The Best Beaches in Mykonos

Why Mykonos Beaches Deserve the Hype

Mykonos pulls in roughly two million visitors a year, and most of them end up on one of the island's thirty-plus beaches at some point. The south coast gets the calmest water because the meltemi wind hammers the north from June through September. That single geographic fact shapes almost every beach decision you'll make here.

The island is only 85 square kilometres, so no beach is more than a 25-minute drive from Mykonos Town. Local buses (KTEL) run routes to the major south-coast beaches for about 2 euros each way. Water taxis from Platis Gialos to the more remote southern coves cost 5-10 euros per person. Renting a quad bike runs 25-40 euros a day and is the fastest way to hit multiple beaches.

Psarou Beach

Psarou is the power beach. Nammos restaurant and beach club sits right on the sand, and a sunbed with umbrella through them will cost you 80-120 euros in peak season. The water is absurdly clear for a beach that attracts this many people. It faces south in a sheltered cove, so the sea stays flat even when the rest of the island is getting blasted by wind.

The sand is coarse and golden, the beach is about 200 metres long, and it gets packed by noon in July and August. If you want a free spot on your own towel, arrive before 10am or skip it entirely. Psarou works best if you're willing to spend money and want to people-watch in a scene-heavy environment. The grilled octopus at Nammos is genuinely excellent, though the bill will sting.

This is one of the reasons Mykonos Beaches continues to draw visitors year after year.

Elia Beach

Elia is the longest beach on the island at roughly 900 metres. It sits on the far southeast coast and is reachable by bus, car, or water taxi from Platis Gialos. The sand is fine and light, the water deepens gradually, and the whole stretch faces south. Two or three beach bars operate along its length, with sunbed prices around 20-30 euros for a pair.

The eastern end of Elia tends to be quieter and has historically been popular with nudists, though that's less common now than a decade ago. There are a couple of tavernas behind the beach — Elia Restaurant does solid grilled fish by the kilo (around 55-65 euros per kilo for sea bream). This is a good all-day beach. Bring a book.

Platis Gialos

Platis Gialos functions as the main beach hub on the south coast. It's where the water taxis depart for Paraga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari, and Elia. The beach itself is about 400 metres of soft sand with a gentle slope into the water, making it decent for families with small children.

Compared to similar options, Mykonos Beaches stands out for its mix of quality and accessibility.

Hotels and restaurants line the back of the beach. Mykonos Bay Resort and Petinos Beach Hotel both have frontage here. Sunbed prices at the independent operators run 15-25 euros for a pair. The bus from Mykonos Town takes about 15 minutes and costs 1.80 euros. It's not the most exciting beach on the island, but it's reliable, sheltered, and convenient.

Using Platis Gialos as a Base

If you're staying near Platis Gialos, you can reach four or five beaches by water taxi in under ten minutes each. The boats run roughly every 30 minutes from mid-morning until early evening. Buy tickets at the dock. This setup lets you beach-hop without dealing with parking or winding roads.

Paradise Beach

Paradise Beach is the party beach, and it has been since the 1960s. Tropicana Beach Bar runs the main operation, with DJ sets starting in the afternoon and escalating through the evening. In peak season, the bass is audible before you even see the sand.

Local travel experts consistently recommend Mykonos Beaches as a top choice for visitors.

The beach itself is about 300 metres long with decent sand and clear water. Sunbeds through Tropicana cost 20-40 euros depending on location and season. The crowd skews young — mostly 20s and 30s. If you want to swim and listen to music at high volume, this is your spot. If you want peace, it is not.

Super Paradise Beach

One cove east of Paradise, Super Paradise has a similar party reputation but is slightly more upscale. Jackie O' Beach Club is the main draw. Cover charges and minimum spend requirements apply during events — expect to spend at least 50-80 euros per person during a party day. The water is gorgeous, turquoise and clear to the bottom at 3-4 metres depth. Off-peak mornings here are surprisingly calm.

Agios Sostis

Agios Sostis is the antidote to everything else on this list. No sunbeds, no beach bars, no music. It sits on the north coast, which means it catches the meltemi head-on — check the wind forecast before you go. On calm days, the water is emerald green and the beach is mostly empty.

If Mykonos Beaches is on your list, booking during shoulder season typically delivers the best value.

Kiki's Taverna used to be the legendary spot above the beach — no phone, no reservations, just a queue. It's been through ownership changes, so check current status before making it a plan. The road to Agios Sostis is partly unpaved. Bring everything you need: water, shade, food. There is nothing here, and that's the point.

Ornos Beach

Ornos is the family-friendly default. It's close to Mykonos Town (about 3km), the water is shallow and calm, and there are plenty of restaurants and shops within walking distance. It's not glamorous, but it works. Sunbed prices are moderate at 15-20 euros for a pair.

Pasaji and Aperanto are two reliable restaurants on the beach strip. Ornos also has a small supermarket nearby, which is useful if you're self-catering. The bus runs frequently. For families with kids under 8, Ornos is probably the most practical choice on the island.

Kapari and Agios Ioannis

These two small beaches sit on the west coast, facing Delos island. Agios Ioannis is where they filmed the Mamma Mia wedding scene. It's tiny — maybe 100 metres of sand — but the sunset views toward Delos are the best on Mykonos.

Kapari is just north of Agios Ioannis, accessed by a short footpath. It's even smaller and has no facilities. Both beaches have a western exposure, so they get afternoon sun but can be exposed to wind from the north or west. Hippie Fish restaurant at Agios Ioannis serves good seafood with a direct view of Delos. Main courses run 18-35 euros.

Fokos Beach

Fokos is on the north coast, east of Agios Sostis, at the end of a dirt road that takes about 15 minutes from the main road. The beach is pebbly in spots, sandy in others, and backed by low scrubby hills. There's one taverna, Fokos Taverna, which serves simple grilled meat and salads. It's good.

Like all north-coast beaches, Fokos is wind-dependent. On a calm day it's one of the most peaceful spots on the island. On a windy day, you'll eat sand for lunch. The drive out is scenic in a stark, Cycladic way — low stone walls, brown grass, goats.

Practical Tips for Mykonos Beaches

• Wind: The meltemi blows strongest in July and August, typically from the north. South-coast beaches are sheltered. Use Windy.com or Windfinder before choosing your beach each morning.
• Sunbed costs: Range from free (bring your own towel to Agios Sostis) to 120+ euros at Nammos. Most mid-range beaches charge 15-30 euros for a pair with an umbrella.
• Getting around: Buses are cheap but stop running around midnight. Taxis are expensive and hard to find in peak season. A rental car or ATV gives you the most freedom.
• Water shoes: Useful at Fokos and parts of Elia where rocks mix with sand at the waterline.
• Shoulder season: Late May, early June, and September offer warm water (22-25°C), fewer crowds, and lower prices. October is a gamble — some places close.