Where to look
Party & Nightlife
Club tourists · Beach party fans · DJ lovers · International glamour seekers Mykonos Town has world-class nightlife built into its DNA — the island's international reputation draws the biggest DJs, the most well-funded beach clubs and a cosmopolitan crowd that includes celebrities, fashion industry figures and a genuinely global mix of travellers. The town's bar scene along Matogianni Street and in the Little Venice area is excellent for drinks and dinner before the main event. Paradise Beach is where the famous beach parties happen — all-day and all-night events at Tropicana and Paradise Club that have been defining Mykonos summer since the 1980s. Super Paradise Beach, 10 minutes further east, is historically the LGBTQ+ beach party hub and has a more intimate, mixed-crowd atmosphere. Both beaches require a bus or water taxi from Mykonos Town.
Cycladic Town & Culture
Architecture lovers · Sunset chasers · Pelican enthusiasts · Photography fans Mykonos Town (Chora) is one of the finest examples of Cycladic architecture in the Aegean — a dense labyrinth of whitewashed cubic houses, blue-domed chapels, bougainvillea-draped alleys and tiny churches built deliberately confusing to disorient pirates. The town has 365 chapels — one for every day of the year. Walking in Mykonos Town without a map and allowing yourself to get lost is one of the finest pleasures in the Greek islands. The windmills on the Kato Mili hill above Little Venice are the island's most iconic image — seven whitewashed stone windmills that used to mill grain brought by the ships that sheltered in Mykonos' harbour. The pelicans (Petros the Pelican is the most famous) wander the town as semi-official mascots. Little Venice at sunset, with the windmills on the hill above and the cocktail bars on the water terrace below, is one of the finest travel photographs in Greece.
Beach & Sun Seekers
Beach lovers · Swimmers · Sun worshippers · Cosmopolitan beach club fans Mykonos's beaches are arranged along the south coast in a sequence from west to east: Megali Ammos, Ornos, Platys Gialos, Psarou, Paraga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari, Elia. The water on the south coast is clear and warm, protected from the Meltemi north wind. Psarou is the most glamorous organised beach — home to Nammos beach club, where the super-yacht crowd docks and sun beds are among the most expensive in Greece. Elia is the island's largest beach — a long sandy arc at the end of the south coast with beautiful water and a more relaxed atmosphere than Paradise or Psarou. It is also the historically LGBTQ+-friendly beach (along with Super Paradise). Panormos Bay on the north coast is calmer in Meltemi conditions and has a beautiful taverna scene in a sheltered bay that feels completely different from the south coast party beaches.
Romantic Couples
Couples · Honeymoons · Special occasions · Sunsets and stars seekers Little Venice at sunset is the most romantic single spot in Mykonos — the row of seafront houses with their painted balconies overhanging the water, the windmills silhouetted on the hill above, the sky turning from gold to rose — create a scene of genuine, unhurried beauty. The cocktail bars on the water terrace (Katerina's, Galleraki) are small and intimate, and the whole area has a genuinely magical atmosphere in the golden hour. For a more private romance, a private villa on the island's hillsides — with an infinity pool looking south over the Aegean — is one of the finest luxuries in Greece. Agios Ioannis beach, on the southwest coast, has a sheltered bay with a completely different atmosphere from the party beaches — calm, beautiful, with a good taverna, and the sunset viewed from the water is extraordinary. It was the Shirley Valentine beach and feels like a different island.
LGBTQ+ Travellers
LGBTQ+ community · Gay beach fans · Inclusive party seekers Mykonos has been one of Europe's most celebrated LGBTQ+ destinations since the 1970s when it was discovered by the New York and European gay community as a place of freedom and beauty. The island has always had a particularly welcoming atmosphere, and this legacy continues — Mykonos Town has LGBTQ+-specific bars and clubs, the island's taxi drivers and restaurant owners are accustomed to same-sex couples, and there is no sense of self-consciousness anywhere. Super Paradise Beach is the historically LGBTQ+-friendly beach — Jackie O' Beach Club is the island's most famous gay beach bar, and the Super Paradise Club hosts the most inclusive parties. Mykonos Pride takes place in early June and is a growing event on the international LGBTQ+ calendar. Elia Beach also has a traditionally gay-friendly character.
