Super Paradise Beach, Mykonos. Image courtesy of Diego Cosenza on Flickr.
One of the largest – and definitely the most sophisticated – of the Cyclades Islands, Mykonos has a reputation as the party island of Greece, and is usually associated with late-night clubbing and the infamous Paradise Beach. But this island of cute white-washed villages, churches and windmills around 25 other beaches to offer, from family friendly through clubby to sporting or remote. Here are some of the best beaches on Mykonos.
Mykonos’s Paradise Beach is notorious for its good times and quite rightly so. It’s always packed with a young, hard-partying crowd, with dance music blaring relentlessly out of tavernas and 24-hour restaurants and beach clubs. Once the gay destination of choice, that accolade now goes to the long sandy strip at Super Paradise, backed by buzzing bars and cool clubs; it is nudist friendly and can only be reached by car or ferry from Plati Yialos beach. Elia beach is also a popular gay choice and has the added bonus of one of the best restaurants on Mykonos; the family owned Elia Beach Restaurant and Bar specializes in delicious island cuisine.
To escape the fleshpots of Paradise and Super Paradise, head east to deserted Lia Beach, 8.5 miles (14 km) from the pretty waterfront of Mykonos Town but a whole lifetime away. There are no crowds, no hotels, stores or apartments, no dance music and no crowds. It’s simply a soft strand with a scattering of beach umbrellas, sparkling water and a couple of bars. Equally remote and rather upmarket, Agios Sostis is tucked into a horseshoe-shaped bay on the north coast; the yachts of super-rich are often seen bobbing offshore.
Kalafatis Beach on Mykonos. Image courtesy of Matt Chotin on Flickr.
The long sweep of Kalafatis Beach faces into the Aegean Sea on the south-east coast of Mykonos and is blessed with stiff winds. It is the island’s favorite surfing beach, and offers wind surfing and snorkeling as well as tavernas selling grilled seafood in the fishing village backing the beach. The three pocket-sized beaches in rugged, rocky Panormos Bay on the north coast are equally popular with surfers but when strong winds are blowing directly onshore – especially at Ftelia – Panormos can be too windy for sunbathing to be pleasureable.
Family beaches on Mykonos include Agios Stefanos, where low-key hotels, apartments and traditional tavernas line the beach; the sand is soft, the water calm and it’s easily accessible from Mykonos Town by bus. The sailing club here also has summer courses for children. The shallow sweep of beach at Ornos, minutes south of Mykonos Town, provides safe swimming for youngsters and a calm anchorage for yachts as well as being the departure point for trip to the ancient wonders of Delos.
