CRUISE ARRIVALTourlos / tender
Check how your ship is landing passengers
Cruise port · Mykonos
Mykonos
Most cruise passengers either berth at Tourlos New Port or come ashore by tender closer to Chora. The SeaBus links Tourlos with the Old Port / Mykonos Town in about 12 minutes; the current published one-way fare is €2. The old town itself is pedestrianised.
⚓ Tourlos New Port / tender⛴ SeaBus → Chora ~12 min🎟 SeaBus €2 one way
At a glance
Essentials
LANGUAGEGreek
English very widely used
CURRENCYEuro · EUR
Cards widely accepted
TIME ZONEEastern European Time
EET · EEST in summer
LIVE WEATHERMykonos
Before you explore
Cruise Port Overview
Mykonos is simple once you know whether you are docking at Tourlos or tendering into the Old Port. The Chora sightseeing itself is almost entirely on foot.
Your Cruise Port
Mykonos utilizes two distinct arrival methods depending on ship size and scheduling: The New Port (Tourlos): Large cruise ships dock directly at the concrete quays in Tourlos, located about 2 kilometers north of Mykonos Town. The facility offers a passenger terminal building and waiting areas. Tender Port (Old Port): Smaller vessels or select ships anchor offshore in the bay and utilize tender boats to drop passengers directly into the heart of the Old Port in Mykonos Town.Arriving at the Old Port places you immediately near waterfront cafes, seafood tavernas, and the iconic winding lanes of the town.
Getting into Town
Can you walk? If you dock at the New Port (Tourlos), walking into town is technically possible (~2 km), but it is not recommended because the route follows an active, narrow main road lacking a proper pedestrian footpath. If you arrive by tender at the Old Port, you are already steps away from the town centre. Shuttle Bus & Sea Bus Details: If docked at the New Port, you can take the fast and inexpensive Mykonos Sea Bus or a dedicated cruise shuttle bus. The Sea Bus runs frequently right from the Tourlos pier, taking about 10 minutes to deposit passengers directly at the edge of Mykonos Old Town. Taxis are also stationed at the New Port, though availability can be limited during peak multi-ship mornings.
History of Mykonos
According to ancient Greek mythology, Mykonos was formed from the petrified bodies of giants slain by Hercules, taking its name from an early local ruler. In antiquity, the neighboring uninhabited island of Delos served as the sacred religious and political center of the Aegean (reputedly the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis), making the waters and ports around Mykonos major hubs for ancient pilgrims, traders, and fleets. Over the centuries, it fell under Roman, Venetian, and Ottoman control before flourishing through maritime trade, fishing, and its eventual mid-20th-century transformation into an elite international luxury playground.
What to Visit
The Windmills of Kato Mili: A row of iconic 16th-century whitewashed grain windmills perched on a ridge overlooking the sea, serving as the ultimate symbol of Mykonos. Little Venice (Alefkandra): A picturesque 18th-century neighborhood where charming colorful houses with wooden balconies hang directly over the crashing waves of the sea, lined with vibrant bars and cafes. Church of Panagia Paraportiani: One of the most famous and architecturally unique churches in Greece, consisting of an asymmetrical cluster of five distinct white chapels fused together over centuries. Matoyianni Street: The stylish, bustling pedestrian alleyway of Mykonos Town packed with high-end designer boutiques, art galleries, jewelry shops, and bougainvillea-draped storefronts.
Further afield
The Island of Delos: A short boat ride from the Old Port, this extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site features sprawling ancient ruins, marble sanctuaries, and the famous Terrace of the Lions. Psarou Beach & Super Paradise Beach: Famous world-class coastal stretches renowned for crystal-clear turquoise waters, upscale beach clubs, and vibrant summer atmospheres. Ano Mera: A traditional, peaceful inland village centered around the historic 16th-century Monastery of Tourliani, offering a quiet escape from the bustling port town.
Quick direct transfer to the Old Port / Chora.
If your ship tenders centrally, you may not need the SeaBus at all.
Little Venice, Matogianni and the windmills are close together.
Treat Delos as the main outing and protect the return sailing.
First check: dock or tender?
Your first five minutes depend entirely on the ship’s landing method. Tourlos means SeaBus / taxi; tendering may place you directly beside Chora.
The essential journey
Your ship → Mykonos Town. Step-by-Step Guide
Tourlos berth → SeaBus → Old Port / Chora, or tender directly toward the old town.
