we want to do Athens and a couple islands. Santorini is a must, but can’t decide on a second island. Right now this is what we are thinking for an itinerary:
2 Days in Athens
4 days in an island (Mykonos or Crete?) – open to other ideas
4 days in Santorini
1 day Athens to fly back to NY
Does that seem like enough time in each place? We just want to see the main attractions in Athens. When it comes to the islands, we would like a mix of nature, history, and beaches. We love going out for nice dinners, but aren’t big on partying. Would love any thoughts you have on a second island and the itinerary.
For nature, history, and beaches I recommend Crete and Naxos. But with just 4 days, Naxos is manageable, while Crete is too big.
Wonderful site Dave. Best information I have come across as I plan a trip. My husband and I are planning a trip for us and our 3 daughters (ages 18,19,21) May 21st-31st. We are wanting to do Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini. I have read several of your responses to others and understand that in your opinion it makes little difference in which order. Originally, I wanted to do one night in Athens on the front end and one on the tail end, go to Mykonos for 3 nights, and then Santorini for 4 nights. Now I am thinking about just doing Athens on the tail end for 2 consecutive nights. Our Delta flight gets to Athens at 9:40AM (May 22nd) and the flight on Olympic is at 10:45AM and 4:30PM is the next flight. Is it possible to make that connecting flight in 1 hour so we could go ahead and get to Mykonos earlier rather than later? Thanks for any advice!
I would go straight to Santorini from Athens. Given your plans this has two advantages. First, there are more flights to Santorini than Mykonos in May so now you’ll have 11:55am, 1:30pm, and 2:00pm options which are better than the Mykonos choices. (I’d personally do the 11:55 flight). Second, you have 2 shortish ferry trips to get back to Athens (Santorini to Mykonos, Mykonos to Athens) rather than a short one and a long one (Santorini to Athens is pretty far). Doing the Athens visit all-together at the end of your trip is best regardless of the islands.
Hi Dave,
Thank you for this wonderful site, hands down The BEST!! Me and my wife (both late 40s) are visiting Greece for the first time from April 21 to May 1. Initially we only plan to visit only Santorini but was encouraged by our friends to visit Mykonos as well. We have already bought our return flight from Athens to Santorini but are willing to let go the Athens to Santorini flight to go to Mykonos by ferry instead.
After reading your site, I’m wondering is it worth to go to Mykonos since it’s mid April? Will it be “happening” at the beaches and clubs? We plan to stay 2 nights in Mykonos. I’ve yet to book any hotels so your advise will be truly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Jino
No, it won’t be “happening” at the beaches and clubs in April. They won’t be open at all. There will be some low key nightlife in Mykonos Town in April but that’s it.
Hi Dave,
After reading your blog – I feel even more stuck!! You have really shown the best of both places. I am going to Greece next May and have from Saturday 19th 10:00am until Thursday 24th 6am (5 nights).
I am going with my boyfriend and we are both 21. We do love to party every now and then but also love dinners with nice views (especially sunsets), swimming, lying on the beach, exploring on motorbikes, hiking etc. We also do not have a lot of money (I know the islands are expensive).
I would love your opinion on whether you think we should do one or both? I have noticed you can get really cheap flights with RyanAir in between the islands which means we could do 2.5 in each.
Thanks for your help.
Sophie
Since you’re keen on both islands I would do both. Though Mykonos and Santorini can be expensive it’s easy to find cheap hotels on both, especially in May. Just don’t stay directly on the beach (in Mykonos) or directly on the caldera (in Santorini).
We are looking to go to Greece in mid August for 2 weeks. It will be my wife, me, our 14 and 11 year old boys and my mother in law. We love the beach, fun authentic villages with good restaurants, some shopping, ice cream, and atmosphere. We would like to rent a house with pool close to a village if possible. My wife is from Brazil and we love interesting culture and people. We were thinking of going to Naxos or Paros and then a friend who went said we should really do a few nights in Athens and then 5 or 6 nights each on Mykonos and Santorini. I told him I was worried that they are too touristy in August and he said they are heavily trafficked because they are incredible and that for a first trip we should go to these and consider Naxos/Paris next time. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
All are great islands and all will be busy in August. It comes down to what you’re looking for.
Santorini: Great views, more activities and tours than the other islands. Swimming is great but beaches are (mainly) pebbley.
Mykonos: Nightlife and beaches.
Naxos: Interesting inland villages and great beaches.
Paros: A mix of Naxos and Mykonos. Good beaches and relaxed nightlife.
Thanks for this great article! My husband and I will be traveling to Mykonos the second week of May this year. I was reading some other places that the main tourist season (and party time) for Mykonos starts late May. Do you think we’ll miss out on the party scene completely by going so early? We’re just hoping at least some of the bars/clubs will be open. K.P.
Plenty of bars will be open in Mykonos Town by mid May but the big clubs and d.j. parties don’t start until June.
