The Complete Gay Mykonos Travel Guide: Mykonos is one of the most popular gay travel destinations in Europe. In this complete Gay Mykonos travel guide, I will share the gay areas of Mykonos, the best gay bars, gay beaches in Mykonos, gay friendly hotels and what to expect from gay events like Xlsior festival.
Mykonos is quite simply the gay hotspot of Greece and for good reason!
I fell in love with Mykonos during my first visit with its iconic cobbled streets, white-washed buildings, pristine beaches, culinary delights and vibrant gay scene – it really was a mini gay paradise.
It’s also incredibly stylish, trendy and caters well to those who like their luxury. You can expect to see many expensive yachts cruising around the island.
Mykonos has been known as a gay destination for years and is home to one of the largest and most well-known gay circuit parties each August, Xlsior Mykonos, which draws crowds of over 30,000 gay men!
Gay party scene aside, Mykonos is a picturesque and relaxing island. If you are looking for an idyllic island getaway, I highly recommend it.
In my gay Mykonos guide I will share everything you need to know, from the best gay beaches in Mykonos to the gay bars, gay hotels, excursions, gay events and some practical tips for planning your trip.
Find out everything to keep you busy in my guide to gay Mykonos!
In a rush? A quick guide to gay Mykonos:
- Is Mykonos gay friendly? Yes, one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly destinations in Europe
- Best gay area in Mykonos? Mykonos Town
- Main gay beach in Mykonos? Elia Beach
- Best time to visit? June – September (peak in August for Xlsior)
- Where are the gay bars in Mykonos? The gay bars are found in Mykonos Town
Is Mykonos Gay Friendly?
Yes! Mykonos is one of the most gay friendly destinations in Europe. It has a long history of LGBTQ+ people visiting the island, dating back to the 70’s and quickly became the best place in Greece for gay travellers.
It’s always intriguing as to why certain places become gay hotspots. From Gran Canaria, to Sitges, Madrid and Berlin, Mykonos is easily within the top 10 gay places in Europe.
One of the most famous gay hotspots in Mykonos is Jackie O’s and it has been said that it was Jackie Onassis herself who influenced the influx of gay travellers to Mykonos back in the 70’s bringing it to the attention of many gay men that followed her.
Over time its popularity grew and seeing the value of the LGBTQ travel market Mykonos and its locals fully embraced gay travellers and in the years following new gay bars, gay and gay friendly hotels popped up.
Fast forward to today and it’s earned its reputation as one of the top gay travel destinations in Greece!
Gay Area of Mykonos (To stay and go out)
The main gay area of Mykonos is Mykonos Old Town.
Whilst you should feel comfortable as a gay traveller anywhere in Mykonos, there are certainly some areas where the gay scene is more concentrated and well known – this is where I wanted to stay after all!
Mykonos Old Town itself is where you will find the majority of all the main gay bars and clubs and hotels popular with gay travellers.
However, if you are looking for the gay beaches in Mykonos and gay beach clubs (including the infamous JackieO’s), you will need to jump in a taxi and drive further afield. Check out my full Mykonos Gay Beach guide for more.
Gay Bars in Mykonos
For a full breakdown of the best gay bars in Mykonos, including detailed reviews, check out my dedicated guide here: The best gay bars in Mykonos.
During the day one of the best gay bars would have to be JackieO’s Beach Club. What more could you want than sitting back with a cocktail by the pool admiring all the guys parading around?
When it comes to the best gay bars in Mykonos, there are a few that are considered to be the main gay bars, a couple that mainly attract a gay crowd and one hotel bar.
JackieO’ Town Bar (the bar in Mykonos town)
Not to be confused with the beach club this is one of the most iconic and popular gay bars in Mykonos. During the summer you can expect JackieO’ to be packed wall to wall with hot guys.
Address: Unnamed Road, Mikonos 846 00, Greece
Cosma Bar
Right next to JackieO Town Bar, this area of Mykonos is clearly the place to be for gay bars!
Address: Mykonos Waterfront, Mikonos 846 00, Greece
JackieO’ Yacht Club
It seems that JackieO’ brand may be taking over the island, JackieO’ Yacht is a nautical themed gay bar next door to JackieO’ Town Bar with regular DJ’s set playing.
Address: unnamed road, Mikonos 846 00, Greece
Lolas
This is a small, more intimate gay bar to sit, relax, have a cocktail and catch up with friends before heading to a busier party. A great option to start your gay night out in Mykonos.
Address: Zanni Pitaraki 4, Mikonos 846 00, Greece
54 Cocktail Bar & Sunset Lounge
This is also open during the day for you to enjoy the outdoor terrace and once the sun sets you can move inside the club to party for the rest of the evening.
Address: Manto Square Mykonos Town, Mikonos 846 00, Greece
Porta Bar
This is another cozy gay bar in Mykonos offering chilled early evening drinks and music before becoming a party stop later on in the night.
Address: V. Voinovits 5, Mikonos 846 00, Greece
Gay Hotels in Mykonos
Everywhere in Mykonos will welcome you as a gay traveller with open arms, however if you are looking specifically for gay hotels in Mykonos or at least gay friendly hotels in Mykonos then allow me to share below.
Axel Beach Mykonos
This has to be the obvious choice, the Axel gay hotel chain have finally made it to Mykonos!
