Gay Mykonos Mykonos City Guide

Curation by Jamie McGhee, words by Ian Packham

Welcome to our gay guide to Mykonos, where every summer, sculpted bronze bodies contrast with the dazzling whitewashed buildings that house chic café-bars. Situated midway through the clutch of islands that stretch across the Aegean from mainland Greece, Mykonos has epitomised the unapologetic hedonistic lifestyle of the jet-set since the days of socialite and style icon Jackie Onassis (the former Mrs JFK) in the 1970s. A haven – or should that be ‘heaven’? – for gay vacationers, the island is home to an open-minded populace, glitz and glamour that continue to rule the day. Be it in the beaches, bars, or boutiques, on Mykonos, gay culture is freely celebrated in all its diversity and glory.

The best hotels in Mykonos

The tranquil cliff-top location of Oniro Mykonos delivers breath-taking views across the island’s coastline from its elegant garden and outdoor pool, while the spacious interiors add a plush and indulgent contemporary twist to the island’s traditional architecture. Just a couple of hundred metres from the fine sands of Platis Gialos Beach, the Nissaki Boutique Hotel boasts crisp, cleanly-decorated rooms with CD and DVD players, should the views of the Aegean from the private balconies, pool, and hot tub ever get tiresome. If you find the idea of a private balcony tempting, privacy is also the maxim at the Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort, where guests are able to enjoy not only a private beach but suites with personal infinity pools as well. The blue and white rooms echo the traditional colours of the island, with rooms also adopting the authentic Mykonos cube shape. Set apart from one another amid cobbled paths, they offer spectacular views towards uninhabited Delos.

Located on the southern edge of Mykonos Town (sometimes referred to as Chora by locals), Boheme also uses blue accents, in the form of vibrant soft furnishings in its 22 otherwise white rooms. All the same, nothing takes away from the sensational sea views from terraces and balconies accessed directly from the rooms. Even closer to many Mykonos points of interest is Hotel Alkyon, just a ten-minute walk from the heart of Chora. The pared-back design of its rooms lets the incredible views over Mykonos Bay do all the talking, whether they are taken in from the private terraces or from the sun loungers by the pool. A similar distance away from Mykonos Town is the three-star Aeolos Hotel, whose simply-decorated rooms boast balconies overlooking either the pool and hydromassage facilities, or the hotel’s Mediterranean garden. Facilities include an a la carte restaurant, and a bar that serves its refreshing cocktails right to the poolside.