About the Windmills
The five whitewashed windmills of Kato Mili (Lower Mills) are Mykonos' most iconic landmarks and photographed monuments. Built by the Venetians in the 16th century, these mills ground wheat for the island's flourishing maritime trade. Seven windmills once stood on this hilltop, serving as the island's economic engine. Today, they're perfectly preserved symbols of Cycladic architecture and Mykonos' agricultural past.
⏰ Best Times to Visit
- Sunrise: 6-7:30 AM - magical golden light, completely empty, best photos
- Sunset: 1 hour before sunset - dramatic backlight, crowded but spectacular
- Golden hour: 30-60 min after sunrise or before sunset for warm tones
- Blue hour: Just after sunset for twilight glow against deep blue sky
- Avoid: Midday harsh light, cruise ship arrival times (11 AM-2 PM)
💰 Costs
- Viewing area: Free - open public space, no tickets required
- Interior access: Mills not open to public (preserved monuments)
- Group walking tours: €30-50 per person (Mykonos Town highlights including windmills)
- Private guide: €180-280 for up to 4 people (historical context + photo guidance)
- Photography tours: €60-90 per person (professional photographer guide, best angles)
- Sunset tours: €40-70 per person (windmills + Little Venice sunset combination)
Free but valuable: While access is free, guides provide historical context and know best composition angles that transform ordinary snapshots into magazine-worthy photos.
🎯 Why Use a Guide
- Historical depth: Stories of grain grinding, Venice trade, maritime economy
- Architecture expertise: Understand windmill mechanics, Cycladic design, preservation
- Photography coaching: Optimal angles, foreground framing, timing for light
- Context connections: How windmills fit into island's economic and cultural history
- Composition guidance: Include Little Venice, harbor, or town in creative shots
- Timing strategy: When to arrive for different lighting effects and crowd levels
✨ Don't Miss
- 📸 Classic shot - All five windmills aligned with Little Venice below
- 🌅 Sunset backdrop - Windmills silhouetted against orange and pink sky
- 🌊 Harbor panorama - Elevated view shows entire Mykonos Town and port
- 🏠 Little Venice composition - Foreground waterfront houses, windmills behind
- ⛪ Panagia Paraportiani - Famous church complex, 5-minute walk downhill
- 💨 Bonis Mill - One windmill converted to museum (occasionally open)
- 🌙 Night photography - Illuminated windmills against starry sky
- 📱 360-degree views - Spin around for Chora maze, Aegean Sea, nearby islands
📝 Practical Tips
- Sunrise magic: Set alarm early - you'll have windmills completely to yourself
- Sunset crowds: Arrive 45 min early to claim your photography spot
- Comfortable shoes: 10-15 min uphill walk from Chora center, cobblestones
- Bring layers: Hilltop location windier and cooler than town
- Photo equipment: Wide-angle lens for all five windmills, telephoto for details
- Tripod helpful: For sunset long exposures and creative motion blur
- Drone restrictions: Check current regulations - rules change seasonally
- Combine attractions: Walk to Little Venice (3 min), Paraportiani church (5 min)
🏛️ Historical Background
Mykonos once had 28 windmills across the island, serving its agricultural economy. The Kato Mili seven windmills (five remaining prominent) were built in the 16th century by Venetian settlers. They ground local wheat into flour for ships provisioning at the island's port. The mills operated until the mid-20th century when modern technology made them obsolete. Today they're protected monuments and the island's most recognizable symbol.