You can use Mykonos as your base to visit some other amazing Greek islands (including Santorini). This is all you need to know about the other awesome Greek islands you can visit from Mykonos with a few hours’ trip by ferry or a quick flight.
BEST HOTELS ON ISLANDS NEAR MYKONOS:
- Santorini:San Antonio
- Naxos: Nissaki
- Syros:Wind Tales
- Paros:PAROCKS
- Ios:Hide Out
- Milos:Noma
- Tinos:Infinity View
These are the best islands near Mykonos:
- Santorini (on Google Maps)
- Naxos (on Google Maps)
- Syros (on Google Maps)
- Tinos (on Google Maps)
- Ios (on Google Maps)
- Dilos (on Google Maps)
- Milos (on Google Maps)
- Paros (on Google Maps)
Where to Stay in Mykonos
Best Things to Do in Mykonos
Best Greek Islands near Santorini
Best Greek Islands Near Athens
Where to Stay in Paros
I highly recommend you stay at least one night on all of these islands (apart from Dilos, which is not inhabited) because a day trip will always be tiring with all the ferry trips you may have to take. Greek island hopping is possible, but you must consider the costs and the times, as the ferry schedules will dictate your plans.
VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to visit the islands on the western side of Greece, like Corfu, Zante (Zakynthos), or Kefalonia (these are located in the Ionian Sea between Italy and Greece), as there are no direct connection flights or ferries. You must always go through Athens (and possibly take a bus to other ports on the west side of Greece).
Also, I DO NOT recommend visiting Crete or Rhodes from Mykonos. It is 100% doable, but Crete and Rhodes are very big islands, and you need to dedicate at least a week to each one.
A day trip or two to three nights is not worth it because you would spend too much money seeing only 5% of these amazing big Greek islands. Ferry timetables are not fixed yearly, so times and schedules might change. The Ferryhopper website provides you with an updated schedule.
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1. Santorini
You have probably already heard a lot about Santorini. If you are considering visiting Mykonos, chances are you are also considering visiting Santorini. For many reasons, Santorini (along with Mykonos) is probably the most famous Greek island.
Read Also: How To Get From Athens to Santorini
Incredible views, mesmerising sunsets (and sunrises), 5-star hotels, beautiful volcanic beaches, artisanal local wineries, and one of the most romantic places on earth. A million things can make you believe Santorini is one of the most beautiful places you have ever seen, but make no mistake: Santorini is a very touristic place.
If you visit Mykonos in July or August (which I don’t recommend anyway), Santorini will likely feel extremely overcrowded, very touristic, and super expensive. Yes, there are still places in Santorini that are not spoiled by overtourism, but they are probably not worth a visit.So, if you visit in July or August, I suggest you skip Santorini and try another Greek island. But you can visit Santorini any other month and have a great time!
Bear in mind that Santorini is a very diverse place compared to Mykonos, and there are many different things to do. My advice in general is to spend at least 5 days in Santorini (and more days than you will spend in Mykonos…)
How To Get From Mykonos to Santorini
The best way to get from Mykonos to Santorini is by a 2-2.5-hour ferry. The Ferryhopper website has timetables and prices for ferries.
There is also a direct flight (more expensive) from Mykonos to Santorini. The flight is about 20 minutes long, but it’s unavailable every year, so please check well in advance.
I do not recommend taking the flight from Mykonos to Santorini. You will spend too much time at the airport, and by the time you arrive, you will already be in Mykonos with the ferry.
Read Also the Detailed Guide: How To Get From Santorini to MykonosBest Hotels in Santorini
Santorini lacks impressive hotels with incredible caldera views and excellent service.
Read Also: Best Hotels of Santorini
Be careful, though, because most hotels are NOT open from November to April, so always check first. Here is my list of the best places to stay in Santorini (spoiler alert: w-o-w!):
Grace Hotel
Grace is the best hotel in Santorini. It has one of the most impressive swimming pools in the world and offers 5-star service at Imerovigli.
Katikies Hotel
Andronis Suites
If you cannot find a room in one of the most famous hotels of the island, try to avoid the famous views and head over to the beachfront areas where things are more normal (Perissa, Perivolos, Kamari). Prices are lower, and you won’t miss much as you can always visit the famous cliff volcano view areas anytime. Read Also: Where To Stay In Santorini
2. Naxos
Naxos is one of the largest Greek islands and the largest in the Cyclades island complex. It’s my favorite and is very easy to reach from Mykonos!
Apart from Naxos’ cute capital town (where the ferries stop), there is another cute small village up on the mainland of Naxos called “Apeiranthos” (here it is on Google Maps). Naxos has amazing long sandy beaches (like Agia Anna beach), making it a great destination for foodies and families with kids.
