Best Beaches in Mykonos: Party Shores, Calm Bays, and Hidden Coves
Mykonos has roughly 25 beaches ranging from the internationally famous party spots on the south coast to quiet family bays near town and remote coves only reached by dirt road. Most visitors focus on the south coast — with good reason — but the island rewards those who look further. Prices listed here are approximate as of 2026.
Paradise Beach
Paradise is Mykonos’s most famous beach and one of the most well-known party beaches in the Mediterranean. The beach itself is a long strip of golden sand in a sheltered bay on the south coast. In summer it hosts consecutive international DJ sets, runs beach clubs until dawn, and draws a young international crowd.
Sunbeds cost approximately €15–20 per set as of 2026; without a sunbed reservation in peak season you may not find space. Tropicana and Paradise Club are the main venues. Outside July and August, Paradise is noticeably quieter — a pleasant bay rather than an outdoor nightclub.
Reached by local bus from Mykonos Town (approximately €2, 25 minutes) or water taxi from Platis Gialos (approximately €5–8).
Super Paradise
Super Paradise is smaller, more sheltered, and has a strong LGBTQ+-friendly identity alongside its mainstream club reputation. Two beach clubs — Cavo Paradiso above the beach and the main beach club below — create the atmosphere. The bay is narrower than Paradise, the water clearer, and the crowd slightly more mixed in age.
No direct bus service — access is by water taxi from Platis Gialos (approximately €8–10) or by road with a car or ATV down a steep track. Sunbeds approximately €15–20 per set.
Elia
Elia is the longest beach on Mykonos — a broad, golden sand bay on the south coast that manages to be significantly less crowded than Paradise despite its size. The beach is loosely divided: the northern section is more family-oriented, the central area has organised sunbeds and a restaurant, and the southern end is traditionally nudist.
The water is clear and the scenery more impressive than Paradise. Sunbeds approximately €15–20 per set. Accessible by local bus (approximately €2 from town) or water taxi from Platis Gialos (approximately €8–10). Worth coming here rather than Paradise if you want south coast quality without the maximum party intensity.
Ornos
Ornos is the closest organised beach to Mykonos Town — about 2.5km south, easily reached on foot, by bus, or by water taxi. The bay is sheltered and shallow, the atmosphere calm, and the facilities excellent: multiple restaurants and cafes directly on the beach, good sunbed organisation, and a small harbour. Sunbeds approximately €12–18 per set.
This is the best all-round option for visitors who want an organised beach without travelling far. The water is calm enough for young children. Panormos Bay on the north coast offers a quieter alternative for families.
Platis Gialos
Platis Gialos is primarily the water taxi hub for the south coast beaches — boats to Paradise, Super Paradise, Elia, and Paraga all depart from here, running approximately every 30 minutes in summer (approximately €5–10 per leg). The beach itself is a long organised strip of fine sand with good facilities, sunbeds (approximately €12–18), and restaurants.
The beach gets crowded in summer but is less party-focused than the beaches it serves as a gateway to. A useful base for south coast beach-hopping.
Agios Stefanos
Agios Stefanos is on the north coast, 3km from Mykonos Town near the New Port where ferries arrive. It faces the ferry channel and has views back towards town and out towards Tinos and Syros. The atmosphere is gentle and relaxed — families, older visitors, and people staying nearby rather than the party crowd.
Easy bus connection to town, limited parking, good restaurants on the beach. Sunbeds approximately €12–15. A good choice for those staying in the town area who want a quick beach without taking the bus south.
Kalafatis
Kalafatis is on the east coast — a long, wide beach in a deep bay protected from the south-westerly winds that affect the south coast. The water sports centre here offers windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding, and wakeboarding. The beach is relatively quiet compared to the south coast, with a more local and sports-focused crowd.
No direct bus service — car, ATV, or taxi from town (approximately 10–15 minutes drive, €15–20 taxi). If you want an active beach day rather than a sunbathing one, this is the right destination.
Psarou
Psarou is small, exclusive, and set in a sheltered bay near Platis Gialos. Clear, calm water and fine sand. The main beach club operates a minimum spend system in summer and the atmosphere is heavily oriented towards the yacht-and-celebrity end of the spectrum.
The beach itself is genuinely beautiful and the water is calm and clear. If the exclusive pricing puts you off, Agios Ioannis in the next bay is similar in setting but more accessible.
Getting Around the Beaches
Local KTEL buses from Mykonos Town’s Old Port station connect to the main beaches (Paradise, Elia, Ornos, Agios Stefanos, Platis Gialos) for approximately €2 per journey. Water taxis from Platis Gialos serve the south coast beaches for €5–10 per leg. A hired car (approximately €35–50 per day) or ATV (approximately €25–35 per day) opens up the east coast and northern beaches that the bus network doesn’t reach.
For the full Mykonos island overview including where to stay and how to arrive, see our Mykonos travel guide. For things to do including Delos, Little Venice, and the windmills, see things to do in Mykonos. For restaurants across all budgets from gyros to Nammos, see best restaurants in Mykonos. Comparing Mykonos with other islands? See Santorini vs Mykonos and Mykonos vs Ios.
See Also
- Mykonos Travel Guide — island overview with where to stay, nightlife, and practical tips
- Things to Do in Mykonos — Little Venice, Delos, windmills, and Ano Mera village
- Restaurants in Mykonos — gyros to fine dining, where to eat by neighbourhood
- Where to Stay in Mykonos — Mykonos Town, the south coast, and budget options
- Best Tours in Mykonos — Delos day trips, sunset boat cruises
- Mykonos vs Ios — comparing Mykonos to its party-island neighbour
- Greek Island Ferry Guide — ferries between Mykonos, Santorini, Naxos, and Paros
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Which Mykonos beach is best for families?
- Ornos is the most family-friendly beach — calm, shallow water, well-organised, close to Mykonos Town, and with good facilities. Agios Stefanos and the northern end of Elia are also good options. The south coast party beaches (Paradise, Super Paradise) are not suitable for young children.
- How do you get to the south coast beaches from Mykonos Town?
- Local KTEL buses run from the Old Port bus station in Mykonos Town to Paradise Beach and Elia approximately every 30 minutes in summer (around €2 each way). Water taxis run along the south coast connecting Platis Gialos with Paradise, Super Paradise, and Elia (approximately €5–10 per leg). Renting a car or ATV gives most flexibility.
- Is Psarou Beach worth it?
- Psarou has a strong reputation as the celebrity and yacht beach of Mykonos, and it is genuinely beautiful — clear water, well-maintained, in a sheltered bay. However, the minimum spend at the main beach club can be substantial, and the atmosphere is designed for those who want to see and be seen. If that is not your priority, Ornos or Agios Ioannis nearby offer similar scenery at lower cost.
- When do the beach clubs at Paradise Beach open and close?
- The major clubs at Paradise Beach typically open from late June and operate through September, with the biggest parties on weekends. Outside this window, Paradise is much quieter. The beach itself is accessible year-round but the full party atmosphere is strictly a summer phenomenon.
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