Local Guide · 2026

Best Beaches in Mykonos

The complete local guide to every beach on the island — organised classics, family bays, party sand, hidden coves and the offshore swim stops you can only reach by boat.

Mykonos has more beaches than days in a holiday. The south coast holds the famous names — Psarou, Paradise, Elia — while the north stays wild and the west turns golden at sunset. This is the local shortlist we send to friends, grouped by where they sit on the island.

South coast — the classics

The south coast is sheltered from the Meltemi and is where most of the famous organised beaches sit, from family-friendly Platis Gialos to legendary Psarou. Easy to reach by car, bus or boat.

Psarou

Best for: Glamour, beach clubs, anchored yachts

The single most photographed beach on Mykonos. Home to Nammos and a permanent fleet of yachts at anchor. Pristine sand, crystal water, premium prices for sunbeds. Book ahead in July and August.

Platis Gialos

Best for: Families, easy access, hotels

Long, sandy, fully organised and very calm. The hub for boat taxis to Paranga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari and Elia — making it the best base if you want both a beach day and easy island-hopping by boat.

Paradise Beach

Best for: Day-time party, young crowd

Iconic Mykonos party beach. The sand is excellent, the water is great, and the energy is high from noon to sunset. Easy by car, bus or sea taxi from Platis Gialos.

Super Paradise

Best for: Beach clubs, gay-friendly, anchorage

Slightly more upscale than Paradise, with two big beach clubs anchoring each end of the bay. Stunning approach from the sea — many private boats anchor offshore for the day.

Paranga

Best for: Quieter alternative to Paradise

Just west of Paradise but feels worlds apart — smaller, calmer, with one excellent taverna and a relaxed vibe. Walking distance from Platis Gialos along a coastal path.

Agrari

Best for: Quiet sand between Super Paradise and Elia

Often overlooked, Agrari is a beautiful sandy beach with a single taverna and far fewer people than its neighbours. Hard to reach by car (a steep dirt road), easy by sea taxi.

Elia Beach

Best for: Long sandy stretch, families and clubs

The longest beach on Mykonos, with fine sand and crystal water. Half organised, half free, and one of the favourite swim-stops on south-coast boat tours.

Lia Beach

Best for: Clear water, single tavernaBest by boat

The eastern end of the south coast and one of the cleanest stretches of water on the island. A reliable lunch stop on full-day cruises and a great quieter alternative to Elia.

West coast — calm bays & sunsets

The west side of the island faces the sunset and is the most protected when the Meltemi is blowing hard from the north. Closer to Mykonos Town than the south.

Ornos

Best for: Families, walkable to town, sunsets

Calm, shallow, fully organised and just 10 minutes from Mykonos Town. Excellent restaurants on the sand. The best base for families with small kids.

Agios Ioannis

Best for: Sunset, Delos views, calm water

A small bay facing Delos with one of the best sunset views on the island. Made famous by Shirley Valentine. Two great tavernas and a tiny stretch of sand — perfect for a late afternoon swim.

Kapari Beach

Best for: Hidden cove, sunset swimsBest by boat

A small protected cove just past Agios Ioannis. Reachable on foot down a path, but far better from the sea — the approach is dramatic and the water stays dead calm even when other beaches are windy.

North coast — wild & authentic

The north coast is exposed to the Meltemi and is the wildest part of Mykonos. No big resorts, no clubs, just rugged coastline and hidden coves. Best on calm days.

Fokos

Best for: Wild, unspoiled, single taverna

Fokos has no sunbeds, no music and only one (excellent) taverna. Reachable by car on a rough dirt road or by boat when the wind allows. On calm days it's pure magic — deep blue water and total silence.

Mersini

Best for: Hidden pebble cove, snorkelingBest by boat

Tucked just next to Fokos. A tiny pebble beach surrounded by cliffs, almost impossible to reach by car. Bring snorkeling gear — the rocks below are full of fish.

Agios Sostis

Best for: Authentic Mykonos, no umbrellas

The closest thing to old Mykonos that still exists. No sunbeds, no bars on the sand — just a chapel, golden sand and the legendary Kiki's taverna up the hill (no electricity, no reservations, ridiculous food).

Panormos

Best for: Sunset, beach clubs, no wind shelter

Long sandy beach with a couple of fashionable beach clubs (Principote, Alemágou). When the Meltemi blows hard, Panormos can be windy — check the forecast before committing your day.

Ftelia

Best for: Kitesurfing & windsurfing

Mykonos' kitesurfing capital. Strong cross-shore winds make it less comfortable for sunbathing but a paradise on a board. One excellent restaurant on the sand (Alemágou).

East coast — quiet & sporty

Less famous than the south, with long open beaches that catch the morning sun and stay calm in most winds.

Kalafatis

Best for: Watersports, calm mornings

A long sandy bay popular for windsurfing, kitesurfing and SUP. Family-friendly hotel, several tavernas and far fewer crowds than the south coast.

Kalo Livadi

Best for: Wide sand, families, beach clubs

The widest beach on the island. Mostly organised with a few good restaurants (Nice n Easy, Solymar) and plenty of room to spread out.

Offshore — only by boat

These swim spots aren't on Mykonos at all — they're on the uninhabited islet of Rhenia, just west of Delos. The single most beautiful day at sea on any Mykonos boat tour.

Rhenia Island

Best for: Paradise-blue water, full-day cruisesBest by boat

Rhenia is the uninhabited twin of Delos and home to the most beautiful swim stops near Mykonos. Long sandy bays, no roads, no buildings — just turquoise water that looks unreal in photos. Almost every full-day Mykonos cruise stops here.

— Reach the hidden ones

Some of the best beaches have no road.

Rhenia, Mersini, Kapari, Lia — the most beautiful swim stops in Mykonos are easiest, or only, reachable by sea.

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