Panagia Tourliani Monastery is a working Greek Orthodox monastery in Ano Mera, Mykonos‘s second-largest settlement, about 8 kilometres from Mykonos Town. 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. Many guides list 15 August as the monastery’s main festival day, but the municipality’s own website names 23 August, the Apodosis of the Dormition feast, as the day of its principal celebration.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Daily, approximately 09:00–13:00 and 15:30–19:00 (hours can shift seasonally) |
| Ticket prices | Church and courtyard: free. Museum: a small, inconsistent fee, reported at around €1–€2 |
| Address | Central square, Ano Mera, Mykonos 846 00, Greece |
| Nearest transport | Bus from Old Port station to Ano Mera (about 20–25 minutes), then a 3–4 minute walk |
| Typical visit length | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
Panagia Tourliani Monastery opening hours
The monastery is open daily, typically from 09:00 to 13:00 and again from 15:30 to 19:00. There is no single published seasonal schedule, so treat these times as a guide rather than a guarantee, and expect a midday closure either side of lunch.
During the descent and ascent of the monastery’s miraculous icon, held on the first Saturday of Great Lent and on Lazarus Saturday, the icon itself moves to a church in Mykonos Town. The monastery building remains open to visitors throughout.
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Panagia Tourliani Monastery ticket prices
There is no charge to enter the church and courtyard, though donations are customary.
A small entrance fee, reported at around €1 to €2, applies to the on-site ecclesiastical museum. Some visitors describe the museum as donation-only, so bring small change and treat the exact amount as approximate.
The monastery is not included in any city pass, since it is a religious site rather than a ticketed attraction.
Opening hours and background information were checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026.
How to get to Panagia Tourliani Monastery
The monastery stands in the centre of Ano Mera, about 8 kilometres east of Mykonos Town.
Buses run from the Old Port station in Mykonos Town to Ano Mera roughly every hour in summer, taking 20 to 25 minutes and costing around €2. From the Ano Mera bus stop, the monastery is a 3 to 4 minute walk across the village square.
By car or taxi, the drive from Mykonos Town takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
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- 🔔 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.
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Parking near Panagia Tourliani Monastery
Free parking is generally available around Ano Mera’s main square, though space can be limited during festivals and on Sunday mornings.
How long to spend at Panagia Tourliani Monastery
Most visitors need 30 minutes to an hour to see the church, courtyard, and small museum.
Allow extra time to explore Ano Mera’s square and tavernas afterwards, since the village is one of the quieter, more traditional parts of the island.
Accessibility at Panagia Tourliani Monastery
The church and courtyard are reachable without steps. The ecclesiastical museum, however, is on an upper floor reached by a short staircase, with no lift or ramp.
The monastery does not offer wheelchair-accessible restrooms or dedicated mobility equipment.
Inside Panagia Tourliani Monastery: what to see
Founded in 1542 by monks from Paros, the monastery was rebuilt between 1757 and 1767, giving it its current whitewashed Cycladic form.
The church’s carved wooden iconostasis, made around 1775 by Florentine craftsmen, depicts New Testament scenes picked out in gold, red, and green. The bishop’s throne and pulpit date from the same period.
A marble bell tower and fountain stand in the courtyard, both decorated with carved reliefs.
The small ecclesiastical museum displays vestments, embroidery, wood carvings, old bells, and icons connected to the monastery’s history.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip |
|---|
| Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, since this is an active place of worship. |
| Bring small change for the museum entrance and for lighting a candle. |
| Visit outside the midday closure, since the monastery typically shuts between around 13:00 and 15:30. |
| Combine your visit with lunch in Ano Mera’s square, known for grilled Mykonian meats and local kopanisti cheese. |
| Check the date before travelling around Lent and Easter, since the monastery’s icon may be away in Mykonos Town. |
Frequently asked questions about Panagia Tourliani Monastery
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the monastery suitable for children? | Yes, though the museum’s staircase may be awkward with a stroller. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No, entry is walk-in only, with no booking system. |
| Is the monastery open on Sundays? | Yes, though services may briefly affect access at certain times. |
| Are bags allowed inside? | Small bags are fine; modest dress matters more than any bag rule. |
| Is the monastery wheelchair accessible? | Partly; the courtyard is accessible, but the museum has stairs. |
Things to do near Panagia Tourliani Monastery
Ano Mera’s central square, pedestrianised since 2001, is lined with tavernas serving grilled Mykonian meats. The Monastery of Paleokastro, founded in the 12th century, is about 1 kilometre away.
A local kopanisti cheese workshop in Ano Mera offers a taste of the island’s signature spicy cheese. Kalafatis and Elia beaches, both reachable on the same bus route, lie a short drive further east.
The Armenistis Lighthouse, on the island’s northern tip, makes a scenic extension for visitors with a car.
Alternative attractions
Panagia Paraportiani, in Mykonos Town, is the island’s most photographed church, a cluster of five whitewashed chapels built into one another. Ekatontapyliani, in Paros, is one of the oldest working churches in Greece, a short ferry ride away.
Panagia Evangelistria, on Tinos, is Greece’s major site of Marian pilgrimage and home to the country’s most venerated icon. Kechrovouni Monastery, also on Tinos, is a historic working convent linked to the island’s own icon tradition.
Both Tinos sites sit a short ferry hop from Mykonos, making them easy to combine with a day trip.
More Cyclades travel
Other Cyclades travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- The Mykonos to Delos ferry: Times, prices and departure point.
- How close is Mykonos Town to the cruise terminal?
- Can you go inside the Kato Mili windmills on Mykonos?
- Practical guide to visiting the Yria Archaeological Site on Naxos.
- How to plan your visit to the Lost Atlantis Experience on Santorini.
