Mykonos Beaches: Your Ultimate Guide

Mykonos beaches are perfect for everyone, whether you are looking for parties, luxury, or even a peaceful day at an isolated, quiet cove. Because of the island’s layout, the south coast of Mykonos features most of the famous beaches. These are sheltered from strong winds blowing from the north. The northern and eastern parts of the island are mostly secluded and feature long stretches of sand.

In this guide, you will find information on Mykonos beaches by category. We will also talk about nude and gay beaches, beaches close to Mykonos Town, and how to avoid the strong winds. Finally, we will discuss prices and the best time to visit each beach.

Here’s a quick overview of the island’s main beaches before we go into detail on each one.

Best Beaches in Mykonos by Vibe

Mykonos beaches are not all alike. The best beach in Mykonos for you will depend on your preferences and mood. You might want music and to socialise. Or you might prefer peace and quiet.

Below you will find the best beaches of Mykonos organised in categories for partying, luxury, family-friendly and quiet beaches, alongside Mykonos Town and Little Venice for when you want a break from the sand. Each one covers where to go and what to expect.

Best Party Beaches in Mykonos

Mykonos has a reputation for partying. The three south coast beaches of the island are the ones doing the heavy lifting. Each one has its own unique flavour, and picking one depends on how much volume you want and how late you want to stay.

• Paradise Beach: The island’s original party beach with all-day activities at the beach bars that continue into the night. Home of Cavo Paradiso and Tropicana.
• Super Paradise Beach: The most intense scene at Mykonos, centred around Jackie O’ Beach Club. Every evening, a stunning sunset is the perfect backdrop for the nightly drag show, very popular with the LGBTQ+ community.
• Paraga Beach: A younger, more relaxed beach scene with the chic Scorpios club and some quiet sandy stretches nearby, a solid pick for group travel with friends who want options for both energy and downtime in one spot.

Sunbeds fill up quickly at all of them, especially in mid-July and August.

Best Luxury Beach Clubs in Mykonos

For a more sophisticated beach day, some top Mykonos beaches trade in the party atmosphere for private cabanas, top-class restaurants, and guests dressed up for the occasion, much like fine dining and boutique shopping on Mykonos. Reservations at these beaches are crucial, especially in July and August.

• Psarou Beach. The cove of Psarou is home to the famous Nammos, one of the world’s most photographed restaurants. It is situated in the centre of the beach and enjoys calm, clear waters. Behind the beach are some of the island’s high-end resorts.
• Panormos Beach: A more isolated beach on the north coast of Mykonos. You can enjoy a quiet afternoon at the upscale Principote beach club.
• Kalo Livadi Beach: A rapidly developing beach, located on the southeast coast of Mykonos. It is home to the newly opened Solymar beach club, which attracts a fashionable crowd.

The cost for sunbeds at these beaches will be higher than elsewhere around Mykonos.

Best Family-Friendly Beaches in Mykonos

Not every beach in Mykonos is meant for nightlife. There are a few beaches on the south coast well suited to family travel in Greece. These beaches have calm, shallow water, wide sandy beaches, and lots of restaurants and other amenities nearby.

• Ornos Beach: It is Mykonos’ best family-friendly beach with gentle slopes and plenty of buses to and from Mykonos Town.
• Platis Gialos Beach: Very well equipped with a mini-market, restaurants, and above all very easy to reach from anywhere on the island. Extremely crowded, however, by midday.
• Agios Ioannis Beach: This beach has a gentle slope, shallow waters, and a beautiful view of Delos.

All three beaches are within easy reach of each other, so even if one is too crowded, you can always try another nearby.

Best Quiet Beaches in Mykonos

Some Mykonos beaches remain serene with few people visiting even in the height of summer. Most of these beaches are a car journey from Mykonos Town. Most have minimal to no facilities, so make sure you take plenty of water and lots of sunscreen.

• Agios Sostis Beach: It is located on a remote cove on the northern coast of the island. This beach is best known for Kiki’s Tavern and its lack of umbrellas.
• Fokos Beach: A very secluded beach with no rental chairs. Plenty of sand, though, and a small taverna nearby.
• Agrari Beach: A peaceful beach on the south coast of Mykonos, near Elia beach.
• Lia Beach: This beach is a long stretch of sand on the east coast. A good place for snorkelling.

These beaches reward the extra drive with genuine peace.

As you can see, Mykonos offers a great variety of beaches, fitting all tastes and travel types. No wonder that Christina M. called it “trip of a lifetime” in her review!

“This was a trip of a lifetime visiting Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini…a nice balance of excursions to simply taking time to enjoy everything Greece has to offer. I never needed to wonder what was next because the itinerary was PERFECTLY curated… thank you! We will be back in the near future and will certainly use this agency.”

Mykonos Nude and Gay Beaches

Mykonos is very LGBTQ-friendly, and nudity is allowed on the majority of the southern beaches. Elia is the main gay and nude beach, attracting a huge crowd. Super Paradise and Paraga, on the other hand, are more mixed and casual with their own individual character. Here’s what to expect at each, including where the nude sections actually start. 

Elia Beach: The Island’s Main Gay and Nude Beach

Mykonos’ longest beach has become the new favourite spot for gay travellers, replacing Super Paradise. The main stretch is organised, and the crowd is mixed. Walking past the rainbow flag, though, takes you to the gay section. After this, the rocky outcrop continues, and there is a secluded cove beyond where nudity is the norm.

• Main beach: Organised, mixed crowd, family-friendly feel
• Gay section: Past the rainbow flag, increasingly gay to the right.
• Nude cove: Past the rocky outcrop, this is a mostly gay beach with a clothing-optional policy.

To get to the beach from Mykonos town, you can take the bus (about 25 minutes) or drive there.

