Driving in Mykonos: The Essential Guide for Your Trip

Getting around Mykonos can significantly impact your travel budget, but if you choose wisely, you can explore the island on your own terms. This guide provides practical advice on how to navigate Mykonos efficiently, offering a real-world perspective on what to expect.

The Freedom of Your Own Wheels

Renting a car in Mykonos gives you a level of freedom and spontaneity that public transport can’t match. While the island’s bus system is well-organized for tourism, having a car means you can avoid waiting in the hot sun for 20-30 minutes, which isn’t always pleasant, especially in the middle of summer. With a car, you’re in control of your schedule. You can stop at a bakery for a quick breakfast, spend the morning at a quiet beach, head home for a siesta, and then drive out for an evening of fun at your leisure. This flexibility can truly make a difference in how you experience the island.

Navigating Mykonos’s Roads

You should know that Mykonos does not have any highways or toll roads. The main road is a major luxury, featuring two lanes (one in each direction). It connects Mykonos Town to Ano Mera and is generally wide and easy to drive on. This road is also quite scenic, as it winds through the island’s elevated middle section, offering beautiful panoramic views of the coast.

However, a certain amount of caution is always necessary. The drivers on the island are a mix of different skill levels, and some, especially younger people on scooters, can be a bit reckless. You need to be attentive at all times to avoid accidents. We’ve seen firsthand how an accident can ruin a night out, and it’s best to drive carefully to ensure a smooth trip.

The Challenge of the Back Roads

Despite the main road, Mykonos still has many areas that are quite wild and rural. This means you will encounter very narrow side streets, often lined with walls of large stones. Navigating these roads, even to get to famous beaches, can be tricky. You might find yourself questioning if you’re on the right path.

The biggest issue arises when a car comes from the opposite direction. It’s a very difficult situation, and we’ve seen people who weren’t confident drivers block traffic, forcing everyone behind them to back up or find a tiny space to pull over. You have to be ready to make tight maneuvers and, at times, simply pray that no one is coming the other way.

The Importance of a Small Car

Because of these narrow side streets, a small car is an absolute must. It makes passing much easier and gives you more confidence when hugging the stone walls. If you have a large or expensive car, you won’t feel completely comfortable driving it, as you’ll have to get very close to the walls, risking scratches.

A small car also has a huge advantage when it comes to parking in Mykonos Town. While there are paid parking lots, finding a spot on the street can be a challenge, and a smaller car gives you more options. You have to be agile and ready to grab a spot when you see it.

Scooter vs. Car: A Matter of Preference

This is why many people, especially younger visitors, opt for a scooter. They are much easier to park and can zip through the narrow streets. However, scooters and quads offer less safety than a car. An accident on a scooter in an unfamiliar place is not ideal. So, while a scooter gives you agility and parking flexibility, a small car offers a good balance of freedom and safety, especially if you plan on driving at night.

Driving in Mykonos: What You Need to Know

Here are definitely some important things to be aware of.

If you have a car in Mykonos, it gives you a lot more freedom and spontaneity. You can go to a beach in the morning and then move on without having to wait for the bus. While the public transport connections on the island are good because the island is set up for tourism, having to wait 20-30 minutes for a bus under the sun, especially in the summer, is not always pleasant and you don’t use your time efficiently. Having a car can make all the difference. You can stop at a bakery for breakfast or a sandwich, then go to the beach, and later decide to go out in the evening to a nice club. So a car definitely gives you many advantages and you can stick to your own schedule.

However, you must know that if you stick to the main road, which goes from Mykonos Town to Ano Mera, it’s quite wide so there are not many problems. In fact, it’s a beautiful road, even a bit scenic, because despite being in the middle of the island, some points are a bit elevated, so you can see the coast. Then there are no big problems. Of course, you always have to be careful. There are all kinds of drivers; not everyone is an expert. Some might be younger or a little reckless on scooters. We even saw a few people who had accidents at night, which is not a good way to end your evening. So, a certain amount of caution is always required, even though the main road is generally calm.

The thing is, even though Mykonos is an island dedicated to tourism and fun, there are some pretty wild areas. There are narrow roads in the middle of nowhere where you wonder if you’re on the right path. They are often lined with low stone walls. These roads are rural and rustic, but they lead to some famous beaches, so they are quite busy, especially in summer.

The problem is that your GPS will suddenly take you down these roads. As long as you are alone or have a car in front of you going the same way, it’s fine. But the real problem is when a car comes in the opposite direction. It’s very difficult to pass. We saw scenes of people who weren’t expert drivers blocking traffic and forcing others to back up to find a small space to let them pass. It is not easy to pass on all these small roads. There are points that are very, very narrow. So, your GPS will put you on this beautiful wide road, and all of a sudden you find yourself on a very narrow street where you have to pray no one comes from the other side.

For this reason, it is a good idea to rent a small car. This guarantees it will be easier to pass, because if it’s already tight with a small car, imagine with a big one. It will be much more difficult. Also, if you have a particularly expensive car, you won’t feel completely comfortable driving so close to the walls. A small car also makes it easier to find parking in Mykonos Town, because you often have to squeeze into spots. While there are paid parking lots, you need to be flexible and ready to seize the moment.

This is why many people use scooters, especially if they are a couple. It’s a way to get around easily and find parking. There are countless scooters, especially among young people, and they can get through the narrow streets and find a place to park. However, it’s not always comfortable or for everyone. A good alternative for those who want more comfort and security—because getting into an accident on a scooter in a place you don’t know isn’t ideal—is a small car. You feel safer, especially when driving at night.

This depends on your needs and preferences, but a small car is a good compromise. There are no highways in Mykonos. The main road is a two-way street (one lane each way), which is a luxury here. There are also no tolls, of course.