Mykonos Windmills: How to Visit Kato Mili

When you search “Mykonos windmills,” you already know what you’re hoping to find: that cluster of white cylinders set against the blue of the Aegean. The Mykonos windmills are the white, round structures with conical roofs that became the most recognizable postcard image of this Greek island — and of the entire Cyclades. Built between the 16th and 19th centuries to grind the wheat that ships brought in, they’re scattered across several spots on Mykonos, but the most famous group is Kato Mili, perched on a hill between Mykonos Town and Little Venice.

🏨Hotels in Mykonosfree cancellation options onlySee hotels ›

Booking.com partner (advertising): we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Visiting the Mykonos windmills is free, outdoors, and takes 15 to 30 minutes. The best time is late afternoon, when the golden light transforms your photos and the sunset viewpoint hasn’t filled up with crowds yet.

Price	Free — outdoor area open 24 hours
Where	Kato Mili, hill between Mykonos Town and Little Venice
Visit duration	15–30 minutes
Best time	5–7 PM (golden light + fewer people)
What’s nearby	Little Venice (2 min on foot), Mykonos Town, old port
Visa	US citizens: not required for stays up to 90 days (valid passport)

What are the Mykonos windmills and where are they?

The Mykonos windmills are cylindrical stone structures whitewashed in white, with conical roofs of straw or wood and canvas sails that once spun in the strong Cycladic wind. They were built between the 16th and 19th centuries by Venetians and Greek merchants to grind wheat, barley, and rye that arrived by ship. Mykonos was a mandatory stop on Mediterranean routes, and the windmills turned grain into flour before the ships continued their journey. The official Mykonos portal has more details on the island’s history.

At their peak, Mykonos had more than 28 windmills scattered across the island. Today, 16 remain — most without their original sails. The most visited are in three groups: Kato Mili (5 windmills lined up on the hill between Mykonos Town and Little Venice — the classic postcard shot), Bonis (an isolated windmill above the port, now home to a small folklore museum), and the windmills in the Ano Mera neighborhood, inland.

Kato Mili is where everyone goes — and it’s where your photos turn out best, because the backdrop is the Aegean Sea on one side and the silhouette of Little Venice on the other. The hilltop position guarantees constant wind (the very reason they were built there) and a panoramic perspective.

How much does it cost to visit the Mykonos windmills?

The Kato Mili windmills are an outdoor attraction and completely free. There’s no ticket, no gate, no opening hours — they’re accessible 24 hours a day. The Bonis windmill, which houses the folklore museum, charges a symbolic entry of about €2 to €4 (Aug 2026), but the museum is small and optional.

If you want a guided tour that passes by the windmills, Little Venice, and Mykonos Town, the free walking tour of Mykonos has no fixed cost (tip the guide). For a more in-depth tour with history and access to less obvious areas, the guided Mykonos tour starts at €9 per person (Aug 2026).

Real total cost of the outing in the area: the windmills themselves are free, but the zone is touristy. A bottle of water costs €2 to €3, an ice cream €4 to €6, and a drink in Little Venice runs €12 to €18 (Aug 2026). If you combine the windmills + Little Venice + a light dinner in the area, budget €25 to €45 per person total (Aug 2026).

How to get to the Kato Mili windmills?

Kato Mili is a 5- to 10-minute walk from the center of Mykonos Town (Chora). From Manto Mavrogenous Square, at the old port, follow the coastal road toward Little Venice. The windmills are on the hill straight ahead — you can’t miss them.

For those coming from other parts of the island, local buses stop in Mykonos Town (Fabrika bus station, 400 meters from the windmills). By car or ATV, there’s public parking at the entrance to town, a 10-minute walk away. The inner streets of Mykonos Town are pedestrian-only — don’t try to drive in.

Those arriving by cruise ship disembark at the new Tourlos port (3 km from the center) or at the old port. From the old port, the windmills are 600 meters on foot. From Tourlos, the ship’s free shuttle or a water taxi will take you to Mykonos Town.

What’s the best time to visit the windmills?

The best time to visit the Mykonos windmills is between 5 and 7 PM, when the sunlight turns golden and hits the white structures from the side — your photos come out with contrast, dramatic shadows, and the deep blue sea in the background. Most tourists show up from 6 PM onward for sunset, so arriving at 5 PM gives you a window for photos with fewer people.

In the morning (before 10 AM), the light is cooler and comes from the east — less photogenic for the windmills, but the place is practically empty. If you just want to see them without fighting for a selfie spot, early morning is perfect. Midday (11 AM–3 PM), the sun is harsh, shadows disappear, and the Greek summer heat is intense — not the best moment.

Where to stay in Mykonos

What to see near the windmills: Little Venice and Mykonos Town

Little Venice is the neighborhood of colorful houses built with balconies over the sea, just a 2-minute walk downhill from the windmills. It’s from there that you get the classic shot of the windmills in the background with the sea in front. The waterfront bars serve drinks with a direct view of the sunset — expect to pay €12 to €18 for a cocktail (Aug 2026), but the view is free.

