Super Paradise is one of Mykonos’s famous party beaches, a golden cove on the south coast known for its lively beach-club scene and its long-established, welcoming LGBTQ crowd, with venues like Jackie O’ Beach Club. This guide covers what the beach is like, the party, the gay scene, who it suits, how it compares with Paradise, how to visit and tips.
Super Paradise is a livelier, more inclusive sibling to Paradise within the Mykonos travel guide. The sections below cover the beach in full.
What is Super Paradise beach like?
Super Paradise is a golden cove of soft sand and clear, sheltered water on the south coast of Mykonos, famous as a party beach with a welcoming LGBTQ presence. It blends swimming with beach clubs, DJs and a scene that builds through the day.
Super Paradise is one of the island’s best-known beaches, sitting in the next bay along from Paradise on the sheltered south coast. It is a cove of soft golden sand and clear, calm water, protected by the surrounding hills so swimming stays pleasant even when the meltemi blows. The beach is famous above all for its atmosphere. It is a celebrated party beach with beach clubs, DJs and a busy, social crowd. It also carries a long, proud history as one of the most welcoming LGBTQ-friendly beaches in the world.
The cove draws a mixed, international crowd across the summer season. Once a hidden gay escape, it grew into a famous party destination that still keeps its open, inclusive spirit. Super Paradise has two characters in one: relaxed swimming and sunbathing alongside a full party scene, set within the wider Mykonos beaches. The party builds through the day, so a morning swim and an afternoon on the dance floor can happen on the same stretch of sand.
The setting shapes the day. The sand runs fine and golden, sloping gently into water that stays shallow near the shore and clear enough to see the seabed. Two beach clubs frame the cove, one at each end, with sunbeds, umbrellas and cabanas laid out in rows toward the water. Bars, restaurants and stages sit behind the sand, and the hills that wrap the bay keep the north wind off. A watersports point on the beach adds jet skis and other rentals, so the cove works for a swim, a lunch and a party in one visit.
What is the party scene like?
The party scene builds through the day, calm at midday and livelier from mid-afternoon as the music grows and the beach clubs fill. It peaks in the late afternoon and often runs into the evening, driven by DJ sets and packed stages.
Super Paradise runs to a daily rhythm that is part of its appeal. Late morning and midday stay calmer, good for swimming and sunbathing. The energy climbs as the afternoon wears on. The beach fills up, the music from the beach clubs grows louder, the drinks start flowing and the social atmosphere intensifies. By mid-to-late afternoon it becomes a full party, with DJ sets, dancing and a charged, celebratory mood that can spill into the evening in peak season.
This is a beach to enjoy for its scene, not only its sand. The beach clubs, with their sunbeds, bars, restaurants and stages, drive the experience, offering food, cocktails and music from morning until the party peaks. It runs loud, lively and fun rather than restful, so it suits those who want a music-filled beach day for the scene alongside the sand, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos nightlife. The cove is a landmark of the island’s gay scene too.
The soundtrack shifts with the venue. The right-hand end tied to Jackie O’ leans toward vocal house, disco and party anthems, matched by drag hosts and themed events through the season. The other end plays a broader beach-club set, from deep house at lunch to bigger, faster tracks as the crowd grows. Resident DJs work the decks most days, and guest names headline the peak weeks. The dancing spreads from the stages onto the sand, so you can join in barefoot or watch from a sunbed with a drink. The volume rises step by step rather than all at once, giving the afternoon a clear arc.
What is the LGBTQ scene at Super Paradise?
Super Paradise is one of Mykonos’s most famous LGBTQ-friendly beaches, openly gay-friendly rather than exclusively gay. The right-hand side near Jackie O’ Beach Club is the gayest section, loved for daytime parties and drag shows.
Super Paradise has drawn LGBTQ travellers for decades and stays central to Mykonos’s reputation as one of the world’s top gay-friendly islands. The beach is openly gay-friendly rather than strictly gay, with an established LGBTQ presence mingling with a wider international party crowd in an atmosphere of easy acceptance. The right-hand side of the cove, as you face the sea, is the gayest section, anchored by the renowned Jackie O’ Beach Club.