Don’t leave the island if you don’t try the amazing Naxos gruyere yellow cheese called Graviera Naxou. Naxos offers fantastic opportunities for watersports as well: waterskiing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, as its beaches are ideal with the strong winds of the Greek islands:
Naxos is very well organised, with B&Bs and hotels. I suggest a two—to three-day stay on the island because there is so much to see and do.How To Get From Mykonos To Naxos
Naxos is about 1 hour by ferry from Mykonos (choose the Blue Star Ferry). If you want to check all the timetables or even book your ferry ticket to Naxos (which you must pick up at the port anyway—that’s the Greek law…), you can visit the Ferryhopper website (or just check the timetables). There is no flight between Naxos and Mykonos as it doesn’t make sense; the islands are close.
Best Hotels in Naxos
Naxos is quite a big island with lots of options for accommodation. As with every location outside of Santorini and Mykonos, DO NOT expect the luxury and services you will find in those other two Greek islands. But the following hotels in Naxos are very good and are highly rated everywhere online:
Belogna Ikons (Naxos)
Sea & Olives Villas (Naxos)
Naxian Utopia Luxury Villas (Naxos)
Ampelos Resort (Naxos)
Nissaki Beach Hotel (Naxos)
If you are island-hopping, you must stay more than 1 night in Naxos because the island is pretty big (one of the biggest islands in Greece) and you need to rent a car or a scooter to move around as the distances are not short. Also, make sure you visit the amazing mountain village of Apeiranthos and DO NOT LEAVE THE ISLAND if you don’t eat at one of the best restaurants in Greece: Axiotissa(here it is on Google Maps).
3. Syros
Syros is another Greek Island in the Cyclades, in the Aegean Sea. The largest towns are Ermoupoli,Ano Syros, and Vari.
Ermoupoli is the capital of the island. It has always been a significant port town; during the 19th century, it was even more significant than Piraeus port in Athens.
You should visit the Syros Town Hall, a magnificent building with beautiful tiles, marble, and decorations, especially on the inside. Nearby, you will also find cafes, shops, restaurants, etc.
In Syros, you can find many sandy beaches, cocktail bars, nightclubs, and tavernas with fresh fish! Syros is great for families and is one of the most relaxing Greek islands, even in August (there are no tourist crowds there…).How To Get From Mykonos to Syros
Syros is near Mykonos, and you won’t need more than 1.15 hours. If you decide to go to Syros, I suggest you stay at least two days, spending one day in Ermoupoli and Ano Syros (amazing views and picturesque alleys) and the second day on the beach.
It is about 1.15 hours away from Mykonos by the slowferryand 45 minutes away with the fast ferry(just 1.5 euros more expensive).
Travel agencies in Mykonos Town can book your tickets and tell you the timetables of the available ferries when you are there. Still, my proposal is always to check and book online through Ferryhopper.
It’s very simple: you pop in at a travel agent in Mykonos Town (there are hundreds, you won’t miss them), you ask for the timetables for the ferries to Syros, and that’s it. Alternatively, you can book everything online on the Ferryhopper website.Best Hotels in Syros
Some excellent recent additions to Syros’ Hotels scene lately make it an extremely attractive destination. Here are the best of them:
Wind Tales (Syros)
Located in the medieval town of Ano Syra, it offers some beautiful terraces and balconies with stunning sea views of the town and the Aegean Sea.
Esperance 1 (Syros)
This is the most elegant and stylish hotel in Ermoupoli, the capital of the country. It offers an excellent breakfast and top-notch service.
Apollonos Seafront Apartments (Syros)
You must visit Agathopes Beach, about a 20-minute drive from Ermoupoli. You can rent umbrellas and sunbeds (much cheaper than in Mykonos…) and enjoy the crystal blue-green water! This place is very popular, and it gets quite busy in the early afternoon, so make sure that you arrive in the morning, and you will enjoy the sandy beach.
4. Tinos
Tinos Island is a very interesting to visit due to its picturesque villages, beautiful beaches, and amazing food! Tinos is famous among Greeks for the Church of Panagia Evagelistria (the Blessed Virgin Mary).
People come from all over the country to fulfil their vows and seek comfort. Tinos is the most important Orthodox centre of worship in Greece and, at the same time, an important Catholic centre.
You should visit some of Tinos’s scenic villages (Pyrgos, Volax, Arnados, Kalloni, and Ysternia). Tinos also has beautiful beaches likeKolympithra, Agios Fokas, Kionia, and Agios Sostis. I recommend staying for two days and visiting the Church of Panagia Evagelistria, the village of Arnados, the oldest town in Tinos, with the most beautiful alleys, terraces with flowers, and old traditional cafes.
How To Get From Mykonos to Tinos
Tinos is about 30 minutes by ferry from Mykonos (there are many ferries throughout the day). If you are in Mykonos, you can visit any travel agency, and they can give you the latest timetable (it changes every few months). Alternatively, you can check the times and book on theFerryhopper website.