History & Archaeology Lovers
History enthusiasts · Ancient Greek civilisation fans · UNESCO site visitors Mykonos itself is not a major history destination — its fame is modern. But 30 minutes by boat from the harbour lies Delos — one of the most significant and least visited ancient sites in the entire Aegean. Delos was the sacred island of Apollo and Artemis (their mythological birthplace) and became the most important religious sanctuary and commercial port in the ancient Greek world. At its peak, 30,000 people lived on this tiny island. The archaeological site on Delos covers essentially the entire island — a complete Hellenistic city with a harbour, agora, theatre, temple complex, houses with intact mosaic floors and the famous Terrace of the Lions (5 ancient marble lions guarding the Sacred Lake, dating from 600 BC). The Mykonos Archaeological Museum in Mykonos Town has a very good collection of Cycladic art and artefacts from Delos.
Budget Travellers
Cost-conscious visitors · Budget island hoppers · Off-season seekers Mykonos is one of the most expensive Greek islands and budget travel is genuinely difficult in July and August. The only viable budget strategy is timing: late September through May, prices fall dramatically and many properties offer their real value. May and late September are the best months — warm weather, swimmable sea, empty beaches and accommodation 40–50% below peak. Accommodation away from Mykonos Town — in Platys Gialos, Ornos or the Ano Mera village inland — is significantly cheaper than the old town, while remaining within easy bus distance of the main attractions. Self-catering in a basic studio rather than eating out at every meal saves significantly on food costs. The free-access beaches (the beach itself, not the beach clubs) require no expenditure.
🏙️ Mykonos Town (Chora)
The iconic Cycladic town. Windmills, Little Venice, pelicans, 365 chapels. Best for nightlife, culture, restaurants. Most expensive. All types · Culture · Nightlife · Romance
🎉 Paradise Beach
Famous beach party destination. Tropicana and Paradise Club. All-day-all-night parties June–September. Young international crowd. Party · Beach · Young adults
🌈 Super Paradise Beach
LGBTQ+-friendly iconic beach. Jackie O' Beach Club. More intimate than Paradise. Mix of gay and straight international crowd. LGBTQ+ · Party · Beach
🏖️ Ornos
Calm family beach. Sheltered bay, sandy, organised. Family hotels nearby. Bus to town. Very different from party beaches. Families · Calm · Beach
💎 Psarou
Most glamorous beach. Nammos club. Super-yacht crowd. Expensive sun beds. Crystal clear water. Short bus from town. Luxury · Beach · Glamour
🌊 Panormos (north)
North coast sheltered bay. Calm water in Meltemi conditions. Taverna, local atmosphere. Away from party scene entirely. Authentic · Families · Calm
🏛️ Delos (day trip only)
UNESCO ancient sacred island. 30 min boat from Mykonos Town. No accommodation — day trips only. Extraordinary ruins. History · UNESCO · Day trip
Tips for booking
- Beach clubs require reservations in July and August. The famous beach clubs on Paradise and Super Paradise (Tropicana, Paradise Club) require table or sun-bed reservations days in advance in peak season. Walk-ins become impossible by 11am. Book online as soon as your dates are confirmed.
- Explore Mykonos Town before 9am or after 8pm. The labyrinthine lanes become severely overcrowded from 10am in peak season — cruise ship passengers arrive in the thousands. Early morning or late evening, the town is beautiful and tranquil. The pelicans are most active at these times too.
- Psarou beach is the most exclusive on the island. Nammos beach club's sun beds cost €100+ per person per day at peak season. The beach itself is free to access — but without a reservation at a beach club, expect a long wait for a spot. Arrive before 9am for free beach access.
- Delos island is one of the most extraordinary day trips in Greece. The UNESCO World Heritage ancient sanctuary of Delos (uninhabited, no overnight stays permitted) is 30 minutes by boat from Mykonos Town. The scale of the ruins — a complete ancient Greek city at the centre of the Aegean world — is extraordinary and the island has almost no tourists compared to Mykonos itself.
- Mykonos Pride (early June) is the most affordable week to visit the island for LGBTQ+ travellers. It precedes the July/August price spike and the island atmosphere during Pride week is welcoming, festive and less overwhelmingly crowded than peak summer. Book accommodation early — Pride week is increasingly popular.
- Take the first morning boat to Delos (9am). The site opens at 8:30am and the first boats arrive at 9am. By 11am, guided tour groups arrive and the site feels crowded. The early morning light on the marble ruins is extraordinary — the best photographs come in the first two hours.
- The island's buses are cheap and cover the south coast beaches well. The KTEL bus from Mykonos Town runs to Ornos, Platys Gialos, Paraga, Paradise and Elia in summer — for around €2 each way. Taxis from town to Paradise Beach at 4am are a very different price story — factor in late-night taxi costs if staying away from town.
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