Where to Stay on Mykonos: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide

Planning a trip to Mykonos? Here’s where to stay on this beautiful Greek island. Town or beach? Sandy or pebbly? Lively or quiet? Apartment or hotel? Luxury or budget? This guide covers the popular areas of Mykonos Chora, Ornos, Plati Gialos, Elia and more – including the sandiest beaches and the standout hotels in the area.

This is part of a Greek resort guide series and will cover:

which part of Mykonos island to choose
the best places to stay in Mykonos Chora
an overview of the main beach resorts on Mykonos
the best beach hotels on Mykonos
the best quiet places to stay on Mykonos

Shortlist – Top Places to Stay on Mykonos

BEST LUXURY HOTELS: Cavo Tagoo, Kensho Psarou, Bill & Coo
BEST HOTELS RIGHT ON THE BEACH: Santa Marina Resort, Kensho Psarou, Branco Mykonos, Aegon Mykonos
SWANKIEST VILLA: Psarou Crown Estate
BEST INFINITY POOL: Katikies Mykonos
BEST PLACE FOR FAMILIES: Agios Ioannis, Ornos, Platis Gialos, Kalafatis
BEST ALL-ROUNDERS: Ornos, Platis Gialos
BEST FOR BACKPACKERS: Paraga Beach Hostel and Camping
BEST BOUTIQUE TOWN HOTEL: Semeli Hotel
BEST QUIET BEACH RESORTS: Agios Ioannis, Panormos, Kalafatis
BEST PLACES FOR NIGHTLIFE: Mykonos Chora, Paraga, Paradise, Super Paradise
BEST APARTMENTS: Nida, Secret Garden, Sugar Blue

Mykonos – A Quick Overview

Mykonos is one of the busiest destinations in Greece thanks to its photogenic whitewashed town, many beautiful beaches, and world-famous renowned nightlife.

If your focus is the nightlife then consider visiting in the busiest months of July and August, but bear in mind these are also the hottest and most expensive months. The season finishes fairly early and the biggest clubs and swankiest restaurants are only open for the main summer months. Most beach bars and tourist shops/eateries are open for longer, winding down in October. During the low season expect most of the beach towns to be completely closed down, with just a few shops and tavernas in Chora open to serve the small year-round local population.

The vibe on Mykonos is different to other nightlife destinations in Europe though. Don’t come expecting anything like Magaluf, there is no Bar Street here. Parties revolve around its chilled-out and stylish beach bars and a few discrete clubs tucked away in the hills. It’s popular with a glamorous jet set crowd, but is still essentially a laid-back beach destination. It’s a place to see and be seen, but there are also many discrete villas. There are party beaches but also empty shores and child-friendly beaches (plenty of families visit but there are no waterparks or other entertainment aimed solely at children). You’ll find fine dining alongside traditional Greek tavernas, and souvenir shops next to art galleries and designer boutiques.

Strict planning laws have protected the look and feel of the island – everything is characteristically white and cubic. The uniform is whitewashed interiors and chic boho styling. It has a free-spirited vibe and is one of the top gay travel destinations in Europe.

However it is one of the most expensive destinations in Greece. Food and drink prices are significantly higher than the other islands, and don’t expect to find free sunloungers. But by law all beaches in Greece are free to enter and lay your towel. It’s home to one of the most extensive concentrations of luxury hotels in the country – it’s impossible to list them all but we’ve tried to give a good overview here.

Beyond Chora and the beach, the main attraction is the nearby uninhabited island of Delos with its extensive ancient ruins. Tours run to Delos from the Old Port daily.

Getting Around:

Mykonos has a small international airport with flights from Athens and a few European cities.

Ferries and cruise ships arrive at the New Port which is just north of Mykonos Chora. It’s too far to comfortably walk – there are buses and taxis available, as well as the regular water taxi to Chora.

Buses on Mykonos are cheap – See KTEL Mykonos for bus timetables – whereas taxis are rare and expensive, but in high season you will face long waits for both. Many high end hotels also offer shuttle services. Renting a car or scooter for exploring the beaches is popular but bear in mind that parking in Mykonos Chora is limited.