Jackie O’ ranks among the island’s best-loved LGBTQ-friendly venues, known for daytime parties, drag shows, sunset events and inclusive energy. Mykonos itself is regarded as one of the most welcoming destinations in Europe for LGBTQ travellers, and beach-club staff are used to a diverse clientele. Super Paradise sits at the heart of that scene, set out alongside the guide to things to do in Mykonos. The cove compares closely with Paradise next door.
The heritage runs deep on this coast. Mykonos earned its name as a gay haven in the era of jet-set travel, and Super Paradise was the beach at the centre of that story, a place where gay travellers could gather openly long before that felt common elsewhere. The cove kept that role as it grew, so the gay scene here reads as tradition rather than novelty. Sunset at Jackie O’ has become a fixture of the calendar, drawing dancers to the terrace for the golden hour. The wider mix of straight and gay visitors shares the sand without friction, which is part of why the beach keeps its reputation.
How does Super Paradise compare with Paradise?
Paradise is the larger, more mainstream party beach with the biggest club and Cavo Paradiso nightclub above it. Super Paradise runs more relaxed and famously LGBTQ-friendly, with Jackie O’. Both are south-coast party beaches, so the choice is one of crowd and nuance.
Super Paradise and Paradise are the two great party beaches of Mykonos, sitting close together on the south coast with subtly different characters. Paradise is the larger, more mainstream party hub, home to the famous Paradise Beach Club and the Cavo Paradiso nightclub perched on the cliff above. It carries the biggest, most full-on day-and-night party scene and the camping and budget crowd. Super Paradise, in the next bay, holds an equally strong party reputation but a slightly more laid-back, stylish and inclusive feel.
The Super Paradise clubs, led by the LGBTQ-friendly Jackie O’, drive a scene that draws a mixed crowd. Both beaches share golden sand, clear sheltered water and music-filled afternoons, so the choice comes down to nuance. Paradise wins for the full-throttle, mainstream party and the big nightclub above. Super Paradise wins for a slightly more relaxed, stylish and inclusive party scene. Visitors often sample both in one day, set out alongside the guide to Paradise Beach. Getting there takes a little planning.
How does the Mykonos beach-party scene work?
The Mykonos beach-party scene runs along the sheltered south coast, where a chain of beaches turns from calm morning swimming coves into open-air clubs by afternoon. Water taxis hop between them, so one day can string together Platis Gialos, Paradise and Super Paradise.
The south coast of Mykonos is the island’s party belt, a run of golden coves facing away from the meltemi wind and lined with beach clubs. Each beach keeps its own character, from the glamour of Psarou to the hedonism of Paradise, yet they share one rhythm: quiet swimming early, food and cocktails at midday, and DJ-driven dancing from mid-afternoon. The scene moves with the sun, so afternoon and early evening are its loudest hours.
Water taxis tie the belt together. Small boats run a shuttle route between Platis Gialos, Psarou, Paraga, Paradise and Super Paradise, letting you swim at one cove and dance at the next without a car. This beach-hopping habit defines a Mykonos day out. You pick a base, sample two or three coves by boat, and end wherever the music suits you, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos beach clubs. The layout of the neighbouring beaches shapes how you plan.
The clubs set the tone of the belt. Nammos at Psarou trades on luxury and yacht service, Scorpios at Paraga on its bohemian sunset ritual, Paradise on high-volume dance sessions, and Jackie O’ at Super Paradise on drag and inclusive parties. Each venue books sunbeds by the day, with rates that climb near the water and peak in July and August. Table service, cabanas and set menus push the spend higher still. The upshot is a coast where the beach itself is free but the experience around it is not, so a party day here doubles as a night out, planned around which club matches your mood.
How is Super Paradise different from Paradise Beach?
Paradise Beach is the original party powerhouse, home to the Paradise and Tropicana clubs and the Cavo Paradiso nightclub above. Super Paradise turns the hedonism up a notch, with a historically LGBTQ-friendly crowd and Jackie O’ Beach Club, giving it a stylish, inclusive edge.
Paradise Beach built the template for the Mykonos party beach. Its Tropicana and Paradise clubs pioneered the daytime dance session on the sand, and the Cavo Paradiso nightclub on the cliff above carried the crowd deep into the night. Paradise leans mainstream and high-volume, packing in a young, international, budget-friendly crowd that mixes campers, backpackers and club-hoppers into one continuous soundtrack.
