Location
Greece
Status
Informal / Traditional
Suitable for
Adults only
Terrain
Sand
Best season
June and September (July-August is hot and crowded)
About Elia Beach
Elia is on the south coast of Mykonos, about 12 km from Mykonos Town by road and the last stop on the south-coast water taxi route, just past Agrari. It is usually described as the longest sandy beach on the island. It is a wide bay of golden sand, and whitewashed Cycladic houses climb the hill above its left end. Most of the beach is fully organised, with rows of sunbeds and umbrellas, tavernas, upmarket restaurants and a water-sports centre offering water-skiing, parasailing and windsurfing. Nudity is concentrated at the far right end as you face the sea. Past the water-sports area, a rainbow flag marks the start of the gay section, and beyond it the last stretch of sand and the rocks at the end are where people go nude. That nude end has no sunbeds, so bring a towel and your own shade. Expect a mix of nude and clothed bathers, with roughly half in swimsuits on a typical day. The crowd is international and largely gay male, though straight couples and nudists of all kinds use it too. The rocks between Elia's left end and Agrari are a known daytime cruising spot. Elia is calmer than Paradise or Super Paradise but gets very busy in July and August.
Getting there
Buses run several times a day from the Fabrika terminal in Mykonos Town (allow about 25 minutes, and check the season's timetable). From the airport or new port, change at Fabrika. The last bus back in the early evening is often packed. Water taxis from the Old Port run along the south coast via Platis Gialos and Paradise to Elia, the final stop. By car or quad it is about 25 minutes from town, and there is a small car park that fills in high season. From the bus stop, walk right along the sand, past the water-sports area and the rainbow flags, to reach the nude end.
What visitors say
Gay travel guides and visitors describe Elia as Mykonos's main daytime gay and nude beach. They mention a lively, sociable atmosphere at the right end, clear turquoise water and good food. People say the first stretch from the bus stop is mostly straight and family-oriented, so you need to keep walking right to reach the nude area. Reviewers warn that the nude section has no sunbeds, that the beach is packed in July and August, and that the evening bus back is a crush. Some visitors find the cruising on the rocks off-putting. Others find the scene part of the appeal.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Greece has no national naturist designation, and public nudity is technically an offence against public decency. In practice it has long been tolerated at the traditional nude ends of Mykonos beaches such as Elia. There is no official nude-zone signage; the rainbow flag only marks the gay section.
Naturism at Elia Beach sits under Greece's rules for traditional tolerance — custom more than statute.
Full country law: Greece public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
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Approx. 37.4223, 25.3909
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in Greece
Frequently asked questions
Where is the nude section at Elia?
At the far right end of the beach as you face the sea. Walk past the water-sports area and the rainbow flags to the last stretch of sand and the rocks.
Is nudity legal at Elia?
It is not officially designated, but nudity at the right end of Elia has been tolerated for decades.
Are there sunbeds in the nude area?
Generally not. Bring a towel and an umbrella. Sunbeds are available on the main organised part of the beach.
How do I get there without a car?
Take the bus from Fabrika in Mykonos Town, or the south-coast water taxi from the Old Port, where Elia is the last stop.
Is Elia family-friendly?
The left and central parts are ordinary family beaches. The right end is nude and gay-oriented, with cruising on the rocks.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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