Mykonos – the most glamorous and expensive of all the Greek Islands – boasts everything you need for a perfect Greek island honeymoon or romantic getaway.
Discover picturesque white-washed houses and blue-domed churches, classy boutique shopping, exciting nightlife, a cosmopolitan (some would say hedonistic) atmosphere and a selection of long sandy beaches ranging from family friendly and cosmopolitan to secluded and clothing-optional.
Choosing the perfect beach for your Mykonos honeymoon is easy – the beaches of Mykonos are famous for golden sand, crystalline waters, water sports, sun and extreme partying.
Mykonos' most popular beaches are found along the southern coast.
However, during peak summer season (from mid-July to the end of August) these beaches may get overcrowded. Beaches along the northern coast are less commercial, hence better for a spot of quiet sunbathing.
The best beaches in Mykonos – from busy to secluded – include the following…
Spot the celeb sunbathing on the soft golden sand of this long beach that stretches between two rocky headlands and shelves into a pretty bay.
Located a short bus ride from Chora on the southern coast of Mykonos, Psarou is a family friendly beach offering excellent watersports such as windsurfing, waterskiing and scuba diving.
A beachside bar offers sushi, sun loungers and comfy sofas.
If you like your sun, sea and sand accompanied by cool sounds, then you’ll love Paradise Beach.
Framed by rocky headlands and shelving into a turquoise bay, Paradise is famous for its loud day and night beach parties.
Check out the popular Cavo Paradiso, which stands atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea, or one of the many other beachside bars. Other facilities include a diving centre and several restaurants.
This clothing-optional beach, popular with singles and couples, is easily accessed from Mykonos town by bus or water taxi.
Less developed than neighbouring Paradise Beach, Super Paradise is renowned as Greece’s most famous homosexual beach.
Framed by rugged promontories and the crystalline waters of a sheltered bay, this clothing-optional golden-sand beach is neatly divided into hetero and gay sections.
With its collection of restaurants and bars playing non-stop loud music day and night, Super Paradise attracts partygoers from around the world.
Super Paradise is accessible by water taxi from Paradise Beach.
With its long stretch of golden sand and crystalline waters, Platis Gialos is one of the most popular family beaches on Mykonos.
Beachfront facilities include sun beds, umbrellas, various watersports, restaurants, bars and hotels.
Platis Gialos is serviced by a regular bus service from Mykonos town, which is only 4km away.
The beach is also the main gateway for caiques (traditional fishing boats used as water taxis) heading to the south coast beaches of Paranga, Agrari, Elia, Paradise and Super Paradise.
This long golden-sand beach shelves into turquoise waters just north of Mykonos town.
Protected from the summer winds and offering a variety of watersports facilities, taverns and hotels, this popular family friendly beach can get crowded during the summer season.
Located in front of a small fishing village, Ornos offers a beautiful beach of fine golden sand with sun beds and umbrellas for hire.
Facilities include schools for diving, waterskiing and windsurfing as well as a huge hotel complex that offers a variety of restaurants and bars.
Ornos is located at the end of a sheltered inlet and is the closest fine grain sand beach to Mykonos town. The beach is serviced by a frequent bus service.
The longest beach on Mykonos offers a wide choice of tavernas, bars and hotels, as well as watersports including waterskiing, parasailing and windsurfing.
Clothing-optional Elia is the last stop on the caique route, so it’s more peaceful and quiet than many of the other south coast beaches.
Mykonos’ only water park (Watermania) is situated only minutes behind the beach, so it’s perfect for families wanting some extra excitement for the kids and couples who want rugged natural beauty with all the facilities while avoiding the crowds.
Bound by rocky outcrops and shelving into a crystalline sea, Lia is one of Mykonos’ least crowded beaches.
Lia offeres soft golden sand and facilities including sun beds, umbrellas and a taverna serving fresh seafood and traditional Greek dishes.
This long golden-sand beach is renowned for calm water and a wide range of watersports including snorkelling, jet skiing, banana boating, kayaking, diving and windsurfing.
The local windsurf centre rents boards by the hour and you can also sign up for windsurfing lessons.
Located on the south coast near Lia, Kalafatis hosts a beachfront restaurant and several accommodation options in the nearby village.
Relax on the soft golden sand of this isolated beach that gently shelves into the crystalline waters of a sheltered bay.
