The Ultimate Guide to Mykonos’ Beaches: From Party Spots to Hidden Coves

Super Paradise Beach

One of the island’s most popular beaches, Super Paradise is a long, sandy stretch with clear turquoise waters and lots of sunbeds and umbrellas available for rent. From Mykonos Town, you can catch a taxi and be here in just 10 minutes, or take the beach club’s private shuttle. If you’re looking for a lively stretch, it’s a good choice, often loud and crowded on a summer afternoon with plenty of activities and several beach bars. It’s one of the most gay-friendly beaches, although all are welcome with something for everyone here, including Super Paradise Club. Late morning is a good time for coffee or a fruit salad but you’ll have an easier time finding a lounger by visiting later in the evening.

Paradise Beach

Paradise is internationally famous as a party beach, attracting visitors from across the globe with the party going nearly 24/7 during the peak season. In July and August, the action continues until sunrise and takes only a short break before starting over again. If you’re looking for the liveliest place to be with lots of hip 20-somethings, this is it. It tends to attract mostly young crowds, and with crystal-clear aquamarine water, it’s also a great place for swimming and sunbathing. Diving and a variety of other watersports are available, and you’ll find some of the island’s most popular beach bars here too, including Tropicana with DJs arriving in the late afternoon, and clifftop Cavo Paradiso, which offers dancing ’til dawn.

Psarou Beach

One of the island’s trendiest beaches, Psarou Beach, nine minutes by taxi from Mykonos town, is one of the best for spotting the occasional celebrity. While there’s never a guarantee, you’ll notice many rich and famous arriving in their ultra-luxe megayachts to enjoy soaking up the sun and the sand. As such, it isn’t for those on a tight budget and it can also get rather crowded, but for those who can afford it, many feel it’s worth the visit. Psarou offers some of the best swimming and some of the most breathtaking scenery, along with plenty of loungers for relaxing and enjoying the scene. There are multiple restaurants too, including options that are worthy of a celebration with especially mouthwatering fare.

Kalafatis Beach

Kalafatis is a Blue Flag beach, a prestigious award recognizing it for its pristine and safe conditions for swimming and other activities. Everything from stand-up paddleboarding to water skiing and windsurfing can be enjoyed as well as sunbathing on the sweeping stretch of pale golden sands. There are trees that offer natural shade along with loungers and umbrellas for rent when you’re in need of cooler relaxation too. Plus, the beach is divided into two parts, one for swimming and the other mostly used for water sports to ensure everyone can have a good time. Kalafatis is generally quieter than many of the other beaches, providing a perfect spot for those who want more tranquility along with a variety of activity options.

Elia Beach

The longest sandy beach in Mykonos, Elia is about seven miles or a 13-minute taxi ride from Mykonos Town. On the plus side, that means it’s usually less crowded than those that are closer, as the last stop for the water taxi. It offers plenty of room with lots of umbrellas and loungers, along with a smaller section for tossing beach towels or blankets down near the rocks that separate it from Agrari. The beach is popular for swimming and nude sunbathing in addition to offering watersports facilities for windsurfing, parasailing, and water skiing, along with a wide range of bars and taverns. The Mykonos Elia Beach Restaurant is here too, offering a quiet, relaxed vibe with refreshing cocktails and tasty Greek specialties.

Agios Stefanos Beach

Just two miles north of Chora, Agios Stefanos Beach is the closest major beach to the capital, located north of the new port. It’s protected from the winds which means the water is calm and visitors can enjoy a wide range of watersports. Its location makes it one of the most popular stretches which means it can be very crowded with all sorts of people soaking up the sun and the sand so you’ll want to get here early to grab a spot to relax. Much of it is covered with sun loungers, but you’ll also find a section for tossing down a towel. The beach also hosts various eateries that serve fresh fish and homemade dishes, including Limnios Tavern.

Fokos Beach

Fokos lies on the island’s northern side as one of the most remote beaches on Mykonos. This is the wildest stretch, far from crowded beaches along the south coast. It can’t be reached by public transportation but it’s accessible by taxi, a 20-minute ride from Mykonos Town, or visit on a personalized Greece private tour. You might want to bring your own food and drink as there is only one tavern, Fokos Tavern, which serves traditional Greek dishes. There are no beach clubs, facilities, loungers, or umbrellas, so you’ll need a chair, beach blanket, or towel. Your reward is total tranquility as you won’t find a more peaceful spot. Even during the peak of the tourist season, there are no crowds here.

