Kato Mili, meaning “Lower Mills”, is the row of windmills on the hill above Little Venice in Mykonos Town, the island’s best-known landmark. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
This guide was updated in August 2026. Some guides describe a windmill museum standing among the Kato Mili row itself, but the only windmill open as a museum, Boni’s Mill, stands at a separate site, Ano Mili, on the opposite side of Mykonos Town.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Always open (outdoor public site) |
| Ticket prices | Free; no tickets required |
| Address | Kato Mili hill, above Little Venice (Alefkandra), Mykonos Town 846 00, Greece. |
| Nearest transport | Old Port bus station, about a 10 to 15-minute walk along the waterfront |
| Typical time needed | 20 to 30 minutes, longer around sunset |
Kato Mili windmills opening hours
The windmills stand in an open public area with no gates, so they can be viewed at any time, day or night.
The site is busiest around sunset, when the hill fills with visitors watching the sun set behind Little Venice.
5 great Mykonos experiences to book
- 🚐 Small group highlights tour: Take a small group Mykonos highlights tour from the cruise port and avoid the chaos of large coach groups.
- 🏍️ Explore by ATV: Discover hidden beaches and backroads the fun way on an all-terrain vehicle.
- ⛵ Catamaran cruise: Relax on a catamaran cruise with meals, drinks and transport included.
- 🏛️ Delos day trip: Visit one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites on a half-day guided tour to Delos.
- 🍽️ Food tasting tour: Sample traditional dishes and local flavours on a Mykonos food tour.
Kato Mili windmills ticket prices
There is no admission fee, since the windmills are exterior monuments rather than a ticketed site.
A separate windmill, Boni’s Mill, operates as the Agricultural Museum at Ano Mili, a different hilltop on the eastern side of Mykonos Town. It typically opens daily from around 16:00 to 20:00, but only from July to September, and is free to enter.
Neither site is included in any city pass. Both are municipally owned and free to visit.
Background information was checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026.
How to get to the Kato Mili windmills
The windmills stand a short walk from the centre of Mykonos Town, on the hill above Little Venice (Alefkandra) and the Neochori district.
From the Old Port bus station, it is about a 10 to 15-minute walk along the waterfront, past Little Venice, to reach the hill.
There is no direct bus service to the windmills, since they lie well within walking distance of the town centre.
Why book the Mykonos Small-Group Cruise Shore Excursion?
- 🌬️ The Iconic Kato Milli Windmills: Capture postcard-worthy photos of the historic 16th-century whitewashed windmills standing high on the hill, one of the most famous symbols of the island.
- 🏘️ Little Venice & Panagia Paraportiani: Stroll through the romantic Little Venice neighborhood with its colorful Venetian structures hanging over the sea, and admire the unique whitewashed architecture of Panagia Paraportiani church.
- 🔔 Historic Village of Ano Mera: Venture into the island’s quiet interior to visit the traditional village of Ano Mera and explore the serene 16th-century Panagia Tourliani Monastery.
- 🏖️ Kalafati Beach Stop: Take in the coastal scenery and Aegean breeze during a stop at Kalafati Beach, known for its clear waters and golden sand.
- 🚢 Guaranteed On-Time Return: Travel stress-free in an air-conditioned vehicle with direct port pickup and drop-off, a maximum group size of 18 guests, and a guaranteed timely return to your ship.
Parking near the Kato Mili windmills
There is no dedicated car park at the windmills. Mykonos Town’s centre is largely pedestrianised, and on-street parking is limited.
Visitors arriving by car are better off parking near the edge of town and walking in.
How long to spend at the Kato Mili windmills
Most visitors need 20 to 30 minutes to view the windmills and take photographs.
Allow closer to an hour if visiting around sunset, when the area is busiest and worth lingering in.
Accessibility at the Kato Mili windmills
The hill is reached by a gentle but uneven, partly cobbled path, which may be difficult for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
There is open ground around the windmills themselves, with benches nearby for resting.
Kato Mili windmills: what to see
Seven of the ten windmills that once stood at Kato Mili survive today, built mainly in the 16th century under Venetian rule and used to grind wheat and barley.
Positioned to catch the meltemi, the strong seasonal wind from the north, the mills supplied flour and ship’s rusk to vessels trading through the Aegean until the mid-20th century.
Their round, whitewashed stone walls, conical roofs, and small windows are typical of Cycladic windmill design, seen across many of the surrounding islands.
The hill offers wide views over Little Venice, the old port, and Mykonos Town, making it one of the best vantage points in Chora.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip |
|---|
| Arrive before sunset for a good spot, since the hill fills up on clear evenings in summer. |
| Bring a light layer, since the exposed hilltop catches the meltemi wind even on warm days. |
| Visit in the early morning for quieter photographs without the sunset crowds. |
| Combine your visit with a walk through Little Venice, directly below the hill. |
| Wear flat shoes, since the paths up to the windmills are uneven and partly cobbled. |
Frequently asked questions about the Kato Mili windmills
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Are the windmills suitable for children? | Yes, the open hillside is easy and safe for children to explore. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No, there is no ticket or booking system for the windmills. |
| Are the windmills open at night? | Yes, the site has no gates or set hours, so it is accessible at any time. |
| Can you go inside the windmills? | No, the Kato Mili windmills are closed to the public; only Boni’s Mill, at a separate site, is open as a museum. |
| Is the site wheelchair accessible? | Partly; the paths up the hill are uneven and may be difficult for wheelchairs. |
Things to do near the Kato Mili windmills
Little Venice (Alefkandra), with its waterside houses and balconies, lies directly below the windmill hill. Panagia Paraportiani, a cluster of five whitewashed chapels, is about a 5-minute walk away.
Matoyianni Street, Mykonos Town’s main shopping street, is a short walk into the old town. The Aegean Maritime Museum, covering the island’s seafaring history, is a few minutes away.
Boni’s Mill and the Agricultural Museum, at Ano Mili, offer the chance to see a windmill’s interior, a short walk or drive across town.
Alternative attractions
The Windmill of Parikia, on Paros, is a restored 19th-century windmill standing right at the ferry port, a short sailing from Mykonos. The Tripodes Windmills, on Naxos, are three 19th-century windmills on a hillside overlooking their village.
The windmills of Tinos survive in scattered form in villages such as Kardiani and Ktikados, on an island a short ferry hop from Mykonos. The windmills of Kastro, on Sifnos, are a group of three restored mills at the edge of the island’s former capital, reachable on a longer ferry connection.
More Cyclades travel guides
- The Mykonos to Delos ferry: Times, prices and departure point.
- How close is Mykonos Town to the cruise terminal?
- Mykonos beach guides: What to expect when visiting Kalafati Beach.
- Practical guide to visiting the Yria Archaeological Site on Naxos.
- Discovering the inland highlights on a full day Naxos bus tour.