Best Hotels in Tinos
Tinos Sky View Villa (Tinos)
A beautiful villa with a private swimming pool that can sleep up to 6 people.
Big Blue (Tinos)
A simple but elegant hotel that offers beautiful panoramic views of the sea and yummy Greek breakfasts.
Aeolis Tinos Suites (Tinos)
Though the famous Mary church in Tinos is one of the highlights of the island, I do not recommend visiting the island on the 15th of August because this is when people from all over Greece go to Tinos to celebrate the Virgin Mary. Avoid the week of the 15th of August in general, and you should be okay with Tinos.
5. Ios
Ios is a unique and underrated island, but visiting while you are in Mykonos (or Santorini) is worth it. Back in the 90s and 00s, it was a crazy party island. It got a bad reputation for some inexplicable reason, but I never understood why.
It’s an island with incredible beauty, and its golden sandy beaches are some of the best in Greece. Seriously… Though I have to say that the island is mainly more appealing to younger ages (up to 30 years old probably), this shouldn’t stop you from visiting Ios and exploring its fantastic beauty. Ios is very well organised, with B&Bs and hotels, and I’d suggest a 2-3 day stay on the island if you decide to visit it.
How To Get From Mykonos To Ios
Ios is about 1.5 hrs away by ferry from Mykonos (check ferry timetables and prices on the Ferryhopper website). The journey is quick and costs about 30-35 euros (one way). I know…expensive…
Best Hotels in Ios
Ios has some really good hotels. While not to the level of luxury and services that you would find in Santorini or Mykonos, the Ios hotels are awe-inspiring.
These are the Top Hotels in Ios:
Ios Palace (Ios)
It’s a beautiful resort with a massive swimming pool next to the famous Mylopotas beach in Ios. It offers great services and a Margarita Bar serving Europe’s longest list of margaritas!
Liostasi Hotel & Suites (Ios)
Levantes Ios Boutique Hotel (Ios)
Island House Hotel (Ios)
Though not the party island of the 90s and 00s, Ios still has some of Greece’s best beach bars/clubs (along with Mykonos, obviously…). The best one is the famous Far Out Beach Club at Mylopotas in Ios, which also has the great Far Out Camping Ios. Also, remember that Ios would feel like Italy in August, as it is one of the most popular destinations for Italians!
6. Dilos
Delos (or Dilos) is an island people do not inhabit, but a cruise to Delos is one of Mykonos’s best things to do. It used to be one of Greece’s most famous and important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites. There are no houses or hotels on the island: just lots of ancient Greek ruins, some guards, a museum, and…lots of lovely cats!!
I highly recommend that you take some organised tours to Delos Island so that you understand what you are looking for, as it is not always obvious…
How To Get From Mykonos To Delos
Though you can certainly find the boats that can take you to Delos at the old port of Mykonos, I highly recommend you take an organised tour like the following 2, which are very well rated:
or
CONCLUSION
So, these are the best islands near Mykonos: Santorini, Naxos, Tinos, Ios, Syros, and the unique Delos. If you have time for only one island, let it be Santorini, as it’s worth it, unless it’s July or August, when it will be super crowded.
If you want a more relaxing and quiet one—to two-day trip (especially with family and kids), visit Naxos or Ios. The only island I suggest doing a day trip from Mykonos is Delos. I highly recommend staying at least one night on all the rest of the islands to enjoy your visit more.
FAQ
What is the closest island to Mykonos?
Can you do a day trip to Santorini from Mykonos?
We do not recommend doing a day trip to Santorini from Mykonos. While the high-speed ferry takes about 2 to 2.5 hours each way, you will spend over 5 hours in transit. Santorini is a large, diverse island that requires at least 3 to 5 days to properly experience the caldera towns and volcanic beaches.
Which islands are easiest to reach from Mykonos by ferry?
Because Mykonos is located in the central Cyclades, it has excellent, direct ferry connections. The easiest islands to reach are Tinos (30 minutes), Syros (45 minutes), Naxos (1 hour), and Paros (45 minutes to 1 hour).
Is it easy to island hop from Mykonos to Crete or Rhodes?
No, it is not easy for a short trip. While ferries exist, Crete and Rhodes are massive islands located much further south. A ferry from Mykonos to Crete (Heraklion) takes about 5 hours. You should only attempt this if you plan to spend at least a full week exploring Crete.
Can I travel from Mykonos to Corfu or Zakynthos?
There are no direct ferries or flights between Mykonos (in the Aegean Sea) and western islands like Corfu, Zakynthos, or Kefalonia (in the Ionian Sea). To travel between them, you must fly or take a ferry back to Athens, and then take a separate flight or bus/ferry combination to the west coast.
