Our Birthday Island Escape — beaches, villas, yachts & the reality behind the glamour
A Birthday Journey Through Greece and Beyond
This year’s birthday celebration for my husband, CK, has been a five-part journey: Croatia (Zagreb & Dubrovnik), Athens, now Mykonos, and next up Istanbul. Just weeks earlier, we had wrapped up a Pride Adventures gay men’s group trip to Iceland — full of glaciers, waterfalls, and authentic culture. Landing in Mykonos immediately felt different: polished, luxurious, and unapologetically designed for vacation.
When people picture Greece, Mykonos is usually the image in their minds: whitewashed villages spilling down rocky hillsides, impossibly blue seas, and sunsets straight out of Mamma Mia. And yes, the island delivers that postcard fantasy. But does it truly live up to the hype.
First Impressions of Mykonos
If Iceland is jaw-droppingly expensive, Mykonos isn’t far behind. Prices here are only a step lower, and nearly everything revolves around tourism. From fleets of buses and vans to high-end boutiques and beach clubs, the island feels engineered for vacationers.
That doesn’t mean it isn’t stunning. Driving along the coast, the water really is that perfect blue, and the contrast of white houses against rocky terrain is breathtaking. Still, culture and local life take a back seat — unless you actively seek them out.
Beach Days on the Island
The beaches are the heartbeat of Mykonos. Rows of loungers and umbrellas line the sand, each belonging to a different club or hotel, with cocktails and food delivered right to your chair.
But the price tag is steep: expect to pay around $100 at Elia Beach for a pair of loungers, or up to $800+ at the party-scene clubs like Super Paradise or Scorpios.
Yes, there are free stretches of sand where you can drop a towel, but hotels don’t provide beach gear, and affordable shops for umbrellas or mats are rare. It’s essentially a choice: dive into the luxury beach scene or embrace simplicity.
👉 One more thing: if you’re in port when cruise ships arrive, beaches (and Old Town) can suddenly feel packed. Timing matters.
Gay Beaches of Mykonos 🌈
Mykonos has long been an LGBTQ+ travel hotspot, and the beaches are central to that reputation. Here are the top spots for queer travelers:
- Elia Beach — The island’s most famous gay beach. Rent loungers or bring your own towel. If you’re facing the water, walk all the way to the right, then climb over the rocks to find the hidden nudist beach — no loungers, no cost, just sand, sea, and a welcoming vibe.
- Jackie O’s Beach Club — Glamorous, fun, and iconic. A daytime lounge spot that transforms at night with dinners and fabulous drag shows.
- Super Paradise Beach — Legendary for its wild energy and upscale party scene. Loud, lively, and unapologetically Mykonos.
From hidden nudist sands to over-the-top parties, these beaches showcase the full spectrum of gay Mykonos.
Mykonos Party Vibes 🎶
Mykonos has built its reputation as the party island, and it doesn’t disappoint.
- Jackie O’s Beach Club is a daytime staple but also transforms at night with lively dinners and fabulous drag shows.
- Jackie O’s Town Bar in Old Town starts late, with crowds arriving around midnight.
- For true night owls, the legendary Cavo Paradiso Club keeps the beats going until sunrise, perched dramatically on a cliff above the sea. Over the years, superstar DJs like Tiësto, David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, and Steve Aoki have headlined here — making it one of the world’s iconic electronic music venues.
👉 But fair warning: the party vibe is strong. Noise carries, nights run late, and if you’re looking for serenity, you may need to plan around the buzz.
ATVs and Getting Around Mykonos
ATVs are everywhere in Mykonos — it’s practically the island’s unofficial mascot. The rugged terrain makes them fun to ride, but here’s the catch: unlike smaller islands, Mykonos has heavy traffic. Buses, vans, and rental cars fill the roads, and navigating an ATV alongside them can be daunting.
If you’re experienced, go for it. Otherwise, hotel transfers might be safer. Just know they aren’t cheap — about $60 per ride — and costs add up quickly.
