Greece › Mykonos › Beaches › Elia Beach Hotels
Updated: September 27, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Elia is the longest sandy beach on Mykonos, with clear water, a good beach restaurant, and a quieter feel than Ornos, Platis Gialos, or Psarou.
Elia vs Mykonos Town, Ornos, Platis Gialos, Psarou, and Agios Ioannis
- Elia vs Mykonos Town: Elia is for beach days and quiet nights. Mykonos Town has far more restaurants, bars, clubs, shopping, and nightlife. Stay in Elia if the beach is your priority; stay in town if you expect to go out most evenings.
- Elia vs Ornos: Ornos is better for families and much more convenient, with restaurants, supermarkets, and frequent buses to Mykonos Town. Elia has a longer, less crowded beach and better resort hotels, but fewer places within walking distance and a longer trip into town.
- Elia vs Platis Gialos: Platis Gialos is better for restaurants, buses, and beach-hopping by water taxi. Elia has more room and is quieter. I prefer Platis Gialos for travelers who want a beach stay without feeling isolated; Elia is better if you’re happy spending most of your time at the beach and hotel.
- Elia vs Psarou: Psarou is closer to Mykonos Town, more expensive, and more social, with Nammos and a see-and-be-seen beach scene. Elia is larger, quieter, and less showy.
- Elia vs Agios Ioannis: Agios Ioannis is smaller, closer to Mykonos Town, and better for sunsets. Elia has the bigger and better beach and more luxury resorts. Both are good choices for couples looking for quieter nights.
Staying in Elia
Elia is one of my favorite areas on Mykonos for a quiet beach stay. It’s about 11 km southeast of Mykonos Town and has the longest sandy beach on the island, with clear water, sunbeds, water sports, and plenty of room.
The main reason to stay here is the beach. There is one main beach restaurant and bar, plus several excellent resort hotels in the hills above the bay. Elia does not have the restaurants, shops, or village atmosphere of Ornos or Platis Gialos, so it’s a better choice for travelers happy to spend most of the day at the beach or hotel. For getting around, there are buses, taxis, rental cars, and the Mykonos water taxi.
Elia can be windy when the Meltemi is blowing, though it is still more protected than the exposed north-coast beaches. At the southern end, rocky paths lead to smaller coves and a clothing-optional section. If you plan to be in Mykonos Town every night, I would stay somewhere closer.
Elia Beach Information
- Location: Southeast coast of Mykonos, about 11 km from Mykonos Town and next to Agrari Beach.
- Parking: There is a large parking lot beside the beach.
- Bus: The bus stop is in the beach parking lot, about a 1-minute walk from the sand.
- Water taxi: Elia is the final stop on the south-coast Mykonos water taxi, connecting it with Super Paradise, Paradise, Paraga, Platis Gialos, and Ornos.
- Best for: A long sandy beach, luxury resorts, water sports, and quiet nights.
See Also
Elia Beach in Mykonos – Video
4 Best Hotels in Elia
1. Panoptis Escape
Ultra-luxury villa resort high on the hillside above Elia Beach. The big reasons to stay here are privacy, huge sea views, and large contemporary villas with private infinity pools. It’s best for couples and groups who want a secluded stay and don’t need to be directly on the beach. Elia Beach is below the hotel, with shuttle service available. Children under 8 are not accepted.
2. Myconian Villa Collection
5-star resort with rooms, suites, and large villas overlooking Elia Bay. Many have hot tubs or private pools, and the biggest villas are excellent for families and groups. There’s a large seawater infinity pool, spa, gym, restaurants, and a private section of Elia Beach reached by complimentary hotel shuttle. Beach access and sunbeds carry a charge for most room categories. Guests can also book restaurants, spas, and other facilities across the Myconian Collection hotels.
3. Greco Philia Hotel Boutique by Mr and Mrs White
Small 5-star hotel on the hillside above Elia with suites and villas, excellent sea views, and a quieter feel than the large resorts nearby. Many rooms have hot tubs or private pools. There’s a good outdoor pool, restaurant, pool bar, and spa treatments. It’s about a 5-minute walk downhill to the beach, with a steep climb back to the hotel.
4. Myconian Imperial
Large 5-star resort immediately above Elia Beach, with sea-view rooms and suites, several with hot tubs or private pools. The huge pool deck, restaurants, spa, gym, and easy beach access make this the best all-around resort choice in Elia. The hotel’s section of Elia Beach has sunbeds, umbrellas, towels, and a beach bar; access carries a charge for most guests. A hotel shuttle runs to Mykonos Town, with a charge for the trip into town and a complimentary return to the hotel.
Elia Beach Photos
Elia is the longest sandy beach on Mykonos.
Greco Philia Hotel Boutique by Mr and Mrs White is on the hillside above the beach.
Elia Beach and bay.
Clear water at Elia Beach.
The rocky hillside above the beach.
The lifeguard station.
Jet skis and other water sports rentals are available.
The boat dock for water sports and the Mykonos water taxi.
Elia Restaurant is the main place to eat on the beach. Dining choices are limited compared with Ornos or Platis Gialos.
Elia Restaurant faces the beach.
The ATM on the parking lot side of Elia Restaurant.
The large parking lot beside the beach.
Scooter parking beside the beach.
The Elia Beach bus stop is in the parking lot.
A rocky path continues along the hillside at the southern end of the beach.
Clothing-optional cove at the southern end of Elia.
Sunbeds along the central part of the beach.
The boardwalk between Elia Restaurant and the main sunbed area.
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