The windmills of Mykonos are the island's most recognisable image -- a row of white cylindrical towers on a hill overlooking Little Venice and the harbour. They're free to visit, a 10-minute walk from the centre of Mykonos Town, and the sunset view from this spot is one of the best on the island. A walking tour that connects the windmills with the rest of Chora's highlights takes 2-3 hours.
In this guide
You've seen the windmills on every postcard, every Instagram feed, every Greek tourism poster. In person, they're smaller than the photos suggest but more atmospheric -- the weathered white walls, the old wooden mechanisms visible inside some of them, and the panoramic view across the harbour and out to the Aegean. They were built between the 16th and 19th centuries to grind grain that was shipped in from other islands, and at one point there were over 16 windmills on Mykonos. Six survive in the famous Kato Mili row.
The Windmills
Kato Mili
The iconic row of six windmills sits on a low hill between Mykonos Town and Little Venice. They face the harbour and catch the Meltemi wind from the north -- the same wind they were built to harness for grinding.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Number in the row | 6 (Kato Mili) |
| Total surviving on the island | 16 (some converted to private homes) |
| Entry fee | Free (outdoor area, open 24/7) |
| Location | Between Mykonos Town centre and Little Venice |
| Best time for photos | Golden hour / sunset |
You can walk right up to the windmills and photograph them from every angle. They're an outdoor public area with no fence or ticket booth. The most popular photo angle is from below, looking up at the row with the sky behind, or from Little Venice looking east with the windmills on the skyline.
Bonis Windmill Museum
One of the windmills -- the Bonis Windmill, dating to the 16th century -- has been restored and is open to the public as a small museum. Inside, you can see the original grain-grinding machinery and learn about the role windmills played in Mykonos's economy. Check locally for opening hours and any small entry fee.
A Mykonos Town Walking Tour
The windmills are the anchor point, but a walking tour of Chora covers the full sweep of Mykonos Town's highlights. Here's a route that connects everything in a 2-3 hour loop.
Route
1. Start at the Old Port (Harbour)
Begin at the waterfront where the fishing boats are moored. The harbour is lined with restaurants and cafes and has views across to the windmills. Look for Petros the Pelican -- Mykonos's mascot pelicans roam the harbour area. The original Petros died in 1985 but his successors carry on the tradition.
2. Walk through the Matogianni area (15 minutes)
The main pedestrian shopping street of Mykonos Town. Narrow, whitewashed lanes lined with boutiques, galleries, jewellery shops, and cafes. It's where the cruise ship crowd concentrates, so it's busiest between 10:00 and 14:00.
3. Paraportiani Church (5 minutes from Matogianni)
One of the most photographed churches in Greece. Panagia Paraportiani is a cluster of five whitewashed churches merged together over several centuries, creating an organic, sculptural form that looks like a stack of white cubes. It sits near the entrance to the Kastro (castle) neighbourhood.
4. Little Venice (5 minutes from Paraportiani)
The waterfront district where 18th-century houses hang over the sea. Colourful balconies, cocktail bars, and the best sunset views in Mykonos Town. Spend time here -- this is the atmospheric heart of Chora.
5. The Windmills (5 minutes from Little Venice)
Walk up the hill behind Little Venice to the Kato Mili windmills. From here, you get a panoramic view: Little Venice below to the west, the harbour to the north, and the open Aegean stretching to the horizon.
6. The Kastro neighbourhood (10 minutes back towards the harbour)
The oldest part of town, originally fortified against pirates. Narrow, quiet lanes with whitewashed walls, blue doors, and churches tucked into corners. Less touristy than Matogianni, more residential. A good place to get lost for 20 minutes.
7. The Archaeological Museum (optional, 15 minutes)
Near the harbour, this small museum houses pottery, sculpture, and artefacts from Delos and Mykonos. Worth 30 minutes if you're interested in the island's ancient history.
Walk Summary
| Stop | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Old Port / Harbour | 15 min | Pelicans, harbour views |
| Matogianni (shopping streets) | 20 min | Boutiques, cafes |
| Paraportiani Church | 10 min | Photography, architecture |
| Little Venice | 20-30 min | Sunset spot, bars |
| The Windmills (Kato Mili) | 15-20 min | Panoramic views |
| Kastro neighbourhood | 15-20 min | Quiet lanes, old town |
| Archaeological Museum | 30 min (optional) | Ancient artefacts |
| Total | 2-3 hours |
When Should You Do This Walk?
Early morning (07:00-09:00): The lanes are empty, the light is soft, and you'll have the windmills to yourself. Best for photography.
Late afternoon (16:00-18:00): The golden light makes everything glow. Walk the route and end at the windmills or Little Venice for sunset.
Avoid midday (11:00-15:00): The lanes are at their most crowded (cruise ships), and the sun is directly overhead with harsh shadows -- bad for photos and uncomfortable for walking.
Guided Tour Options
If you'd prefer commentary and context:
- Self-guided: Free. Follow the route above with a downloaded map. All locations are well-signposted.
- Guided walking tour: Various operators offer 1.5-2 hour walking tours of Mykonos Town, typically starting at the harbour and covering all the highlights. Available through GetYourGuide and Viator.
- Sunset tour: Some operators run specific sunset tours that end at Little Venice or the windmills, timed for the golden hour.
What Should You Know Before Going?
- The windmills are free and always open. No ticket, no hours. Walk up whenever you want.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The lanes are cobbled and uneven, and the path to the windmills has some stone steps.
- The sunset crowd at the windmills and Little Venice is intense in summer. Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunset if you want a good spot.
- Navigation is part of the experience. Mykonos Town is intentionally maze-like (originally designed to confuse pirates). Getting slightly lost is normal and usually leads to something photogenic.
- The windmills look best from two angles: from Little Venice (looking east, with the windmills on the hill) and from the windmill hill itself (looking west over Little Venice and the sea).
- Morning light hits the windmills from the east -- good for photography. Sunset light hits them from the west -- good for silhouettes and atmosphere.
The Mykonos windmills (Kato Mili) are free to visit, 10 minutes' walk from the town centre. Six windmills in a row with panoramic views. Combine with a 2-3 hour walking tour of Chora: harbour, Paraportiani Church, Little Venice, Kastro, and back. Best at sunrise or sunset.
Planning more adventures on the island? Browse our complete guide to the best day trips from Mykonos.
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