9 best islands to visit near Mykonos

The first of our islands close to Mykonos is Paros, the third-largest island in the Cyclades, known for its mix of cosmopolitan flair and Cycladic charm. Think of your classic Greek island image of whitewashed houses, blue shutters, cobblestone alleyways, little churches and colourful bougainvillea… and that’s what you’ll find in settlements like Parikia (the main town) and Naoussa. But that doesn’t stop you from also finding lively bars and cafes, as well as high-end dining and nightlife options, right alongside traditional tavernas. There are smaller villages (Lefkes, Prodromos, Marpissa…) and beaches that each have their own charm. Some are known for their watersports (including surfing, kitesurfing and kiteboarding), while others are in secluded coves. Finally, for an off-radar adventure, the 800-acre protected area known as Paros Park has marked walking paths and offers a completely different landscape.

And if you love the idea of Paros, you’ll adore its little brother Antiparos. It’s just a 10-minute boat trip from Paros and, once there, you’ll find everything you adore about Paros (more fantastic beaches, great places to eat and a stylish main town) but with more privacy. You’ll quickly understand why Antiparos has become a favourite celebrity hideaway.

🧭 Getting there

• ⛴By boat from Mykonos (to Paros): 45 mins
• 🚁By helicopter from Mykonos (to Antiparos): 15 mins
   

Your next island close to Mykonos needs no introduction. Santorini is world-famous for its Caldera view and the Cycladic perfection of coastal settlements like Oia, Fira and Imerovigli (even if you don’t yet know the names). So, let’s give you even more reasons to visit, especially in the quieter months in early and late summer or even spring and autumn. That’s the ideal time to explore villages like Messaria, Pyrgos and Exo Mesa Gonia, as well as Akrotiri (both the village and the prehistoric settlement).

Make sure to also visit a vineyard or two, where you will learn that Santorini’s volcanic soil nurtures more than 50 grape varieties. The island’s most famous grape is Assyrtiko, which produces crisp white wines, and the sweet dessert wine Vinsanto, which has PDO status. And finally, for or a different perspective of Santorini, how about an organised hiking experience, either along the caldera or from Pyrgos to Kamari via the ruins of Ancient Thira?

🧭 Getting there

• ⛴By boat from Mykonos: 1 hr 55 mins
• 🚁By helicopter from Mykonos: 36 mins

Right next door to Mykonos, Tinos offers experiences and activities that can be enjoyed year-round. Spring and autumn are ideal for hiking, with more than 150km of marked paths (some originally linking otherwise isolated settlements) crisscrossing the island. They offer a great way to explore traditional villages and visit wineries. Near Mesi, in the heart of Tinos, you can visit a family-owned vineyard cultivating Greek grape varieties like Malagouzia and Assyrtiko. And around Falatados, in the southeast, are wineries set in a unique landscape of granite boulders. 

Tinos is also known for its mouthwatering delicacies and local products (there are festivals for artichokes, wine, honey, raki and oregano). A Tinian breakfast might include a delicious froutalia omelette made with vegetables, country sausage or syglino (small pieces of cured pork). And then there are the beaches. Tinos boasts a diverse range of unforgettable beaches, each with its own unique character from totally unspoiled to fully organised even beaches.

🧭 Getting there

• ⛴By boat from Mykonos: 15 mins
• 🚁By helicopter from Mykonos: 7 mins

Syros is the administrative capital of the Cyclades but unlike any of the other islands in the group. It is an island of fascinating contrasts. Ermoupoli, the main town, is cosmopolitan yet Cycladic, stately yet traditional. It also has one of the largest Catholic communities in Greece and you will find Catholic and Orthodox churches all around the island, most notably Saint George’s Cathedral (San Tzortzis) at the top of Ano Syros. Elsewhere, Ano Syros is unmistakably Cycladic in architecture and feel. Meanwhile, in Ermoupoli, the Apollo Theatre is modelled on La Scala in Milan and the neighbouring Vaporia district features former captains’ mansions – a nod to Syros’ seafaring past.

There are beaches that are ideal for families and friends, with facilities and water sports or pure relaxation depending on your mood. And a network of marked hiking trails covers the entire island, leading to some of the island’s best-kept secrets, many accessible only on foot. In the north, Apano Meria is protected within the Natura 2000 environment that is geologically different from the rest of the island. Local products include PDO San Michali (a nutty and spicy cheese) and other cheeses and capers that grow wild in the north. And don’t leave without trying icing sugar-dusted loukoumia treats, brought to Syros from Asia Minor in the 19th century and now an indelible part of the island’s identity.

🧭 Getting there

• ⛴By boat from Mykonos: 40 mins
• 🚁By helicopter from Mykonos: 12 mins

Sifnos is a small island that you can easily explore in just a few days. It’s also the perfect destination to slow down after Mykonos. The moment you set eyes on the little whitewashed houses of Apollonia, the main town, with their brightly coloured window and door frames, you’ll want to explore it. You’ll have no trouble identifying the main shopping street. It’s called To Steno and is filled with souvenir stores, trendy rooftop bars, little tavernas and other examples of Cycladic perfection. And you’ll enjoy getting to know about Sifnos’ tradition in pottery, dating back to antiquity and still visible in ceramics stores and workshops.