Super Paradise took that energy and gave it a different accent. The next cove along, it grew from a hidden gay retreat into a famous party beach that kept its inclusive heart. Jackie O’ Beach Club anchors the right-hand end, hosting drag shows and sunset sets that pull a stylish, mixed crowd. The result feels a touch more polished and open than Paradise, trading part of the raw volume for glamour and inclusivity, set out alongside the guide to Paradise Beach. Paraga sits just beyond, with a different mood again.
What is Paraga Beach like?
Paraga is a boho, laid-back cove near Paradise, split into a quieter swimming end and a party end anchored by Scorpios. Scorpios is known for sunset rituals, live percussion and world-music DJ sets, giving Paraga a distinctly bohemian mood.
Paraga sits a short walk or boat-hop from Paradise and Super Paradise, forming a twin-cove bay with a rocky headland between its two ends. One side stays calmer, favoured by campers and swimmers who want the south-coast sun without the full party. The other side belongs to Scorpios, one of the island’s most talked-about beach clubs, which has reshaped Paraga into a design-led destination for food, music and sunset gatherings.
Scorpios trades the pure DJ party for a bohemian ritual. Its sunset sessions blend live drums, incense, world-music sets and long communal tables, drawing a fashion-conscious crowd that treats the evening as a slow build rather than a peak. Paraga therefore offers a middle path: quieter swimming by day and a stylish, boho scene by dusk, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos beach clubs. Further west sit the island’s glamour beaches.
Paraga works well as a pairing with Super Paradise. The two coves sit close on the same stretch of coast, joined by a short walk over the headland or a quick water-taxi hop. A common plan runs a loud afternoon at Super Paradise into a slower sunset at Scorpios, trading the dance floor for the drums and the communal tables as the light drops. Paraga also keeps a campsite and budget rooms behind the beach, so it draws a younger, mixed crowd alongside the design-set diners. The result is a cove with two speeds side by side, which is why it fits neatly into a south-coast party circuit.
What are Psarou and Platis Gialos like?
Psarou is the glamorous, upscale cove home to Nammos, the island’s celebrity beach club, drawing yachts and a see-and-be-seen crowd. Platis Gialos is a longer, family-friendly bay and the main hub for south-coast water taxis.
Psarou is compact, sheltered and firmly upscale. Nammos, its flagship beach club and restaurant, made the cove a byword for Mykonos glamour, its sunbeds booked out and its bay dotted with yachts through the peak weeks. The swimming is fine and the sand soft, but Psarou trades on style and service, so prices climb high and the scene skews toward luxury rather than the open dance-floor energy of the party coves.
Platis Gialos plays a different role. A long, gently curving bay backed by hotels, restaurants and tavernas, it is one of the island’s most family-friendly beaches and a natural base for a relaxed stay. Its real value for party-goers is transport: Platis Gialos is the main departure point for the south-coast water taxis, so you can settle here, then hop by boat to Paraga, Paradise and Super Paradise, set out alongside the guides to Psarou Beach and Platis Gialos. The north coast offers a windier contrast.
Psarou and Platis Gialos sit side by side, separated by a short headland, so they pair naturally. Psarou suits a splashy lunch and an afternoon of yacht-watching, while Platis Gialos handles the practical base with its bus link to town and its water-taxi pier. A calm morning swim at either flows straight into an afternoon at the party coves by boat. Both beaches keep organised sunbeds, watersports and a full run of tavernas, so you can eat, swim and set off without moving the car. For anyone new to the south coast, this pair makes the easiest launch point for a beach-hopping day that ends at Super Paradise.
What is Ftelia beach like?
Ftelia is a broad, windy bay on the north coast, exposed to the meltemi and prized by windsurfers for its reliable breeze. Its anchor is Alemagou, a rustic-chic beach bar known for lazy lunches, live music and a slower mood.
Ftelia faces north into the meltemi, so it wears a very different character from the sheltered party coves. The wind that spoils sunbathing here makes the bay a magnet for windsurfing and kitesurfing, and a watersports base on the sand rents gear and runs lessons for the steady summer breeze. The swimming can be choppy, but the wide, open beach and shallow entry suit those who came for the sport rather than the calm.