Which part of the island to choose?

Mykonos is relatively small and you can easily drive around in a day.

NORTH: Rugged and unpopulated, with quiet but windy beaches.
SOUTH: Most of the main beach resorts are on the south coast, busier on the west side and getting quieter the further east you get.
EAST: The beaches past Elia are beyond the reach of the bus and water taxi network so things calm down considerably.
WEST: The most densely populated part of the island, with Chora in the centre surrounded by a sprawl which merges into the surrounding villages and is flanked by the port and airport.

Mykonos Chora

Also known just as Chora for short, the town is the island’s capita, Mykonos Chora is one of the most famous of Greece’s many whitewashed towns and villages, and is also the largest. You can truly get lost in its narrow alleyways. Its unique trademarks are the colourful wooden windows and balconies of the waterside area known as Little Venice, and the nearby windmills which tower over the town. Between the two is a strip of coast which is perfect for sunset spotting. You’ll pay a premium for your drinks here but it’s worth it for the views.

North around the corner from Little Venice is the famous Paraportiani church and the Old Port area which is set around a small sand beach. It’s not really a sunbathing beach – fishermen still use this area and there’s a fish market in the middle. The harbour is lined with restaurants and bars. From the Old Port you can take buses and water taxis to beaches around the island.

Although some traces of traditional life remain, the vibe in Mykonos Chora is distinctly cosmopolitan. Stores range from bawdy t-shirts to high-end designer and everything in between. Prices are more expensive than the rest of the island. The town gets extremely busy in the summer, not just with daytrippers from the beach resorts, but also from neighbouring islands and cruise ships.

The port is a short drive to the north (but too long to comfortably walk). There are two bus stops in town – the Old Port, and Fabrika which is at the back of the old town area. They are not linked by bus. Water taxis and boat trips run from the Old Port.

Beyond the centre of town is an endless sprawl of accommodation which blends into the neighbouring areas. Rooms in the old town itself are scarce. At first you might be seduced by the notion of staying in the old town but once you see the streets heaving with tourists you’ll appreciate a quieter spot out of town. There are hills involved though, and the further from town you end up the more you will appreciate your own wheels.

5-star hotels include:

4-star:

3-star:

Rooms and Apartments:

Flashpackers will love the swanky design hostel MyCocoon. True budget options are hard to come by in the summer months when occupation levels are high. Try traditional guesthouses like Eleanna’s or look in the beach resorts.

Agios Stefanos and Tourla

The New Port (where the ferries and cruise ships dock) is a 10-minute drive north of town. The area around the port is known as Tourla and from here to town the road is paved with hotels. It’s also where the yacht marinas are located. Functionally it’s an extension of Mykonos Chora and there are regular buses.

Top hotels here include:

Cavo Tagoo (between Tourla and Chora)
Mykonos Riviera Luxury Hotel (Tourla)

Just north of the New Port (where the ferries and cruise ships dock) is Agios Stefanos, a sheltered family-friendly beach. It has a low-key and local atmosphere but gets busy due to its proximity to town. It’s also home to two great luxury hotels:

And north of Agios Stefanos is the village of Faros Armenistis, known for its lighthouse but also home to plenty of villas.

Megali Ammos

The town beach is Megali Ammos and it’s a short stroll along the road from the Fabrika bus station, and 10-15 minutes from the action. Like many of the beaches on Mykonos, Megali Ammos beach is a mix of course and fine sand with fine pebbles. It faces north-west and so does get the occasional wind but this means it’s quieter than the south-facing beaches near town. There are one or two tavernas and a cluster of resort hotels immediately behind the beach.

5-star:

4-star:

Andronikos Hotel
Ilio Maris
Mykonos Bay Resort & Villas (beachfront)

3-star:

The road to Platis Gialos is lined with hotels and villas taking advantage of the high terrain for their pools, such as Portes Mykonos, but is less walkable to the beach.