Villa Life in Mykonos 🏡
We were invited to stay at the Myconian Villa Collection by the Preferred Hotels team, and we couldn’t be more grateful. The service was impeccable — attentive yet warm — and the property itself was pure indulgence. Villas start around $600 per night in the off-season and climb to $1,300+ in high season.
Like anywhere, even high-end villas and hotels in Mykonos aren’t perfect. The A/C can feel strained against the summer heat, and there are always little quirks or hiccups. But nothing overshadowed the overall experience, which was still spectacular.
We had the choice between a plunge pool or a hot tub. We picked the hot tub, and it became one of our favorite rituals as a couple: morning coffee with my husband while the sun rose over the Aegean, or a late-night soak under the stars.
A Yacht Day to Remember ⛵
My husband’s birthday highlight was our private yacht day, arranged through Mykonos Sailing. Everyone — from billionaires on $200M superyachts to half-day charter groups — meets at the same ancient stone pier in Ornos, waiting amid the chaotic dance of tenders.
Once on the water, though, it was bliss. We had two choices: sail to Delos to explore mythology and ruins, or cruise along the southern coves. We chose the coves, and it was everything we wanted — turquoise water, hidden beaches, great food and drinks, and a birthday toast with the Aegean as our backdrop. Opa!
The Flip Side of Mykonos ⚖️
For all its beauty, Mykonos can feel hollow. The island runs almost entirely on tourism, with Old Town lined shop after shop of luxury goods catering to visitors.
But if you look closely, there are glimpses of local life and history that give the island more depth. Scattered across the hills are hundreds of small whitewashed family chapels (ekklisakia), built and maintained by local families as private shrines. Many are perched dramatically against the sea or tucked beside villas — quiet symbols of faith and tradition.
Walking inland, you’ll also see remnants of the ancient stone walls that once divided agricultural properties. They stretch across the rugged hillsides, reminders that Mykonos wasn’t always a playground for yachts and beach clubs.
In Mykonos Town itself, there are cultural treasures worth pausing for:
- The cluster of historic windmills of Kato Mili, standing guard above the harbor.
- The striking Panagia Paraportiani, one of Greece’s most photographed churches, with its whitewashed, asymmetrical architecture dating back to the 15th century.
- The Archaeological Museum of Mykonos, housing artifacts from nearby Delos and other Cycladic sites.
These small details — chapels, walls, windmills, and sacred spaces — are easy to miss if you’re only chasing the beach clubs and boutiques. But they offer a glimpse into the island’s past and its enduring local traditions. And for LGBTQ+ travelers, that balance of glamor and hidden history is exactly what makes Mykonos such a unique stop on a Pride Adventures–style journey.
A Note on Gay Mykonos and XLsior
We didn’t time our visit for XLsior (Excelsior), the massive gay circuit festival that had wrapped up just before our trip. It’s one of the biggest LGBTQ+ events in Europe, drawing thousands of travelers each summer. The festival takes over beach clubs like Neven for its sunset-to-sunrise beach parties, and Noia Mykonos at Paradise Beach for productions like the WE Party.
I’m not usually one for huge circuit events, but after experiencing Mykonos during a quieter week (aside from cruise ship crowds), I can see the appeal. The island is already geared toward spectacle — add in world-class DJs, drag shows, and thousands of queer partiers, and it must be unforgettable.
Final Verdict: Is Mykonos Worth the Hype?
If you’re after luxury, nightlife, and sun-soaked indulgence, then yes — Mykonos delivers exactly what it promises. If you’re chasing authenticity, culture, or history, you’ll need to balance it with other destinations. That’s why we’re glad our journey included Croatia’s old-world charm, Athens’ history, and Istanbul’s cultural richness.
For us, Mykonos was beautiful, indulgent, and memorable — but also a reminder that not every paradise is as deep as it looks in an Instagram story.
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