Key facts
| Country | Greece (Cyclades, South Aegean) |
|---|---|
| Nearest airport | Mykonos (JMK); ferries from Piraeus and Rafina |
| Best time | May–June and September–October; July–August are crowded and windy |
| Type | Island with customary nude beach sections, nightlife and LGBTQ+ scene |
| Adults only | No — mixed destination |
| Clothing | Nudity tolerated by custom on certain beach sections only; cover up elsewhere |
| Best months | May–June, September–October |
Mykonos, in the Cyclades, is one of the Mediterranean's most famous party islands, known for whitewashed Chora, windmills, beach clubs and a long-established LGBTQ+ scene. Since the 1970s it has also had a reputation for beaches where nobody minds if you take off your swimsuit. That reputation needs an honest update. Greek law formally permits nudism only in designated areas, very few beaches in Greece hold official naturist status, and most of the island's famous beaches are now organised with sunbeds, music and restaurants, where nudity is no longer accepted. What remains is a custom of nude bathing on certain quieter sections.
Who it suits
- Couples and singles who want a lively island with excellent food, nightlife and beaches, and are happy to be nude only where it is clearly customary.
- LGBTQ+ travellers, for whom Mykonos has been a destination for decades.
- Naturists, with realistic expectations: this is not an organised naturist resort, and a quieter Greek island may suit you better.
Where nudity is customary
Travel guides most often mention the far end of Elia beach, parts of Agrari and sections of Super Paradise on the south coast as places where nude bathing is common. The pattern is similar on each: the organised, sunbed-covered part of the beach is textile, while nudity appears at the rocky ends and in the less developed corners. Customs change from season to season, especially as new beach clubs open, so look around before undressing. If everyone near you is in swimwear, keep yours on.
Best time to go
May, June, September and early October are the best months: warm sea, lower prices and more space on the beaches. July and August are extremely busy and expensive, and the strong northerly meltemi wind often blows in high summer, which can make north-facing beaches uncomfortable; the south-coast beaches are more sheltered. From November to April much of the island's tourist infrastructure closes.
Getting there
Mykonos Airport (JMK) receives direct seasonal flights from many European cities and regular flights from Athens. Ferries and fast boats link the island with Piraeus and Rafina near Athens and with neighbouring islands such as Tinos, Paros and Naxos. On the island, buses run from Mykonos Town to the main south-coast beaches, and water taxis serve several of them in season. Quad bikes are popular but accidents are common; drive carefully.
Legal notes
Greek law allows nudism in officially designated places, and outside them public nudity can be treated as an offence against public decency. In practice, nudity at the traditional nude sections of some beaches has long been tolerated, but it is not a legal right. Be discreet, cover up if asked by police, lifeguards or beach staff, and never be nude near families or in organised areas. Public sexual behaviour is illegal. Greece has also tightened rules on beach concessions in recent years, which is one reason beach norms keep changing.
Etiquette
- Choose your spot with care and follow what the people around you are doing.
- No photos of nude bathers. Mykonos attracts influencers; keep cameras pointed away from other people.
- Cover up when you leave the sand and in beach bars and restaurants.
- Respect Greek culture. Churches and monasteries require covered shoulders and knees.
Safety and consent
Nightlife on Mykonos runs until dawn. Watch your drinks, use official taxis (they are scarce in high season, so plan ahead) and agree your plans and boundaries with your partner before going out. Consent is always clear, sober and ongoing. The Aegean sun and wind together cause bad sunburn and dehydration; use strong sunscreen and drink plenty of water.
Nearby
The sacred island of Delos, one of Greece's most important archaeological sites, is a short boat ride from Mykonos Town. For organised naturism with legal certainty, compare Ibiza or Croatia's naturist camps such as Koversada and Valalta. Browse naturist places in Greece.