To understand the rest of the island beyond Little Venice — beaches, beach clubs, and the real cost of a day in Mykonos — check out the full guide Mykonos: parties, beaches, and what it really costs.

Mykonos Town (Chora) is a maze of whitewashed stone alleys with bougainvillea, shops, and churches — the town was deliberately designed to be confusing in order to disorient pirates. Nearby highlights include the Church of Panagia Paraportiani (a cluster of 5 overlapping chapels, an icon of the Cyclades), the Archaeological Museum, and the old port with its pelicans Petros — the island’s mascots since 1954.

A walking route combining the windmills + Little Venice + the Chora maze + Paraportiani takes 2 to 3 hours at a tourist’s pace with stops for photos and coffee. It’s the best way to spend an afternoon in Mykonos before dinner.

Is it worth visiting the Mykonos windmills?

The Mykonos windmills are worth the visit, but having the right expectations makes all the difference. This isn’t an attraction with a museum, guide, or infrastructure — they’re historic outdoor structures that you see, photograph, and soak in within 15 to 30 minutes. The value is in the whole picture: the hilltop position, the Aegean Sea behind, Little Venice below, and the late-afternoon light making everything glow.

If you’re picturing something like the Kinderdijk windmills (Netherlands), with a canal, interior tour, and visitor infrastructure, you’ll find this too simple. But as a stop on a walking tour of Mykonos Town — which you’d be doing anyway — the windmills turn a stroll into a trip-defining moment. Don’t visit just for them; visit because they’re on the way to everything else.

Practical tips and pitfalls

1. The wind is real. Mykonos is one of the windiest islands in the Cyclades — the meltemi wind blows hard between June and September. Hats fly off, dresses get in the way, and your hair won’t cooperate. Secure anything important and bring sunglasses that stay put.

2. There’s no shade. The Kato Mili hill is open and treeless. In the Greek summer, even at 5 PM, the sun is still strong. Sunscreen and water are a must.

3. The ground is uneven. The area around the windmills is natural stone and packed dirt. High heels are a terrible idea — plenty of tourists find that out the hard way. Strappy sandals or light sneakers work much better.

4. The perfect selfie has a time slot: from 5 to 6 PM, before the sunset crowd, the light is already golden and you can still position yourself without fighting for space.

5. Little Venice drinks are pricey. A simple cocktail runs €12 to €18 (Aug 2026), and the tables with a sunset view are the most contested. Arrive before 6 PM if you want to sit with a view, or drink standing on the seawall — the view is the same and the drink costs less at the corner bar.

Plan your trip to MykonosIn the order it pays to book · Voyage partners

1. HotelAs soon as you have datesCompare neighbourhoods and guest ratings.Booking ›
2. ActivitiesBefore you travelBook ahead the ones with limited spots.Civitatis ›
3. More activitiesTo compareTickets, day trips and tours with flexible cancellation.GetYourGuide ›

Frequently asked questions

Do the Mykonos windmills still work?

The Mykonos windmills no longer grind grain — they stopped operating commercially in the 20th century, when electric mills replaced the process. The 16 that remain on the island are preserved historic monuments. Only the Bonis windmill, above the old port, has been restored with original parts and houses a small folklore museum open seasonally.

Can you go inside the windmills?

The Kato Mili windmills are closed to the public — the visit is exterior only. The only windmill that allows entry is Bonis, at the top of the old port, which functions as a museum with a small exhibit on rural Mykonian life. Admission costs about €2 to €4 (Aug 2026). Some windmills elsewhere on the island have been converted into luxury accommodations, but they don’t accept visitors.

What’s the best time of year to go to Mykonos?

The best time to visit Mykonos and its windmills is from May to October, when the weather is hot and dry. June and September offer the best combination of pleasant temperatures (25–30 °C / 77–86 °F), calm seas, and lower prices than July and August, which are peak season with crowds, parties, and high nightly rates. Off-season (November to April), many restaurants and hotels close.

How long does the windmill visit take?

The visit to the Kato Mili windmills themselves takes 15 to 30 minutes — enough time to walk around, take photos, and enjoy the view of the sea and Little Venice. Combined with Little Venice, the Mykonos Town maze, and the Paraportiani church, the full walking tour takes 2 to 3 hours.

Conclusion

The Mykonos windmills don’t require a ticket, a guide, or planning — but they deliver the most iconic photo of your trip if you show up at the right time and know what to expect. Combine them with Little Venice and the Chora maze in one afternoon, and you’ll still have time for dinner with a view. If you’re deciding between Greek islands, our guide to which Greek island to choose helps you map out your route. And if Santorini is on your itinerary, check out the Santorini itinerary and the Caldera guide to plan both destinations together. Happy travels from Voyage Voyage.