The shoulder months (either side of July and August) are the best time to enjoy Sifnos’ sandy beaches with fewer people. And there’s no better way to get a feel for the island that to go hiking (many paths begin and end at beaches) and discover the villages dotted around the island. There are 13 permanently inhabited settlements in all and they each have their story to tell. Artemonas village has houses with Venetian and neoclassical elements, while clifftop Kastro was the first capital of Sifnos, but there are plenty to discover. Beyond the classic Cycladic imagery of alleyways, windmills and blue-domed churches in the villages, look for the decorated ceramic chimneypots (flari).

🧭 Getting there

• ⛴By boat from Mykonos: 1 hr 55 mins
• 🚁By helicopter from Mykonos: 23 mins

Another wonderful island near Mykonos, Naxos is a great choice for the quieter months. It is the largest of the Cyclades islands and is known for its long sandy beaches and hilly landscape dotted with villages. Arriving by boat, you are greeted by the famous Portara (an ancient doorway) near the port and the site of the Venetian Castle above Hora (the main town).

Naxos has beaches for all tastes (families, friends and couples). Some of the best known – such as Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and Maragas – stretch for many kilometres, but there are also plenty of activities and experiences to enjoy away from the beach. The villages in the hilly interior are full of stone houses, Byzantine churches and folk museums, and can be visited individually or as part of an organised tour. There are hiking trails that take you to remote beaches and villages. And you can visit dairy farms and vineyards and enjoy the wildlife, especially around Mount Zas, the highest peak in the Cyclades.

🧭 Getting there

• ⛴By boat from Mykonos: 35 mins

Milos is another Cycladic gem that is best visited in the quieter months either side of peak season, away from the summer crowds. It is known for its dramatic landscape and stunning beaches, with Sarakiniko likened to a lunar landscape and Kleftiko (the focal point of many boat tours) famous for its sea caves and incredible water. Other great swimming spots include sandy Firiplaka and Paleochori (whose colours and rocks are made for Instagram).

There are many villages in Milos, both mountainous and coastal, each offering a unique setting and a chance to taste local dishes. They are magical all year round (but especially in spring and autumn) and are full of traditional touches. Among the most famous features of Milos are the colourful boathouses known as Syrmata. Plaka (the main town) is built on a hill overlooking the Aegean and Adamas is the port and most developed settlement. Elsewhere, Tripiti is built on the ruins of ancient Klima, near the early Christian catacombs. Finally, you can take a boat trip to Polyegos, a protected Natura 2000 habitat and an untouched landscape with pristine beaches and sea caves.

🧭 Getting there

• ⛴By boat from Mykonos: 2hrs 45mins

Like Mykonos, Ios is another island in the Cyclades known for its nightlife and party vibe that also has a quiet side that is a joy to discover. Its charming main town (Hora) is full of alleyways and hidden corners. Among the cultural highlights is the Gaitis-Simosi Museum, dedicated to the works of painter Yannis Gaitis and sculptor Gabriella Simosi. The Odysseas Elytis Theater, named after the Nobel Prize-winning Greek poet who had a deep connection with Ios, is a great sunset spot just above Hora.

Ios is also famous for its beaches, which are, once again, perfect for every holiday style (beach bar vibe, long taverna lunch overlooking the sea, watersports, or remote sunbathing). Mylopotas is the best-known beach and other wonderful swimming spots include Manganari, Koumbara and Psathi. Memorable activities in Ios include hiking and discovering local products, include visiting cheese factories or taking a cooking class.

🧭 Getting there

• ⛴By boat from Mykonos: 1 hr 25 mins

The last of your islands close to Mykonos is one of the Dodecanese islands, but it exudes minimalist Cycladic elegance. Patmos has a devoted following and, while you can’t reach it directly by boat from Mykonos, you can get there by helicopter. Its main town (Hora) manages to combine Byzantine mysticism with Italian finesse. It is famous for the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian (founded in 1088) and the Cave of the Apocalypse, where St John is said to have received the visions that led him to write the last book of the Bible. The entire historic centre of Hora, including the monastery and cave, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the same time, Patmos has an undisputed elegance, with trendy bars and cafes, as well as both upmarket restaurants and traditional tavernas.

The beaches of Patmos include the popular, organised Agrio Livadi near Hora as well as more remote swimming spots like Lambi and Psili Ammos. Don’t miss the coastal village of Grikos, with the striking Kalikatsou Rock (believed by locals to have a special energy). Unique flavours include the local cheese pies and sweet poungia pouches, made with almonds, walnuts and honey.

🧭 Getting there

• 🚁By helicopter from Mykonos: 30 mins

There is a regular ferry connection from Athens to Mykonos throughout the year, mainly with the ports of Piraeus and Rafina. The main ferry routes between Athens and Mykonos are:

• Rafina - Mykonos ferry: this is a popular route, as Rafina is the closest port to northwestern Cyclades. The Rafina - Mykonos ferry trip lasts from around 2 hours 20 minutes to 4 hours 40 minutes. The connection is served all year round with up to 9 daily crossings.
• Piraeus - Mykonos ferry: the ferry connection is served throughout the year with up to 6-7 daily crossings, operated by both standard and high-speed vessels. The Piraeus - Mykonos ferry trip lasts from 2.5 hours to 4-5.5 hours, depending on the vessel and the itinerary.