Greece › Mykonos › Beaches › Elia Hotels
Updated: April 30, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Elia Beach is the longest beach on Mykonos, with clear water, a popular beach restaurant, and a quieter, less commercial feel than Ornos, Platis Gialos, or Psarou.
Elia vs Mykonos Town, Ornos, Platis Gialos, Psarou, and Agios Ioannis
- Elia vs Mykonos Town: Elia is a spacious beach resort area, with a long sandy beach, upscale hotels, sunbeds, swimming, and a quieter, more self-contained feel. Mykonos Town is a real town, with a maze of lanes, bars, clubs, restaurants, boutiques, sunset views, and late-night energy. Choose Elia if you want your days centered on the beach and resort; choose Mykonos Town if you’re focused on shopping, dining, and going out.
- Elia vs Ornos: Ornos is better for families, convenience, restaurants, supermarkets, calm water, and frequent buses to Mykonos Town. Elia has a longer, more spacious beach and a more upscale resort feel, but it is farther from town and works best with taxis or a rental car. Choose Ornos for practicality; choose Elia for space and quiet luxury.
- Elia vs Platis Gialos: Platis Gialos is better for beach-hopping, restaurants, easy buses, and water taxis to other south-coast beaches. Elia is calmer, more spacious, and more resort-focused, with a less busy feel and more room to spread out. Choose Platis Gialos for convenience and activity; choose Elia for a more relaxed beach escape.
- Elia vs Psarou: Psarou is glossier, closer to Mykonos Town, and more social, with Nammos, yachts, and a see-and-be-seen beach-club scene. Elia is larger, quieter, and less showy, with a more relaxed upscale atmosphere. Choose Psarou for glamour and energy; choose Elia for space, comfort, and a slower beach rhythm.
- Elia vs Agios Ioannis: Agios Ioannis is quieter, more romantic, closer to Mykonos Town, and better for sunset views. Elia has the bigger and better beach, with more of a full resort feel, but it is more isolated. Choose Agios Ioannis for romance, sunsets, and easier access to town; choose Elia for a beach-first luxury stay.
Staying in Elia
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Elia is one of the best choices on Mykonos for a quieter, beach-first stay. Located about 11 km southeast of Mykonos Town, it has the longest sandy beach on the island, a more spacious feel than Ornos or Platis Gialos, and a polished resort atmosphere without the constant party energy of Paradise, Super Paradise, or Psarou.
The main reason to stay here is the beach. Elia has clear water, organized sunbeds, water sports, and plenty of room to spread out. There is one main beach restaurant and bar, plus several excellent resort hotels in the hills above the bay. The tradeoff is that Elia has less of a village feel than Ornos or Platis Gialos. There are fewer restaurants, shops, and casual places within walking distance, so many visitors rely on their hotel, taxis, buses, rental cars, or the Mykonos water taxi.
Elia can also be windier than the more protected beaches, especially when the Meltemi is blowing, though it is still offers a better beach day than the exposed north-coast beaches. At the southern end of the beach, rocky paths lead toward smaller coves, including a clothing-optional area. Elia works best for travelers who want a relaxed resort stay, a bigger beach, and quieter nights. It is less ideal if you plan to be in Mykonos Town every evening.
Elia Beach Information
- Location: Elia is on the southeast coast of Mykonos, about 11 km from Mykonos Town and next to Agrari Beach.
- Parking: Free parking is available in the beach lot, though it can fill in peak summer.
- Bus: The bus stop is at the entrance to 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, which connects it with beaches such as Super Paradise, Paradise, Paraga, Platis Gialos, and Ornos.
- Best for: Quiet luxury, resort hotels, a long sandy beach, water sports, and travelers who want a beach-focused stay away from the busiest parts of Mykonos.
Elia Beach in Mykonos – Video
4 Best Hotels in Elia
1. Panoptis Escape
An ultra-luxury villa resort perched on a hill above Elia Beach. It is an excellent choice for travelers who value privacy, space, and expansive sea views more than direct beach access. The property consists of large, contemporary villas, each with private infinity pools. The atmosphere is much quieter than the busy beach clubs below. It’s a great fit for couples or groups who want a secluded, exclusive base while remaining close to Elia Beach. (Children aged 9 and older are welcome.)
2. Myconian Villa Collection
5-star resort with luxurious and spacious rooms, suites, and villas. Some rooms and all suites and villas feature jacuzzis or private pools. Freestanding villas offer two to six bedrooms and private pools, and are great for groups of up to fourteen. Amenities include two restaurants, a pool bar, an opulent full-service spa with indoor heated pool, a gym with yoga and pilates, a large saltwater infinity pool and sundeck with superb views of the beach and sea, a private section with sunbeds on the beach just five minutes away, and a complimentary beach shuttle. The service is superlative and guests can use the facilities at all four sister properties steps away.
3. Greco Philia
Boutique cliffside hotel with individually-designed contemporary suites and villas offering magnificent sea views. The luxurious accommodations are tastefully decorated and feature patios/balconies. Many come with jacuzzis, private pools, or both. The large pool features a deck with lots of sunloungers and sea views. There’s a full-service spa with two treatment rooms; most services are offered in-room. The restaurant offers an excellent traditional Greek menu using fresh seafood and vegetables from the kitchen garden and the poolside bar serves great cocktails. The hotel is just a 5-minute walk from the beach.
4. Myconian Imperial
Luxurious beachfront hotel with spacious and airy accommodations and magnificent water views. Most of the trendy rooms and suites can sleep up to three adults and feature jacuzzis or privates pools. Dining options include two restaurants, a sushi bar, and two bars. The huge sundeck has two large saltwater pools, a jacuzzi, and a children’s splash area. The full-service spa is opulent and features a heated indoor pool and a fully-equipped gym with yoga and pilates. The hotel also offers a complimentary shuttle to Mykonos Town, complimentary port/airport transfers, and complimentary sunbeds.
Elia Beach Photos
A great beach to enjoy an afternoon.
Perfect for a long walk along the water’s edge. The excellent Greco Philia Hotel is visible on the hillside above.
Elia Beach Bay.
Gorgeous waters.
The rocky hillside above the beach.
The lifeguard station.
Jet skis and other water sports rental are available.
The boat dock for water sports and the Mykonos water taxi.
Elia Restaurant on the beach has great food. There are not many options for dining at this beach.
The open air restaurant faces directly out onto the beach.
The ATM on the parking lot side of Elia Restaurant.
There’s a large, free parking lot at the beach.
Scooter parking in the free lot at the beach.
The Elia Beach bus stop is in the parking lot.
There’s a great walking path through the rocks along the hillside above the beach.
Clothing optional or nude beach tucked into a little cove.
Sun beds along the central part of the beach.
The boardwalk from the restaurant to sun bed area.
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