Famed as Greece’s capital of cool, Mykonos is a staple on any island-hopping bucket list. Whether you’re heading to Mykonos for a long weekend, or as part of a larger Greek island odyssey, making the most of your time is essential. You wouldn’t want to miss out on UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the charming Little Venice, or some of the country’s most renowned party spots, now would you? Well, that's where we here Plum Guide come in: we’ve put together the ultimate three-day Mykonos itinerary, to make sure your trip to the “Island of the Winds” is a blast from start to finish. We are the travel experts after all, and we've combined local culture with some all-important daily beach time. All that’s left for you to do is get packing.

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Start your island adventure in the heart of it all: Mykonos Town (also known as Chora). First off, lose yourself in the enchanting labyrinth of narrow, colourful streets, adorned with vibrant bougainvillaea and packed with stylish boutiques and restaurants. Next, head to the southwestern end of the harbour to Little Venice, where you’ll find colourful 18th-century houses (many of which have been transformed into restaurants, bars, and shops) at the water’s edge, with balconies hovering over the azure waters. The name Little Venice is a nod to the heavy Venetian influence on the region, with Mykonos under Venetian rule from 1390 to 1718. Perhaps having re-energised with a freddo espresso by the water, take the opportunity to make the stroll up to Chora’s iconic whitewashed windmills. The five windmills, known collectively as the kato mili (lower windmills), hark back to a time when Mykonos was the main supplier of a rusk called paximadi, which sailors used for sustenance. Among them is Geronymos Mill, built in the 1700s, which is the oldest of the 16 historic mills on the island.

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Clearly, no itinerary would be complete without plenty of time relaxing on the beach. Overwhelmed by the options? Platis Gialos is a great place to start your Mykonos beach exploration. Easily accessible via public transport from Chora, here you’ll find a well-organised beach backed with restaurants and bars, as well as an atmosphere that strikes the perfect balance. Shallow, calm waters make it an ideal option for families too. If you’re keen to get your fill of people-watching, Psarou beach is right next door and among the trendiest seaside spots, while fans of water sports should head east to Kalafati.

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Wait… it’s day two of a Mykonos itinerary and we’re already suggesting you leave Mykonos? Hear us out - Delos is a worthy detour. To travel back in time, simply hop on a ferry from Mykonos’s Old Port to make the short trip across to the island. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was considered a sacred island in Ancient Greek culture, and was the birthplace of the twin deities Apollo and Artemis (according to Greek mythology). Today, you can stroll through the well-preserved ruins, including the famous Terrace of the Lions, House of Dionysus, and Sanctuary of Apollo, before delving further into the history at the Archaeological Museum of Delos.

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If beaches are a key draw to Mykonos, the other is the party scene. On a three-day Mykonos itinerary, time is certainly of the essence, but fear not: at Paradise Beach, you can kill two birds with one stone - courtesy of renowned beach bars Tropicana and Paradise Club. Arrive in the morning to enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and water sports, before DJs start spinning beats and the party gets going in the late afternoon. To enhance the experience even further, head up into the hills above the bay to cliffside club Cavo Paradiso. For a more refined taste of Mykonos nightlife make your way into town to explore some of Chora’s chicest nightlife options: chilled-out Galleraki, local institution Skandinavian Bar, and prime cocktail spot BAO.

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Take your adventure in Mykonos history and culture to the next level, and get stuck into the island’s array of museums and galleries. To get the inside track on Mykonos’s history, there’s no better spot than the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos in Chora, where you’ll find an expansive collection of jewellery and pottery (dating as far back as the 25th century BC), as well as artefacts that illustrate the island’s tumultuous and battle-filled history. Follow it up with a visit to the Aegean Maritime Museum and the Mykonos Folklore Museum to get a glimpse of traditional local dress, ornate ship models, Byzantine icons, and naval equipment. For a bonus dose of religious heritage, make a beeline for the whitewashed Panagia Paraportiani, which is actually five separate churches, built either on top of, or next to each other.

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It only seems right to end this itinerary on one of the island’s awe-inspiring beaches - this time a little on the wilder side. We recommend setting up camp for the afternoon at Fokos Beach on the northeast coast, which is one of the few undeveloped beaches in Mykonos and, despite being only around a 20-minute drive away, feels a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of Chora. Though the sand is no less sublime than other beaches in Mykonos, the surrounding scenery is rocky and rugged, with the waters somewhat livelier. Being at one with nature doesn’t mean going hungry though - the Fokos taverna (which somehow combines being both stylish and rustic) offers the freshest of seafood and the most flavour-packed of salads, all with a view of the beach.

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