Best Beaches in Mykonos 2026: Paradise, Elia, Psarou and the Quiet Bays You Did Not Know About
Last updated: May 29, 2026
I have been island-hopping the Cyclades for more than a decade, and Mykonos still surprises me. The coast splits into two entirely different worlds. The south coast is polished and lively -- sunbeds in perfect rows, beach clubs pumping music from midday, the sea between Ornos and Elia staying calm because the island blocks the meltemi wind. The north coast is the opposite: windswept and beautifully raw, with almost zero infrastructure and golden sand that belongs to whoever drove a dusty road to find it.
In this guide I walk through every beach worth knowing in 2026, with honest advice on who each one suits and the practical detail most travel sites skip.
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The Quick Answer
| Best for | Beach |
|---|---|
| Glamour and celebrity spotting | Psarou |
| Non-stop party atmosphere | Super Paradise |
| Day-to-night party | Paradise |
| Families with young children | Ornos |
| Quietest and most remote | Agios Sostis or Fokos |
| Romance and long swims | Elia |
| Watersports and wind | Kalafatis |
Psarou -- The Glamour Capital
Psarou is a short, wide cove tucked behind a headland on the south coast, and it carries more social weight per square metre than almost any beach in Greece. This is home to Nammos, the restaurant and beach club that has become a byword for Mykonos excess -- waiters carry magnums of rose to sunbeds that cost upward of 150 euros a day in August, and the clientele ranges from fashion editors to international footballers. The water is stunning: a deep, protected turquoise that stays calm even on breezy afternoons.
You do not need to book a sunbed to enjoy Psarou, but arriving without a plan in peak season means standing at the waterline. Book Nammos a week in advance or arrive before 10 am and claim a free public spot at the south end.
How to get there: The KTEL bus to Platis Gialos stops a short walk away; from there a water taxi takes about five minutes. For maximum freedom, rent a car in Mykonos with Superise and park at the small lot above the beach. Buses serve the south beaches well, but a rental car or ATV is the smarter choice if you want to combine Psarou with a north-coast beach in the same day.
Super Paradise -- The Party Beach
Super Paradise sits on the same southern arc as Psarou but the mood is completely different. Where Psarou is aspirational and restrained, Super Paradise is loud, inclusive, and unapologetically hedonistic. The beach has been a fixture on the Mykonos beach clubs and nightlife circuit since the 1970s, and its main clubs -- JackieO Beach and Cavo Paradiso above -- fill up from noon and run well after midnight. The crowd is mixed and welcoming. Sunbed reservations are strongly recommended in July and August.
How to get there: The KTEL bus runs from Fabrika station to Paradise beach; from there a short water taxi crosses to Super Paradise. Alternatively, hire a car or scooter with Superise and follow the signs from the main south-coast road. Buses serve the south beaches reliably, but reaching a rental car opens up the north coast for the rest of your stay.
Paradise Beach -- Day to Night Energy
Paradise is the original Mykonos party beach. The KTEL bus stops directly here, sunbeds are slightly cheaper than at Psarou, and the atmosphere is festive rather than exclusive. By evening Tropicana Beach Club cranks the music and the crowd thickens into a full-on night out without anyone having to move. The bay is slightly more exposed than Psarou so there can be a little chop on windier days.
How to get there: Direct KTEL bus from Fabrika station in Mykonos Town, around 20 minutes and a couple of euros. Buses run frequently in summer. Buses serve the south beaches on a regular schedule throughout the season.
Elia -- The Largest Beach, Sophisticated and Built for Watersports
Elia beach is the longest stretch of sand on the island at roughly 500 metres, and it has a calmer, more grown-up energy than Super Paradise or Paradise. The sunbed operators here are more discreet, the tavernas are proper restaurants rather than beach bars, and the water is crystal clear and ideal for long open-water swims. It is also the best beach on the island for watersports: a well-run centre at the north end offers waterskiing, wakeboarding, jet skis, and paddleboards.
I recommend Elia for couples, solo travellers, and anyone who wants the full Mykonos beach experience without the aggressive party soundtrack. The Thea Ce VIP villa is positioned close to this stretch of coast and is one of the best private properties for accessing it on foot.
How to get there: KTEL bus from Fabrika to Elia, roughly 30 minutes, every 30 to 45 minutes in July and August. Renting a car with Superise cuts the travel time and gives you the flexibility to reach the north-coast beaches on the same day -- something buses cannot do.
Platis Gialos -- The Central Hub
Platis Gialos is not the most glamorous beach on the island, but it is one of the most useful. It sits centrally on the south coast and acts as the main water-taxi hub: from the pier here you can hop to Psarou, Paradise, Super Paradise, and Agrari in minutes. The beach itself is long and the sand is clean, with multiple tavernas where you can have a proper sit-down lunch. It is particularly well-suited to families with young children, and the regular bus connection from Mykonos Town makes it the easiest beach to reach without private transport.
