Elia is Mykonos’s longest sandy beach, a spacious, well-organised bay on the south-east coast with fine sand, calm, clear water, the island’s best water sports, beach clubs and a relaxed atmosphere. This guide covers what Elia is like, why it is the longest beach, the water sports, who it suits, the dining, where to stay and how to visit.
Elia offers more space and calm than the busy party beaches in the Mykonos travel guide. The sections below cover the beach in full.
What is Elia beach like?
Elia is the longest sandy beach in Mykonos, a wide, fully organised bay of fine golden sand and calm, crystal-clear water on the south-east coast, about 12 kilometres from town. With sunbeds, tavernas, bars and the island’s best water sports, plus a calmer atmosphere than the party beaches, it suits families, couples and water-sports lovers.
Elia comprises the longest sandy beach on Mykonos, a generous, sweeping bay of fine golden sand and calm, crystal-clear water on the south-east coast, around 12 kilometres from Chora and the furthest beach on the south-coast water-taxi line. Fully organised, it is lined with sunbeds and umbrellas, tavernas and beach bars, and is renowned as the island’s number-one beach for water sports. The wind for most of the summer comes from the north, leaving the sheltered bay calm and the water flat, perfect for swimming and watersports. Unlike the full-on party beaches of Paradise and Super Paradise, the atmosphere at Elia is calmer and more relaxed, and because it is the furthest south-coast beach it tends to be less crowded, making it a favourite of families, couples, locals and the LGBTQ community, with a quiet, undeveloped end popular with nudists, set within the wider Mykonos beaches. Its length is its great asset.
Why is Elia the longest beach with space?
Elia is the longest beach in Mykonos, giving far more room than the smaller, crowded bays. Its length means more sand per person, a quieter feel and space to find your own spot, while its position as the last water-taxi stop keeps it less busy. It blends an organised beach with room to spread out.
Elia’s defining feature is its length, which sets it apart from most Mykonos beaches. Where many of the island’s famous beaches are small, intimate coves that fill quickly and feel crowded in peak season, Elia is a long, wide stretch of sand offering far more space per person and a sense of room to breathe. This means you can find your own spot, whether near the lively, organised centre with its sunbeds, bars and water sports, or towards the quieter, more natural ends of the beach, including the secluded section favoured by nudists. Its size, combined with its position as the furthest of the south-coast beaches and the final stop on the water-taxi route, helps keep it less crowded and more relaxed than the closer, busier beaches. For travellers who want a beautiful, organised, sheltered beach with space and calm rather than a packed party scene, Elia’s length is a real draw, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos with kids. It is the island’s water-sports capital.
What water sports are there at Elia?
Elia is the best-organised beach for water sports on Mykonos, with a dedicated watersports centre offering waterskiing, parasailing, windsurfing, jet skiing, wakeboarding, tubing and paddleboarding. The calm, sheltered water makes ideal conditions, so Elia is the place to go for an active beach day on the water.
Elia is renowned as the number-one beach on Mykonos for water sports, thanks to its long, sheltered bay and calm, flat water, which create ideal conditions for activities. A well-established watersports centre on the beach offers a full menu of options for all levels, from high-adrenaline thrills like jet skiing, waterskiing, wakeboarding and parasailing, which lifts you high above the bay for spectacular views, to gentler pursuits such as windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, tubing and banana-boat rides, fun for families and groups. Equipment, instruction and guidance are provided, so beginners can try something new safely. This makes Elia the natural choice for travellers who want an active beach day combining swimming, sunbathing and watersports in one place. Combined with its space, calm and good facilities, the water sports help make Elia one of the most rewarding all-round beaches on the island, set out alongside the guide to things to do in Mykonos. The dining and atmosphere are relaxed.
What are the restaurants and atmosphere like?
Elia has tavernas, beach bars and beach clubs along the sand serving Greek food, seafood and drinks, with a relaxed, calmer atmosphere than the party beaches. It is loved by families, couples, locals and the LGBTQ community, with a quiet, undeveloped end popular with nudists, offering a peaceful yet well-served beach day.
Elia balances good facilities with a relaxed, easygoing mood. Along the organised stretch of the beach you will find a choice of tavernas, beach bars and beach clubs serving Greek classics, fresh seafood, snacks and drinks, with sunbeds and umbrellas and beachside service, so you can settle in comfortably for the day. Yet the atmosphere is calmer and more laid-back than the high-energy party beaches of Paradise and Super Paradise, with music and a sociable feel but without the relentless clubbing scene. Elia is a popular spot loved by a broad mix of beachgoers, families, couples, locals and the LGBTQ community, with crystal-clear waters and a peaceful ambiance, while the quieter, more natural ends of the long beach, including a secluded section, are favoured by those wanting privacy and by nudists. This blend of good amenities and a relaxed mood makes Elia a beach for enjoying the sand and sea at an unhurried pace, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos restaurants. Getting there is straightforward.
How do you get to Elia beach?