Ornos

The first proper beach resort as you head away from Chora is Ornos. It’s a 5-10 minute drive from town and is an appealing town wedged between two beaches. The north-facing Korfos Beach gets most of the winds and so is quiet except for kitesurfers. The main beach faces south and is calm and sheltered during the summer. It’s a mix of fine sand and small golden pebbles, with the better sand at the western end by the 4-star Adorno Beach Hotel & Suites.

Ornos Beach is lined with cafes and bars playing a variety of music and serviced sun loungers although there are a few small sections you can lay your towel. The calm waters make it popular with families with young children (particularly the French) however don’t expect play facilities. The sea is shallow to start with but quickly reaches shoulder height.

The resort area between the beaches is mostly flat and is an appealing warren of hotels, studios, villas, upmarket restaurants, car and scooter rentals, and the occasional cafe or bakery. It’s a densely packed area and the narrow beach is packed full in high season. Regular buses to Mykonos Chora leave from the car park in front of the restaurant Porto Ornos.

Ultra-chic Kensho Ornos is the big-name luxury hotel here. One of two outposts on the island, private pools and hot tubs are available. It’s a short walk to the beach.

The other top 5-star is the Santa Marina Resort, arguably the best luxury beachfront resort hotel on the island. It occupies a small headland which is a short walk to the south of Ornos, right on a secluded beach. Two sea-view pools and Buddha Beach Bar complete the lineup.

Mykonos Blanc and Mykonos Ammos are two more 5-stars right on the main beach. It’s not just luxury hotels here though – there are many traditional guesthouses a short walk from the sands such as Anemos Apartments.

Take the road north from Korfos to reach a quiet part of the peninsula with views across the bay Mykonos Chora on one side, and Delos on the other . There are plenty of villas around here to make the most of it. Check out Mykonos No5 Suites & Villas.

Agios Ioannis

The only settlement on the peninsula past Ornos is petite Agios Ioannis. Less organised than its neighbour Ornos, it’s claim to fame was as the location in Shirley Valentine. Not that you’d guess from visiting now – it’s quiet and home to some upmarket resort hotels such as:

There are a few cafes on the sands and a handful more along the main road, along with enough restaurants and tavernas to keep you going for a week. Some of the seabed here is flat rock rather than sand and it presents some good snorkelling as well as excellent sunset views over Delos.

If you’ve got kids in tow or aren’t looking to partake in the island’s nightlife then Agios Ioannis is a great choice, it feels far from the madding crowds and the beach doesn’t get the same number of daytrippers as nearby resorts.

Psarou

Psarou is one of the most beautiful – and exclusive – beaches on Mykonos. It’s situated in a cove flanked by cliffs a short walk from Plati Gialos. The beach club Nammos is located right on the beach and here you will find some of Mykonos’ most expensive sunloungers (A-listers jet in on speedboats from their yachts). The sand is better at the western end of the beach.

Platis Gialos is a short walk away and the road is lined with eateries and hotels.

Kensho Psarou is a 5-star luxury hotel with the best location right on the beach. Rooms with hot tubs or private pools are available.

Other Psarou options include:

Platis Gialos

Platis Gialos is one of the most popular and versatile beaches on Mykonos and is connected to Mykonos Chora (as well as neighbouring beaches) by regular buses and water taxis. You’ll see a variety of spelling including Plati Gialos, Platys Gialos, and Plati Yialos which is the closest to the pronunciation.

The south-facing beach is wide and sandy, though some parts have finer sand than others and there are sections of flat rock on the water bed. Water sports are available. There are some excellent restaurants in Plati Gialos. The vibe here is classy but inclusive and suitable for families. The main benefit of staying here rather than at similar Ornos is that it’s easier to visit other beaches – there are several within walking distance (Psarou, Agia Anna, Paraga) plus the water taxis. It’s not a big town so you’ll never be far from a beach.

Hotels by the beach include:

And little further back from the beach you’ll find:

Agia Anna and Paraga

A short path follows the coast around past Hidden Beach – a small clothing-optional cove – to the sandy crescent of Agia Anna and behind it Paraga. The small but lively headland is home to the luxury beach club SantAnna which has the largest beachfront pool in Europe.

