If you’ve been considering traveling to Mykonos, Greece or are currently planning your trip, you may have already seen how steep the prices can be for things such as food, hotel, transportation, etc. When I was planning I kept it in mind, but the real sticker shock happened once I got there. I actually started to get frustrated because everything was so expensive! However, fear not! You can budget travel to Mykonos and still have an amazing trip and experience. Let’s dive in.

When to Go and How Long to Stay

I went to Mykonos at the very beginning of September. This is at the very end of their peak season. The weather was perfect, it wasn’t too crowded and the prices were just right. If you’re wondering how much time you need in Mykonos, it will depend on your personal preference as far what you want to do and see. For me, I wanted to visit Mykonos because it is a must when visiting Greece for the first time, but I didn’t want or need to spend a long time there. My stay was just 3 nights. It was plenty of time for me to get the whole Mykonos experience before heading to Santorini.

Where to Stay

The best way to experience Mykonos on a budget is to stay in an Airbnb. There are so many Airbnb’s on the island. Many people choose to stay in a villa or somewhere with a pool a bit outside of Mykonos Town. Which is a great option if you are staying on the island for longer than the 2-3 days that I stayed. In that case, I would suggest splitting your time in order to experience both. I chose to stay in Mykonos Town. The reason being that staying in town makes it easy to get to most things without having to pay for a taxi. For a quick stay - this was perfect.

This is the Airbnb that I stayed at. It was $642 for two people ($321 each) for 3 nights. It was wonderful and close to the windmills, Little Venice and one of the bus stations.

How to Get Around

There are two bus stations in Mykonos Town - Fabrika (South Station) and the Old Port (North Station). They are situated on either side of the town. Tickets range from 1-3€. You can grab a taxi from both stations as well. For the beaches - take the bus.

Note: Google Maps is not reliable in Greece. If it says a 10 minute walk, plan for 20.

What to Do

Beach Time

Budget Tip: Go in the afternoon

We went to Platis Gialos Beach around 2:30-3PM. You can get there by bus from Mykonos town for about 2€. The bus leaves from the Fabrika station. This beach is very crowded and honestly not the most spectacular in my opinion because of that. However, it is a nice place to have a drink and take a nap beachside. The daybeds range in price but many are around 50€. If you go in the afternoon, you have a good chance of being able to negotiate the price. High time to be at the beach is over, people are more than likely leaving soon, so you can get a deal.

Budget Tip: Act Like a Local

The other beach we checked out while in Mykonos was Panormos Beach. To get to Panormos you will need to take a bus from the Old Port. Be sure to check the schedule beforehand. This beach is very pretty. It is away from the hustle and bustle of Mykonos, but again, the daybeds are outrageously expensive (50€). On either side of the daybeds though there is a stretch of beach where you can lay out a towel and chill like a local. It can be windy and sunny - so if you have an umbrella, take that too.

Little Venice and the Windmills

Stop over and see the famous windmills of Mykonos. Then spend some time by relaxing by the water in Little Venice.

Panagia Paraportiani Church

Marvel at the white-washed Church of Panagia Paraportiani.

Explore the Streets

Explore the maze that is Mykonos Town. There are many beautiful alleyways, souvenir shops and luxe shops (that are fun for window shopping).

Check out the Famous Nightlife

I am not a partier at all, but Mykonos is where the party is at. It is a partygoer’s dream. If you travel all the way to Mykonos, you have to check out the famous nightlife. We went to Interni. There is no cover to get in, and every night is wild. You will see people dancing on the bar, people dancing on tables, the staff waving sparklers - it is a whole thing. We didn’t buy any drinks while we were there. We just checked it out, stayed for a bit, then headed home.

Where to Eat (and Drink)

Yummy

Have breakfast at Yummy. The crepes range between 6-10€.

II forno di Gerasimo

Amazing pizza for cheap. They also have a good pastry selection.

Leonidas Snack Bar

Okay, this place was my favorite. I am craving it right now. Real, greek gyros for 3-4€. We ate here three times. Great for lunch and dinner.

For your finale night in Mykonos I suggest having drinks at either 180 Sunset Bar or Cavo Tagoo.

180 Sunset Bar

180 Sunset Bar has a 10€ per person entry fee. That 10€ includes one drink. It is the perfect place to watch a stunning sunset while you’re having deep conversations that can obviously only be had while the sun is setting (lol).

Luxe Option: Cavo Tagoo

Cavo Tagoo says that there is a minimum spend (50€). But we arrived, and there was no such thing. We sat at the bar and had a couple of glasses of wine. Tip: If you’re staying in Mykonos Town - take a taxi.