The beach has no facilities other than a large beach bar and a volleyball court, but is mercifully free of sun umbrellas, which tend to dominate most of Mykonos’ beaches.
Located on the northern coast of Mykonos, Panormos is easily accessible by private car or motorbike.
This secluded and undeveloped golden-sand beach nestles between two rocky headlands and shelves into calm crystalline waters just north of Panormos Beach.
The white-washed town of Agio Sostis sits perched on a headland overlooking the beach.
Note: Up to 90 per cent of almost every beach in Mykonos is covered with shaded sun loungers, which are typically lined-up like soldiers on a parade ground.
If you choose to use one of the loungers, be prepared to pay for the pleasure; some sun loungers are the property of beachside hotels and bars and are exclusively reserved for patrons.
If this is all too sterile and organised for your bohemian tastes, head to the secluded north where the beaches are still largely undeveloped and you can flop down anywhere you choose to brush up on your golden tan.
Get lost in the labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets that meander through the cubist charms of Chora (Old Mykonos town).
This traditional Cycladic town sprawls across a hillside overlooking a picture-perfect harbour and is characterised by white-washed houses with flat roofs and blue wooden doors.
Stroll through the traffic-free heart of Chora beneath balconies overflowing with bougainvilleas and geraniums, stopping off at cafes, restaurants and classy jewellery and fashion boutiques along the way.
Don’t miss the 18th century Church of the Panagia Paraportiani, a white-washed complex of four chapels, considered to be a national monument and recognised as a highpoint of Cycladic architecture.
Visit the exhibition of sculptures, vases and figurines from the nearby islands of Delos and Rhenia at the Archaeological Museum and admire traditionally thatched windmills that stand on a hill overlooking the picturesque waterfront district of Little Venice.
The former fishing district of Little Venice has been transformed into a fashionable nightspot crammed with trendy cafes, tavernas, restaurants, bars and quaint old houses offering chic accommodation – perfect for honeymoon couples.
Just 8km to the north and located close to the old fishing village of Ano Mera sits the impressive 16th century Tourliani Monastery, home to a collection of famous religious artefacts.
Just a short boat ride away sits the uninhabited island of Delos.
Stroll through ancient sanctuaries and temples to experience some of Greece’s ancient history and culture.
The rolling dry interior of Mykonos is fringed with a choice of lovely beaches: Try the family friendly Agios Stefanos, Ornos and Platis Gialos beaches or party hard at the clothing-optional Paradiso Beach – Greece's number one open-air seaside clubbing venue.
Must-see Mykonos sights in Mykonos, include…
Kato Myli – A trademark of Mykonos, these famous white-washed windmills stand on a hill overlooking Little Venice with magnificent views over Chora and the harbour.
Little Venice – This photogenic collection of two-storey Venetian-style houses characterised by their coloured wooden porches and balconies dramatically overhanging the sea, are now home to trendy cafes, bars and expensive accommodation. Sip your favourite cocktail watching the sunset as waves pound the foundations just metres beneath you.
Mykonos pelicans – Following the death of Petros the pelican, the legendary mascot of Mykonos, his friendly successors are found all over Chora and don’t seem to mind the attention or being photographed.
Monastery of Panagia Tourliani – Admire the impressive white-washed exterior and blue dome of this 16th century monastery, which was restored in 1767. Within the courtyard, see a sculptured marble fountain and wood-carved temple from Florence.
The monastery also houses a small p museum that exhibits various holy vestments, Byzantine icons and the first bells of the monastery’s main church.
Greek cuisine – Take advantage of the local fresh produce, including olive oil, tasty kalamata olives, lamb dishes and a wide assortment of seafood including the popular calamari, as well as refreshing local wine and cheese.
Popular activities in Mykonos, include…
Mykonos is an ideal place for sunbathing and enjoying a wide range of watersports including swimming, windsurfing, water-skiing and parasailing, as well as banana boats, wakeboards, tubes and jet skis.
Many of the major resorts also offer the usual range of activities including tennis, beach and pool volleyball and beach soccer – perfect for active couples.
Windsurfing – Unlike the sheltered southern beaches, Mykonos’ northern coast is windy and offers great fun for windsurfers.
Head to Kalafatis beach, home to some of Europe’s biggest windsurfing contests and probably the best windsurfing school in Mykonos. Take a beginners, refresher or advanced technique course.
