Mykonos Gay Beaches Guide

For years, gays have been flocking to Mykonos in the Greek Islands as IT has some of the best gay beaches and accompanying parties in the region.

For many years, Paradise and Super Paradise were the ‘go-to’ gay beaches in Mykonos. While they’re hugely popular and worth a visit, Paradise has a straighter crowd, and Super Paradise still has epic parties.

So, what’s the best gay beach in Mykonos? Elia has stolen the crown from Super-Paradise, so it’s a must-visit. There are 4 more to consider, though.

Mykonos Beaches have everything a gay traveler could ask for. Wall-to-wall eye candy with handsome guys in tight speedos as far as the eye can see. Each of the gay-friendly beaches allows nude sunbathing, and one of the beaches is well-known as a cruise area.

Here’s our guide to the 5 best gay beaches in Mykonos and how to get to them.

1. Elia Beach

Elia is now considered by many Mykonos’s best gay beach. As such, it gets super-crowded, especially in July and August. It’s located on the south of the island and is a little further — around 6km — from Mykonos Town than Paradise and Super Paradise.

As you arrive at the beach, don’t be put off by the seemingly straight crowd; walk a little further to the right, and you’ll see the rainbow flags. Keep walking to get to the nude section. If the beach is full and there’s nowhere to place your towel, head left onto the rocks. 

How to Get to Elia

Elia is most easily accessed by car; it’s around a 25-minute drive from Mykonos Town and has a small car park. During busier seasons, a shuttle bus operates relatively infrequently from the Old Port terminal.

Where to Stay at Elia Beach

There’s quite a selection of hotels at Elia Beach; here are six we’d stay at:

Elia Mykonos Resort – its address is simply Elia Beach, telling the world it’s luxury beachfront. It’s a boutique resort with only 35 rooms and suites.

Arte & Mare Luxury Suites – is designed in the traditional Cycladic style, as you’d expect in the Greek Islands. This resort is 5 meters from the beach; some rooms are pool villas.

Royal Myconian – is part of the Leading Hotels of the World group. It’s located on the hill, looking over all of Elia. There are 153 rooms including pool villa suites.

Myconian Avaton – is a luxury property built into the rock high above Elia Beach. The infinity pool makes guests feel like they’re suspended in thin air.

Myconian Utopia—like its sister hotel, the Myconian Avaton, it’s built into the rock above the beach. This property is popular with couples, especially honeymooners. Why not have your beach wedding and then the reception right here?

Greco Philia Boutique Hotel – also located on the cliff, this time to the east of the beach. There are only 27 suites; our favorite is the junior suite, with the balcony spa overlooking the sea.

2. Super Paradise

Any first-time visitor needs to visit this gay Mykonos beach. Super Paradise is your gay party beach on Mykonos. The legendary Jackie O Beach Club hosts some of the hottest nightclub action on the island. 

The Super Paradise Beach Club is the other venue; the beach gets more fun in the afternoon as the boys gather in preparation for the party.

How to Get to Super Paradise

Super Paradise is one of the most convenient beaches to get to from Mykonos town. It’s a 15-minute drive, and there’s a small parking area — so get there early. 

While there’s no public transport to the beach, the Jackie O Beach Club has a shuttle from the Fabrika bus terminal every two hours. If you’re going with a group of friends, an alternative is to book a private car transfer from your hotel to the beach — it’s around 70 euros.

Where to Stay at Super Paradise

Super Paradise has three luxury properties that we’d choose for our next stay:

Super Paradise Suites —This resort, which sits atop a cliff to the east, has a trendy beach bar right on the beach. The property has four rooms, almost all of them overlooking the sea.

Lyo Boutique Hotel— on the cliff to the west of the beach, this boutique property has only 27 rooms; our favorite is the jacuzzi seaview suite.

My Aktis Hotel  – Perfect for groups, this property on the cliff to the south of the beach has 5 and 6-bedroom villas. BYO party!

3. Panormos

What was once a well-kept secret, with the opening of the beach club, Panormos is gaining popularity as a gay beach; it’s tucked away at the north of the island, and once again, head right past the straight couples to find the gay end of the beach.

