The sandy cove of Psarou on the south coast

Mykonos · Beaches

The beaches of Mykonos

Mykonos has two kinds of beach, and it pays to know which you want. The south coast, sheltered from the summer north wind, is the famous one: bay after sandy bay of sunbeds, beach clubs and music, linked by little boats from Platis Gialos and Ornos. The north and east coasts take the full meltemi, so they stayed wild: a handful of bays with a taverna and nothing else, perfect on a calm day and rough on a windy one. Sunbeds on the smart beaches cost a small fortune, but every beach in Greece is public, so you can always lay your towel on the free sand.

Our favourites

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Sunbeds and clear water at Paradise beach

SandOrganised

Paradise

The party beach that started it all: golden sand, the Paradise Beach club, which has been throwing parties here since 1969, dancing from late afternoon, and Cavo Paradiso on the cliff at its western end for after midnight.

  • Parties
  • Beach clubs
  • Young crowd

Bus from Fabrika in Chora, or the beach boat from Platis Gialos

Come for the afternoon party, not for a quiet swim. Come back after midnight for Cavo Paradiso.

The south-coast beachesStay in Paraga, Paradise & Super Paradise

Super Paradise beach in its steep bay

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Super Paradise

A steep-sided bay just east of Paradise with the JackieO' beach club, music and a crowd that comes to be seen.

  • Beach clubs
  • LGBTQ+ friendly
  • Parties

The beach boat from Platis Gialos, or by car down a steep road

The south-coast beachesStay in Paraga, Paradise & Super Paradise

Pick your kind of day

Every other beach worth the drive

Organised
Sunbeds, umbrellas and a beach bar. Easy with children.
Easy-going
A taverna or a few umbrellas, plenty of room for your towel.
Wild
Nothing but the sea. Bring water, shade and snacks.
The sandy cove of Psarou

SandOrganised

Psarou

A small, sheltered bay of fine sand and calm water, the most glamorous beach on the island, with Nammos on the sand and yachts moored offshore.

  • People-watching
  • Calm water
  • Glamour

Bus from Fabrika, or a short walk from Platis Gialos

There is a little free sand at the edges. A coffee costs less than a sunbed and comes with the same view.

The south-coast beachesStay in Platis Gialos, Psarou & Ornos

The long sandy beach of Platis Gialos

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Platis Gialos

A long, wide beach of sand, true to its name, 'broad shore', lined with hotels, tavernas and rows of sunbeds, and the starting point of the beach boats that run east along the south coast.

  • Families
  • Beach boats
  • Calm water

Bus from Fabrika in Chora

The south-coast beachesStay in Platis Gialos, Psarou & Ornos

Rows of sunbeds on a sheltered south-coast beach of Mykonos

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Ornos

A deep, sheltered bay a short ride from Chora, with shallow water, tavernas and fishing boats: the family beach of the island.

  • Families
  • Shallow water
  • Beach boats

Bus from Fabrika in Chora; beach boats leave from here too

The south-coast beachesStay in Platis Gialos, Psarou & Ornos

SandOrganised

Paraga

A small sandy beach between Platis Gialos and Paradise, with Scorpios on the rocky point and its famous sunset sessions.

  • Sunset
  • Beach clubs

Bus from Fabrika, or the beach boat

The south-coast beachesStay in Paraga, Paradise & Super Paradise

SandOrganised

Elia

One of the longest sandy beaches on the island, on the south-east coast, quieter and roomier than the party bays, with an end long popular with gay and naturist bathers.

  • Space
  • LGBTQ+ friendly
  • Nudist-friendly

Bus from the north station in Chora, or the beach boat from Platis Gialos

Ano Mera & the eastStay in Ano Mera

SandEasy-going

Kalafatis

A long beach on the east coast below Ano Mera, where the wind turns the bay into the island's windsurfing and kitesurfing spot.

  • Windsurfing
  • Kitesurfing
  • Space

Bus from the north station in Chora, via Ano Mera

Ano Mera & the eastStay in Ano Mera

The sandy cove of Agios Sostis on the north coast

SandWild

Agios Sostis

A sandy bay on the north coast with a chapel on the hill and no sunbeds, no bar and no music, just kiki's tavern up the slope. The most beautiful free beach on the island on a calm day.

  • Quiet
  • Free beach
  • Calm days

By car or scooter; park above and walk down

Check the wind first: in a strong meltemi the sea here is rough.

The wild northStay in Agios Sostis & the north coast

SandOrganised

Panormos

A wide bay on the north coast, next to Agios Sostis, with the Principote beach club on its sand.

  • Beach clubs
  • Space

By car or scooter from Chora

The wild northStay in Agios Sostis & the north coast

Sand & pebblesWild

Fokos

A remote bay in the north-east, at the end of the road past the island's reservoir, with a single taverna and room to breathe.

  • Quiet
  • Taverna lunch

By car or scooter from Ano Mera, the last part on a dirt road

The wild northStay in Ano Mera

SandOrganised

Agios Stefanos

The closest proper beach to town, just north of the new port at Tourlos, easy for a swim on your first or last day.

  • Near town
  • Families
  • Ferry days

Bus from the old port in Chora

Chora & the west coastStay in Chora (Mykonos Town)

Wind and sea change by the day. On windy days swim on the sheltered side of the island, and watch for red flags.

Wake up near the water

Find a room a short walk from Mykonos's best beaches.

Where to stay

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