Alemagou gives Ftelia its social heart. A driftwood-and-bamboo beach bar with a bohemian streak, it serves long, unhurried lunches, hosts live music and DJ sets, and draws a crowd that prefers relaxed style to full-volume dancing. Ftelia therefore reads as the anti-Super-Paradise: windy, rustic and slow-paced, a northern counterpoint set out alongside the guide to Mykonos beaches. Softer, calmer sands lie to the east.
Ftelia rewards a specific kind of day. The wind that unsettles sunbathers turns the bay into a reliable playground for board sports, so windsurfers and kitesurfers time their trips around the summer meltemi that fills the sails here. The archaeological interest of the area adds a quiet layer, with a Neolithic site nearby for those who want more than the beach. Alemagou anchors a long, lazy lunch that can drift into the afternoon, its bohemian menu and live sets pulling a relaxed crowd off the sand. For a party traveller, Ftelia works as a change of gear, a windswept, unpolished day that sits far from the polish of the south coast.
What are Elia and the softer-edged beaches?
Elia is the longest sandy beach on Mykonos, a broad, calm south-coast stretch with organised sunbeds and watersports, quieter than the party coves. Kalo Livadi nearby offers a similar wide, relaxed bay with good tavernas, making both a gentler alternative for swimmers and families.
Elia stretches long and wide on the sheltered south-east coast, giving it the space that the compact party coves lack. Organised sunbeds, umbrellas and a watersports centre line the sand, yet the mood stays calmer and more spacious than at Super Paradise. Swimming is easy in the protected water, and the beach has long included a gay-friendly section at its far end, keeping a link to the island’s inclusive tradition without the full party volume.
Kalo Livadi carries the same easy character a little further east. A broad, open bay backed by good tavernas and a run of stylish spots, it draws couples, families and anyone after a relaxed south-coast day. Both Elia and Kalo Livadi work as the soft-edged counterpoint to the party beaches, close enough to reach the scene yet calm enough to unwind, set out alongside the guide to Elia Beach. Stitching these coves into a plan takes a little thought.
These calmer beaches balance a Mykonos trip. A run of party days at Super Paradise and Paradise wears down even keen dancers, so a slow morning at Elia or Kalo Livadi resets the pace without leaving the south coast. Elia connects to the water-taxi network in high season, which keeps it linked to the party belt for anyone who wants both. Kalo Livadi rewards a lunch at one of its tavernas over fresh fish and a long swim in the open bay. Pairing one loud beach with one quiet beach across the trip keeps the days varied and the energy steady, which is the sensible way to use the coast.
How do you plan a Mykonos party-beach strategy?
A good strategy gives each beach a role: calm coves like Platis Gialos or Elia for daytime, party beaches like Super Paradise and Paradise for the afternoon build, and Scorpios or Jackie O’ for sunset. Water taxis and timing tie it together.
The trick is to match beach to mood by the hour rather than trying to do everything at once. Reserve mornings for the calmer coves, when the water is clearest and sunbeds are easy to claim, using Platis Gialos, Elia or Kalo Livadi as a gentle base. Save the party beaches for the afternoon, arriving at Super Paradise or Paradise before the mid-afternoon peak so you have a spot when the music climbs. This rhythm lets one day cover both swimming and dancing.
Transport and timing carry the plan. Base yourself near Platis Gialos or in Mykonos Town, then use the south-coast water taxi to hop between coves without hunting for parking. Space the loud beaches across different days so the party never blurs into fatigue, and pin sunset to a signature venue, Scorpios at Paraga for the boho ritual or Jackie O’ at Super Paradise for the drag-and-DJ send-off, set out alongside the guides to Mykonos nightlife and a Mykonos itinerary. Reaching Super Paradise itself is straightforward.
A sample three-day plan shows the rhythm. Day one runs a calm morning at Platis Gialos, then a water-taxi hop to Super Paradise for the afternoon build and a sunset at Jackie O’. Day two swaps to Paradise for the full high-volume session, with a rest at Elia beforehand to bank energy. Day three softens the pace with Psarou for the glamour and a long, slow dinner in Mykonos Town. Slotting a rest cove before each party beach keeps the days from running together, and booking sunbeds ahead at the busiest clubs saves the frustration of arriving to a full stretch of sand.
How do you get to Super Paradise?