How to Get to Panormos

It’s only a 15-minute drive from Mykonos Town to Panormos and has a large car park. The shuttle service from the town is really infrequent, but with the beach gaining popularity, we hope it’ll improve. 

Where to Stay at Panormos

There are three properties to consider at Panormos, one for budget-conscious travelers:

Panormos Village – located just to the north of the beach, this family-run property wants every guest to feel as if this is their home away from home. The hotel is built from traditional Mykonian stone architecture. 

The Etesian Hotel – this boutique resort has only seven rooms and is located slightly west of Panormos Beach. It’s perfect for a romantic getaway.

Albatros Club Mykonos – is a 3-star property just north of the beach. It’s for gay travelers who prefer to spend their money on eating and partying rather than on accommodation. Choose from double or twin rooms.

4. Agrari

During the peak season, when Elia is jam-packed, Agrari is a convenient option. It’s a brief walk across the rocks from the left end of Elia. Of all the gay beaches on Mykonos, Agrari is perfect for cruising. The activity on the rocks isn’t discreet at all. 

Agrari isn’t as crowded as Elia; it’s smaller but equally as beautiful and an excellent option, especially during high season. 

How to Get to Agrari

Agrari is a little tricky to get to. You can drive — it takes around 25 minutes — but part of the road is unpaved and not very rental-car friendly. The best option is to drive or catch the shuttle to Elia and walk across the rocks.

Where to Stay at Agrari

When Elia hotels book out, duck around the corner to Agrari; here are two excellent options :

Sunrise Hotel and Suites – is a beachfront 4-star property. Every room and suite except the lead-in category has sea views.

Ethereal Apartments — this 3-star hotel is ideally situated only 200 meters from the beach. Rooms accommodate 2, 3, or 4 guests. 

5. Paraga

One of the closest gay-friendly beaches to Mykonos Town is Paraga. It’s on the south of the island, around the corner from Paradise Beach, and tends to get a younger crowd. Since the opening of the beach club, the nude area has moved to the far right of the beach. 

Paraga is home to Scorpio’s Beach Club, a hip venue that attracts a gay crowd.

How to Get to Paraga

Paraga, due to its proximity to Paradise Beach, is one of the most accessible beaches on Mykonos. There are frequent shuttle services from Mykonos Town, and it’s only a 15-minute drive; if the small car park is full, park over at Paradise Beach and walk up the hill.

Where to Stay at Paraga

Soho Roc House Mykonos – is a 4-star hotel just west of the beach. It has a path to the shoreline. The 44-room hotel is seasonal and only opens in summer.

Zephyros Hotel Paraga – is located on the cliff overlooking the beach, and being a 3-star property is more economical than many other beach hotels on the island.

What About All the Other Mykonos Beaches?

There are 23 beaches on Mykonos. Why do we only mention 5? That’s easy; these 5 are the most frequented by gay travelers. 

There are 6 beaches that families mostly visit, and if you prefer to get your kit out, these beaches wouldn’t be appropriate. So you don’t get caught out, you probably want to skip Agios Ioannis, Agios Stefanos, Kalafatis, Kalo Livadi, Ornos, and Platys Gialos.

You’re there to hang out and party with other gay travelers, so Elia, Super Paradise, Panormos, Agrari, and Paraga have you covered.

XLSIOR Party

XLSIOR is a giant week-long party held in Mykonos every year towards the end of August. Think of it as a circuit party with different nights in alternate venues, including hotels, bars, beach clubs, and beaches. 

The venue list changes every year and is released closer to the dates. However, with beach clubs at Paradise and Super Paradise, at least one party is bound to be at each destination.

Gay Hotels in Mykonos

We’ve listed our favorite hotels at each of the beaches above. While they welcome every form of guests, for gay travelers, nothing beats staying in Mykonos Town, where everything is at your doorstep.

Elysium Hotel is the official gay hotel in town, yet all of the others are incredibly gay-friendly, 

Thirty hotels in Mykonos Town are ready to accept your pink dollar. There’s something for every gay traveler, from budget hotels to luxury beachfront properties and some with pool villas.