Agios Ioannis Beach

Widely regarded as the most stunning stretch along the southwest coast of Mykonos, Agios Ioannis is within walking distance of Ornos, offering soft sand edged by calm, crystal-clear sapphire waters that are ideal for swimming or snorkeling. Families with children will appreciate it as the water is safe, shallow, and fun for splashing around. Many like to simply relax on one of the loungers that are available to rent while gazing out at the incredible view that looks out to the sacred island of Delos. The sunsets are rather glorious, and there are a couple of eateries too. While it can get busy in the summer, it’s still a good place to get away from thick crowds, with a wonderfully secluded feel.

Kapari Beach

Kapari is one of the island’s few unorganized beaches, offering a secluded stretch of paradise for enjoying peace and quiet along with beautiful views that include the sacred island of Delos and awe-inspiring sunsets. You can get there by taxi or take the bus from Mykonos Town to Agios Ioannis and walk from there, descending the slightly steep, rocky path behind the church of Agios Ioannis. The sand is pristine and the water is clear, ideal for swimming. As it is nudist-friendly, it may not be the best spot for your entire family, however. As there are no eateries right here, you’ll have to go to Agios Ioannis when you get hungry, or bring your own food and drink for a picnic. 

Ornos Beach

Only a couple of miles from Mykonos Town, Ornos Beach is one of the most family-friendly stretches on the island as well as being popular with couples and younger people. It’s also a favorite for yacht and boat stops. As it offers something for just about everyone, it can get crowded, especially during the peak of the tourist season, July and August. But it’s still more laid-back than others, making it a great place to spend the day. The sands are beautiful, and the calm, turquoise waters are clean and enticing, making it fabulous for swimming. Plus, it’s well-developed with umbrellas and sun loungers, restaurants and cafes. It hosts the most family-friendly beach club, Pasaji, known for its elegant, mellow vibe.

Platis Gialos Beach

A long, magnificent beach with golden sands and clear cobalt waters, Platis Gialos is one of the most popular beaches in Mykonos. As the sea is shallow here it also attracts many families with small children who can safely play in the water. Fully organized, there are many beachfront hotels lined along the sand, with visitors often walking straight down from the accommodation. A wide range of watersports are on offer, with numerous facilities providing rentals and lessons. Enjoy everything from tubing, jet skiing, and water skiing to the latest trend in fun on the water, flyboarding. You can also relax on a lounger with a drink and dine at one of many restaurants and taverns, many of which offer fresh seafood.

Lia Beach

Lia was once a hidden gem, ranked among the country’s best beaches. Located on the southeastern edge of Mykonos near Kalafatis, while it’s been discovered and even hosts a trendy beach club, it still provides a more relaxed setting and breathtaking views. It’s one of the farthest stretches from Mykonos Town, located about nine miles away, helping to keep the crowds away. You can bring a beach blanket or towel to toss down on the pebbly shore, but there are also sun loungers. The water is turquoise and crystal clear, ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and even scuba diving as one of the top spots for divers on the island. There’s a beach bar for light bites and drinks and two restaurants nearby.

Agrari Beach

Agrari Beach is about a 25-minute ride from Mykonos Town, part of which travels on an unpaved road. You can also reach it by taking the bus to Elia Beach followed by five minutes on foot over the rocks, with Agrari much more peaceful as compared to its neighbor despite being popular with locals and visitors. Your reward for the effort will be one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, a long, sandy stretch with plenty of space to toss down a towel. Its location means that it’s rarely affected by northern winds, for calm water ideal for swimming. One side is just sand while the other is filled with umbrellas and loungers, so you can take your pick for sunbathing.

If a Mykonos beach escape is what you’re after, with most of your time spent soaking up the sun and the sand, June through September is the best time to visit. July and August are the sunniest and hottest months, with afternoon highs around the mid-80s Fahrenheit. That said, September is often ideal and you’ll be more likely to find your own spot on the sand. With the sun warming up the seawater all summer, swimming can be possible through October depending on your comfort level. There’s no doubt the beaches will be liveliest in the summer, with lots of parties and DJs on the sand, and dancing at the clubs, attracting the biggest crowds while being the priciest time to visit.