The best time to visit Mykonos – tourist seasons and expert tips

To find out more about the best time to visit Mykonos for different vacation types, the island’s tourist seasons, yearly temperatures, and how crowded Mykonos gets every month, scroll down!

Read also: The best time to visit Greece, Mykonos Honeymoon in Greece

The best time to visit Mykonos in a nutshell

Tourist seasons in Mykonos

The traditional windmills in Mykonos

Adored and frequented throughout the years by international jet-setters, moguls, Hollywood stars, and rock legends, Mykonos is the ultimate party destination in Greece. No wonder it’s also known as the Ibiza of Greece!

Every summer, Mykonos bursts with life, music, and dancing -particularly in August, which is the peak of the tourist season. But, there’s also a lot to do on the island during other months that are considered off-season!

Average temperatures in Mykonos throughout the year

Peak season

Peak season in Mykonos lasts from June to August, with the period from mid-July to August being the busiest time. In peak season, the weather is hot, the water temperature is warm enough for swimming and watersports, and ferries/flights to Mykonos are very frequent. However, Mykonos is very crowded (especially towards the end of peak season), hotel rates peak, and the island’s restaurants, bars, and clubs are packed with well-off travelers from all over the world.

Summer is the perfect time to visit Mykonos for partying, socializing, and crazy nightlife, but it’s not a good season for relaxation and sightseeing. If you want to visit Mykonos during the peak season, you should book your trip at least 3-5 months before your arrival date!

Shoulder season

Shoulder season in Mykonos is divided between mid-late spring (April and May) and early-mid fall (September and October). The tourist season in Mykonos begins around Easter time, with most hotels and restaurants opening their doors to welcome the first tourists. Mykonos is a popular Easter/spring destination among locals, so the island gets quite busy around that time. Visiting Mykonos in spring is a great opportunity for you to have a taste of the local customs, do some sightseeing, and enjoy the island without having to brave the heavy summer crowds.

The same applies to fall, with the difference that -unlike in springtime- in the fall the water in Mykonos is warm enough for swimming. In shoulder season, hotels are cheaper than in the summer, the weather is good, and the crowds thin out. If you want to explore the island, see the sights, or enjoy a quiet vacation without paying an arm and a leg, this is the perfect time to visit Mykonos!

Low season

Low season in Mykonos lasts from November until March and is the least popular time to visit the island -for a good reason. In the winter/early spring, the temperatures in Mykonos are low, hovering between 6 °C and 15 °C, and the weather is usually rainy and windy, conditions which don’t allow what you’d call pleasant sunbathing or swimming. Most hotels and restaurants on the islands do not operate, while tourist attractions are closed for the season. What’s more, flights and ferries to Mykonos are not frequent and often get cancelled due to bad weather conditions.

How crowded is Mykonos per month?

The best time to visit Mykonos for every type of vacation

Ornos beach in Mykonos

The best time to visit Mykonos for parties

Wild beach parties are the main reason why hordes of tourists flock to Mykonos every summer! There are numerous parties in Mykonos throughout peak season (June-September), but the island’s party season peaks in August. August might be the most overcrowded month in Mykonos, but it’s also the most fun time to be there, as there are many events and parties to attend, as well as tons of people to meet.

The best time to visit Mykonos for a honeymoon or a romantic holiday

If you’re planning on traveling to Mykonos for your honeymoon or a romantic getaway, your best bet is to avoid August, because that’s when the island gets really busy. Our suggestion is to opt either for the start of peak season (June-mid July) or for the end of peak season (September). During these months, the island isn’t as crowded as in August, so it will be easier for you to enjoy the beaches and the scenic cobblestone alleys of the town. However, if you’re dreaming of a quiet holiday, opt for April, May, or October, when the weather is still good, but the island isn’t overcrowded.

The best time to visit Mykonos for yachting, sailing, swimming, and beaches

The best time to visit Mykonos for sailing and swimming is from June to September when the temperatures are high and the water is pleasant for swimming. Like other Cycladic islands, Mykonos is affected by the Meltemi winds that blow in the Aegean in August, so we suggest avoiding this month for yachting. As for swimming, the entire summer period is ideal, but beaches are usually packed in August. Keep in mind that the water is warm until October, so if you want to enjoy the quiet version of the beaches, September and October are the best months to visit Mykonos.

The best time to visit Mykonos for saving money

The best time to visit Mykonos for saving money is shoulder season (April, May, and October). The hotel rates remain pretty high until early September, so if you want to trim your holiday budget, you should opt for early/mid-spring or mid-fall. However, you should keep in mind that although hotels are cheaper in shoulder season, there are not as many things going on (parties, events, nightlife) as in peak season. If you want both cheaper hotels and nightlife, opt for late May, early June, and mid/late September!

The best time to visit Mykonos for island hopping

Mykonos is an ideal base for island-hopping in Greece and the Cyclades island chain. Located close to some of the most popular Cycladic islands, like Paros, Ios, Naxos, and Santorini, Mykonos is the perfect place to start your island-hopping itinerary. The best time to visit Mykonos for island-hopping is from April to October. There are frequent ferry routes between the Cyclades islands in peak and shoulder season, so you can conveniently hop between the islands. However, you should keep in mind that the Cyclades island group gets quite busy in summer, so if you want to skip the crowds, opt for shoulder season.

The best time to visit Mykonos with family/kids

If you’re planning on visiting Mykonos with your family, peak season (and particularly August) should be avoided. To relax, enjoy the island, and make the most out of your holiday, opt for either April, May, and October or June-mid July and September.

The best time to visit Mykonos for a relaxing holiday

Mykonos’ crazy party scene doesn’t make it a top choice for a relaxing holiday, but there’s the right time for everything! When the island doesn’t overflow with tourists (ie. during the shoulder season), it is a beautiful destination for a quiet vacation. April, May, and October are the months when you can both take advantage of the good weather and relax.

To sum up…

Summer (and especially August) is the most popular season to visit Mykonos, if you want to introduce yourself to the island’s crazy nightlife and wild party scene. However, shoulder season (spring and fall) is a better option for those who want to have a taste of the authentic side of the island and relax without the excessive summer crowds. In shoulder season, the weather is sunny, the water is warm enough for pleasant swimming, and hotel rates drop, so it’s the best time to visit Mykonos!

So, what time of the year you’re planning to visit Mykonos? And, if you’ve already been there, what time of the year did you go? Write your answers in the comments!