Gay Beaches in Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos, a Greek island situated in the Aegean sea, has long been known as a favorite gay destination. The cosmopolitan island has a gay beach and many gay-friendly bars.

After flying to to Athens, there are several choices for the trip to Mykonos. There are regular flights to the island as well as ferries (an overnight ferry takes around 7 hours, while a jet foil takes only 3).

Once on the island, you will most likely be met by locals offering you accommodation, but the accommodation agencies at the airport and in the old town offer a more reputable booking channel. In general, it is best to stay in or near the old town, where most of the evening activity occurs.

For longer stays, there are many small rooms/apartments available to rent. Mykonos has had the good sense to ban large hotels, so all buildings are one-story with a white wash that adds to the island's charm.

As for transportation, don't worry about renting a car on the island; you don't need one. Buses run between the town and the beaches; taxis are readily available and reasonably priced; and it is easy to rent a bike.

The beach is undoubtedly the best place to spend the day. Most beaches are either nude or clothing optional. You can get to any of them by foot, bike, bus or cab. One of the best options is to bus from downtown Mykonos to Plati Yalos and then jump on one of the little ferries/fishing boats that will drop you off at the individual beaches. Ask for Super to get door-to-shore service to the gay beach.

Paradise Beach although predominantly straight, has traditional water sports available such as water skiing, jet skis, bananas boat, pedalos etc. At the far end of the beach (righthand side when facing the sea), Super Paradise is where the gays congregate. The beach is immaculate, and the sea a crystal clear blue that is pleasant to swim in.

With a beach restaurant at one end and a trendy cocktail bar at the other, Super Paradise is well catered for food and drink. Great alcoholic fruit cocktails and fresh fruit salads with honey and Greek yogurt come highly recommended.

Agrari and Elia (the right hand section here is gay as well) are larger more deserted beaches that provide an escape from the crowds. Both are reachable via ferry or taxi.

In the evening, after a hearty Greek meal in any of the dozens of restaurants throughout the island, head for the old town. This area is the center of action on Mykonos. Originally an old fishing port, it is now the entertainment hub of the island. Narrow winding streets and white washed buildings with painted windows and doors mean that Mykonos looks particularly attractive in the evening beneath the shop lights and street lamps. The clubs are small, cozy, and very cruisy.

When you've done the beach, done the bars, and want to check out the scenery and history of the Aegean, the nearby island of Delos is full of Greek ruins. Famous in Greek mythology as the home of Apollo, the remains here date back to 2000 BC. The island, although now deserted, once had a large population who built temples, statues and mosaic floors before the Romans came along.