Walking – Stroll around the winding labyrinth of narrow streets in Chora. The best time is early morning when the centre is closed to traffic and the town quiet, as people head to the beaches or are sleeping-off the previous night’s excesses.
Scuba diving – Mykonos is one of the few islands on the Aegean Sea where scuba diving is still permitted – diving is typically prohibited in Greece to protect undersea archaeological treasures from theft.
The best month is September, when the water temperature averages 24°C, with visibility up to 30m. Equipment is available for rent.
Snorkelling – Rent a mask and flippers from your resort and snorkel above colourful wrasse swimming around the rocky headlands of your beach or join a group and head to Dragonisi Island, an uninhabited private island a few miles south-east of Mykonos.
Snorkel over caverns inhabited by hundreds of glassfish and thousands of small yellow sea anemones.
Spas – Revitalise with a massage or beauty treatment from one of the many spa centres found in most of the major resorts.
Cruise – Join a leisurely cruise along the south coast of the island, sailing past all of the famous beaches, then spend a day on the isolated beach of Fraggia: swim in the crystal clear water, snorkel, play volley ball and beach soccer or simply relax and work on your tan.
Off-road safari – Experience the rugged side of Mykonos on a 150km off-road excursion around Mykonos’ back roads.
Discover isolated beaches, lighthouses and the old deserted mining town. Rent a moped or car to explore the remote areas of the island.
Shopping – Best buys are vegetable-dyed, hand-loomed weavings. Mykonos was once world-famous for these handicrafts but today only a few shops continue this tradition – browse Nikoletta (possibly the best) or the shops between Plateia Tria Pigadia and Plateia Laka, for a good selection of handwoven scarves, rugs and tablecloths.
Mykonos is crowded with art galleries, jewellery and clothing shops, but beware, as many sell overpriced goods aimed solely at cruise ship day-trippers.
Island hopping – From Mykonos, enjoy a day trip to one of the nearby islands or stay longer to explore sugar-cube villages and relax on stunning beaches in Santorini, Naxos and Ios.
Discover the surreal lunar landscape of Milos and the undulating hills and beautiful Venetian buildings of Siros. Get in touch with Greek history by wandering around the archaeological wonders of tiny Delos Island.
Island hopping is easy in the Aegean Sea: a choice of inexpensive (but relatively slow) ferries, high-speed (but noisy) hydrofoils and smooth and quiet catamarans connect all the islands.
More about the Cyclades…
Mykonos offers an excellent range of honeymoon accommodations options to suit all budgets, including the following 5-star hotels…
Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort
Location: Agios Ioannis Beach, Mykonos
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD2688 per room
Description: Located right on Agios Ioannis Beach, Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort provides 5-star, boutique accommodation set amidst cobbled paths overlooking Delos Island. It includes a health centre and offers fine dining in stylish settings. Rooms and suites at Mykonos Grand combine the cube-shaped Cycladic architecture with the restful interior décor. Rooms open out to balconies or patios with sea, garden or pool views, and all are equipped with a satellite LCD TV, DVD player and iPod docking station. Guests can enjoy fresh seafood, grilled specialities and other Mediterranean flavours either at the open-air dining room or by the pool offering panoramic sea views. The White Bar is ideal for a glass of champagne in a minimalist setting featuring an outdoor terrace. Althea Spa Centre offers a wide variety of natural treatments based on traditional Greek techniques. Guests can spend relaxing moments by the pool featuring private areas, while a state-of-the-art gym and a tennis court are also available. Mykonos Town is around 4 km away from the resort. The island’s port and airport are both 4.5 km away. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout and free on-site parking is possible.
Rocabella Mykonos Art Hotel & SPA
Location: Agios Stefanos Beach, Mykonos
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD1238 per room
Description: Rocabella Mykonos Art Hotel and Spa is located within walking distance of the sandy Agios Stefanos beach. It boasts a pool, fine dining, stylish rooms and a spa. The rooms of Rocabella feature free Internet access and a furnished sea-view balcony or terrace. They are fitted with a satellite LCD TV and a safe. Some rooms also include an outdoor plunge pool. A pillow menu is also available. The state-of-the-art spa is equipped with a sauna and a gym. It also provides facial and beauty treatments, and massages. Greek breakfast is served daily in the dining area. The hotel’s restaurant prepares gourmet cuisine in a romantic poolside setting. Guests can also enjoy a drink at the pool bar with views over the neighbouring Tinos and Dilos islands. Personalised concierge services are available for guests, as well as a turn-down service with essential oils. Mykonos Airport is 5 km away from Rocabella. The picturesque town of Mykonos is less than a 10-minute drive away. Free on-site parking is available.
