Mykonos Cruise Port Guide: Beautiful, Crowded, and One of the Highlights of Our Mediterranean Cruise
Mykonos was one of the main reasons we booked our Costa Deliziosa cruise.
When we first started looking at itineraries, the ports that immediately caught our attention were Venice, Santorini, and Mykonos. Those were the destinations that made us excited about the trip, and by the time we finally arrived in Mykonos, our expectations were already pretty high.
Thankfully, the island delivered.
Mykonos is one of those places that somehow looks exactly like the postcards. The whitewashed buildings, narrow alleyways, blue water, colorful doors, and ocean views are everywhere. At times it almost feels like you’re walking through a movie set rather than a real town.
At the same time, Mykonos is one of the most tourist-heavy places we’ve ever visited. The crowds were enormous. Everywhere we turned there were visitors taking photos, shopping, eating, or simply wandering around the maze of streets. Unlike places such as Bari, where we constantly saw local families and residents going about their daily lives, Mykonos felt much more centered around tourism.
Normally that might bother me.
In Mykonos, it somehow didn’t.
The island was simply too beautiful.
Quick Verdict
Best For:
- Walking and exploring
- Photography
- Couples
- Food lovers
- Shopping
- Greek island atmosphere
- Cruise passengers exploring independently
- First-time visitors to Greece
Not Ideal For:
- Budget travelers
- Guests sensitive to crowds
- Travelers with significant mobility limitations
- Visitors seeking quiet destinations
- Travelers wanting extensive historical ruins directly in town
Best Things to Do in Mykonos
- Take a Delos Excursion
- Explore Mykonos Town
- Visit Little Venice
- See the Windmills
- Visit Panagia Paraportiani
- Relax at Agios Charalambos Beach
- Shop along Matogianni Street
Is Mykonos Worth Visiting On a Cruise?
Absolutely. Despite the crowds and higher prices, Mykonos combines stunning scenery, walkable streets, excellent food, iconic landmarks, and a relaxed Greek island atmosphere. For us, it was one of the highlights of our Costa Deliziosa cruise
Arriving in Mykonos
Getting into town was surprisingly easy. When we arrived, there were multiple cruise ships visiting the island, including our Costa ship, a Norwegian Cruise Line vessel, and at least one other European cruise ship. Even with all those passengers arriving at roughly the same time, the process felt fairly organized.
Once ashore, we didn’t have much of a plan. We weren’t booked on an excursion, rushing to a beach club, or trying to check off a long list of attractions. Instead, we decided to simply wander through town and see where the day took us.
Looking back, that ended up being the perfect approach. Mykonos Town is compact, easy to explore independently, and much of its appeal comes from getting lost among the narrow streets, waterfront paths, and hidden corners rather than following a strict schedule.
Walking Through Mykonos Town
Most of our day was spent doing exactly what we had planned from the beginning: wandering through Mykonos Town without much of an agenda.
The streets twist in every direction, creating a maze of narrow alleyways lined with restaurants, boutiques, cafés, jewelry stores, souvenir shops, and churches. Every few minutes we seemed to discover another beautiful view or another street that looked even more photogenic than the last. It’s the kind of place where getting a little lost is part of the experience.
One thing I quickly noticed was how different Mykonos felt from the Italian ports we had visited earlier in the cruise. Venice felt historic. Bari felt authentic. Mykonos felt glamorous.
Almost every storefront looked polished, every restaurant seemed designed for outdoor dining, and nearly every corner felt like it belonged in a travel magazine. Yet despite all of that, it never felt artificial. Somehow Mykonos manages to be both heavily touristy and genuinely charming at the same time.
The only real downside was the heat. Between the Mediterranean sun, the crowds, and all the walking, we found ourselves stopping regularly for drinks and short breaks throughout the day. It wasn’t enough to take away from the experience, but it was definitely one of the hottest ports we visited during the cruise.
Little Venice Was Every Bit as Beautiful as People Say
One of the highlights of our visit was Little Venice.
This area sits directly along the waterfront, where colorful buildings, restaurants, and cafés seem to rise straight out of the sea. The views are spectacular, especially when the waves start crashing against the foundations of the buildings.
At one point the water was splashing high enough that our shoes actually got wet while we were walking nearby.
Normally that would be annoying.
Here it just felt like part of the experience.
We spent quite a bit of time in the area simply enjoying the views and watching the constant stream of people walking along the waterfront. It’s touristy, absolutely, but it’s also one of the most beautiful parts of the island and completely deserving of its reputation.
Windmills, Churches, and a Very Happy Cat
Eventually we made our way toward the famous windmills.