✓ Port information checked
🚢Your shipTourlos / anchor
→
⛴SeaBus / tenderBerth dependent
→
🏘ChoraOld Port
→
🌊Little VeniceWindmills
→
🏛ChooseTown · Delos · beach
What will I actually see?
Follow the journey visually
Tap through the Tourlos-to-Chora route. Tender passengers can effectively begin at step 3.
STEP 1 · CRUISE ARRIVAL
Tourlos or tender
Check whether your ship is docked at Tourlos or tendering.
Look for
Port / tender announcements and Chora direction.
⚓ Tourlos🚤 Tender⛴ SeaBus📍 Check ship
Next
Use SeaBus from Tourlos or follow tender route.
ONWARDS FROM CHORA
You’re in Mykonos Town. Where next?
The classic town sights are all walkable; Delos is the major boat excursion.
📍 YOU ARE HEREMykonos ChoraOld Port / pedestrian centre
🏘MYKONOS ESSENTIALS
Chora & Little Venice
🚶 WalkWhitewashed lanes, Matogianni, waterfront and Little Venice.
🌬ICONIC VIEW
Kato Mili Windmills
🚶 WalkClassic hilltop windmills above Little Venice.
🏛SACRED ISLAND
Delos
⛴ Excursion boatUNESCO archaeological island; current site + museum ticket €20.
🏺LOCAL MUSEUM
Archaeological Museum of Mykonos
🚶 WalkNear the Old Port; current admission €5.
⛪CHORA LANDMARK
Panagia Paraportiani
🚶 WalkFamous whitewashed church complex near the waterfront.
🏖BEACH OPTION
Ornos / Platis Gialos
🚌 / taxiChoose one beach only if your call is long enough after Chora.
Independent exploration
What can you realistically do yourself?
Mykonos Town is exceptionally easy independently. SeaBus handles the Tourlos transfer, and Chora is pedestrianised. Delos is also straightforward but becomes the main excursion because the boat timetable controls your return.
Suggested Port Day
How long do you have ashore?
Local Chora is low risk. Delos requires a firm boat-return margin.
What kind of day?
Leave ship
→Start return
→All aboard
Tourlos passengers still need the SeaBus or road transfer back to the ship.
Build a Mykonos port-day plan with the return protected.
Return-to-ship safety
Can I make it back comfortably?
Select where you expect to be later in the day.
● Comfortable● Watch the time● Large buffer
🟢
Leave attraction by
→Back near port by
→All aboard
Know your landing method
Tourlos and tender arrivals use different return routes.
Delos boat timing
Do not choose a late return from the island.
Chora is pedestrian
Allow a little walking time back to Old Port / transport.
↩
And getting back?
Tourlos passengers: Chora → SeaBus / taxi → New Port → ship. Tender passengers return to the designated tender pier.
Back to the ship
Take me back to Mykonos cruise port
The generic target is Tourlos New Port; tender passengers should follow the cruise line’s tender-pier instructions.
Return to the Old Port / SeaBus areaWalk through Chora.
Use your assigned return methodSeaBus for Tourlos or tender for anchored ships.
Reach the correct ship / berthFollow cruise-line signs.
Important: Mykonos cruise operations can mix docked and tendered arrivals on the same day.
Organised tours
Rather have a tour?
You do not need a tour for Chora. Guided value is strongest for Delos, island panoramas and beach / village combinations.
Recommended tours & tickets
Good choices from Mykonos
Affiliate-ready placeholders only — no invented partner links.
🏘 Cruise-day optionTour slot
Mykonos Chora walk
⏱ 2 hrs📍 Mykonos Town
Port Day Med advice: Easy independently.
🏛 Cruise-day optionTour slot
Delos archaeological excursion
⏱ Half day📍 Delos
Port Day Med advice: Best history choice.
🏖 Cruise-day optionTour slot
Mykonos beaches tour
⏱ Half day📍 South coast
Port Day Med advice: Useful for multiple beaches.
📷 Cruise-day optionTour slot
Island highlights tour
⏱ Half day📍 Mykonos
Port Day Med advice: Panoramic stops beyond Chora.
⛵ Cruise-day optionTour slot
Sailing / coastal cruise
⏱ Half day📍 Aegean
Port Day Med advice: Weather-dependent.
🚐 Cruise-day optionTour slot
Private Mykonos island day
⏱ Half / full day📍 Mykonos
Port Day Med advice: Flexible small group.
Affiliate disclosure: Some tour links may later be affiliate links. If you book through them, Port Day Med may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.