You reach Super Paradise on a short drive southeast of Mykonos Town, with parking behind the beach, or by water taxi along the south coast. Public buses skip it, but a beach-club shuttle runs from the Fabrika terminal in town.
Super Paradise takes slightly more effort to reach than the most accessible beaches, though it stays easy. By car or quad it is a short drive southeast of Mykonos Town along the south-coast road, with a parking lot behind the beach, and spaces fill in peak season. The KTEL public buses do not serve Super Paradise directly. A dedicated beach-club shuttle departs from the Fabrika bus terminal in town at intervals through the day, a handy option for those without a car.
The south-coast water taxi is one of the most enjoyable ways to arrive in summer, hopping over by boat from Platis Gialos, Ornos, Paradise and the other beaches, so you can combine Super Paradise with a beach-hopping day. A taxi is another option, though taxis are scarce on the island. Given the late, lively scene, the water taxi or the shuttle often prove the most practical ways to get to and from the beach, set out alongside the guide to getting around Mykonos. Knowing what to expect helps.
Each route suits a different traveller. Renting a quad or car gives freedom to leave when you like, though the parking lot fills early and the drive home after drinks is best avoided. The Fabrika shuttle costs little and runs on a set timetable, so it works for a planned day but leaves you tied to its last departure. The water taxi runs a loop between the south-coast beaches through the day, charging per hop, and doubles as a scenic ride past the coves. For a party day that runs late, the shuttle and the taxi boat both remove the worry of driving, which is why they carry the bulk of visitors to Super Paradise.
What should you know before going to Super Paradise?
Know that sunbeds are paid and pricey, the beach has a proud LGBTQ-friendly heritage, and the party peaks in the afternoon. Natural shade is scarce and the exposed edges catch the meltemi wind, so arrive early, bring sun protection and pace the day.
The practical points shape a good visit. The beach clubs charge for sunbeds, umbrellas and cabanas, with prices rising the closer you sit to the water, so budget accordingly and claim a spot early. Natural shade is scarce on the open sand, which makes a hat, strong sun protection and water essential for the long, bright hours. The party rhythm matters too: mornings stay calm and swim-friendly, while the crowd, volume and prices all climb from mid-afternoon toward the daily peak.
The cove’s LGBTQ-friendly heritage is part of its identity, so expect an open, inclusive crowd and staff used to a diverse clientele. The sheltered water usually stays calm, yet the exposed flanks of the bay can feel the meltemi on windy days. Cash speeds up service at the busy bars, and keeping an eye on belongings matters in the packed afternoon crowd, set out alongside the guide to the best time to visit. Tips help you get the timing right.
These practical facts round out the picture. The sunbed-and-umbrella sets come in pairs, and a minimum spend often applies at the front rows near the water. Toilets and changing spots sit with the beach clubs rather than as public facilities, so you use the venue where you rent your bed. Music runs from late morning to early evening, and the crowd skews adult from mid-afternoon, so this is not the spot for a quiet family day. Wi-Fi reaches the club areas, card payment works at the bars, and dogs are not welcome on the busy party sand. Planning around these points keeps the day smooth.
What tips help for visiting Super Paradise?
Arrive in the calmer morning for swimming and a sunbed, budget for high beach-club prices, and use the water taxi or shuttle given the late scene. Bring sun protection and cash, and stay through the afternoon build for both the swim and the party.
A great day at Super Paradise rewards a little planning. To enjoy both sides of the beach, arrive in the calmer morning when the water is best for swimming and a good sunbed is easier to claim, then stay as the party builds through the afternoon. Budget for Mykonos beach-club prices, since sunbeds, cocktails and food run expensive, especially near the water, and carry cash for quicker service at the bars.
The scene runs late and lively, and parking and direct buses stay limited, so the south-coast water taxi or the beach-club shuttle are often the easiest ways to get to and from the beach, leaving you free to enjoy the day. Pack strong sun protection, a hat and water for the long hours in the sun, and keep an eye on your belongings in the busy crowd. Come for the music, the inclusive atmosphere and the golden cove, set out alongside the guides to nightlife and a Mykonos itinerary. One more point is worth knowing.
