by There are many public beaches on the island, both large and small, with most of the most popular beaches located on the south coast. And where once you could throw your towel down on the sand and seek shade under a tree, many have sprung up to offer a range of slick facilities, mainly involving the hire of sunrooms and umbrellas. , with day rates varying wildly between them. Many of them are now also fringed with luxury hotels and villas, and boast beach clubs and world-class restaurants where the action doesn’t stop just because the sun goes down. Take your pick.
For more Mykonos inspiration, check out our guides to the island’s best hotels, restaurants and things to do.
Paradise
This is definitely the best known, and one of the most popular, thanks to its laid back feel and picturesque setting. Located on the south coast of the island – which can be hit by the famous winds, or ‘meltemia’ – it is a long stretch of gravelly sand, with clear turquoise water at the edge. Behind the sea is a campsite, established in 1969, and other facilities include a reasonably priced cafeteria, and a couple of beach bars. Loungers and umbrellas can be hired for a fee, starting this season from €25 (£21); the amount tends to increase each year. Set back from the beach is the Paradise Beach Club, which has a quieter pool bar and a more casual ground level one. The music gets progressively louder as the day progresses, culminating when the live DJ whips the crowd into a frenzy.
Getting there: You can drive, or get a bus directly from Fabrika, Chora; it takes about 15 minutes.
Super Paradise
Super Paradise is tucked behind a headland on the other side to Paradise, and is traditionally known as the island’s first dedicated gay beach. Today it is more mixed, attracting clubbers and partygoers who get more involved in dance music as the day goes on. There is also a bar that serves light snacks, such as fruit and yogurt, and you can also rent jet skis, go parasailing, or do other water sports. The Super Paradise Beach Club also rents sunbeds and umbrellas (price varies).
Getting there: For years you could only reach this by water taxi. Now there is a shuttle that takes you directly from Fabrika (it is operated by the Super Paradise Beach Club).
Panorama
Located on the northern side of Mykonos, Panormos was one of the most peaceful and sleepy beach stretches until a few years ago. Today, there are still a handful of low-key apartments on the hill above, and two small restaurants, including Kiki’s Tavern. Principote, a slick, polished restaurant and beach club founded a few years ago, is the game changer – offering luxurious bedrooms, beehive-shaped rattan lampshades, white curtains and natural blonde wood furniture. They charge from €50 (£45) per lounge, and as a result it’s full of the kind of punters who like to order champagne while soaking up the sun. If you don’t want to pay these prices, you can spread out your beach towel on the stretches of sand to the left or right of it, including in one charming hidden cove called Lovers Beach.
Getting there: Buses run fairly regularly from Seanport.
Elias
This has taken on the mantle of Mykonos’ main gay beach in recent years, and nudity is permitted (and widely practiced). It’s a fairly quiet stretch of sand – the music isn’t too loud – and you can hire loungers and umbrellas, and in some cases cocktails are included in the price, usually if you’re looking for one close to the sea . You can also book bedrooms belonging to the stylish Elia Beach Hotel. Her restaurant serves beautifully presented and flavorful dishes such as grilled octopus with olive oil mash, set amidst a tasteful, nature-inspired décor.
Getting there: Buses go from Seanport.
Agios Ioannis
Situated on the top of a small peninsula that juts out from the south-west corner of the island at the bottom, this beach has got a glamorous film pedigree: it featured in the classic film, Shirley Valentine, and in the small pub where she drinks herself a glass . Wine is still there, although it is now called Hippie Fish. It serves sushi, as well as more classic Greek dishes. This beach is more popular with families, because it is relatively quiet, and the water is calm, and crystal clear – great for swimming and snorkeling. It overlooks the island of Delos, the famous archaeological site.
Getting there: Buses leave from Fabrika, and stop at Ornos first.
Paraguay
This is one of the more developed beaches, lined with restaurants and bars, which also offer loungers. There are many rental options along the beach itself, and how big a float you can swim in. There is a lifeguard on patrol, and like most large beaches it feels safe, but there is also often loud music. To the west as you look from the sea is hip hangout Scorpios, which attracts the rich and famous, with lounger and cabana prices (from €100/£90 per person) to match.
Getting there: Buses run regularly from Fabrika.
Ornate
Ornos beach, which is on the edge of a charming former fishing village of the same name, is increasingly popular with families, and therefore, usually packed. It is the nearest large beach to Chora, and offers a diving school as well as places to hire a fan. There is also a long, low complex that runs along most of the beach which offers a range of different restaurants and bars, which rent out rooms at different prices (most above €10). [£9] mark). There’s a branch of the trendy Buddha Bar, which serves cocktails, sushi and Balearic beats, as well as other popular dining spots like Kuzina, which serves crowd-pleasers like fried calamari, grilled chicken skewers and lobster spaghetti.
Getting there: Buses leave from Fabrika.
Platys Yialos/Platys Gialos
There are many hotels on this beautiful beach, so it is an increasingly popular place to stay. There are plenty of facilities available, including water sports, restaurants, cafes and mini markets. You can also jump on a water taxi from here if you want to explore a nearby beach for a few hours; they go to Paradise and Super Paradise. For lunch with a cracking view, head to Eclipse, an Italian restaurant perched atop the German-sounding Kosmoplaz Beach Hotel and Resort. Expect handmade pasta and pizza, overlooking the best blue water you’ve ever seen.
Getting there: It is just over 10 minutes from Fabrika bus station.
