Mykonos is known as a party island, but there’s plenty more to see and do
Mykonos is the party animal of the Cycladic islands, Greece’s answer to Ibiza, with bronzed bodies thronging its beaches by day and bass lines pounding through its superclubs until dawn. But there’s more to Mykonos than the dazzling sand and insatiable revelers.
Spend a little time on Mykonos to discover the quiet charm of the Cycladic maze of Hora, the pleasure of traveling the backcountry roads and a dining scene to rival the other Greek islands.
Whether you’re looking for a tiny, secluded cove lapped by cerulean waters or a wide stretch of sugar-white sand covered with sun worshippers, Mykonos has a beach to suit your needs. The island boasts 25 beaches, and they’re justifiably Mykonos’ biggest natural attraction. Partygoers should look no further than Paradise or Super Paradise, dominated by eponymous beach clubs. Paraga and Psarou are other favorites for beach parties. Popular with families, Elia is Mykonos’ longest sweep of white sand, while Platys Gialos and Kalafatis are particularly good for water sports.
On the north coast, Panormos and Agios Sostis receive a fraction of visitors of the southern beaches and have naturist-friendly sections. Pebbled Myrsine and Fokos’ coves, reachable via rutted tracks off the northeast coast, offer seclusion and refuge from the crowds. In the southwest, Ornos bustles with dozens of seafront restaurants, while secluded Agios Ioannis is a good spot for windsurfing.