Just a short 7 minute drive from the centre of Mykonos Old Town, if you are looking for a gay hotel in Mykonos, this is going to be the one.
JackieO’ Hotel – Coming Soon!
Watch this space, with such a strong brand on the island it’s perhaps no surprise that a JackieO’ Hotel is in the works! This will very likely become one of the most popular gay hotels in Mykonos.
Gay Friendly Hotel in Mykonos
With its style and charm, Mykonos also has plenty of gay friendly luxury hotels, if you want to treat yourself take a look at
- Mykonos Theoxenia: Mykonos Theoxenia boutique hotel in Mykonos Town (great location for the gay bars) and is one of the most famous boutique hotels in Greece. It has a fresh, luxurious, modern aesthetic. Check rates and availability.
- Myconian Villa Collection: very close to Elia Beach (the main gay beach), the 5-star Villa Collection is a uniquely luxurious resort concept. It offers personalised 5-star service around the clock. Check rates and availability.
- Boheme: Also on the edge of Mykonos Town, Boheme is a luxury hotel featuring a free-form pool and a furnished sun terrace with unobstructed sea view. It is also part of ‘Small Luxury Hotels of the World’. Check rates and availability.
Mykonos Gay Beaches
These are the best gay beaches in Mykonos:
Mykonos offers a few different options when it comes to gay beaches including of course a nude beach. Check out my full guide to the Gay Beaches in Mykonos for more information, however the shortlist includes:
- Elia Gay Beach – this is the main gay beach and the most popular in Mykonos. It is fairly obvious since you will see the pride flag as you enter. Facing the sea, head right along the coast, over some rocks and you will spot a cove which is the gay nudist beach.
- Super Paradise Beach – this was the original gay beach before Elia and is currently the most popular beach for all on the island.
- Paradise Beach – this is the party beach with night clubs including Cavo Paradiso, Tropicana and Paradise Club. These play music all through the day giving it a beach party vibe throughout.
Super Paradise and Paradise both have some beautiful beach clubs and places to eat (albeit very pricey).
All three beaches offer sun loungers but again it is worth noting these are quite pricey also at up to €45.
Gay Beach Clubs in Mykonos
The one and only gay beach club in Mykonos is JackieO’ beach club at Super Paradise Bay.
Gay Events in Mykonos
Xlsior Festival
One of the most exclusive international Summer Gay Festivals in the world, Xlsior Mykonos is huge and attracts over 30,000 people every year.
I first went in a few years ago and were overwhelmed by the incredible venues, entertainment, production, atmosphere and of course, the guys.
The combination of one of the most well known gay circuit parties on one of the most beautiful gay hotspots in Europe was amazing!
Check out ‘Everything you need to know about Xlsior Mykonos’.
Gay Saunas in Mykonos?
Is there a gay sauna in Mykonos? It may be one of the top gay destinations in Europe, but there are currently no gay saunas in Mykonos.
Gay Cruising in Mykonos
There are some well known gay cruising spots in Mykonos, the most popular cruising spot being the Church of Paraportiani.
Mykonos Gay Map
To see how everything gay is spread across the island, and the obvious concentration in Mykonos Old Town, take a look at my gay map of Mykonos below:
Mykonos Gay Tours
Mykonos is a natural addition to many group gay tours around Greece.
For more specifically gay tours check out gailytour.com.
Best Things to Do in Mykonos for Gay Travellers
The top things to do in Mykonos are of course relaxing at the beach, eating and drinking but I would encourage you to try and tick off the following 5 things during your visit.
- Visit Little Venice including the iconic windmills (pictured above)
- Watch sunset at one of the small bars lining the coast
- Spend the day at the beach (goes without saying!)
- Hire a car/quad and explore the island for yourself
- Join a sailing trip, especially for sunset!
Other Useful Information about Gay Mykonos
Gay Shops in Mykonos?
In terms of shops aimed at gay tourists, head to ES Collection (one of MY top ten favourite gay underwear brands) where you can pick up the latest swimwear and clothing.
There is also a Ron Dorff at JackieO’ beach club (for sports, swim and underwear).
What is the currency in Mykonos?
The currency in Mykonos is the Euro.
Getting around Mykonos
The public transport system gets a lot of bad press but if you plan it well, it is a very cost-effective way to get around the main spots on the island. Getting from Mykonos Town to Elia Beach was very cheap and straightforward.
However, many people opt for taxis as this is often quicker and more reliable (albeit more expensive).
Is Mykonos Expensive?
A very common question, ‘is Mykonos expensive’? The simple answer is yes.
Mykonos is known for being a luxury destination and as such prices tend to be at a premium. For example expect to pay c. €15 for a spirit and mixer and c€7 for a beer in most bars.
Weather and the best time to visit Mykonos
The best time to visit Mykonos (peak season) is between June and September. The ‘gay peak’ season is towards the end of August around Xlsior.
Throughout these months the weather is very warm and the sea the ideal temperature to jump into!
If you prefer a quieter trip, consider the shoulder seasons of May and October although there will be less places open but you will benefit from cheaper hotel rates.
I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Mykonos and can not wait to return one day. Ideally, I would love to do the final couple nights of Xlsior followed by a week of relaxation, let’s see what next year has in store!
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