Mykonos Gay Cruising Guide

Mykonos has long enjoyed its worldwide reputation as a gay vacation hotspot. Much more so than other places I’ve written about, such as Sitges or Gran Canaria – probably only rivaling Amsterdam in terms of reputation. But similar to Amsterdam, that reputation seems to be at least partially fading. That doesn’t mean, however, that I don’t recommend visiting Mykonos, especially if one of your prime motivations is to get your rocks off. Much to the contrary, Mykonos is a great destination for gay couples and singles who want to have a bit of naughty fun. Enjoy John’s Mykonos Gay Cruising guide for the best gay cruising experience on the Greek island on tips for gay hotels, gay clubs, and outdoor cruising on Couple of Men.

– All about Gay Cruising –

However, I was surprised that the gay aspects of this island are much more subtle than, for example, Sitges, which is one of the few places in the world where I’ve felt that gay men are in the majority. Mykonos is definitely not Ibiza or Gran Canaria or Mallorca. It’s subtle. A bit more relaxing. That does not detract from the fact that Mykonos feels very safe and gay-friendly overall. But strolling through the streets at night, or visiting different picturesque beaches, did often feel like many other beach towns – lost in a world of straight travelers from all over the world. It was only when visiting specific places on the island that I got the fabled gay Mykonos vibe. That’s why I’m here to give you insight on the best gay cruising spots on Mykonos, as well as some updates to some long-established spots. 

What other blogs won’t tell you: The changing landscape of Mykonos and Chora – Important Updates to the Chora Cruising Landscape

When you write about what I write about (cruising and all things gay), you’ll find that many blogs recycle information from other places from around the internet. My information is exclusively based on first-hand experience, in addition to information, I gather directly from locals. Having revisited Mykonos very recently, it became apparent that some long-established cruising spots have changed amidst the current challenging times. How these spots will evolve once tourism normalizes to its former state is yet to be seen. The following is accurate as of June 2021.

A night out on Mykonos

When you write about what I write about (cruising and all things gay), you’ll find that many blogs recycle information from other places from around the internet. My information is exclusively based on first-hand experiences, in addition to information, I gather directly from locals on Mykonos. Having revisited Mykonos very recently, it became apparent that some long-established cruising spots have changed amidst the Corona crisis. How these spots will evolve once tourism normalizes to its former state is yet to be seen. The following is accurate as of June 2021.

Most of the gay establishments could survive in Chora (Mykonos Town). Overall, the city is still full of shops and eateries buzzing full of people, making it feel alive and active deep into the night. Within Chora you have a couple of bars and clubs to visit – although none of them are specifically cruising bars, or have facilities for it. You won’t drop your pants around here! There used to be a tried and true rhythm of going out in the city that has remained the same for many years – which was the quintessential way of meeting guys and having fun. Many other sources online will suggest this same routine, but some new developments might throw a wrench in your cruising plans. 

Gay Cruising Bars and Clubs on Mykonos

Most of the gay establishments could survive in Chora (Mykonos Town). Overall, the city is still full of shops and eateries buzzing full of people, making it feel alive and active deep into the night. Within Chora you have a couple of bars and clubs to visit – although none of them are specifically cruising bars, or have facilities for it. You won’t drop your pants around here! There used to be a tried and true rhythm of going out in the city that has remained the same for many years – which was the quintessential way of meeting guys and having fun. Many other sources online will suggest this same routine, but some new developments might throw a wrench in your cruising plans. 

Going Out: Lola’s, Jackie O’s & Babylon

As we knew it, the routine was: starting out with a few drinks at Lola’s. Later on heading over to Jackie O’s just before or after sunset, catching a drag show, having some drinks, and laughing. Then heading next door to Babylon for dancing, until about 3 AM. Once that’s done, walking about one minute to get to the rocks behind Paraportiani Orthodox Church. Deep into the night, you could find plenty of guys on their knees here, doing plenty of other things than praying. These rocks, sometimes lovingly referred to as BJ rock, were legendary for years. Left alone by the police, inhabited by the gay guys coming out of Babylon or Jackie O’s, they were a staple to the gay Mykonos experience.

Somewhere in 2020 / 2021, a large construction project started taking place on the exact rocks behind the church, with large excavators blocking the path. While it is not clear what this project encompasses, the implication that this space is being modified to discourage cruising, seems to be fairly clear. What exactly will be happening here – and how the horny crowds will deal with it after they stumble drunkenly out of Babylon, is something that only time will tell. After clubs will be allowed to play music again (which they currently are not due to the unprecedented times), we will see if the city is successful in stifling holiday goers’ voracious lust for intimacy – or if the gays will simply find a new spot to make their own. Similarly, the public toilets close to Jackie O’s now have installed turnstiles requiring payment to access them – seemingly in a similar effort to decrease any naughty action taking place there. With no clubs or bars offering any facilities for cruising, and with this iconic spot being erased – there currently are no cruising spots left within Chora. 