Super Paradise and Paraga: Mixed Nude Areas

The island’s original gay beach, Super Paradise, today draws a more mixed crowd. It still keeps a strong LGBTQ+ presence around the Jackie O’ Beach Club. Paraga nearby has a smaller and more casual nude section.

• Super Paradise: The right side of the beach, near the Jackie O’ Beach Club, a more gay-friendly part where nudity is allowed
• Paraga: A smaller nude stretch on the right side of the beach, popular with a younger, mixed crowd of people.

The nudist beaches of Super Paradise and Paraga are connected with the beach of Platis Gialos by water taxi. Perfect for beach hopping. If beach days like this sound like your kind of trip, explore our Greece vacation packages or request one built around Mykonos and beyond.

Best Beaches Near Mykonos Town

Mykonos is a beautiful island with wonderful beaches, and most of them are located on the south coast of Mykonos. But there are also many beaches near Mykonos Town that you can reach on foot, by bus, or by taxi.

• Agios Stefanos Beach: It is a south-facing, sheltered sandy beach, popular for honeymoons in Greece as well as with families. Frequent buses run between this beach and Mykonos Town.
• Megali Ammos Beach: This is a long sandy beach, approximately 10 minutes’ walk from Mykonos town centre. It is a simple, local beach with frequently strong and gusty winds. There are no sunbeds or umbrellas.
• Old Port Beach (Agia Anna): A very local beach near the old port of Mykonos, good for a quick dip on your way to somewhere else.

Mykonos Beaches Sheltered from the Wind

Mykonos is known as the Windy Island. For most of the summer, the meltemi, a strong north wind, blows through the Aegean. Because of this, the north-facing beaches can turn choppy. In the meantime, the south coast remains calm as ever.

Sheltered (south coast) beaches: Platis Gialos, Ornos, Paradise, Psarou, Paraga, Super Paradise, Elia
Windy (north coast): Panormos, Ftelia, Agios Sostis, Fokos
Good for windsurfing: Kalafatis and Ftelia, where the wind is a feature rather than a problem

Of course, outside the meltemi season, the wind difference between the coasts does not exist. Checking a wind forecast app the morning of your beach day is the most reliable way to decide where to go.

Mykonos Beaches with the Prettiest Turquoise Water

All Mykonos beaches have clear water. Still, a few stand out. These are often less developed and tend to have few to no crowds.

• Fokos Beach: This remote beach is one of the clearest of all Mykonos beaches, though the lack of facilities and longer drive make it a better fit for senior travel in Greece paired with a car rather than the bus.
• Agios Sostis: Shallow, calm water in a small cove. This beach is best to visit outside the peak Meltemi hours.
• Kapari Beach: A long and narrow sandy beach, near Agios Ioannis. Turquoise waters in complete solitude.
• Merchia Beach: A quiet pebble beach with a small church in the background. The road to the beach is a winding one.

There is no bus service to these beaches. They can be reached by renting a car or an ATV.

How to Get Around Mykonos Beaches

It is easier than expected to reach the beaches of Mykonos. Here are three ways to do it.

• Buses: They run frequently during the day and night, serving Mykonos Town and most of the southern beaches.
• Water taxi: The water taxi runs along the south coast from Ornos to Elia beach. On the way, it stops at 6 beaches, and you can get on and off where you like. An all-day pass costs about 20 euros.
• Coastal walking path: Follow the walking path between the beaches of Psarou, Platis Gialos, Paradise, Paraga and Elia. The path takes about 90 minutes to hike, well within reach even if you’re only spending a few days on the island.

North coast beaches, as well as secluded beaches like Fokos and Agios Sostis, are best reached by car or by renting an ATV.

Mykonos Beach Practical Tips

A few practical details can save you time and money once you’re actually on the sand.

• Sunbeds and umbrellas: Typically 20 to 30 euros for a set of two, though prices climb at luxury clubs like Nammos and Scorpios
• Best time to arrive: Before 10:30 am for a good spot on popular beaches; crowds build fast after 1 pm
• Free beach areas: Every beach in Greece is public, so you can always set up your own towel without renting a sunbed
• Accessibility: Some organized beaches, including Old Port Beach, have SEATRAC ramps for wheelchair access into the water
• What “organized” means: Sunbeds, umbrellas, and food service on-site, as opposed to “free” or undeveloped beaches with none of the above

Finding your Perfect Beach Day in Mykonos

Mykonos beaches offer something for everyone. No matter if you are looking for parties and music, peace and quiet, or nude-friendly spots, you can find it in Mykonos. Go to the south for convenience and shelter from the wind, or the north and east for space and vibes.

Figuring out where to stay near the right beaches can be tricky on your own. Reach out to Greece Insiders and let our travel experts build a Mykonos itinerary around the beaches that fit your trip best.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Mykonos Beach is Best for Families?

Agios Stefanos Beach is the best beach in Mykonos for families. It offers shallow waters, making it safe for children to swim. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available for rent, ensuring a comfortable beach experience for the whole family.

Can I Find Pet-Friendly Beaches in Mykonos?

Yes, you can find pet-friendly beaches in Mykonos. While some beaches may have restrictions, certain areas like Fokos Beach and Lia Beach are pet-friendly. Remember to check specific beach policies before bringing your furry friend along.

What Are the Must-Visit Beach Clubs in Mykonos?

Discover the top beach clubs in Mykonos for a vibrant seaside experience. From trendy Scorpios to lively Nammos, explore the best hotspots like Principote Panormos and SantAnna for a memorable beach club scene.

How Do I Choose the Right Beach for My Visit?

When choosing a beach in Mykonos, consider your preferences: lively or secluded, family-friendly or party atmosphere. Check amenities like water sports, dining options, and accessibility. Review each beach’s features to find the perfect match for your ideal beach day experience.