You reach Elia in about 13 minutes by car or taxi from Mykonos Town, around 12 kilometres away, by direct KTEL bus from the Fabrika terminal, or by water taxi, as Elia is the last stop on the south-coast route. The bus and water taxi make it easy to reach despite being the furthest of the main south-coast beaches.
Despite being one of the furthest south-coast beaches from town, Elia is easy to reach. By car or taxi it is about a 13-minute drive from Chora, roughly 12 kilometres, with parking near the beach, though taxis are scarce. There is a direct KTEL bus from the Fabrika terminal in Mykonos Town to Elia, with several departures through the day, making it simple to get there without a car. In summer, Elia is the end of the south-coast water-taxi line, so you can arrive by boat from Platis Gialos, Paradise, Super Paradise and the other beaches, a scenic and enjoyable way to come, and beach-hop along the coast through the day. This good bus and water-taxi access means that, even though Elia is more remote than the closer beaches, it remains straightforward to visit for the day, and its greater distance helps keep it calmer and less crowded, set out alongside the guide to getting around Mykonos. There is accommodation nearby.
Where do you stay near Elia?
The Elia and neighbouring Kalo Livadi area has upscale and family-friendly hotels and resorts set above and around the long beach, suiting couples and families wanting a calm, spacious beach base away from the crowds and nightlife. It is more secluded than the central beaches, with the sights and town a short drive away.
The area around Elia and neighbouring Kalo Livadi on the south-east coast offers a calmer, more spacious alternative to the busy central beaches as a place to stay. Set above and around the long sandy bay are upscale hotels, resorts and villas, many with sea views and pools, along with family-friendly accommodation, suiting couples and families who want a relaxed, roomy beach base away from the crowds and the nightlife. The setting is more secluded and tranquil than Ornos or Platis Gialos, ideal for those prioritising peace, space and easy beach days, while the sights, dining and nightlife of Chora and the rest of the island remain a manageable drive away. Having a car helps here, given the distance from town, though the bus and water taxi keep the beach connected. For a quieter, beach-focused stay with the island’s best water sports on your doorstep, the Elia area is a fine choice, set out alongside the guide to where to stay in Mykonos. A few tips help.
What tips help for visiting Elia?
The tips are to take the direct bus or the water taxi to avoid parking, to head to the quieter ends for more space and privacy, to book water sports and try the long, calm bay on busy days, and to bring sun protection. Elia suits families, couples and water-sports lovers wanting a relaxed, spacious beach.
A day at Elia is easy and rewarding with a little planning. To avoid the limited parking, come by the direct KTEL bus from town or by the scenic south-coast water taxi, of which Elia is the last stop, ideal for a beach-hopping day. The beach’s great length means you can choose your atmosphere: settle near the organised, lively centre for sunbeds, bars and water sports, or walk towards the quieter, more natural ends for more space, privacy and a peaceful spot, including the secluded section favoured by nudists. Because it is calm and rarely as crowded as the closer beaches, Elia is a good choice on a busy day when the central beaches are packed. If you fancy an active outing, the watersports centre is excellent, so consider booking jet skiing, parasailing or a lesson. As always, pack strong sun protection, a hat and water for the long, sunny, open beach, set out alongside the guides to the beaches and the best time to visit. One more point is worth knowing.
Is Elia beach quiet or crowded?
Elia is generally calmer and less crowded than the closer, busier beaches, thanks to its great length and its position as the furthest south-coast beach and last water-taxi stop. It still gets busy in peak season, but its space means you can always find room, especially towards the quieter, more natural ends of the long bay.
Elia strikes a happy balance between being well-served and relatively peaceful. Because it is the longest beach on Mykonos and the furthest of the main south-coast beaches from town, the furthest point on the water-taxi line, it tends to be calmer and less crowded than the closer, busier beaches like Platis Gialos, Paradise and Super Paradise, and it lacks their full-on party scene. Its sheer length means there is far more sand per person, so even when the organised central section is busy in peak July and August, you can walk along the bay to find more space and a quieter spot, including the more natural, undeveloped ends favoured by those seeking privacy and by nudists. This combination of good facilities, calm water, top water sports and room to spread out, with a relaxed rather than frantic atmosphere, is exactly why families, couples and those wanting a peaceful beach day favour Elia over the more crowded coves, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos beaches. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Elia beach in Mykonos like?
Elia is the longest sandy beach in Mykonos, a wide, organised bay of fine golden sand and calm, clear water on the south-east coast, about 12 kilometres from town. With sunbeds, tavernas and the island’s best water sports, plus a calmer atmosphere than the party beaches, it suits families and couples.
Is Elia beach good for water sports?
Elia is the best-organised beach for water sports on Mykonos, with a dedicated centre offering waterskiing, parasailing, windsurfing, jet skiing, wakeboarding, tubing and paddleboarding. The calm, sheltered water makes ideal conditions, so Elia is the top choice for an active beach day on the water.
How do you get to Elia beach?
You reach Elia in about 13 minutes by car or taxi from Mykonos Town, around 12 kilometres away, by direct KTEL bus from the Fabrika terminal, or by water taxi, as Elia is the last stop on the south-coast route. The bus and water taxi make it easy despite being the furthest south-coast beach.