Chora highlights
Old Port and pelicans, Matoyianni and the lanes, Paraportiani, Little Venice and the windmills — with a long lunch. Easy and unhurried.
On foot
Mykonos for cruise passengers
Where ships dock, how to reach Chora, what fits in six hours — and what to save for a longer stay.
- New Port or tender to Old Port
- Sea Bus to Chora
- Delos needs 4+ h
- €20 cruise fee Jun–Sep
Arrival
Where your ship docks — and how to reach Chora
Most cruise ships tie up at the New Port at Tourlos, about 2.5 km north of Chora. Others anchor offshore and bring passengers by tender boat straight to the Old Port in town — the easy case, because you step off into Chora.
- From the New Port: the Sea Bus crosses to the Old Port roughly every half hour in season; shuttle buses and taxis also run. Queues build when several ships arrive together — go early.
- Walking: possible along the road (about 30–40 minutes), but hot and exposed in summer.
- Fee: since July 2025 Greece charges cruise visitors to Mykonos a per-passenger fee — €20 from June to September, less in other months. Cruise lines usually add it to your onboard account (MSC Cruises; Naftemporiki, 2026).
Plan
What fits in a ship day
Delos + a taste of Chora
A morning boat from the Old Port to Delos (30–40 min each way, three hours ashore), then an hour in Chora. Only with a long port call — check the last boat back.
History
Chora + beach
A quick walk through town, then the bus from Fabrika to Ornos or Platis Gialos for a swim. Allow time for the bus back.
Swim
Example
A six-hour port call, hour by hour
- 08:00 Off the ship; Sea Bus or tender to the Old Port.
- 08:30 Coffee by the harbour; look for Petros the pelican.
- 09:00 Archaeological Museum (€5, closed Tuesday), then Matoyianni.
- 10:15 Paraportiani, Little Venice and the Kato Mili windmills.
- 11:30 Lunch in the lanes, away from the waterfront prices.
- 12:45 Shopping, or a swim at Megali Ammos (10 minutes' walk).
- 13:30 Head back to the Sea Bus or tender — the queues grow near all-aboard time.
Tips
Don't miss the ship
Cruise days compress Chora into a few hours. Save your ship's all-aboard time in your phone, work backwards for the return shuttle, and keep your passport or ship card in a front pocket.
Work back from all-aboard
Be at the Old Port or the shuttle point at least an hour before all-aboard time on busy days.
Wind and tenders
In strong wind, tender services can be slowed or suspended — stay close to the port if the sea is rough.
Cash and cards
Cards work almost everywhere; keep a little cash for the Sea Bus, kiosks and small cafés.
Skip
What to leave for an overnight stay
Beach clubs, the north coast, Ano Mera and Cavo Paradiso need more time than a port call allows — and the island's best moment, sunset in Little Venice, usually comes after the ship has sailed. If you liked what you saw, see where to stay and come back for three nights. If your ship leaves in the evening, stay for sunset at the windmills: they are about ten minutes on foot from the Old Port, and the Sea Bus runs until late evening in season.
Common questions
Cruise questions
Where do cruise ships dock in Mykonos?
Most dock at the New Port at Tourlos, about 2.5 km north of Chora, from where the Sea Bus, shuttle buses and taxis run to town. Some ships anchor offshore and tender passengers directly to the Old Port in Chora. Your cruise line will confirm which on the day.
Can I visit Delos on a cruise stop?
Only on a long call. Boats leave the Old Port and take 30–40 minutes each way, and you need about three hours on the island. With six hours or more ashore and a morning boat, it works; otherwise focus on Chora. The site ticket is €20 (reduced €10), and the boat is extra.
Is there a cruise passenger fee in Mykonos?
Yes. Since July 2025 Greece charges a fee per cruise passenger visiting Mykonos: €20 from June to September and lower rates in other months. Cruise lines usually collect it and add it to your onboard account; check your line's port information.