Mykonos: What to Know Before You Go

Short answer: use the 2.50-euro Mykonos SeaBus water shuttle to hop between the New Ferry Port (Tourlos) and the Old Port in heart of Chora in eight minutes, walk the alleys of Mykonos Town early in the morning to beat cruise-ship groups, and choose south-facing beaches whenever the northern Meltemi wind blows.

How Mykonos is Laid Out: Two Ports and Two Bus Stations

Understanding four transport points around Mykonos Town (Chora) makes navigating the island effortless:

• The New Port (Tourlos, 2.5 km north of Chora): all large inter-island ferries and high-speed catamarans from Athens, Santorini, Paros and Naxos dock here, not in the centre of town. Instead of waiting for one of the island's scarce taxis, step straight onto the Mykonos SeaBus boat right on the ferry quay, which drops you in the middle of the Old Port in 8 minutes.
• The Old Port (Inside Chora): the historic horseshoe harbour where morning excursion boats to Delos Island depart and where the Northern KTEL Bus Station (Old Port Terminal) serves Agios Stefanos, Tourlos, Elia, Kalafatis and Ano Mera.
• Fabrika Square (Southern Edge of Chora): the primary Southern KTEL Bus Station for frequent buses to Ornos, Agios Ioannis, Platys Gialos, Paraga, Paradise and the Airport.

The "Meltemi" Wind Rule (Why South Beaches Beat North Beaches)

In July and August, a strong, dry northern thermal wind called the Meltemi sweeps across the central Aegean, keeping summer temperatures refreshingly mild (27°C to 29°C) but whipping up waves on north-facing shores. Because the central granite hills of Mykonos block the northern wind completely, the southern beaches (Ornos, Psarou, Platys Gialos, Paraga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari and Elia) stay flat, calm and sheltered like swimming pools even on windy days.

Avoiding Cruise Crowds & Price Transparency

Up to four cruise ships anchor off Mykonos during core daytime hours in summer. Stroll Chora's whitewashed alleys, Little Venice and Paraportiani Church between early in the morning and early in the morning for empty postcard photos, spend midday at Delos or on the beach, and always ask to see a printed menu with prices before ordering drinks or seafood by weight at beachfront clubs.