They’re one of the most recognizable landmarks in Greece and offer some fantastic views across the island and the surrounding sea. One thing that surprised me was learning that some of these structures are actually used as residences or private properties today.
Standing there watching hundreds of tourists take photographs, I couldn’t help but wonder what it’s like for the people who actually live nearby.
Not far from there we visited several Greek Orthodox churches, including the famous Church of Panagia Paraportiani. My mom loves visiting churches whenever we travel, so naturally we spent time exploring some of the island’s religious sites.
Later we wandered over toward Agios Charalambos Beach, which is a tiny little beach tucked near the windmill area. My mom had reached the point where she was ready for a break and decided she wasn’t interested in climbing down to the water.
Instead, she found a cat.
And honestly, once she found the cat, the beach no longer mattered.
While she sat there happily petting the cat, I walked down to the beach, spent a few minutes by the water, and then headed back up.
The beach itself is small, but the views around it are excellent.
Lunch Came With an Unexpected Surprise
Eventually, we stopped for lunch at one of the many restaurants scattered throughout Mykonos Town. After several hours of walking in the heat, the break was more than welcome.
I ordered a beer, some gyros, and a few other Greek dishes while enjoying a chance to sit down and cool off. Like much of Mykonos, the meal wasn’t exactly cheap, but the food was good and the atmosphere made it easy to relax and enjoy the moment.
The only minor issue came later. After we had already left, I realized we had been charged for something we never ordered, which I believe was a bottle of water. It wasn’t a significant amount of money, and it certainly didn’t ruin the day, but nobody enjoys paying for something they didn’t receive.
It was a small reminder to take a quick look at the bill before leaving, especially in destinations that welcome large numbers of tourists. Fortunately, it ended up being little more than a minor annoyance on what was otherwise a very enjoyable day.
Shopping, People Watching, and Taking It All In
We also spent some time walking through Matogianni Street, one of the main shopping areas in town.
There are stores everywhere selling jewelry, clothing, artwork, souvenirs, luxury items, and all kinds of Greek products. My mom naturally ended up buying a few souvenirs, and we spent a good amount of time simply browsing and people-watching.
One thing that stood out to me was the variety of visitors.
Cruise passengers, backpackers, luxury travelers, families, couples, and day-trippers all seemed to be sharing the same streets. It created an energy that felt very different from some of the quieter destinations we visited on the cruise.
At times we also encountered people asking for money, including children. That’s always difficult to see, and it’s one of those realities of tourism that can leave you feeling conflicted.
Still, the overall atmosphere remained positive, and most of the day was simply spent enjoying the island and taking everything in.
Things to Do Beyond Mykonos Town
Although we spent almost our entire visit exploring Mykonos Town, there are plenty of other ways to spend a day on the island.
Many cruise passengers head straight for the beaches, with popular options including Paradise Beach, Super Paradise Beach, Psarou Beach, and Platis Gialos. Others choose excursions to Delos, one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites and a destination I would strongly consider visiting if I ever return to Mykonos.
The island is also well known for its beach clubs, nightlife, luxury resorts, and waterfront dining. We didn’t really experience that side of Mykonos during our visit, but it’s a major reason why the island attracts visitors from around the world.
For us, however, simply wandering through the streets of Mykonos Town was enough. Between the windmills, churches, waterfront views, shops, restaurants, and endless maze of alleyways, we never felt the need to venture much farther. Sometimes the best way to experience a destination is simply to slow down and enjoy what’s right in front of you.
Final Thoughts
Mykonos ended up being exactly what we hoped it would be.
It was beautiful, crowded, hot, occasionally expensive, and completely memorable. We spent most of the day doing little more than wandering through town, exploring churches, admiring the famous windmills, watching waves crash into Little Venice, stopping for food and drinks, and simply taking in one of Greece’s most iconic islands.
By the time we returned to the ship, we were tired from all the walking and more than ready for a shower and some air conditioning. But that’s usually a good sign. It means we made the most of the day.
If you’re visiting Mykonos on a cruise, my biggest recommendation is simple: don’t overcomplicate it. The town is easy to explore on foot, and some of the best experiences come from wandering through the maze of streets without a strict plan. Pick a few landmarks you want to see, wear comfortable shoes, stay hydrated, and leave yourself time to simply enjoy the atmosphere.
After finally seeing Mykonos in person, I can confidently say it lived up to the hype. It may be one of the most tourist-heavy destinations we’ve ever visited, but it’s also one of the most beautiful. For us, it was absolutely worth the visit.
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