Updated: August 2022
I have to admit, when I went to Mykonos for the first time, I was completely caught off guard. I was very excited about a relaxing and sun-soaked holiday on the best beaches on Mykonos.
Little did I know, that of all of the Greek islands, Mykonos is famed for incredible beaches but especially for the world-renowned party scene and HUGE crowds all summer long. If I were to relate my experience in Mykonos to anything, it would be that of a raging good time in Vegas.
Parties all day. Parties all night.
So, for newbies to this particular Greek island, I’ve created this Mykonos Beach and Party Guide to help you gauge your trip depending on what you want to experience… whether it’s a low-key beachside stay or one of the craziest weeks of partying you’ve ever experienced!
Use the sample scale below for reference on each Mykonos beach and party!
Helpful Tip:
Note that if you want to rent a scooter or an ATV in Mykonos, you need a motorcycle license and an international license. Most locations in Mykonos and around Greece require an international license, which you can obtain here for only $24 and get emailed to you to print within a few hours of ordering. Please do not drink and drive, operate a scooter or ATV. It’s not worth the risk.
Psarou Beach
Psarou Beach was one of the most luxurious and calm beaches I went to. I really loved it here because it is a bit further away from downtown Mykonos and you get a break from all of the crazy party beaches.
If you’re looking to sip on cocktails and soak up some sun, are traveling with family, or prefer a more resort-style beach in Mykonos, this is your spot!
Elia Beach
Elia Beach
Elia is the longest sandy beach in Mykonos and while it has a bunch of options, from taverns and bars to water sports, it’s a pretty tame place to hang out at.
180 Sunset Bar
The 180 Sunset Bar at Mykonos Castle offers endless views of the horizon. Here, it’s all about cocktails here while listening chill beats.
Any great sunset spot in Mykonos (bar or restaurant) comes with a hefty price tag. You’ll need a reservation and at a minimum, spend about 50 euros per person—which is pretty easy to do…even with just 2 drinks!
The Belvedere Hotel
The rooftop Belvedere poolside lounge and cocktail bar cannot be missed at sunset. The intimate atmosphere here is fantastic and, for you night owls, they’re even open late at night. It’s definitely my favorite cocktail bar on Mykonos!
This is a great spot for a date or a beautiful evening with friends. Be sure to try their Lychee Mojito or a “Blonde Jack” (it’s off the menu). You won’t regret it!
Scorpios
So, I have mixed feelings about Scorpios. I heard it was the best nightclub on Mykonos, and I expected it to be right up my alley—with a lineup of a lot of familiar DJs I saw every year at Burning Man, from Bedouin to Bob Moses to Lee Burridge to Goldcap. I can’t deny I loved the bohemian-inspired design and the location is perfect for sunset. Truly, this place would be the ideal location for an epic sunset party!
However, the prices here are pretty insane. We actually walked out after sitting down for dinner when seeing the prices. I really cringe when people try to exploit “rituals” and “spiritual” experiences by charging a premium. I also found that the staff wasn’t as welcoming as in some of the other places we visited.
I tried to establish how the sunset live music worked and I know bottle service is required for tables (at a minimum, you’ll be spending 2000-5000 euros), but you might also be able to come to watch the sunset for a cover fee, or for free (with reservation).
Either way, if you’re headed to Scorpios, be prepared to spend $$$$$$ to enjoy a minimalist electronic sunset.
Super Paradise Beach
The beach stays quiet during the day, but the beach bar gets going in the late afternoon. There’s a small dock here that’s great for practicing your cannonballs and the water is absolutely picturesque.
Mykonos has a large gay scene so it’s hard to say one beach is more gay than another, but this beach, in particular, has a reputation for being a “gay beach.”
Either way, it’s a must-see while beach hopping in Mykonos!
The beach party here at the Super Paradise Beach Bar makes for great people-watching and the male go-go dancers might as well be Greek Gods. Oh ya, I almost forgot…bikinis and banana hammocks are optional.
Paraga Beach
I loved Paraga Beach and it ended up being my go-to beach on Mykonos! The beach is absolutely beautiful and has lounge chairs available to rent for a low price. You can get beachside food and drink service and everything is fairly priced and really delicious.
Everything stays mellow until around 4 PM and then the Kalua Beach Bar turns into a crazy party!
It has a really nice vibe (things stay classy unlike many of the Mykonos beach parties) and is a sure bet for a good time! Plus, how cool is it that you can swim out to shallow rocks and it looks like you’re walking on water?
Paradise Beach
Paradise Beach
The famous Tropicana Beach Bar takes this beach to the next level! I must admit I had a big (some might say huge) evening here. The party starts well before the sun sets and things really take off after sunset.
The Italian MC, Sasa, was absolutely hilarious!
He walks around with a microphone wearing nothing but a g-string and makes random and vulgar (so inappropriate I cannot share them on my blog) comments to people. Tropicana is a place where you need to “open your mind,” but it is definitely the ultimate beach club in Mykonos!
Scandinavian Bar
Located in downtown Mykonos, you will find Scandinavian Bar and it gets packed! Expect to see the upstairs area overflowing with dancing bodies and, not to mention, plenty of girls up on the bar getting wild.
If the upstairs area is too crazy there is still a nice patio area outside where you can hear the music but enjoy your drink without being smothered by a stranger. Just as a heads up, guys and girls, expect to pay a cover fee to enter. There’s a reason it’s one of the top nightclubs on Mykonos!
Cavo Paradiso
While I haven’t been to Cavo Paradise just yet, they do get some top-of-the-line DJs! It’s meant to be a big party and a huge pillar of Mykonos nightlife. If you go, you’ll have to report back in the comments. 😉
Paradise Club Mykonos
For a real nightclub experience on Mykonos, it doesn’t get any better than this! Paradise Club Mykonos brings in the biggest DJs from all over the world and throws one hell of a party.
The night I flew into Mykonos we went straight to Paradise Club for headlining DJ, Dirty South. Just a few nights before that, Kaskade had performed. Three nights later, I saw DJ Chuckie rock the house. You get my point.
And even if you have no idea who I’m talking about don’t worry about it. Just go. (As a side note: You WILL get kicked out if you jump in the pool. I may or may not be speaking from personal experience…)
So, as you can see, Mykonos has a wide range of beaches and amazing nightlife!
Hey there!
My fiancé and I are looking at Mykonos for 3 nights as part of our honeymoon. We will be relaxing in Santorini before we travel to Mykonos. I am confused where to stay, my fiancé wants to club and party, I also like beach but convenience. I have booked a hotel at Petinos beach (I have free cancellation) but I’m wondering if I should book a place in Mykonos town? I’m confused:(
Thank you for the great article!!
Hey Kendall! Definitely check out my review of that latest place I stayed at in Mykonos — https://theblondeabroad.com/staying-at-the-myconian-collection-in-mykonos/
Kiki,
I found this article extremely useful since a lot of the blogs and articles I have read don’t detail the night life scene and the cost involved. I’m looking to planning a future trip to Mykonos and I have been working on creating a budget for weeks. Considering I expect for the nightlife and bar scenes to be a large part of my experience in Mykonos, how steep would you place the fees involved for cover charges and bar taps in this location over a week period? Thanks for your help!
Hi Lily! It really depends on which places you end up choosing to go and how much you’re drinking — some places charge seriously hefty fees (like the premiere clubs) but if you’re just hanging out at some of the kind of “typical/standard” nightlife places, some of them only require you to pay for drinks (though drinks can also be quite pricey).