Dear Dave, thank you so much for this site! It really helped us to decide where we want to go. My Friend and I are not exactly beach goers. We just love to explore. So based on your website recommendations, we have chosen:
Santorini
– explore the paths, alleys & stairwells of Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli and Oia
– take the cable car from Old Port to FIFA
– check out the outdoor cinema at Kamari
– walk the volcano
– watch the sunset at Oia and have dinner with a view of the Caldera
– visit ancient Akrotiri
– visit Pyrogos Old Town
– dinner at Amoudi Bay
Mykonos
– stroll around Mykonos town
– visit Little Venice
– visit Armenistis Lighthouse
– visit Super Paradise Beach
– visit Elia beach
Given our places to go for Santorini and Mykonos, how many days do you advise that we need for each place and if we would need a car to travel around? We are intending to visit on 20 May
With that itinerary, I’d recommend 5 days on Santorini and 3 days on Mykonos.
Hi Dave,
I thought I posted a couple of days ago but can’t seem to find it, so I apologize if this is a duplicate.
My husband and I (28 years old) are planning a trip to Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Venice and Rome in September of next year. We have to travel after the 14th due to work schedules. We’re planning 3 nights in each location. Currently, the flights we are looking at arrive in Athens at 9am and we found a flight to Santorini (arriving around 11am) on the 4th day of vacation.
My struggles are… in the research I have found, I’m confused about ferries, timing and the time of year. Will we be able to take a ferry from Santorini to Mykonos at the end of September? Who would we book through? I’m not a huge fan of the flight options considering we have to go back to Athens and then to Mykonos. Would the ferry be best if available? Do we need to purchase ahead of time?
If ferries are not an option, do you know of any nonstop flight options that time of year between Santorini and Mykonos? I read that there was 1 airline that does this during certain dates but I couldn’t figure out the dates. (Too early I’m guessing)
Is it worth spending 3 nights in each location or do we just skip Mykonos and spend more time in our other locations? I really like the differences of the island and Santorini is nonnegotiable. We aren’t party goers but the beaches, windmills, old town, and streets interest my in Mykonos.
Any thoughts, order of the trip, islands vs Athens first and order, type of travel, time there- please let me know.
Thank you!
Carina
In September there is a daily ferry from Santorini to Mykonos that departs at 11am and arrives in Mykonos at 1:30pm. It’s on the Highspeed 7 which is a larger and very nice ferry. Book in advance on the Ferryhopper site. I would also recommend flying directly from Mykonos to Venice instead of going via Athens (since you’ll already have been there). Volotea has daily direct flights that depart Mykonos at 11:35 and land in Venice at 1pm. There are flights every day between September 20 and 29 (except the 25th and 26th).
Dave,
This is the best guide that I have found.
So we are looking to fly into Milan for a few days, and then Milan to Santorini for 4 days, then Ferry over to Mykonos for 4 days. Do you think this will be enough time to spend in each place. I am big beach person so I definitely want to spend adequate time on the beaches.
Kia
4 days in each is great. I usually recommend a day to or two more in Santorini (than Mykonos) but since beaches are a priority then 4/4 is perfect.
We are planning our honeymoon for October 2nd through approximately the 12th and so far we have Santorini on the list. I was wondering if it would be worth going to Mykonos around that time as well or if everything mostly shuts down?
Colby
Mykonos will be much quieter in early October (than the summer months) but still have plenty open – no parties, few clubs, but almost all restaurants and hotels will be open until mid/late October. With a little luck weather should still be warm enough to enjoy the beaches.
Traveling as two couples in late April for 7 full days. Flying into Athens in the evening and then leave for home in the early morning. We would like to see the history in Athens and Santorini but not opposed to a second island. We are all active late 20s-early 30s with no kids.
1. Would you recommend putting sightseeing in Athens at the beginning or the end of our trip?
2. Would you suggest:
2 days in Athens/5 in Santorini, or
1 full day in Athens/2.5 Mykonos/3.5 Santorini (.5 would be the ferry day between island), or
something else?
3. I looked into going straight to Santorini off our flight into Athens, but it would require a 2 hour layover with an unconnected itinerary and that seems a bit risky being the last flight of the night. Do you have any other creative ideas?
Thanks! Amanda
I would leave the sightseeing in Athens until the end (this also gives you a safety day should any ferries be canceled so you won’t miss your flight home). I like staying the night at the Sofitel at Athens Airport (an easy walk from the terminal) and catch the first flight in the morning to Santorini. If you wanted to see another island I would see Naxos, as Mykonos will be very quiet in April and there’s more to see in Naxos. Most ferries from Santorini to Athens stop in Naxos so it’s easy to make a 1 or 2 night stopover.
Hey Dave,
Fabulous website this!
We’re getting married around mid April and are planning our honey moon in Greece from 22nd April (landing in Athens) to 6th May. We’d like to do Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete. Would this be a good time to enjoy the beaches? Or is it wiser to do Spain during this time period and come back to Greece when the weather is more agreeable? We were looking forward to leisure by the beaches during the day and partying/romantic dinners through the evenings.
Ajay Deoskar
The weather will be nice but beach weather is uncertain until about mid-May. Crete is warmer than the others so with a bit of luck you could get some warm/hot days at the end of your trip. Southern Spain is a little warmer than Greece but not by much. You won’t be finding any true hot summer days anywhere in Europe that early in the season.