Boheme
Location: Mykonos Town
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD737 per room
Description: Located 300 metres from lively Mykonos Town, Boheme features a free-form pool and a furnished sun terrace with unobstructed sea view. It has a poolside snack bar and a restaurant, and offers air-conditioned accommodation with free Wi-Fi. The suites of Boheme open to a balcony or terrace enjoying views over the Aegean Sea. They are equipped with satellite TV and a fridge. Each features a seating area and a private bathroom stocked with hairdryer and bathrobes. A la carte breakfast is served daily in the guestrooms or on the terrace, while guests can also enjoy a variety of beverages and drinks at the snack bar by the pool. Mediterranean dishes can also be enjoyed at the on-site restaurant for lunch or dinner. Staff at the front desk can arrange car rental and can provide information on excursions in the area. A transfer from and to the airport is provided upon request and at extra charge. Boheme is situated 2 km from the Old Port of Mykonos and 4 km from the new port. Mykonos Airport is 2 km away, while the famous Psarrou Beach is 3.5 km away. Free private parking is possible on site.
Myconian Utopia Resort
Location: Elia Beach
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD730 per room
Description: Offering an outdoor pool and a restaurant, the traditionally built Myconian Utopia Resort is located on a hill, just 100 metres from Elia Beach. It features tastefully decorated accommodation with Aegean Sea views and free WiFi. All air-conditioned rooms and villas of Myconian Utopia open to a furnished balcony and have a mini fridge and a flat-screen, satellite TV. Featuring a rain shower, private bathroom also comes with a hairdryer. Some units are fitted with a hot tub or a private pool. Guests may relax on the sun loungers of the sun terrace by the pool or keep fit at the on-site fitness centre. Several massage treatments can be provided at the spa centre upon charge. This resort is 12 km from Mykonos Airport, while the scenic town of Mykonos is also 12 km away. Platys Gialos Beach is at 10 km and the beach of Psarrou is 14 km away. Free private parking is possible on site.
Nissaki, Mykonos
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD722 per room
Description: Built with an exceptional view over Psarou Beach, Nissaki Boutique Hotel enjoys an ideal location in the island of Mykonos. It overlooks the blue Aegean Sea, and is within a short stroll from sandy Platis Gialos beach. The hotel provides an exterior sea-view swimming pool, an exterior hot tub, massage and water sports and an open air restaurant. Recreational amenities at Nissaki Hotel include an indoor pool and a fitness facility. Hotel Nissaki also offers a bar lounge, and a coffee shop – café. The guestrooms at the Nissaki Boutique Hotel, decorated with whitewashed walls and multi-coloured stone floor tiles, are well appointed and comfortable, each with satellite TVs, bathroom amenities, CD and DVD players and private sea-view balcony. Hotel Nissaki also has free Wi-Fi internet access, and provides complimentary transfer services to its guests.
Palladium Hotel
Location: Nammos Beach, Mykonos
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD545 per room
Description: Palladium Hotel features romantic accommodation with Aegean Sea or pool views, a 2-minute walk from Psarou Beach, in Mykonos. Guests enjoy al fresco dining, and a wellness area with hot tub and sauna. Each of the elegant suites and rooms is air-conditioned and includes a seating area, and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and DVD player. Guests are greeted with a welcome drink, fruit basket and freshly cut flowers. Korres toiletries can be found at the private bathroom. Guests wake up to a rich American breakfast buffet. La Veranda serves innovative Mediterranean cuisine in a romantic atmosphere. Signature cocktails and refreshing drinks are served at the pool bar. Palladium guests are offered free two-way transfer to Mykonos Airport and the port, or Mykonos Town upon request. Free wired and wireless internet are available throughout. Other facilities include a fitness centre with massage rooms.
