The beaches are the reason many people come to Mykonos, and the island has more than enough sand to suit every taste, from loud beach clubs to empty coves. The trick is to match the beach to the mood, the season and the wind. This guide groups them by character and explains how to reach each one.
How the wind decides
Mykonos is windy, and the meltemi, the strong north wind, blows most days in July and August. The south coast faces away from the wind and is usually calmer, which is why the party beaches and many resorts are there. The north coast is exposed and can be rough, which makes it dramatic and quiet but sometimes too wild for swimming. Check a wind forecast in the morning, and if the north is blowing hard, head south, and on a calm day the north coast is at its best.
The party beaches: Paradise and Super Paradise
These two neighbouring coves on the south coast are the island’s most famous beaches. Paradise is the larger and more mixed of the two, with golden sand, clear water and two big beach clubs, while Super Paradise is smaller, glossier and more nightlife-driven. In the morning the clubs open for sunbathing and swimming, and the sea is calm, while the music builds in the late afternoon and carries on late. You can lay a towel on the free part of the sand, or reserve sunbeds in advance, which is wise in July and August. Buses run from the Fabrika bus station in Mykonos Town about every half hour in high season.
Family-friendly south-coast bays
Platis Gialos and Ornos are wide, sheltered sandy bays with shallow water, tavernas, sunbeds and water sports, and they are far easier with children than the party coves. Psarou is smart and busy, known for its beach clubs and its glamorous crowd. Kalo Livadi on the south-east coast has a long stretch of sand and lively beach bars, and Elia, nearby, is one of the longer beaches on the island. Choose the bay by atmosphere, and arrive early in summer to find space.
Quiet beaches on the north and east
If you want space, Agios Sostis and the quieter beaches on the north coast are the antidote to the party scene. They have little or no development, a wild landscape and in calm weather very clear water, although the wind can be fierce, so bring a layer and a windbreak. Take water and food because there may be only one small taverna, and expect to walk a little from where you park.
Beaches near the town
Megali Ammos, close to the windmills, is the easy option for a swim before dinner, and the town beach by the Old Port is where the boats to Delos leave. They are not the prettiest on the island, but they are handy for a quick dip and a drink with a view of Chora.
By boat and by kayak
The best way to see several beaches in a day is from the water. A catamaran cruise along the south coast, with a meal and drinks included, lets you swim in sheltered bays without a car, and a sailing trip to Rhenia, the uninhabited island next to Delos, takes you to quiet, shallow coves that are hard to reach otherwise. For a more active day, a guided sea-kayaking trip paddles along the wilder coast and lands on small beaches, with time to snorkel. Trips run in the warm season and can be rescheduled for wind.
Practical tips
Bring reef-safe sun cream, a hat, water shoes for the rocky edges, a light layer for wind and cash or a card for beach bars. Sunbeds and umbrellas are paid at most organised beaches, and prices vary by beach and row, so ask before you settle. Respect the posted rules on glass, music and nudity, which differ between beaches. The beach season runs from about May to early October, with the warmest sea in August and September, and the clubs close from the autumn, though the sand stays open all year.
A simple plan
Spend one morning at Paradise for the classic experience, one afternoon at Platis Gialos or Ornos for a relaxed swim and lunch, and one calm day on the north coast or on a boat for peace and clear water. Keep a spare day for wind, and leave the evening for Little Venice.