Agios Sostis, MykonosGetty Images
Agios Sostis
Best For: Nature
You’ll need to hire a car, drive north and ramble down a rugged hill to reach Agios Sostis, one of the best beaches in Mykonos. But the adventurous journey is worth it. This is not like other beaches in Mykonos; for starters, there are no sunbeds or umbrellas available for hire, and you’ll find just one restaurant – Kiki’s Taverna – snuggled into the cliffside. What it lacks in facilities, however, it makes up for in raw, natural beauty. A trip here is rewarded with copious fine-white sands to sink into alongside expansive, vivid waters in all shades of blue and, on its southern border, other-worldly, red rock that forms the base of a craggy hillside. Be sure to pack a towel and sunscreen plus all the snacks and water you’ll need for the day.
Address: Agios Sostis Beach, Mykonos, Greece
Mersini
Best for: Seclusion
No matter what you’ve been told about this sometimes-overly-crowded island, you can find peace, quiet and seclusion in Mykonos – if you’re prepared to go looking for it. In the northeast of the island, at the end of an unpaved, unmarked road, Mersini is one of the last untapped stretches of sand in Mykonos. Raw and untamed, bring everything you need for the day, including a good book to get stuck into as you lap up the solitude. Hire a car and follow the signs to (the also very secluded) beach next door, Fokos, to find it – Mersini is a kilometre further north on the same road. Fokos is also a wonderful place to spend a quiet day, and comes with the added benefit of a taverna serving Greek salads, fresh fish and lamb chops to satiate any hunger pangs.
Address: Mersini Beach, Mykonos, Greece