Anax Resort and Spa
Location: Agios Ioannis, Mykonos
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD413 per room
Description: Boasting a seafront location in Agios Ioannis in Mykonos, Anax Resort ideally blends Cycladic architecture with modern amenities. Facilities include a superb spa centre offering an abundance of beauty treatments, indoor and outdoor swimming pool and a restaurant serving fine Mediterranean cuisine. Stylish and spacious, the bright units at Anax Resort and Spa open to a balcony and patio with magnificent views of the sea. Some feature their very own private pool. Each boasts an elegant bathroom stocked with a spa bath and shower, while free toiletries are also offered. A smart TV is available in every unit. Air conditioning comes standard. Guests will find a fully equipped gym within the premises. The services that can be enjoyed at the spa centre range from hammam and sauna to rejuvenating massages and facial treatments. The poolside bar offers lounge-style sunbeds and a wide variety of premium cocktails. Other options include a lobby bar and a snack bar. Free WiFi is available throughout. The cosmopolitan centre of Mykonos, boasting an array of exclusive boutiques and high-profile bars and restaurants, lies within approximately 4.5 km of Anax Resort and Spa. The lively Psarou Beach is at 4 km. Mykonos Airport is 5 km away. Free private parking is possible on site.
Mykonos Princess Hotel
Location: Agios Stefanos, Mykonos
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD404 per room
Description: Mykonos Princess Boutique Hotel is located within walking distance of the sandy Beach of Agios Stefanos. It features a magnificent sea view pool, modern rooms with luxury amenities, and a Greek contemporary restaurant. The rooms of Mykonos Princess all feature free internet access and they each include a satellite LCD TV, a minibar and a safe. Most of the rooms have a furnished sea-view balcony or terrace. The wellness center features a gym. It also provides facial and beauty treatments, and massages upon request. A la carte breakfast is served daily in the dining and pool area. The hotel’s restaurant serves modern Greek cuisine in a romantic poolside setting. Guests can also enjoy a drink at the pool bar with views of Mykonos Town and Delos island. Mykonos Airport is 4.8 km from Mykonos Princess. The picturesque town of Mykonos is less than a 10-minute drive away. Free on-site parking is available.
The best time to honeymoon in Mykonos is during the first two weeks of September when the excessive summer heat has passed, the seawater is still warm, the crowds have dissipated and all the facilities are still operational.
The summer crowds of July and August are best avoided. You’ll also find a less bustling but equally enjoyable Mykonos by visiting during spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October).
Summer, from June to mid-September, is warm and sunny, but also windy. You can expect average highs of 27°C (81°F) in June, 30°C (86°F) in July, 29°C (84°F) in August and 27°C (81°F) in September.
The cool and refreshing sea breeze - the Meltimi – is fairly consistent throughout summer, and is especially strong in July and August.
Sea temperature peaks around 25°C (77°F) in August.
The Mediterranean is not comparable with the South Pacific or the Caribbean – the water is cooler and the sand typically coarser. As part of the European Union, the beaches in Greece are regularly tested for water quality.
For more climate info: Mykonos Weather Guide…
Mykonos is the most visited island in the Cyclades – a group of islands that lies in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200km (120mi) southeast of mainland Greece.
The Cyclades also includes Ios, Paros, Milos, Naxos and Santorini, plus a number of smaller islands.
The most convenient route to Mykonos is by air to Mykonos Airport (JMK), located 3.5km (2mi) southeast of Mykonos town.
Mykonos is also easily accessible by high-speed catamarans and ferries from neighbouring islands and from Piraeus – the port of Athens.
Pireaus to Mykonos is about 4 hours 20 minutes by high-speed catamaran. However, it can also take up to 9 hours, depending on type of ferry and route chosen, especially if the ferry stops at one or more islands along the way.
By sea, the quickest route to Mykonos is from the port of Rafina, taking 2 hours 15 minutes, with several ferry operators servicing this route daily.
Rafina is located on the eastern coast of Attica, only 17km (10.5mi) from Athens Airport (ATH), around 30 minutes by bus and 15 minutes by taxi; and 25km (16mi) east of Athens city centre, around 1 hour 15 minutes by bus.
Note: Mykonos has two ferry quays: the Old Port, 400m north of town, and the New Port, 2km (1.2mi) north of town. When buying tickets, double-check which quay your ferry arrives and departs. There are bus connections to both ports from the northern bus station. Hotels can meet guests by prior arrangement.
More information on how to get to Mykonos…
Latest update: Mykonos Honeymoon Guide : 10 May, 2022
Advertising