How to get there: KTEL bus from Fabrika station, around 15 minutes. This is one of the most frequent routes in summer. Buses serve the south beaches including Platis Gialos throughout the day from early morning.
Ornos -- The Best Family Bay
Ornos is my personal recommendation for anyone travelling with children under ten. The bay is almost perfectly circular, the water is shallow and very calm, and the village at the back of the beach has proper supermarkets, a pharmacy, and good-value tavernas. It lacks the party atmosphere of the beaches further east, which is precisely the point. Ornos is also a popular base for families staying in Mykonos villas rather than hotels in town, since it has easier parking and a quieter pace.
How to get there: KTEL bus from Fabrika station, one of the first stops on the south-coast route. Easy to reach independently. Buses serve the south beaches and Ornos is among the closest stops to town.
Agios Sostis and Fokos -- Wild, No Facilities
Here is where Mykonos shows its other face. Agios Sostis on the north coast is a wide stretch of golden sand completely free of sunbeds, umbrellas, and music. There is a single legendary taverna -- Kiki's -- that serves grilled meat and salads at communal wooden tables, but you need to arrive early because they do not take reservations and the queues in summer are real. The beach itself feels like a different island: the meltemi wind blows here in the afternoons, the sea turns a deeper and more dramatic blue, and the only sounds are waves and wind.
Fokos, a few kilometres further along the north coast, is even more remote with no facilities whatsoever. Bring water, snacks, and a sense of adventure.
How to get there: No bus serves either beach. You need a rental car or ATV -- this is non-negotiable. Book your car through Superise Mykonos and plan to arrive at Agios Sostis before 11 am to stand a chance at Kiki's. Buses serve the south beaches only; a rental car or ATV is the only realistic way to reach the quiet north bays.
Kalafatis -- The Windsurfers Beach
Kalafatis sits at the south-east corner of the island, partly sheltered from the meltemi by Cape Kalafatis but still significantly windier than the beaches further west. That wind has made it the island's go-to spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing, with a professional school operating from the beach and equipment rentals available daily. The beach is long and the sand is coarse, but the facilities are solid and the vibe is active and outdoorsy. If your idea of a perfect beach day involves a harness and a sail rather than a cocktail and a sunbed, Kalafatis is your beach.
How to get there: No direct bus. A rental car is the practical option. The drive from Mykonos Town takes around 20 minutes on a clear road. Superise Mykonos can deliver the car to your accommodation -- worth doing if you plan several north or east coast trips during your stay.
Getting Around to the Beaches
The KTEL bus network is the budget-friendly backbone of south-coast beach access. Fabrika station in Mykonos Town is the hub, and in peak season buses run every 20 to 30 minutes to Ornos, Platis Gialos, Psarou, Elia, and Paradise. A single ticket costs a couple of euros and the journey to the furthest beach takes under 35 minutes.
Water taxis run between Platis Gialos, Ornos, Psarou, Paradise, Super Paradise, and Elia from roughly 10 am until late evening in July and August. They are a fun and efficient way to beach-hop along the coast without backtracking to town.
For the north beaches -- Agios Sostis, Fokos, Panormos, and Ftelia -- a rental car or ATV is the only realistic option. Superise Car Rental in Mykonos is reliable and can deliver your vehicle to the port or your accommodation. Book at least a week ahead in July and August because vehicles sell out fast.
Taxis exist but are expensive and in chronic short supply in peak season. Do not plan your beach days around taxi availability.
For nightlife planning alongside beach visits, see our Mykonos beach clubs and nightlife guide. For a broader picture of the island, the Mykonos island guide covers everything from the Chora to Delos day trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best beach in Mykonos? It depends on what you want. Psarou is the glamour capital. Super Paradise is the top party beach. Elia is the largest and most sophisticated. Ornos and Platis Gialos are the best choices for families. For true solitude, head to Agios Sostis or Fokos on the north coast.
Which Mykonos beaches are family-friendly? Ornos and Platis Gialos are the top picks. Both have calm, shallow water, lifeguards in peak season, sun lounger rentals, beach tavernas, and frequent bus connections from Mykonos Town. Agios Ioannis is another calm bay popular with families.
Which beach has Nammos restaurant? Nammos is at Psarou beach on the south coast -- one of the most exclusive beach clubs in the Mediterranean. Reservations are essential in July and August.
Are there quiet beaches in Mykonos? Yes. Agios Sostis and Fokos on the north coast are completely undeveloped -- no sunbeds, no beach bars, no buses. Bring your own water and snacks. You need a rental car or ATV to reach them.
Do you need a car for Mykonos beaches? The KTEL bus covers the main south-coast beaches from Fabrika station. For the quiet north beaches like Agios Sostis, Fokos, or Panormos you need your own transport. A rental car or ATV gives you full flexibility and is strongly recommended.
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