
Platys Gialos Beach
Golden sand, turquoise water, Mykonos' family anchor beach





About
Platys Gialos stretches along the southern coast of Mykonos with golden sand that catches the afternoon light and turquoise water calm enough for confident swimmers and small children alike. It's one of the island's most organised beaches — sunbeds, umbrellas, and facilities line the shore, so you're not roughing it. The sheltered bay keeps the sea gentle even when the meltemi picks up elsewhere, making it a reliable choice when other beaches turn choppy. As the main water taxi hub for southern Mykonos, it pulses with arrivals and departures all day, connecting you to Paraga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Elia, and beyond. The family vibe is real here — this is where parents actually relax.
How to get there
From Mykonos Town (Fabrika Square), buses run every 30 minutes and reach Platys Gialos in about 10 minutes — the cheapest and easiest option. A taxi from town takes roughly 6 minutes; from the airport, allow 10 minutes. Water taxis connect the beach to southern Mykonos beaches like Ornos, Paraga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari, and Elia every 30 to 60 minutes, making it a natural transport hub. Parking is available on-site — free spaces fill up fast, so arrive early if you're driving, riding a scooter, or coming by ATV; paid options may also be present.
Who it's for
For couples
Platys Gialos suits couples who want easy logistics — a calm turquoise bay, organised sunbeds, and water taxis on hand to reach livelier beaches like Super Paradise when the mood shifts.
For families
The sheltered bay, safe swimming, and full facilities make this one of Mykonos' most genuinely family-friendly beaches — kids can splash in calm turquoise water while parents actually sit down, and the bus from Mykonos Town means you don't need a hire car.
Our take
Feet in the sand, eyes on the screen
Platys Gialos is the sensible choice on Mykonos — and that's not a backhanded compliment. Swimming is safe, the golden sand is genuine, the turquoise water is as calm as the photos suggest, and the bus from town costs almost nothing. It's organised to the point of being polished, which means facilities are solid but spontaneity is limited. The water taxi hub status is its real superpower: you can base yourself here and reach Paradise, Super Paradise, or Elia without touching a road. It gets busy by midday in July and August — come early or come in June. Families and anyone who wants a reliable, no-drama beach day will leave satisfied.
What to do
The water taxi dock is practically an attraction in itself — watching the wooden boats shuttle between beaches is a good way to plan your island-hopping day. A 10-minute walk west brings you to Psarou Beach, and Paraga is reachable on foot in about 20 minutes if you want to explore the coastline. Further afield, Little Venice in Mykonos Town is 3.9km away and worth an evening visit, and the Melpo Axioti Statue — honouring the celebrated Greek writer — sits 3.8km from the beach.
The water taxi dock at golden-hour offers a ready-made composition — wooden boats, turquoise water, and the warm light hitting the sand simultaneously.
Shoot from the waterline looking back toward the beach for a wide frame that captures the full arc of golden sand against the blue-green bay. Early morning, before the sunbeds fill, gives you clean foreground and the best colour saturation in the turquoise shallows.
Where to eat
Nicolas Tavern, a Greek kitchen just 0.6km from the beach, is the closest sit-down option for a post-swim meal. Scorpios, 0.8km away, offers a more atmospheric setting if you're after something with a view and a longer afternoon. Alesta Restaurant (Greek, 1.4km) and Luda's Pikanti Gonia (1.7km) round out the nearby dining options for those willing to walk or hop in a taxi.
Where to stay
Kamari is the closest hotel at just 0.4km — a practical base if you want to walk to the sand in minutes. VILLAEVI (1.3km) and La Stella (1.7km) offer slightly more distance from the beach action, while Amyth of Mykonos Super Paradise and Namas Villas sit within 2km for those who want to split time between beaches.
Photography
Shoot from the eastern end of the beach in the early morning when the golden sand is empty and the turquoise water reflects a clean sky — the water taxi boats add a natural foreground element. Late afternoon light from the west warms the whole bay and makes the turquoise water glow; position yourself low on the sand for a wide shot that captures the full curve of the shoreline.
Good to know
Swimming is rated safe, but always watch young children near the water taxi landing area where boat traffic picks up. Arrive before 10am to secure a free parking spot and a prime sunbed position before the day-trippers roll in. The beach is fully organised, so expect to pay for sunbed and umbrella hire during peak season — bring cash as a backup. June through September is the reliable window for warm water and settled weather; outside those months, facilities may be reduced.
Map
Nearby places
Nicolas Tavern
Scorpios
Alesta Restaurat
Luda's Pikanti Gonia
O'bati
Kamari
VILLAEVI
La Stella
Amyth of Mykonos Super Paradise
Namas Villas
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
Nearest beaches
Other family beaches in Greece
More beaches in Cyclades
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Photo credits
Sources and licenses for the photos shown above.
- Photo 1 — rene boulay · source · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Photo 2 — taeoakley · source · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Photo 3 — 7777777kz · source · CC BY 3.0
- Photo 4 — Kondephy · source · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo 5 — rene boulay · source · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Photo 6 — rene boulay · source · CC BY-SA 3.0













