Know the island
Which part of Mykonos fits your trip?
Mykonos is small — half an hour end to end — but its areas have sharply different characters. Pick the one that matches your evenings, your beach and your tolerance for noise, and everything else follows.
The town
The capital, and the only place on the island where a car is pointless.
Beach areas
The south coast is sheltered and connected; the north and east are wilder. West-facing bays get the sunset.
Ornos
Roughly 3 km south of Mykonos Town
A sheltered family bay minutes from town, with sea taxis to every southern beach
- Families
- Calm water
- Hotel choice
Platis Gialos
About 4 km south of Mykonos Town
The organised south-coast beach where buses, boats and beach restaurants all meet
- Beach days
- Boat departures
- Families
Psarou
About 4 km south of Mykonos Town, next to Platis Gialos
A small, glamorous cove of superyachts, high-end beach clubs and five-star hotels
- Luxury stays
- Beach clubs
- Couples
Paraga
About 5 km south of Mykonos Town
A double cove between Platis Gialos and Paradise, half beach club and half quiet sand
- Sunset drinks
- Beach clubs
- Couples
Paradise Beach
About 6 km south of Mykonos Town
The original party beach: daytime DJ sets, budget beds and a young international crowd
- Party crowd
- Budget stays
- Groups
Super Paradise
About 7 km south-east of Mykonos Town
A steep-sided cove of turquoise water, glamorous beach clubs and an open, mixed crowd
- Beach clubs
- LGBTQ+ travellers
- Couples
Elia
About 11 km east of Mykonos Town
The longest sandy beach on the island, organised but unhurried, with a quieter eastern end
- Space
- Couples
- LGBTQ+ travellers
Kalafatis
About 12 km east of Mykonos Town
The water-sports beach: afternoon wind, windsurf schools and a slower south-east corner
- Windsurfing
- Diving
- Families
Agios Ioannis
About 4 km south-west of Mykonos Town, beyond Ornos
A small west-facing beach with the best Delos sunsets on the island and a handful of serene hotels
- Sunsets
- Couples
- Honeymoons
Agios Stefanos
About 3 km north of Mykonos Town, just past Tourlos
A relaxed north-west beach beyond the new port, looking across to Delos and the sunset
- Sunsets
- Families
- Ferry convenience
Panormos & the North Coast
Roughly 8–12 km north-east of Mykonos Town; a car or tour is essential
The wild side: wide, undeveloped beaches, a famous taverna in the dunes, and the wind that keeps the crowds away
- Escaping crowds
- Wild beaches
- Long lunches
Inland
The one real village, and the quieter Mykonos that surrounds it.
Ports and arrivals
Where ferries and cruise ships land, and the bays within walking distance of them.