Discovering
Platis Gialos, Mykonos
Tucked into a crescent of golden sand on Mykonos’ south coast, Platis Gialos feels like a miniature resort in its own right. The bay faces south-east, so even when the Meltemi wind batters the north-shore beaches the sea here usually stays glass-calm. Clear, knee-deep water extends for tens of metres, which is why families and first-time swimmers rate it the island’s most user-friendly beach. A paved promenade runs the full length of the sand, lined with tavern tables and low-key beach clubs; after dark the mood remains sociable rather than rowdy. From mid-May to mid-October you can step off the sand onto a traditional water-taxi and beach-hop east as far as Elia for a flat €20 day pass – the boat departs every hour and Platis Gialos is the only stop with a proper concrete jetty.
Platis Gialos at a Glance
Sheltered south-facing bay – usually calm even when the Meltemi whips up the north-coast beaches.
Family-friendly shallows and soft golden sand that shelve in gradually.
Effortless access – 4 km/15 min bus ride from Mykonos Town’s Fabrika terminal; services run every 30 min till late.
Beach-hop like a local – hourly water-taxis (10 : 20-17 : 45) link six other iconic beaches for €20 all-day.
Getting here & moving around
Reaching the bay is fast and fuss-free. KTEL buses leave Mykonos Town’s Fabrika terminal roughly every half-hour from 07:40 until just after midnight; the ride takes ten minutes and costs about €2.
Mykonos Airport sits four kilometres away (10 min by taxi or pre-booked transfer), while the New Port at Tourlos is just over seven kilometres north-west (12 min by car).
Prefer to walk? A coastal footpath brings you to Psarou in ten minutes and to Paraga in around twenty; many visitors stroll one way and sail back on the water-taxi.
Staying at The Blue of Mykonos
Two short blocks behind the seafront, The Blue of Mykonos is a fresh Cycladic-style hideaway that scores 8.7/10 on Booking.com for its spotless rooms, friendly hosts and strong value. All accommodation – from pool-view doubles to a two-bedroom sea-view villa – features rainfall showers, air-conditioning, and spacious balconies or terraces. Facilities punch above the hotel’s size: a heated year-round pool with ample loungers, free private parking, fibre Wi-Fi, and a concierge desk happy to arrange airport transfers or secure front-row sun-beds. Pets are welcome at no extra charge, and a continental-plus-American breakfast is served by the pool each morning.
Hotspots near The Blue of Mykonos
| Place / Attraction | Approx. distance | Typical travel time & route | Handy notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mykonos Town (Chora – Fabrika bus square) | 4 km | 10 min by direct KTEL bus (every 30 min) or taxi | Last return bus summer-time ≈ 00:15 ($1) |
| Windmills & Little Venice | 4 km (same as Town) | 12 min taxi / 25 min bus-plus-walk | Perfect golden-hour photo spot |
| Old Port (cruise tenders) | 5 km | 12 min taxi; add 5 min on foot to ferries | Direct sea-bus to New Port, too ($1) |
| New Port – Tourlos (ferries) | ≈ 7 km | 14 min taxi (€20–25) | Allow extra on busy embark days ($1) |
| Mykonos Airport (JMK) | 6 km | 10 min taxi / 35 min bus via Town | Hotel shuttle on request ($1) |
| Psarou Beach & Nammos Village | 1 km coastal path | 8–10 min walk / 3 min drive | Famed for designer shopping ($1) |
| Paraga Beach & Scorpios | ≈ 3 km by road ≈ 1.5 km via footpath |
10 min taxi • 20 min clifftop stroll | Great at sunset, water‑taxi stop ($1) |
| Paradise Beach (Tropicana, Cavo Paradiso) | 2–2.5 km | 4 min taxi • 25 min coastal walk • 10 min water‑taxi | Parties start after 16:00 ($1, $1) |
| Super Paradise Beach | ≈ 3 km by water‑taxi ≈ 7 km by road |
15 min boat (next stop after Paradise) • 15 min drive | Boat is easiest; road winds inland ($1, $1) |
| Ornos Beach | 6 km | 10 min taxi • 35 min bus (change in Town) | Family‑friendly, on water‑taxi loop ($1) |
| Ano Mera village & Panagia Tourliani Monastery | 13 km | 13 min taxi • ~1h40 by connecting buses | Good half‑day for local tavern lunch ($1) |
| Armenistis Lighthouse (Fanari) | ≈ 11 km total* | 20 min taxi or ATV | Epic sunset lookout (*4 km Platis→Town + 6.5 km Town→Lighthouse*) ($1, $1) |
| Delos Island (UNESCO ruins) | 30 min boat from Old Port | Boats 09:00–13:30 out / last return 15:00–20:00 (season‑al) | Pack hat & water; no shade on site ($1) |
Guest-Only Perks
Early check-in (when available) & luggage hold
Complimentary beach-bag & towels
Pillow menu + sunset welcome drink at the pool bar
Insider Tips
Cash up in town – the single beach-side ATM often empties by sunset.
Beat the lounge rush – arrive before 11 a.m. or ask the hotel to reserve loungers.
Meltemi shield – on windy days, south-facing Platis Gialos stays swimmable when northern beaches are white-capped.
Best light for photos – early morning for empty sand; the sun drops behind the ridge by late afternoon, making sunset cooler and less crowded.
What's the best month to visit Mykonos?
For most travelers, the sweet spot is late May to mid-June or mid-September to early October. In these shoulder-season weeks the air hovers in the comfortable low- to mid-20 °C range, the sea is already (or still) a pleasant 20–23 °C, and Platis Gialos’s beach clubs, tavernas and boat links are open but not yet swamped by the height-of-summer crowds. You’ll find easier reservations, mellower nightlife, and slightly friendlier prices than in July and August—yet still enjoy full beach days, reef-safe sunscreen weather and sunsets that call for nothing more than a light cardigan or wind-breaker.