Timing the sunset pays off too. The right-hand end at Jackie O’ turns its evening events into a highlight, so a spot on that side by late afternoon puts you close to the action as the light drops. Book a sunbed ahead in July and August, when the front rows sell out by mid-morning, and confirm whether a minimum spend applies before you settle in. Keep phones and cards in a sealed bag near the water, since the sand fills and drinks flow. A light cover-up helps once the breeze picks up at dusk. Small choices like these turn a crowded, pricey beach into a smooth day out.
How busy and expensive is Super Paradise?
Super Paradise gets very busy in peak July and August, especially from mid-afternoon when the party builds, and it runs expensive, with high prices for sunbeds, cabanas, drinks and food. Arrive earlier for a spot, or visit in the shoulder season.
Super Paradise ranks among Mykonos’s most famous party beaches, so it can be both crowded and pricey. In the peak season of July and August it fills quickly, particularly from mid-afternoon as the music grows and the party crowd arrives, so the sunbeds are in high demand and the atmosphere runs busy and energetic. Like the island’s other beach clubs, it prices at a premium: sunbeds and umbrellas command high rates that rise the closer you sit to the water, and private cabanas cost considerably more.
Drinks and food at the beach clubs sit firmly in the premium bracket too. To manage the cost, arrive earlier in the day to secure a good spot and enjoy the calmer morning swimming before the crowds and prices peak, then set a budget for the beach-club extras. Visiting in the gentler shoulder months of June or September brings a less crowded beach and a cheaper island overall, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos on a budget. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
The peak-versus-shoulder gap is real on this beach. July and August bring the loudest parties, the fullest sunbeds and the top prices, so those weeks reward early arrivals and pre-booked tables. June and September keep warm water and a lively enough scene while easing both the crowds and the cost, which suits travellers who want the party without the crush. A weekday visit also tends to run calmer than a weekend, and a free towel spot away from the club rows cuts the outlay to almost nothing. Choosing when to go, and how close to the water to sit, does more than anything to shape what a day here costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Super Paradise beach in Mykonos like?
Super Paradise is a golden cove of sand and clear, sheltered water on the south coast, famous as a party beach with a welcoming LGBTQ presence. It blends swimming and sunbathing with beach clubs, DJs and a scene that builds through the day into the evening.
Is Super Paradise Beach free?
Access to the sand is free, and you can lay a towel and swim without paying. The beach clubs charge for sunbeds, umbrellas and cabanas, with rates that climb the closer you sit to the water, and drinks and food run at premium beach-club prices, so a full day with a rented sunbed costs a fair amount.
Is Super Paradise a gay beach?
Super Paradise is one of Mykonos’s most famous LGBTQ-friendly beaches, openly gay-friendly rather than exclusively gay, with a visible presence alongside a broad party crowd. The right-hand side near Jackie O’ Beach Club is the gayest section, known for daytime parties and drag shows.
Is Super Paradise family-friendly?
Super Paradise suits party-lovers and a young, social crowd more than families with young children. The loud music, packed afternoon crowd and drinking scene make it less relaxing for kids. Families are better served by the calm bays of Ornos, Platis Gialos or Elia, which stay quieter and gentler.
When does the party start at Super Paradise?
Mornings and midday stay calm and good for swimming. The energy builds from mid-afternoon as the music grows and the beach clubs fill, and it peaks in the late afternoon, often running into the evening in peak season. Arrive by early afternoon to catch the build with a sunbed already claimed.
Can you visit Paradise and Super Paradise in one day?
Yes, the two beaches sit in neighbouring bays on the south coast, and the water taxi hops between them in minutes. A common plan is to swim and lunch at one, then move to the other as its party peaks, sampling both scenes in a single beach-hopping day.
How do you get to Super Paradise beach?
You reach Super Paradise on a short drive southeast of Mykonos Town, with parking behind the beach, or by water taxi along the south coast. Public buses do not go directly, but a beach-club shuttle runs from the Fabrika terminal, so the water taxi, shuttle, a taxi or driving are the ways in.
Is Super Paradise LGBTQ-friendly?
Super Paradise is one of the world’s best-known LGBTQ-friendly beaches, with a long heritage of welcoming gay travellers. The Jackie O’ end hosts drag shows, daytime parties and sunset events, and the whole cove keeps an open, inclusive atmosphere with staff used to a diverse crowd.