foxrun133

My husband and I will be taking a cruise in September 2017 which includes some of the Greek Islands. We will be in Mykonos at point in the cruise when we would really enjoy relaxing on one of the beautiful beaches on the island. We have 8 hours on the island, but the cruise line does not offer just transport to a beach, so we will venture out on our own. Questions:
Which beach would be best for just quiet relaxation and incredible views?
Would the best transport option be the bus? Are they reliable on timeliness?
Do the beaches typically provide restrooms/ changing rooms?

Thanks!

billbarr

Hi foxrun

Favourite beaches are a personal thing but for me Agios Ioannis takes a lot of beating. There, you have stunning views over to Delos, the beach is sandy, long and narrow and is not known as a very busy one. There you will find two good restaurants, which offer up full meals or snacks. If you can grab the movie Shirley Valentine this is the beach the taverna was located and much of the filming done.

Buses to Agios Ioannis run from Fabrika bus station in town and in September they may be back to operating one service an hour. In high season, it is usually two. The journey time is only around 10 minutes and costs about 2 euro.

On the short journey, you will first pass one beach on the town outskirts called Megali Ammos. It looks good but It’s never been one of my favourites as the sand is very gritty. Next, the bus will arrive at Ornos beach and although it’s very nice it tends to be busier and has no stunning views. The final stop is Agios Ioannis.

There are no changing rooms at Agios Ioannis but for restrooms I feel sure the restaurants may help you out for the cost of a coffee!

Bill

Heimdall

Great to hear from Bill again, who knows Mykonos better than anyone else on Fodor's!

Fabrika bus station isn't a building, just a square where the buses park.

I happen to like Agios Ioannis (St John in Greek) Beach myself, because it is quieter than most others, and of course because of the view. The bus stops on the hill above the beach, and it's a short walk down to the sand.

I've never seen a Greek beach with changing rooms, but as Bill wrote, the restaurants provide facilities for their customers. Most people on the islands come dressed for the beach, and change and shower back in their room. Some people change on the beach with the aid of a towel for modesty.

Heimdall

The former British Prime Minister, David Cameron, uses a Mickey Mouse towel to change on the beach in Cornwall:
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/...47_634x715.jpg
;-)

billbarr

Good to hear from you Don. Agios Ioannis has many tales of folklore, from pirates to evil mermaids. Indeed, the little Church of St John down at the harbour there was, according to a little journal written by a local historian, built by one of those pirates as a way to pay back for all his bad deeds. To this day and after so many years I have still to see, what locals call, the Apollonia effect, a natural phenomenon which throws what looks like a path of light across the surface of the water from this beach to Delos. I live in hope!

I still smile when hearing about the elderly islander who, when asked how long it would take to walk from Agios Ioannis to Mykonos Town nodded, thought carefully and replied ‘four cigarettes’.

Heimdall

Lovely story, Bill! With the amount of smoking among Greeks, it's amazing there are so many elderly islanders, but there certainly are! It must be the Greek diet, or maybe the wine and olive oil.