The Wild Hotel

In the small backstreets there are a few studios and small hotels such as Agia Anna On The Beach, as well as the ever-popular Paraga Beach Hostel and Camping which is the best place to stay on Mykonos for backpackers and solo travellers. Soho Roc is a bit further out but has lush boho decor.

Water taxis run the route around the corner to Paradise – the walk is longer and steeper than it looks on the map.

Paradise and Super Paradise

Nestled away at the end of two steep valleys are the island’s popular party beaches – Paradise and Super Paradise. These two aren’t really resort areas, rather home to busy beach bars and clubs, but there are a few accommodation options if you want to stay close to the action.

On Paradise Beach:

Tropicana Hotel (4-star) – private plunge pools available and a beachfront location
Paradise Beach Resort & Camping
Votsalaki Mykonos Rooms

There’s a mini-market, laundry service, and bus station right behind the car park. There are also a few rooms and villas in the village behind the beach (a 10-minute uphill walk(.

On Super-Paradise:

Elia

Elia is the longest organised beach and is also currently the favourite beach with the gay crowd, although overall the crowd is mixed and there are many large family-friendly resort hotels. Those who enjoy a clothing-free sunbathing session tend to stick to the smaller and quieter beaches nearby such as Agrari.

It’s comparatively further from Mykonos Chora than Plati Gialos and whilst there regular buses and hotel shuttles during the day it’s harder to get back at night, are so best suited to those content to stay in resort for most of the time. Past Elia the beaches get quieter but are also less sheltered from the wind.

There are several big and smart 5-star hotels right by the beach:

A short walk from the beach:

Quiet Resorts on Mykonos

Kalo Livadi

Kalo Livadi is an organised beach with wide golden sands and a beach bar that buzzes with daytrippers in the summer. Watersports are available.

There are a few smart hotels here – Aegon Mykonos is the standout, with private pools or direct beach access rooms on offer. The Archipelagos Luxury Hotel is highly rated but be aware it lacks a pool. There are lots of villas with great views on the hills either side of the beach. On a budget? Try SeaSide Studios.

Kalafati and Lia

Kalafati is a quiet(ish) family-friendly beach in a scenic bay. Although it’s still an organised beach with lines of sunloungers, it feels comparatively relaxed and spacious. Kid-friendly watersports are on offer. The water is crystal clear and there are some rocks on the sea bed. There are several smaller beaches within walking distance including the beautiful Lia Beach. This is the end of the bus and water taxi line – beyond here you’ll need a rental car.

The area is prime villa territory – Aegean Breeze (sleeps 6) is right by the beach. It’s a short drive to Ano Mera for amenities.

If you’re looking for a hotel the best in the area is 5-star The Wild by Interni down by Agia Anna beach, which has minimalist decor, great views, and access to a mini secluded beach.

Ftelia

There aren’t many beach resorts on the north coast due to the strong winds. Of course, if you’re a windsurfer or a kitesurfer then that’s precisely what you’re looking for. In which case you should head to Ftelia, located in the centre of the north coast at the end of a long bay which funnels the reliable northerly wind right down. There is a small organised section and beach bar, and the surrounding hills are dotted with discrete villas and the chic Ftelia Bay Mykonos Hotel.

Need a villa? Villa Salty sleeps 8.

Panormos

Panormos Beach is a beautiful sweep of golden sand a short drive from Ftelia with a cluster of upmarket accommodations overlooking the beach from the hills above. Panormos Village Hotel is easygoing chic and Mykonos Panormos Villas is a complex of villas with private pools. Part of the beach is organised in high season. It does get windy but feels secluded and is only a 10-minute drive from Mykonos Chora.

Agios Sostis

Just north of Panormos is the small and unspoiled beach at Agios Sostis. The beach here is sunlounger-free, a bit windy, and clothing-optional. Friendly family-run 3-star Mykonos Star Hotel is a short walk.

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