2. Go to the beach (or beaches) in Mykonos, Greece
Elia Beach, Mykonos, Greece (Photo: saiko3p/Shutterstock)
Mykonos is, along with Santorini, the most visited island on any Greece cruise. Besides the beautiful architecture, picturesque villages and vibrant nightlife, the beaches are one of the main attractions. The island offers sandy, pebble and even black sand beaches.
The only beach within easy walking distance of downtown is Old Port Beach, but it often has heavy boat traffic and the water is not as clear as areas further away. The good news is that most of the other beaches are within a 25-minute drive of Old Town, allowing visitors to visit several places in one day.
Elia Beach is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world to visit on a cruise. There is a nudist area separated by rocks from the family-friendly area and it is quieter than other sandy beaches on the island. It also offers excellent snorkelling and has a small restaurant that rents out padded loungers.
Other beaches worth visiting include Paradise and Super Paradise Beach, Ornos, Kalo Livadi and Kalafatis, each with its own vibe and range of services, including beach clubs. While most are lively and cater to those seeking the island’s famous daytime parties – such as Paraga and Psarou – others are quieter and better suited to families, such as Platis Gialos.
Sun loungers and umbrellas, as well as water sports, are available at most beaches for an hourly or daily fee. The best surfing can be found on the south coast at Kalafatis or at Ftelia Beach in the north.
