Mykonos is one of those destinations that looks exactly like the postcards, with whitewashed buildings, blue domes, winding streets, and sweeping Aegean views. During our stop on a recent MSC cruise, we joined the “Island Exploration by Coach” excursion to get an introduction to the island. In this review, I’ll walk through the itinerary, share what we experienced at each stop, and give my honest thoughts on what worked well and what I would’ve done differently.
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Overview of Mykonos Island Exploration by Coach Excursion
Length: 4.00 hours
Price: $67 per adult
Group Size: ~50 people
Accessibility: Moderate walking on uneven streets, with some steps
What’s Not Included: Food, drinks, ferry back to Mykonos town if you wish to stay
Excursion Itinerary
Arrival
Upon docking at the Mykonos New Port, we met up with our group of about 50 people and our awesome tour guide, Kevin (yes, even with such an American name, he was Greek). We loaded on a coach bus and were driven a short distance to a parking lot, where we were allowed to use the restroom. We saw our first Greek cats in that area, and my toddler chased them around a bit.
From there, we set off to the town of Mykonos.
Town of Mykonos (Chora)
Our first stop was the town of Mykonos, also known as Chora. This is the Mykonos that you’re probably familiar with–cobble stone streets, white and blue buildings, and charming cafes tucked into narrow, winding lanes. Notable stops our tour group made included the Windmills of Mykonos and Little Venice, although we also visited a few lesser-known spots where we learned about the island’s history and had some free time to explore on our own (not a ton [about 30 minutes], which is why I am glad we had time to return after the tour).
Side note, but if you’re traveling with little ones, be sure to check out the playground located next to the windmills. My daughter enjoyed the swings while we enjoyed the views!
Kalafati (Photo Stop)
Mykonos is known for its parties, beaches, and, naturally, partying on beaches. Luckily, our tour also included a detour to the more relaxed Kalafati Beach, where the vibes shift from nightclub to postcard-perfect. Located on the east side of the island, it is known to be family-friendly and as an ideal location for watersports. From the shore, you’ll enjoy a fantastic view of the “Breasts of Aphrodite.” Yes, you read that right, but don’t get too excited. It’s just the nickname for the two G-rated hills on the horizon.
I visited in October, and the off-season timing meant that the beach was completely empty. I am not sure whether the water temperature would’ve been comfortable to swim in, but we didn’t have time anyways. We only stayed for about 10 minutes for photos, which was enough for me, because the wind was relentless.
Ano Mera
Ano Mera, as charming as it was, is the stop I could’ve done without, if I had to cut one. Or, I at least would’ve done it differently. Hear me out.
This village is situated at the core of the island and offers a quieter atmosphere. Where we were dropped off, we could explore a few souvenir shops, some small restaurants, and Panagia Tourliani, which is the most important monastery in Mykonos. We were given about an hour of free time there, which was actually the longest break we had at any of our stops. You’d think that would be a good thing, but for me, it wasn’t.
I would’ve much rather had extra time in the town of Mykonos, where there’s so much more to see and do. In Ano Mera, an hour felt like too long. There wasn’t much happening, it wasn’t enough time to enjoy a full sit-down meal, and the monastery was closed for a baptism. Honestly, it ended up feeling like a very long bathroom break.
All that said, I’m still glad we visited Ano Mera. I appreciated getting to see a quieter side of the island. However, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it unless you have enough time to enjoy a proper meal, the monastery is open to the public, or you’re planning to spend less time there than we did.
Return
After our time at Ano Mera, we were loaded onto the coach bus and brought back to our ship. However, being that there was ample time before the ship was to leave (about 5 hours), my husband and I decided to head back to the town of Mykonos. From Mykonos New Port to the town of Mykonos (Old Port), you have to take a quick ferry boat ride. Let me know in the comments if you’d like to know more about that experience!
How to Prepare
Here is a summary of things you’ll need for the Mykonos Island Exploration by Coach excursion:
- Windbreaker/light jacket (even when the temperature is warm, Mykonos is VERY windy)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Water bottle
- Cash for souvenirs and tips (yes, tipping is customary in Greece). The official currency in Greece is the Euro.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Do the Excursion?
Think twice if you have mobility issues. Although this is marketed as a coach tour, you will be walking more than you’ll be in the bus. The streets are narrow and uneven, and there are some steps.
There were no restrictions listed for babies/children under a certain age. My almost 2-year-old toddler went on the excursion without a problem. However, I’d confirm with the cruise line before you book. Better safe than sorry.
My Opinion
This ended up being one of my favorite excursions of the trip, even though I had a few minor complaints. I wish we had more free time in Mykonos and less time in Ano Mera. I also wish we had visited Mykonos town last instead of first, since we would’ve had the option to stay longer rather than being transported back to the boat and then having to pay for a ferry back into town. Overall, though, it was a really great excursion, and I would definitely choose it again.
Will you choose the Island Exploration by Coach excursion for your trip to Mykonos? Contact me or let me know in the comments below!