Gay Hotels on Mykonos

Pretty much every hotel on Mykonos can be at least considered gay-friendly. I have never run into any sort of trouble with any of the local businesses in that aspect. If you’d like to upgrade the homo factor during your stay, however, there is only one option: Elysium Hotel. Elysium, which in Greek mythology was the playground of the gods, consistently delivers a superior experience. Overlooking the ocean, you can catch some of the most gorgeous sunsets here while enjoying super fun, extremely high production drag shows. The hotel has a definite cruising vibe to it, and lounging around the pool or walking through the corridors you can definitely see the searching eyes of other guests hoping to invite you to their room. In case you’re not so good at the whole eye-contact-to-action thing, opening up Grindr in this hotel will reveal a whole page of guys who are about 20 m away. In case you’re not staying at Elysium, it is definitely worth visiting for sunset cocktails, a drag show, or any other event they are hosting during your gay travels to Mykonos.

Gay Beaches on Mykonos:

I always try to give (semi) objective rundowns of cruisy places I’ve visited – all based on first-hand experiences. The following is entirely my opinion. There are two main beaches in Mykonos that are popular for gay guys and cruising: Super Paradise Beach and Elia Beach.

1. Super Paradise Beach Mykonos

Super Paradise is home to Jackie O’s Beach Club, which solidifies it as a gay destination. There’s a large pool, paid sunbeds, food, drinks and cocktails, and all that jazz. Super Paradise is a party beach with a lot of music and a clubby vibe. You can do shots, have cocktails, dance, swim, and do everything you feel like. Well, almost everything.  Over the years, a lot of the cruising at Super Paradise Beach has stopped due to the crowd becoming more and more mixed. New developments around the beach have cut off some of the more quiet corners that used to provide refuge from prying eyes. All in all, you’ll meet plenty of guys at this beach, and a bit of naughtiness might overcome you unexpectedly.

Just don’t expect a full-on cruising area – or relaxation for that matter. Super Paradise is definitely a party beach, and while that’s a great option for many – it’s just not what I, personally, prefer. In addition to the very mixed crowd and lack of textile-free options, it tends to be costly. Don’t get me wrong, Mykonos is expensive, and while you should definitely be prepared to loosen the purse strings on your trip, I suppose I’m just the kind of guy who likes to bring a six-pack to the beach and lounge in the sand, rather than paying for my sunbed, my umbrella, and my drink.

2. Elia Beach Mykonos 

My recommendation is Elia beach, which is 20 minutes away from Chora by scooter or ATV (my recommended transportation choice for the island). Elia has an entirely different vibe and combines the best of both worlds. Elia beach tends to be semi-clothed, with some nudism happening between, with a bit of a party atmosphere. Occasionally there’s music. You can rent sun-beds and get drinks served and all that, but you don’t have to. My personal choice of the beach would be Elia nude beach, which you can reach from either Elia beach by climbing over the rocks after the last sunbeds – or from the other side from Agrari beach.

Very differently from many other cruising beaches, this is a relatively short hike and not complicated to access at all. Once you walk over the rocks, there’s a small cove with space for around (I’m estimating) 50 people. The water is crystal clear, and almost everybody here is nude. When you swim here, you can see the ground below you, and it almost seems like there are little sparkling bits floating among the sand. I assume this is from years or guys entering the water with body glitter from the night before. But who knows.

It’s very calm and relaxed – usually also quiet and peaceful, with many guys reading their holiday literature, only to ogle some cock while turning the page. It’s a great place to meet guys, to go out in the city later – or immediately to the rocks next to the beach. Climb towards Agrari beach, and walk through the maze of stunning rock formations. You’ll quickly find those formations being used by guys attempting to facilitate their outdoor intimacy. This is truly the best cruising spot of all of Mykonos. It’s gorgeous.

With a view on the water, and the sun shining onto your cock, it feels idyllic and calm. Watch your step, however, as some of these rock formations can be slippery! Nobody wants to fall to their death in a quest for cock. You’ll find guys cruising by the large hole formation at the water front, or directly behind Elia nude beach along the stone fence lining the path. I prefer the first option, as every so often you will have uninformed others walking along the router – and I prefer to avoid that sort of encounter.

My perfect day at Elia Nude Beach Mykonos

My recommendation to have a good day at Elia nude beach is as follows. Bring an umbrella (if you can’t be in the sun all day). There is only very limited shade available on the beach, which will almost always be taken up by guys huddling together, shielding themselves from the sun. Bring drinks because if you run out, there is no kiosk where you can purchase more. You’ll be forced to go to one of the nearby restaurants to buy more – but they sell their drinks at restaurant prices, which gets considerably expensive if you want to buy something equivalent to a six-pack.

If you’re hungry, I recommend going to either Restaurant Elia Beach for a more upscale lunch, or to Agrari Beach Bar & Restaurant. Both are excellent options, with solid menu choices (if you happen to be vegan, I’d recommend going to Elia, since they have an extensive vegan menu). Guys come from around 10 am, with the majority arriving at around 12. Most leave by sunset – which I’ve personally never understood. The beach is gorgeous at night, and I’ve stayed at it deep into the night. But if you’d hoped that cruising action would pick up again after dark – then you’re unfortunately wrong.

Disclaimer: We wrote the contents of this website with due diligence and the author’s best knowledge. Please be always aware of the local laws and behavioral guidelines regarding cruising in public and public intimate encounters, even on the beach, in the forest, or wherever it might happen. Our cruising guides and cruising stories are not intended to support unlawful behavior but aim to add an adventurous note to your trip.