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 Mykonos beaches.
Little did I know, that of all of the Greek islands, the Mykonos party scene is world-renowned, drawing HUGE crowds to the incredible beaches 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:
If you’re going to be drinking, it’s best to take to local buses from the beaches and nightclubs to Mykonos Town. They operate regularly to and from Fabrika (in Mykonos Town) to all major beaches and many of the best clubs in Mykonos and are very affordable.
Note: if you want to rent a scooter or an ATV in Mykonos, you need a motorcycle license and an international license. Most locations around Greece require an international license, which you can obtain here for only $35 and get emailed to you to print within a few hours. 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 Mykonos 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 while listening to 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 throws some of the best parties in 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 we saw 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, 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.
It 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?
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 strangers. Just a heads up, guys and girls, expect to pay a cover fee to enter.
There’s a reason it’s one of the best places to party in Mykonos.
Paradise Beach
Paradise Beach
Looking for the biggest Mykonos party area? Paradise Beach is the place to be.
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 be “open-minded,” but it is definitely one of the best beach clubs in Mykonos.
Paradise Club Mykonos
For a real nightclub experience in Mykonos, Paradise Club Mykonos is where you want to be! Located on the shores of Paradise Beach, this club brings in the biggest DJs from all over the world and throws one hell of a party.
Voted#14 best club in the world – you’re guaranteed a night to remember.
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…)
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 an epic place for those keen on partying in Mykonos. If you go, you’ll have to report back in the comments. 😉
So, as you can see, the nightlife in Mykonos is pretty amazing.
Looks like a pretty wild scene 🙂
Ohhh. If I was younger 🙂
Safe Travels!
Erik you never get old to party
Love this, thank you! Backpacking Europe is grand excursion #2 in my 2013/2014 travel plans, and I hope to be there late next summer. All the travel advice I usually find about Greece is about Athens and the ruins – which, don’t get me wrong, interests me deeply. But I also want to hit up the beach scene, so this post is great reference. I am especially interested in Paraga – that is the COOLEST picture!