Beaches of Mykonos Island
Taking the road beyond Panormos beach and facing east onto the bay, Agios Sostis is one of the more remote beaches on the island. Void of accommodation and crowds this beautiful beach offers not only peace and quiet but a very good small restaurant. Access is limited to private vehicle and taxi.
Two kilometers north of town and facing to the west is the well developed beach of Agios Stefanos. Many hotels in this area supply a wide range of accomodation with the beach itself offering a good selection of restaurants and cafes. This family oriented beach can be reached via taxi, private vehicle or regular bus service from town.
On the west side of the island and facing Delos, the relatively small and picturesque beach of Agios Yannis offers white sands and a collection of small coves catering to the general public. Famous as the location for the award winning motion picture "Shirley Valentine", many appreciate this setting for its calm and relaxed atmosphere. Regular bus service from town provides easy access throughout the day.
Keeping commercial development to a minimum, Agrari has remained one of the quietest beaches of the southern chain. Medium in size this beach has a single restaurant and beach bar that caters to all who enjoy seclusion from the crowds. There is no local bus service but Agrari can be reached by private transport, taxi and boat shuttles from Plati Yialos. Due to its close proximity to Elia this beach can also be reached easily by foot from the Elia bus terminus.
Easily accessible by bus from town and a regular boat service from Plati Gialos, Elia beach is the largest of the south chain of beaches. Good restaurants, hotels and bungalows provide beach-side refreshment and accommodation with the added attraction of the islands only water park situated just back from the beach and only minutes away. In designated sections nude bathing is allowed.
Very often subjected to a good onshore wind, north-facing Ftelia beach, unpleasant to sun bathers, is a great pleasure to wind surfing enthusiasts. Located on the north and central part of the island this beach forms the base to Panormos Bay, the largest on Mykonos. There is a restaurant to serve the needs of those who visit and access to this beach can only be made by taxi or private vehicles.
One of the earliest established beaches, this beautiful bay and long sweeping Kalafatis beach has become famous to wind surfers who enjoy a good offshore breeze. Hotel accommodation is available together with various water sports including diving with access to the beach made easy from town through a regular bus service. Many small restaurants can be found in the area often specializing in local seafood dishes.
Situated at the lower end of a long open valley, Kalo Livadi is part of another group of southern beaches reachable only via the Ano Mera road. Regular bus service from town allows access to this medium sized quiet location where good food but a minimal amount of accommodation is available.
Backing on to Ornos beach and facing due north is Korfos bay. Only two kilometers from town this beach attracts wind surfing enthusiasts who appriciate the regularity of good on-shore winds. Generally this beach is not suitable for swimming or sunbathing.
Furthest from town and accessible only by private vehicle or taxi, Lia beach is a perfect place to escape the crowds. Its undeveloped state and single restaurant make it possible to enjoy the natural cycladic landscape surrounding this beautiful beach.
Located on the southwest corner of the island and only two kilometers from town, this area has recently developed into a self-contained village. Together with an abundance of hotels and places to eat and drink there are also supermarkets, butcher, pharmacy, and bakery. Due, for the most part to the sea's sandy bottom which drops off very gently from the shore, Ornos provides the perfect family beach. Access to and from town is made easy with a frequent local bus service. A daily boat service to other beaches as well as excursions to the island of Delos are available from this bay which also provides a good anchorage for yachts.
On the north side of the island and facing east onto Panormos Bay is the long and beautiful Panormos Beach. Two restaurants and one hotel serve this otherwise remote area, reachable only by private vehicle or taxi. Nude bathing tolerant, this beach because of its location is best suited during periods of southerly wind.
Probably the most popular beach on the island, Paradise developed its fame and contemporary name through its discovery by the "Hippies" and other world traveling backpackers of the 60's. Paradise beach caters primarily to the young set offering a well organised cafeteria, snack bars, beach bars, mini shops and discos. Together with water sports and a professional diving center Paradise also has the most established camping facilities on the island. Transportation to and from the beach is possible through direct frequent bus service from town or boat service from Plati Gialos.
Paraga beach is the first in the chain of southern beaches which is tolerant to nude sunbathing and supports the needs of the young and fashionable. Set in a picturesque landscape the restaurants and music beach bars help to create a holiday atmosphere for not only its daily visitors but for those who chose to stay in its hotels and well organized camping facilities. Public transportation to the beach is supplied by a regular bus service from town and a frequent boat service from Plati Gialos beach.
One of the oldest and most established of the southern beaches Plati Gialos, is another family oriented beach offering ample accommodation, restaurants, beach bars and water sports. As one of the most visited beaches connections by boat can be made throughout the day to the other southern beaches of Paranga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari and Elia. Bus service from town is very frequent.
Situated within walking distance and just to the right of the Plati Gialos bus terminus, Psarou is one of the earliest established beaches. This medium size well-sheltered beach offers good accommodation, restaurants and various water sports which include a diving school.
Virtually void of hotels and without local bus service, the exclusivity of Super Paradise beach has made it a favorite for gay visitors to the island for many years. Nude tolerant, this beautiful beach set in a small but deep bay has good restaurants and bar discos that echo throughout the day the energy of the town's nightlife. Access to the beach is reached by taxi, private vehicle and a regular boat service from the Plati Gialos dock.
Directly north and a short distance from town is the seldom crowded beach area of Tourlos. This long and narrow stretch faces west and runs the entire lenghth of this extensive bay. Known in previous years more for its hotel development than its beach facilities this area is now the location of Mykonos' newly developed commercial port and public yacht harbour. Local bus and taxi service to the area is frequent. Food and refreshments are available at either end of the bay.
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